Japan 2012 - Days 0 and 1
The trip out to Narita from Edinburgh was blessedly uneventful, if predictably uncomfortable and tiring. The flights were on time, no luggage was lost. I sorted out my JR pass and booked some nobi-nobi tickets although I missed getting one of them due to that night being booked out. I have some fallback plans including investigating using the JR Kanto overnight bus service between Tokyo and Osaka which, I believe is covered by the JR pass in the same way it covers train journeys. I've been told that this service is also popular and is often booked out too -- we'll see.
I eventually found my hotel after making a couple of unnecessary detours. Note: the Sky Tree is not a useful landmark as it can be seen from most of Tokyo, not surprising really as it was built mainly as a TV transmitter. I collapsed for a few necessary hours of horizontal oblivion and then headed off on foot to visit Andrew Adams and family to deliver assorted omiyage and other supplies. Andrew's daughter Hana, now just over a year old, is walking with confidence and stability which is impressive in one so young. She was shy to start with but as the evening wore on she opened up and we got to know each other a bit better. I look forward to seeing her in another year or two when I next visit Japan.
On the way back to the hotel I noticed that like last year some street lights have been switched off to save electricity making Tokyo look a little darker and dingier than I had grown accustomed to.
I eventually found my hotel after making a couple of unnecessary detours. Note: the Sky Tree is not a useful landmark as it can be seen from most of Tokyo, not surprising really as it was built mainly as a TV transmitter. I collapsed for a few necessary hours of horizontal oblivion and then headed off on foot to visit Andrew Adams and family to deliver assorted omiyage and other supplies. Andrew's daughter Hana, now just over a year old, is walking with confidence and stability which is impressive in one so young. She was shy to start with but as the evening wore on she opened up and we got to know each other a bit better. I look forward to seeing her in another year or two when I next visit Japan.
On the way back to the hotel I noticed that like last year some street lights have been switched off to save electricity making Tokyo look a little darker and dingier than I had grown accustomed to.