11-18th May 2016

Japan was the first place I was expecting to really experience some culture shock. I didn’t know anything about the place other than their love of manga and anime and all things cute and techy. I’ve since learnt about some of the interesting history following the World Wars, including the fact that Japan wasn’t allowed an official army! As I did my final checks on the place I read how clean and safe the country is and that put me at ease.

I’m meeting my older brother in Tokyo, so we decided to get an AirBnB and split the cost. I arrived a day earlier because of the time differences and was super impressed by the both the size and the quality of the apartment.

The fact it can house up to nine people might help explain the roominess!

After checking my bags in and the rest of it I went to meet up with Naomi, one of my step mum’s friends. Immediately I was greeted with a smile and she was enthused to show me the best parts of Tokyo without a moment of hesitation. On we went to Shibuya crossing to witness the most insane crossing in the world and inspiration to the Oxford Street crossing.

Everyone who goes to Tokyo has the same experience of going up to the Starbucks to watch the madness unfold. If you’re lucky you also see some Mario Kart go-karting going on at the same time.

On our way out I was amused to find that the police stations are covered in adorable cartoon characters. Apparently these are used to explain the services to children and make it more approachable. Imagine being taken to a station after committing atrocities and being confronted with cute teddy bears!

After this we went to get some food. We settled on an extremely nice restaurant which served Shabu Shabu; a Japanese meal of thinly slice meat cooked in boiling soupy-water (you do the cooking) and it’s awesome! It still remains the best meal I’ve had.

The next day and John has arrived! Off to a funny start when I go to collect him. Only hiccup was that I went to the wrong airport. Haha! Eventually, we sort this little tidbit of a problem out and meet at Tokyo station before heading to the AirBnB.

First stop after that? Akihabara! John’s done his research and we’re straight there.

Building upon building of anime, manga and floor after floor of arcade machines. It all ends blurring into one after a little while. John’s also heard of a “Maid Café”, of which every local has found it blisteringly funny that we went ever since. We find a particular one and have one of the oddest lunch experiences I’ve had in my life. I’ll leave the details out but involves singing before you eat your food, acting like a cat and having small talk forced upon you by a number of “maids”.

Cultural learning, right?

We also managed to squeeze in watching a Judo training session at a Dojo, going to the Ghibli store and ending upon a random waterpark. After a nice day out we headed back to the flat and got some food from the supermarket to see us through the couple of days. I message Naomi who has kindly invited us out again tomorrow. John declines but I decide to go for it.

As always, I’m glad I went for it. We went to Sensoji temple, pulled our fortunes out a box (all good, thankfully!) and went for some more glorious Japanese food. We also got a fantastic tour around on a man pulled cart which helped educate us around the buildings and history attached.

The next day John came along and we experienced Japanese Kabuki theatre. A sort of Japanese version of pantomime mixed with Shakespeare. We got some cheap seats right at the top and although I did fall asleep a couple of times it was a really nice experience and I would definitely go again. Just maybe after a coffee!

We decide to end the night in a place we’ve frequented quite a few times now: MoTown! A bar where some local Japanese let their hair down with foreigners. Including our new friend Mr. Cuba and his cigar! Although every time we’ve been here I’ve been treated as “young meat” by a lot of middle aged women in the place it has never hampered our ability to have a great time!

Eventually, the fun comes to an end and I’m waving John off at the airport.

After some confusion with John changing his ticket and thinking he might not make it home I’m figuring out where I’m going to be staying. I’m told I just HAVE to try one of these capsule hotels. I’m up for that so I go find a place and try to book in.

I’m told I need a booking. I ask if I can just pay as I’m here. No. I need a booking. Do they have wifi? No. With that I go outside to get wifi and make a booking for the capsule hotel I was standing in moments before. I go back in the capsule hotel. The same guy accepts my booking and gives me a key. He then writes down the wifi password. He ignores the look on my face upon finding out there is wifi. I smile to myself and accept the situation. Time to check out the capsule!

My last full day in Tokyo is spent, again, with the fabulous Naomi and we branch out to Nikko to check out the Toshogu Shinto shrine. The place is well worth a visit. Home of the monkeys that see no evil. Do no evil. Hear no evil.

Also the home to the Sleeping Cat as well (hint: The cat. It’s pretty small!).

Another great day. I love Japan. There’s only one way to finish this though and that’s with some Beatles in a private karaoke booth!

Goodbye Tokyo! I will forever miss you!

Now over to Kyoto.

What’s that?

Hey, that’s Mt. Fuji!