Day 6 - Shonan Shinjuku Platform ... Which one!?

I was told by some people who I met on the Hello!Online forums that they were also in Japan and were heading to a Cat Cafe.

They told me where, but when I got there, it turned out there were one of several possible locations the sender of the message could have meant.  She herself may not have known that there were multiple Shonan Shinjuku platforms on which to meet.

It doesn't help that my phone won't get reception over here, either.

So I spent one hour ducking back and forth, trying to find these three people, but ultimately to no avail.

Perhaps I can catch them later?

I wonder what Day 7 will bring?

Day 2 - Tokyo Tower.

The day began with corn flakes for breakfast at the hotel's restaurant.

I noticed last night that I could see what I thought was Tokyo Tower from my window, and this morning went to confirm that with the staff.  I still can't quite believe that I can see it.

After confirming it with the staff, I asked them how to get there, and went on my way.  Two lefts out of the hotel and a very long walk, I was there, only to discover the hundreds of people lined up both for the Michael Jackson Lifetime Exhibition, and the actual tower itself.  Apparently it's holidays here now, so I don't fancy my chances of it being any less busy on a weekday.

On the way I noticed a place that was General Nogi's Residence and Stable, where there is a plaque at the front in English and Japanese, with all other plaques being in Japanese.  There's also a ... shrine?  temple?  at the back, which is quite nice ... the sound of the metal brooms scraping the pebbles drove me nuts, so I moved on.

Anyway, getting back to Tokyo Tower ... just across the road there is a really peaceful garden, so I went down there, took some photos and sat around for a bit.

On the way back, I looked into the shopping centre where the video game company Konami is located - were my Japanese at a higher skill level I would have perhaps gone in, but alas my Japanese is very limited.

Later on I went to a "FamilyMart" and was a little shocked by what was on the covers of some of the magzazines ... non-shrink wrapped and all ... that is, a child could easily walk up to it and browse through it.

Anyway, as much as I want to, I don't really like Meiji Chocolate. :-(  (Sorry Meiji).

Later again, I went for a walk to find the nearest JR station which isn't far away at all ... well ... for someone who doesn't mind walking it isn't far away, anyway.

Got a bit lost on the walk home, but found my way again thanks to the people who ran the bicycle shop - arigatou!

and now here I am again.

Thank you.

Day 1 "The Labyrinth"

I arrived in Japan on time, with the left half of the plane landing first, but overall not too bad of a landing.

Got of the plane, then was taken to the main part of the air port by a shuttle train.

Went to the toilet as soon as I could, as I was busting.

Went and got my luggage.

Went and got my Japanese Rail voucher exchanged for my Japanese Rail Pass (The queue took forever).

Then proceeded to the train which took me from Narita airport to Tokyo - a very enjoyable 59min ride with some great scenery.

... oh ... dear ... God ... An unnecessarily complicated network of mazes ...

Kept asking random store vendors for directions, and eventually got pointed to information.

Went where information said and got lost ... again.

A kind stranger noticed I looked lost and so I showed him the map I was given when I got my rail pass and pointed to where I wanted to go, and he told me how to get there.

After eventually getting to where I needed to go, not being sure of how the train system works here, I chanced it and darted through an open gate ... I made it ... mu luggage didn't, so I picked it up and lugged it over the gate.  I hope no one noticed, but no one made a deal out of it anyway, big or small.

I eventually got on the train that took me to Kasumigaseki station (second stop after where I got on - red line) after which I had to change onto the green line to get from Kasumigaseki to Akasaka - myy final stop before having to walk to my hotel.

To get from Kasumigaseki red line, to green line was ... epic Luckily, a girl from information, whose English was limited but good, was kind enough to take me the whole way, even pointing out the right platform.

After I finally got to Akasaka it was a matter of asking random strangers directions and hoping that they spoke English.

One Japanese man, noticing I looked lost, came up to me and asked where I was going, and actually walked most of the way with me, even though he was going in the opposite direction - He spoke fluent English as he had lived in Europe working for a trading company for twenty years.

I arrived at my hotel where it turns out they were expecting a day previous, due to my travel agent having booked me in at that time.

Got to my room; unpacked; freaked out about not having keys but found them; went to reception to ask where I could by a universal converter - turns out they sell them. $6.50

Anyway, it's 9:17am on Day 2 no, so I must go or else I'll have nothing to write.

See you later!