After the hustle and bustle of China, Japan was like a tonic. The moment we arrived at the airport, everyone was very courteous and laid back. When we encouraged an elderly man onto the subway before us (despite 20kg backpacks each), he was so pleased he gave us a sweet when he got off.
The week was spent in Tokyo only – as we were limited with time. We stayed in a lovely hostel where the staff put on a free Halloween party (sadly the day we left), with free food and drinks. Most of the toilets in Japan play a ‘tinkle’ sound while you – er – tinkle to avoid any embarrassment. If you need the toilet seat warming its no problem with the touch of a button, and need a bidet function – decipher the Japanese controls and you’re off!
The main sights in the Tokyo Asakusa area were an ancient shrine dating back around a 1,000 years, The Asahi brewery, and the skytree building (being built) which was a communications tower which was aiming to be the tallest building in Tokyo once completed.
While there we also did the 5am visit to the Tsukiji Central fish market, which is the worlds largest fish market – famous for a massive daily auction of sushi and sashimi grade tuna. This tuna is then transported around the world and sold for millions of Yen. There are also numerous exotic fish and seafood sold at the market – which makes it a really interesting visit. Plenty of surrounding restaurants and cafes serve fresh sushi and sashimi for a delicious breakfast – so good we went back a second time.
A visit around the Shinjuku area gave us an insight into the glitzy fashion shops and trends worn by the local ‘youth of today’. They dress up like their favourite ‘animee’ characters – think Pokemon but older and real life! The teenagers hair styles were an exaggerated version of Rod Stewart’s mullet circa the 1980’s. A sight to behold.
In order to see views of Mount Fuji we took the ‘Romance car’ – a driver-less train, to a place called Hakone. All the transport was so efficient and clean and if it is late at all the driver gets off and gives the customers a public apology – British rail take note! The day was overcast when we set off, and even worse when we got there. So in order to see the much awaited views, we bought postcards! It is a lovely town and we had a walk around it to the Onsen (traditional Japanese hot springs) with the mountain views as a backdrop. It would have been amazing and relaxing, once you get over the initial shock of being naked in the pools as clothing is not permitted and they are male and female only.
The highlight of the trip was going to a local football match with Uncle David. Not my uncle but that of a friends. He moved from Bolton and has lived there for the last 15 years but you wouldn’t know it. You can take the boy out of Bolton........
David kindly took us to watch Omiya Ardija play. Ardija means squirrel and their mascot is a man in a squirrel costume going around the pitch shaking hands with the fans on a segway. Omiya drew 2-2 and despite the constant rain it was a great match, standing on the terraces with pint in hand – as live matches used to be. True to tradition we went to the pub afterwards and met David’s wife and friends, all of whom were really lovely.
Japan is probably one of our favourite countries of the whole trip. All that sushi eating, using chopsticks and origami folding makes me think i’m turning Japanese, i think I’m turning Japanese – i really think so!
Sayanara for now as we're off to New Zealand eh!
su-shi you all soon Pete and Urvy xxx
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