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Published: March 1st 2009
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Typical Japan? Blue Giraffe in Ueno Park
A blue Giraffe is not something you see every day but it somehow fits nicely. Day 1 Arrival
Leaving Melbourne my head still spinning and my heart a little sad as the realisation that I would be away from the family sunk in. A magnificent sunrise as I left and a similar sunset as I approached Japan!
Finding my way around the Gold Coast airport, small though it is, proved more difficult than Narita. It is all in the signage. The Gold Coast left room for confusion, and I took it. Mostly though it was fine and I had plenty of time. A small scare when the check in person asked me for proof of my return to Australia as this was a Japan regulation. A few moments of panic until I realised I had an on-flight to Hong Kong (details of course packed away in my luggage). Once retrieved all was good, and I then passed through customs with no problems.
The flight itself was smooth. I watched 3 movies and slept a little, I was too tired to read my book but I’m sure that will come later.
Arriving in Narita was amazing. Gate 88 of I don’t know how many. I followed the crowd to immigration
Typical image of Japan - Cherry Blossom
It's been warm so some Cherry Blossoms have come out early. which was very straight forward and they do so much for non-Japanese speakers. Plenty of people there to help you if you look lost. From there to customs which was straight through.
Then the ticket for the train to Euno and from there me and my luggage trolly went down the escalator (cleverly designed to deal with the trolly). The train itself was so clean and well organised. Announcements in Japanese and English throughout.
Getting off at the last station and across the road there is my Hotel - small but clean.
Day 2 Beginning
Slept long as the room was so dark. Then out into the neighbouring park. It was looking quite bare being the end of winter but I did see one Cherry Blossom and several plumb trees in bloom.
I went to a café in the National Gallery as I was looking for coffee (very expensive here but I was to find out that there are vending machines everywhere that have not only cans of cold drinks but also coffee- the slogan is Boss is the boss).
Next was the National Musuem where I saw a Zen display.
Hotel Kinuya
Street view of my first Hotel This was followed by a walk through an old cemetery. The graves are quite ornate, some with miniature gardens, and most had message sticks which I’m not sure of the meaning of yet.
I then down into a little suburb called Yanaka and walked along Fabric street where all the shops had to do with fabric. I even braved eating in a café (noodles) managing to point to the picture of the meal I wanted and careful to eat all my rice down to the last grain. I then wandered around the streets - getting lost a couple of times but managing to find my way back, tired but getting to realise I had really started this journey.
We had a group meeting in the early evening and met our guide and the rest of the people on the trip. There will be 10 but 2 are yet to arrive. Then we went out for dinner at a noodle and rice venue where you get to choose from a display in the front window, then go inside and pay at a ticket machine selecting the meal you fancy and then proceed to the counter
Kinuya Hotel
My little room in Euno with the ticket. Your meal is ready in minutes.
After dinner we made a trip by train trip to Shiguya and surrounds. Seeing the Neon lights that are so famous as well as hearing about the story of the little dog who came to the station morning and night for 12 years waiting for his master (who had died). A statue was made in honour of its faithfulness. Learning to navigate the Japanese extensive rail network was great and made easy by the English translations both verbal on the onboard screens.
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Hedins
The Hedins
Hi from Di
Coffee in a can......Bluhhhh!! The Japanese people sound very organized and look after their tourists well. ENJOY!