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Published: January 27th 2014
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I decided today I would head to Tokyo again but this time with a step-by-step plan, which went very nicely actually. I decided the only way to beat my fear of Tokyo would be to face it all again today and get it right. I had planned to see a museum about people's life in Tokyo before the 1930s? earthquake, buy some souvenirs at a typical Thai market in Ueno in the north of Tokyo and attend a tea ceremony, eat a nice meal and then get the Bullet train Narita Express to Narita airport where the owner of the hostel I was going to stay in for the weekend would pick me up. I'd decided I'd spend my last weekend in Japan in the countryside resting and collecting my thoughts together, and rural Narita would be the place to do it.
I didn't see everything I wanted to see but I managed to buy some souvenirs at Ueno market for friends and family back in the UK and I had a very nice set lunch meal and thanks to a business man who spoke very good English I found the restaurant that I had set out to find in Ueno.
Today my bullet train pass expired and I will miss it. Every day when I get the bullet train I recline my chair all the way back, hang my coat on the coat hanger provided, I take one seat for me and one seat for my luggage. Then, I put my Walkman on and listen to my seven CDs whilst watching the whole of industrial Japan pass before my eyes like a silent movie telling its story. I feel privileged to be on the train. It's more comfortable than any of the hostels I've been to in Asia since I arrived. Sometimes I fall asleep as soon as I sit down. During the train ride I can visit the powder room, I can walk through any of the 16 carriages and see what people are eating, doing and reading. I love it. Then the lady comes by with a tray of food and drinks (this is extra cost) and when she gets to the end of the carriage she turns around and bows to say thank you to everybody for travelling on the train. The conductors do the same. They regularly walk through the carriages to see if everybody is happy and comfortable and then they bow to everybody in turn. Also I love to watch when the train comes in 10 minutes before it is due to leave and the cleaners tidy up the train. All train staff have a set ritual to do and must do it in sync. The head cleaner first gets off the train and then bows to each of the cleaners in turn, they leave the train. Then the conductor checks his watch (he does this about every 30 seconds to ensure a prompt departure) and whirls a red flag around. It's curious to say the least.
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