The Start: Tokyo and Nagoya

Konnichiwa from Japan!

Welcome to the first entry of our blog. Sean has kindly given me the privilege to write this chapter so here goes.......


Even though we have only been here a week, it has been non-stop and its amazing thinking back to all the stuff we have done over the past 7 days. We've met quite a few people, drunk a lot of beer and done a hell of a lot of wandering around, looking like stereotypical lost tourists!

The flight didn't seem to take too long, probably because we were eager to get out here, and also probably helped by the complimentary beer and wine thanks to our friends at BA! And after landing we donned our backpacks and attempted to navigate the japanese rail network. Aside from the occasional stares and people literally getting up to move away from us on the carriages, we managed to do this without too much trouble. And even when it dawned on us that we had not paid enough fare to cover the full journey, the Japanese had already thought ahead for us and have these handy little 'Ticket Top up' machines at the final stop which allows you just to pay the extra 40p or whatever!

The hostel we stayed in for the first 2 nights was quite cosy, and the rooms were Japanese style meaning that you basically slept on the floor - strange to get used to but actually not as uncomfortable as it sounds. This has been a common theme for the first week and it wasnt until last night that we slept in a bed for the first time!
Anyway we had a day of sight-seeing in Tokyo. Went up the National Government building which offered an unbelievable view of the city and best of all it was a lovely day so we could see for miles. Had a stroll around numerous temples which were extremely calming and made a refereshing change from the hectic parts of the other city. Also had a wander through the Harajuka district which is a funky, vibrant and youthful part housing a lot of teens wearing some very strange clothes. Unfortunately we didnt manage to get any pictures of them, but it was a real taste of the quirkier side of Japan I was expecting.

That night we had a few drinks in the City, and then ended up meeting 3 people from Sweden back at the hostel. After some sweet-talking and charm we managed to gatecrash their game of cards and ended up playing and drinking until the very early hours! very funny night!


We then moved onto a city called Nagoya which was an arduous 8 hour bus ride away. This wasn't helped by the fact we weren't feeling too great, but was made slightly more enjoyable for me watching Sean keep going to the toilets to throw up last night's beer!!
Nagoya itself is another vibrant city and was helped by the fact that our hostel was right in the Sakae district which is where all the bars and restaurants are housed. Again we had a day looking round the city, went up to the castle etc etc.
Went out for a quiet night in the evening, had a really nice dinner and were on our way back to the hostel, but then spotted a 'British' pub called the Hub. I say British, it was more like an American bar which was trying to be themed like a British one. Anyway it was packed with people and before we knew it, we were drinking or Kirin beer, got befriended by some locals and then found ourselves going to a kareoke bar!! It really wasn't how I imagined it was going to be, and we basically had a room to ourselves with a TV, song book and free booze until 3am!! Me and Sean started off with a rendition of Cant Stand Me Now by the Libertines with me taking Pete's lyrics and Sean taking Carl's. As far as I can remember we were absolutely perfect but the blanks stares from other 4 suggested otherwise. Anyway we stayed for a few hours in here, singing Michael Jackson, Queen, Beatles and best of all (and just for you Liam - as you requested) we did Don't Stop Believing by Journey. We got a video so hopefully we'll try and upload it now!!

The day after we went up the mountains to a traditional Japanese Onsen which, due to the fact Japan is a very volcanic island, is a natural hot spring. This was really enjoyable and relaxing, and also very liberating just strolling around in the our birthday suits which other locals!!


Right I think I have parped on a bit too much there, although I dont think I've even touched on half of the stuff we have done so far!! We are now in Osaka and had my birthday night out last night, but I will leave that for Sean to tell you about in the next installment.......

Ross

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Videos from "The Start: Tokyo and Nagoya":

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