Blogs from Tokyo, Japan, Asia - page 256

When I first arrived in Japan we spent 3 days at the Keio Plaza Hotel for Tokyo Orientation. I am not going to say much more about this because it was a month ago (due to the fact that I took so long to begin this travel blog). However, it was a lot of fun, and I wanted to post some of the pictures from it. Enjoy!... read more

23 July, 4:30pm - Our plane takes off from Tokyo airport. 5 minutes later, at 4:35, an earthquake of magnitude 6.0 shakes Tokyo injuring dozens of people and suspending flight and train services. Yes people, we rocked Tokyo and left it in our wake. Our welcome to Tokyo was a little unusual. A drunk businessman staggered into our carriage and introduced us to the fine Japanese dinner, and dare I say sake, he had just consumed. We thought about moving into the adjoining carriage only to realise he had been considerate enough to show them his lunch. We checked into Ryokan Kangetsu which is a traditional Japanese guest house that is apparently 'not exactly the lap of luxury'. If massage chairs, traditional Japanese baths, foot massagers and free DVDs and CDs isn't luxurious, we're not sure ... read more

Hi all, Long time no blog! I finally have a high speed internet connection at Candy's friend Ken's place, so I'm very very happy :D I'm tired now so I'll just do a short entry and more tomorrow. Still reeling from culture shock in Tokyo, we've been spoilt in Shanghai and Hong Kong since we took taxis everywhere in Shanghai since it was cheap, or were driven around in my Dad's SUV, and the Hong Kong MTR/subway system is the best I've seen: bilingual, well-designed stations so passengers can transfer from one line to another just by walking across the platform, and little blinking arrows on the line map that tell you which line and direction you're on as well as the next stop. Amazing. Then we arrive in Tokyo and it takes two hours and ... read more

I love Japan. I love Japan. I love Japan. The Japanese are so friendly, courteous and helpful - probably the opposite of us English!! Tokyo itself was a great place with so much to see and do, but it's the memory of the people that will stay with me longest. (and the women are very hot too!) Some examples: Arthur left his unwanted US dollar coins next to a ticket machine in the entrance hall of the metro. We went down to the platform and were waiting for a train when one of the station staff jogged up to us, bowed and gave us back the money. I used my phrasebook to ask a young couple in the street where the nearest internet cafe was, but they didn't know and they spoke little english. I thanked ... read more

7 June 2005 - Club Harlem I went to a club in Shibuya with two friends, Lars and Moto. Moto is a really cool 30-year old Japanese friend I've made here at my dorm. It was the first night we went clubbing -- he had been busy the past few months cramming for his CPA certification. We STARTED the night off with some QQ (100 yen store) cola and gin... the cola tasted real funky, but the mix was not bad at all. We decided to just chill and watch for girls at Shibuya crossing. Then, I suggested a NAMPA game, in which we were all unsuccessful -- ask me bout this sometime. Later, we met with OTHER friends to hit up Harlem. Harlem was not that great that night actually, and I didn't get any ... read more