I made it safe and sound to Japan. It was surprisingly easy to navigate my way from the airport in Narita to downtown Tokyo, despite the lack of English. Through hand gestures and the odd Japanese phrase, I basically handed over all of my possessions to the baggage delivery counter at the airport and prayed that it would somehow make it to my apartment in Fukushima, since there is no room for giant suitcases on the efficient Japanese trains. I spent the night at a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn in the heart of the old part of Tokyo. Steps away from ancient temples and shrines, and sandwiched next to a Denny’s and a 7-11, my location pinpointed what Japan is like- simultaneously set in tradition and full of culture while still being loud, neon, and
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