First impressions of Japan

Sunday, 21 Oct 2007 | Journal

After a pleasant flight, we landed at Tokyo Narita Airport and were welcomed by Chris, a good friend of Natalies . Him and his wife took us around for the remainder of the day, we went to eat sushi (of course) together and at the end of the night I went on my way by myself. I had booked a hotel in downtown Tokyo.

The first thing I noticed when we walked outside of the train station was the fresh air. Living in Bangkok means you never really have to wonder about the weather, it is always going to be around 32C/90F and it only changes slightly with the different seasons. Not so in Japan, as they have real seasons there. Autumn was coming and so the air was crisp and fresh, something you never realise how much you miss it. Also really interesting was that cars turn off their engine AND their lights while waiting at a traffic light, the latter to avoid causing discomfort to other cars. Amazing, it really is true how considerate they are. Although that turned out to be less the case once we started getting into more crowded places and people were pushing in trains and what not.

We all went to the downtown area of Chiba to eat sushi. And the first thing you can’t help but notice is how good everybody looks. Not just compared to Thailand, but compared to the west as well, people went all out in looking their best. The result is a constant fashion show of both men and women. There are different styles and within each style people try to look their best, it might not be your cup of tea but they really do their best. The girls especially look amazing. Japanese women are beautiful as it is, but being dressed up and looking like little dress up dolls makes them all the more a pleasure to look at. I couldn’t stop turning my head as we were walking the streets and expect this not to change anytime soon.

What I never knew was the love Japanese have for gambling. I’m sure you all have heard of a game called pachinko, which they all love to play. This is not a skill game, but pure gambling. While gambling is illegal, the fact that metal balls are used instead of money it seems makes it okay. Doesn’t matter those metal balls can be exchanged for money, thats beside the point. Very Asian attitude! In our stroll around Chiba, I’ve seen countless pachinko halls where people sit in brightly lit and horribly noisy halls playing with their metal balls. Ahum. Yes, that was intentional.

The sushi we had was awesome. To be expected in Japan, I guess. We went to a kaiten zushi restaurant, at which you eat sushi from a conveyer belt, you know, with the little dishes going around. For those who know it, thats also likely the reason why the restaurant I so love in amsterdam is called Zushi. And Simone, the nigiri unagi was to die for - see the close up! All the sushi was really good and I intend to eat a whole lot of it this coming week!

After food a coffee and then in the train to Tokyo on my own. With the directions Chris gave me, I was quick to find the hotel I had booked and was pleasantly surprised. Small, SUPER small rooms, but quiet in a business area of town and with free internet access. So I’m not complaining. It’s also not as expensive as most other hotels, at 60 euro per night! Time to sleep, it was an early morning and I’m very, very tired.