I was not eager to take this trip. I don't like the long flight over the pacific (even though it is faster than getting to Oslo) and I had no particular interest in joining in with the Japanese culture. Doreen was rather insistent on making this trip, and while we didn't spend the two weeks she wanted, neither did we spent the five days I wanted. We compromised on 10 days, of which I was working for three of them
I was a little surprised at how much park space we saw. Of course, that could have been a function of where we stayed (by the imperial palace). I was also surprised at how easy it was to get around. (That was partly because Doreen has scoped out the subway on the day she was in Tokyo alone. But I also include in this my flight from Tokyo to Nagasaki, and the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto)
Both of our Tokyo hotels were very nice. They had great cotton Kimono type robes that we really enjoyed.
and the service in each was impeccable.
Service everywhere we went was impeccable. The people were friendly, and even when we had no language in common (which was frequent) we were always treated with respect and, I suppose I should say, honor.
I was also surprised at the wonky architecture.
that you saw again and again. (We have even more photos of odd buildings)
I was not prepared for the fact that people lined up to get into a department store, and then rushed the doors as if it were Black Friday at Walmart. As far as we could tell, there was no exceptional sale or event. But you can see the guard standing inside the door of the store below.
Everything was expensive. It is hard to see in this photo, but one grade of meat below is on sale for ¥5250/100g - that equates to $242/lb. That is some expensive meat! No wonder most Japanese don't eat red meat. (the cheaper cuts here are ¥1260/100g or only $58/lb. A bargain!
But one of the most amazing things were the toilets.
The Japanese toilets are a wonder. There are regular stories about these toilets in the western press (the Wall Street Journal seems to have stories once a year about these toilets)
It is fantastic. First, you push a button and the toilet seat goes up (unless it goes up automatically when you walk into the bathroom, as this one did). Then when you sit down. the toilet seat is soft and warm.
When you are finished, you push a button and get a spray wash (gentle or firm. One said "powerwash"). You can increase or decrease the strength of the spray, as well as the direction of the spray.
Then when you are finished, you push the "dryer" button.
Fantastic.
I want one of these.
I was a little surprised at how much park space we saw. Of course, that could have been a function of where we stayed (by the imperial palace). I was also surprised at how easy it was to get around. (That was partly because Doreen has scoped out the subway on the day she was in Tokyo alone. But I also include in this my flight from Tokyo to Nagasaki, and the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto)
Both of our Tokyo hotels were very nice. They had great cotton Kimono type robes that we really enjoyed.
and the service in each was impeccable.
Service everywhere we went was impeccable. The people were friendly, and even when we had no language in common (which was frequent) we were always treated with respect and, I suppose I should say, honor.
I was also surprised at the wonky architecture.
that you saw again and again. (We have even more photos of odd buildings)
I was not prepared for the fact that people lined up to get into a department store, and then rushed the doors as if it were Black Friday at Walmart. As far as we could tell, there was no exceptional sale or event. But you can see the guard standing inside the door of the store below.
Everything was expensive. It is hard to see in this photo, but one grade of meat below is on sale for ¥5250/100g - that equates to $242/lb. That is some expensive meat! No wonder most Japanese don't eat red meat. (the cheaper cuts here are ¥1260/100g or only $58/lb. A bargain!
But one of the most amazing things were the toilets.
The Japanese toilets are a wonder. There are regular stories about these toilets in the western press (the Wall Street Journal seems to have stories once a year about these toilets)
It is fantastic. First, you push a button and the toilet seat goes up (unless it goes up automatically when you walk into the bathroom, as this one did). Then when you sit down. the toilet seat is soft and warm.
When you are finished, you push a button and get a spray wash (gentle or firm. One said "powerwash"). You can increase or decrease the strength of the spray, as well as the direction of the spray.
Then when you are finished, you push the "dryer" button.
Fantastic.
I want one of these.
One last word. We had a great experience with United on the flight home.
We were originally scheduled to fly though San Francisco (upgrade coupon issues) but the flight from Tokyo to SF was cancelled! I was very shocked when I got the alert (from Flight Aware) that we had been cancelled. I immediately called United ("this call is not toll free from outside the US. DO you still want to make this call?" You bet!) and we were put on the non-stop flight! I was probably the only person happy that NRT-SFO flight was cancelled. Thank you Ester in Tampa!
So now we are home. I am glad we went, I am glad I can tell people we made this trip. I would even recommend a visit to my more adventurous traveling friends.
Bring a lo of money.
We were originally scheduled to fly though San Francisco (upgrade coupon issues) but the flight from Tokyo to SF was cancelled! I was very shocked when I got the alert (from Flight Aware) that we had been cancelled. I immediately called United ("this call is not toll free from outside the US. DO you still want to make this call?" You bet!) and we were put on the non-stop flight! I was probably the only person happy that NRT-SFO flight was cancelled. Thank you Ester in Tampa!
So now we are home. I am glad we went, I am glad I can tell people we made this trip. I would even recommend a visit to my more adventurous traveling friends.
Bring a lo of money.
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