Hello blavel!
Very quick entry because I don't have a japanese converter, lol, but we made it to Tokyo and spent today exploring. So much to see and do and lots of fun to be had (and sore feet, despite investing in good shoes!).
Everything is very big and loud, but also lots of beautiful quiet spots as well... I'm struck by how similiar everything and everyone is here to at home... which may sound a bit odd as there are so many differences... but aside from the language and despite the culture, there is so much about the people that is exactly the same. I may have to continue on the philosophical discussion another time though or my computer battery will die!
Anyway, similiarity of humans aside, our whirlwind tokyo trip has been very fun. We first headed to Shibuya, where we went to Tokyu Hands, big craft-type store, very fun! we also went to a coffee shop in Shibuya, where I had a seaweed tea (apparently!) and some banana bread- yum! We then moved on to Harajuku, hub of teen culture. Lots and lots of people there, and lots of shops to look in if you can deal with the crowds. It was quite hot and humid today, so we actually didn't stay in Harajuku too long- long enough to look at some shops and for anko to get a Crepe (also yum!), but that was about it.
We headed to Shinjuku park after Harajuku. The park was quite nice, and the rain during this trip added to the atmosphere. After that, on to Ueno, where we had a light dinner and some beers at the 'Beer Pub'. On our way back, we saw another drinking spot that we entered briefly, but were instructed by a guy there to go next door... he actually said, 'foreigners next door', but he'd also said something before that which we hadn't understood, so upon reflection we weren't sure if we were told to go next door out because of our race/nationality, or perhaps the bar was actually men only (there were only men in there, so hmmm)... who knows. Anyway, Ueno was really nice despite being mysteriously instructed to leave a bar, lol.
Anyway, must run before the computer dies! Next stop: Zurich.
