Tokyo

Arrived in Tokyo after a smooth trip on bus from Naichisan to Katsuura, train from Katsuura to Nagoya then on to Tokyo via Shinkansen. I was quite reasonable with 620 yen for bus, and 16,340 yen for the trains with reserved seats.(about $230) it took us from 9:00 am to about 3:30pm  door to door. Fortunately when we arrived in Tokyo we were helped by a man who noticed our confusion and just walked us exactly to where we needed to go and showed us how to get the Pasmo train pass. He was  so kind. Then when we got to our platform another younger man took us under his wing and not only showed us the way but got off the train and took us right to our apartment. I embarrassed him by giving him a box of the Australian chocolates but we were so appreciative. I thought that was wxtraordinary to get off the train to help us. We were actually a bit early for our check in ( we needed to  avoid the concierge because AirB&B is illegal here though apparently according to the hosts Yumi and Koichi will be legislated for shortly). We decided to go into a cafe named Jonathan's to have coffee and some western afternoon tea. A treat!. Koichi arrived at 5:30 with iced espresso coffees and proved to be a most npgenial young man. He has his own electronics business. I am sure they are doing extremely well as young entrepreneurs.

The flat is very well situated and though tiny well designed. There are two bedrooms with western beds and one ( study ) with two futons. Anne and I took the futons because we have had the least trouble sleeping this way. The futons proved a little thin so we found an extra one and I have a do a under mine. 

 

We got settled and started to look for a supermarket but at night with no real map and general directions we gave up and had dinner at a Turkish restaurant. It was a group decision because everyone except me was over rice.  Kim, David and Irene were really struggling and David who eats no seafood was hanging out for meat. The meal proved very tasty and even I really enjoyed the change. It just emphasised how wide the Australian palette is with flavours from every country a part of our ordinary eating. I admit to missing salad and fruit of which we had very little for the last two weeks.

The restaurant also had a very Japanese Belly dancer who encouraged us up to make idiots of ourselves, Kim, David and I first then Irene. It was a hoot but considering we were still recovering from our arduous walk I think we did quite well.

We proceeded home and stopped at the closest family mart, mini supermarkets that are dotted everywhere. Had a glass of wine then collapsed into bed. In my case to not sleep at all. The noise seemed to be extraordnary with sirens blaring, motorbikes, trucks. I just couldn't get to sleep. ann was exhausted and sound asleep. My backpack with the earplugs was propping open the door so I took the Donna and moved into the lounge where the couch is and attempted to sleep there. I finally fell soundly to sleep at about 4:30 when it seemed to quieter down!

The 4th June was spent doing our washing, catching up on diaries sharing photos etc. the first day we haven't really been on the move  and with reasonable wifi which is in the apartment.  We ventured out to a supermarket which was more like David Jones's food hall. The presentation of everything was magnificent and the range of goods so broad. Fruit was perfect and very expensive. It cost us about 200 dollars for dinner, breakfasts, and probably lunch today and Plum wine which we finished off in one night! 

 The gang all doing the Age newspaper crossword.