Reality check.

This time, God shattered my dreams of utopia and instead, I was thrust into the reality of Japanese life. Not entirely what I was expecting, but then again, I thank God for the opportunity to experience things… as is.

And I figured out that even I had reservations about this land. Who would have thought?

Let’s start right at the beginning.

My flight was frills free on Delta. The food was mediocre and no upgrades this time. Nonetheless, it got the job done. I didn’t realise that US-based airlines had a policy of insisting checked luggage be unlocked. Strangely, I only experienced this on the way back. That inconsistency baffles me. Perhaps the reason was my flight was heading towards Minneapolis?

Here am I past customs at Changi Airport Terminal 1. As excited as I could possibly be at 3.48am in the morning.

This was the only photo I took the entire journey. I had an aisle seat right smack in the middle section, so it was difficult to get a good shot of Narita when I landed.

I had some reservations about taking the train from Narita to Hatagaya where my hotel was at. I kept having hallucinations about getting lost on the complicated metro system. However, it was surprisingly easy. I bought myself a Pasmo card and loaded it up with 5000yen.

Pasmo cards look a whole lot better compared to our local EZ-link atrocities.

Awesome scenery in Chiba Prefecture, where Narita is located. There’s something about the Japanese countryside that appeals to me.

An adorable elementary school girl in her winter uniform and typical backpack for kids of that age. Black and red are the traditional colors. I saw a whole bunch of them at Takashimaya… so lovely… and oh so expensive!

I reached Sakura Hotel Hatagaya in approximately 2hours.

And here’s right when the reality check started. I met a few young adults who weren’t terribly polite. I don’t know why I have this ridiculous expectation of everyone being incredibly polite in Japan. Most are, but there are always exceptions to the rule. I promptly deflated and ended up feeling fairly meh for the rest of the day and the next. Reality check number one. -_-;

One of the things about going on holiday alone is having to fend for yourself.

My humble hotel room. For about $90-$100 a night, it’s fairly decent with a lan internet connection. Since I lugged the 15″ MBP all the way, I’d better get some decent speeds! (Which I did, thank God!)

It comes with an ensuite bathroom (tiny) and a bathtub! I soaked myself in it every single day. After a whole lot of walking, a hot bath is AWESOME. I need to get one of these in my loo at home.

Since it was pretty late by the time I checked in, I decided to head off to Shinjuku, which was only 2 stops away on the Toei Shinjuku line. Don’t ask me which company runs which line. It’s so confusing I decided not to bother. Both Pasmo (Metro) and Suica cards (Japan Rail lines) are usable on all systems anyway, including ferries and buses. Plenty of people using these cards since I saw a whole bunch of iPhones all over the place. Local mobiles have the facility built into their phones and tagged to their mobile phone bills. Just tap and go (and be surprised by your bill every month). ^^;

There’s probably a whole bunch of ways to save money taking the trains, but I didn’t want to think, so I went (probably) the more expensive route. Didn’t really plan ahead on my trip.

Back to Shinjuku.

Shinjuku is an awesome area with loads of shopping and business districts. I stopped by on Day 1 because Liz recommended that I go waste money at Tokyu Hands, which was in Takashimaya.

First floor of Tokyu Hands, selling everything to do with traveling. These businessmen are smart.

Tokyu Hands boasts 7 floors of junk you know you shouldn’t buy but want to. There’s a floor each for travel goods, household items, beauty items, craft, electrical parts, woodwork… you name it they’ve got it. I bought an anti-static hairbrush on this visit because each time I ran my fingers through my hair, I felt like Young Einstein (you should watch that old movie if you haven’t).

Somewhere in Shinjuku, while I was wandering around to get to the station so I could head back to the hotel.

And my dinner… a cold bento from the 24hour bento store near the hotel for a meagre 390yen. Cheap and extremely tasty. I had bento from this store 3 out of the 5 nights I was there!

You also have the option of getting the chef to prepare the bento for you so it’s piping hot. Also at the same price. Here’s some poor flu-ridden dude buying his dinner for the night.

Most of the drinks I bought to accompany my food were from Family Mart next door (where I stumbled upon a small carton of Lipton’s Maple Milk Tea) or the jidouhanbaiki (vending machine) on the 5th level of the hotel.

Day 2, I woke up early and had my only real breakfast of the entire trip… meronpan (melon bread) and a cup of americano at the bakery just round the corner.

There were a whole bunch of sweet middle aged ladies having their morning tea, completely bundled up against the cold weather. I was in a uniqlo long-sleeved top and my cashmere coat. That coat served me well… glad I brought it along with me.

After breakfast, I headed off to the mecca of otaku culture and electronics, Akihabara. I have to say, it’s probably my favorite part of Tokyo. Advanced gadgetry makes me weak in the knees. It’s terrible. Took the Yamanote line for the first time. My favorite line of all time! For all JR lines, each time the train doors close instead of a boring old “beep beep beep, train doors closing, train doors closing” jingle, they played music. Different kinds for different stations. Oh my word. Train otaku right here in the making!