Japan – Toyko

10 of us headed to Japan for a ski trip. In a way it was our pre-wedding honeymoon (certainly fit the budget for it anyway ;) . Flew down on Air New Zealand, and for once, it was great not having that bad of a time difference (just 4 hours). Anyway, into Toyko and then took the bullet train (the slower class of bullet train) into Toyko central.

Tokyo, well, there’s a city and no mistake. It’s really very different I found. Partly I think simply the pictograms, and the simple busy-ness of the place. For example, on the subway there are ads everywhere, often LCD screens. Clean though, or at least, that was my impression.

Navigating getting a ticket was a tricky thing. It took us about 30 mins once arriving into Tokyo central off the mainline, to think we’d been communicated that we didn’t actually need a ticket for the subway part. In the event it turned out to be correct, but it was really confusing. Look at google maps

Tell me that’s not a little confusing! Anyway, we stayed in RYOKAN SAWANOYA and I must say, it was a really really excellent place.

We spent the first day just wandering about trying to get a feel for the place, a few gardens, museums, deep fried potatoes on sticks (so good)

One thing you notice is the total abundance of vending machines. They are simply everywhere, and they serve hot drinks, cold drinks, even ice-creams. Tommy Lee Jones seems to be a real favourite. They also make very nice coffee.

Oh, and packaging / presentation. Like Candace with the small tartlet above. It came in a box, inside the box were two little bags of ice (think the sort of silicon stuff which keeps your food dry – only ice).. they must get through so much cardboard.

Anyway, the highlight was the Sumo experience. We went off to see it and it was a spectacle. Still don’t really understand all the intricacies, but it was good to see. Don’t let anything other than your feet touch the arena (or go outside). Thumping isn’t allowed, but a slap is totally legal (now I know why E-Hondas move in Street Fighter was the 100 hand slap!). They’re definitely athletes though, in their own way. A bout typically has about a 3-5 minute setup, if not longer, and then can be over within a minute.

And the advertisements are pretty unique too. The more banners you have, the better the wrestler you are. The winning dude (Hakuhō_Shō) had I think about three complete circles of banners go around him. He is the grand master (and actually Mongolian)

So he won, and then there was this ridiculous procession of trophies. He got the one above, and then literally about a dozen more, before we gave up and headed out, but they were certainly still coming.

Anyway, a quick trip to Tokyo, we did go to the Shibuya Crossing (one of the busiest places in Toyko), but mostly it was just getting a feel for the place.

(CCBY http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibuya#mediaviewer/File:Shibuya_Night_%28HDR%29.jpg)

But soon it was time for the main event – skiing… which will be the subject of the next blog post.