Well I got to Tokyo alive and in good shape. I had done packing mostly already on Tuesday so Wednesday I had plenty of time to be just with my family. On Thursday all I needed to do was to pack my computer and cables and I was ready to go.
As is typical for me I ended up being way too early. Despite stopping on gas station for short break and watching landing airplanes with dad I was still 2 hours waiting on the airport but then again my mantra is better 2 hours early than 5 minutes late. Especially with airplanes!
I'm wearing light clothing but maybe not light enough...
Plane that would take me to first stop, Frankfurth!
First plane was quite short and with it no food service or anything. We were biiiit late(like 5-10 minutes) which gave me nagging feeling. This realized around 17:55(german time) when announcement said ETA to be 40 minutes. I checked my ticket for connecting flight which said boarding time is 18:50. No note on what GATE.
Do the math. I started to worry will I make it to the connecting flight! Flight was on time and with standard waits after stopping and people moving slowly and shuttle bus taking us to airport I was getting really nervous. As did another Finn who was heading for the same flight.
Luckily there was no need. There was representative of Japan Airlines waiting for us guiding us through the airport taking us through areas marked "crew only" so guess we got short cuts. Despite this we were on boarding gate AFTER 18:50 but didn't seem to matter. Maybe this flight was late too or the time was for non-connecting flights? Though there was queue when we got there as it was...
Either way good that we had that guide. Quite a distance to walk so unguided not sure how long it would have taken.
Next was the long flight to Japan which is the part of trip I hate. It's boooring! Good thing I had novel with me plus I watched the Avengers:Age of Ultron in Japanese. All in all quite uneventful flight.
This was the dinner except for ice cream that was indeed ICE. Took a while for it to melt to eatable state.
And here was the breakfast. I would not be eating more for a while.
Once plane arrived it was simple process of filling in entries and pick up bag+buy myself internet prepaid card. Then I booked myself bus to Shinjuku. And realized that the plan to meet with Japanese in Ginza would have to be abandoned. 16:00 felt too tight schedule(as I had worried) as at that time I was still in bus! Couldn't even contact him since the prepaid card needed to be activated...in internet. So couldn't do that before getting to hotel.
Some shots from the bus. I have been feeling two contradictory feelings. "Been far too long since I have been here" and "Feels like I left only yesterday". Everything feels so familiar and sights are very similar. Except for the notable lack of school uniforms! Though did eventually notice some which looks like summer uniforms(at least bunch of girls or boys are in similar clothing. Looks uniform enough for me). Apart from it being Friday afternoon next week is also Obon festival week so maybe school is also taking break. Popular week for Japanese to visit relatives in distant cities. I might actually see this time what kind of clothing Japanese kids use outside school! Usually they have that uniform whatever day and whatever time it seems...
Based on memories of Budokan trip last year and road signs maybe these are outer areas of Imperial Palace gardens? Not sure.
Once in Shinjuku I dropped in to exchange JR pass to start on tomorrow. Then I headed for Harajuku. I dropped by on the store that sells concert tickets and found out there were lots of tickets for Hello Project summer tour on sunday. I had nothing much planned for that day so got myself one. Or actually into two back to back concerts. But the ones have at least different set list so it's not twice the same. But budget wasn't really up for many concerts(bloody expensive to buy tickets this way) so for the 2nd I settled for cheap one.
With this I made quick trip to Yoyogi park. That's my favourite park by far in Tokyo and since it was literally next door figured I would pay visit. Too bad I had that bloody heavy bag with me. Had considered coin locker but I didn't have 500 yen with me nor did I have 1000 yen bill either! Nor did I have suica card(I have pasmo). So I had nothing to pay the coin locker so c'est'la'vie.
Since the bag was heavy and it was HOT(when I arrived to Narita 36 degrees. First time ever I have been in this high temperature!) I was sweating and already feeling tired so it really was quick drop to see the small ponds, catch a breather, drink and listen the sound of Cicadas. Japan summer is famous for sound of those insects and sure enough even outside park the sound is quite permeating. Video below. Not sure how well it sounds though.
With this I settled finally to head for the Ryokan. I thought about using JR lines to go to Akihabara(route I know well) and then switch to Hibiya line but then approaching Ebisu I noticed that there was change to Hibiya line already there so change of plans. Some waiting more and I was close to the Ryokan. It was 18:55 or so.
And it was already getting dark! In Finland to be this dark it would have to be like 22:00 or later. This is going to take some used to.
Place calls itself Ryokan but feels more like Western hotel(that Japanese call business hotels). But clean room on easy to find spot. I can live with this. Entering room first thing I did was put in air cooler! Been on for a while and still bloody hot.
I went to shop for food(and drinks! Going to need lots of drinks on this trip). Got myself tuna donburi so slices of(raw) tuna fish over rice. Not bad.
Tomorrow meeting with friend and her family. Looking forward to it! Sunday is concert+climb preparations+maybe bit more yoyogi park now that I don't need to carry the big bag with me. Then on monday it's climbing time!
And it's hot! First time I might be glad to be out of Japan when this is over. I'm sure I enjoy this trip but don't think I'll be doing often trips to Japan in summer. Too hot for my taste. And ryokan staff member said this is particularly HOT summer...In Finland it's been unusually cold summer. Oh dear.
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