Tokyo

They are white, sleek, long and fast and they keep coming and going every few minutes. I’m in Kyoto, sitting on the roof terrace of the train station, looking at the Japanese bullet trains efficiently stationing down below. Unfortunately that high-tech fast train is outside the budget for this trip, so I’m waiting for the nightbus that will put me in Tokyo 11h from now. Mind you, 11h is about the time it takes to fly from Amsterdam to Tokyo.

Weird idea to travel 6.5 months and then suddenly to arrive. It’s been good, it’s been bad, it was definitely worth it. Although I will still travel for the next month and a half it feels like my trip is ending tomorrow. I left the Netherlands without visas (too little planning), hitch-hiking by myself and without a tent (on purpose; no easy backup plan). My big plan scared me, as any big plan should, but along the way I learned, grew and tried to put myself in lots of situations that I felt uneasy about.

A big and simple goal not only steers you, it also makes it easy for other people to relate to you and help you out. I’m grateful to all that helped me along the way, providing me with food, shelter, transportation and a helping hand.

I was surprised to see how much attention this blog received, and would like to thank you all for the nice responses and words of encouragement.

Alas, let me show you something of Tokyo.

The first evening in Tokyo we went to a 'Matsuri' or street festival where groups from different neighborhoods drag around these portable shrines and have drum-offs whenever they meet.

We ended up in the middle between three of these shrines…

The most famous pedestrian crossing in Tokyo: Shibuya crossing. This is not even rush hour yet…

The view from the New York bar on the 53rd floor of the Park Hyatt hotel; where the movie Lost in Translation was recorded.
The Japanese love vending machines. You find them everywhere and they contain almost everything...

Japanese remote controlled toilets; the most sophisticated one I encountered had a remote with 42 buttons!

In Tokyo it's not really possible for people to have pets, but luckily they can go to one of the 'cat cafes'.
The rules: don't pick them up and don't pet sleeping cats. This particular cafe houses 53 cats, who sort of take shifts to be in the part where the visitors come.

2 thoughts on “Tokyo”

  1. Including your teapictures many thanks to you for sending. It gives a superb impression how tough live is in Japan: Cats, women, tea, etc.

    Ref. our conversation by phone and knowing how your travel now on yourown, it’s good that you sufficient take the time to find out what your future plans will be for yourself. I mean the type of business, country or area, etc.

    Ofcoaurse, please choose what’s best for you. You are sitting in the driverseat of your own career. You are able to drive, give gas as necessary to keep the righ speed and momentum and,if necessary, use the brake in a convient way.

    I am looking forward to receiving a new load of Korea pictures.

    Goodluck

    Paul A.

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