The trip started with the last flight of the day from Penang to Singapore.  We transit in Singapore for a couple of hours before boarding a midnight flight to Tokyo, Japan.  We were very excited, and sleep on the flight was scarce.  Time tickle through as we doze in and out of the cramp economy class.  As the sun broke horizon, we arrived in Tokyo, with full of excitement and little energy.  Like in many countries, in fact, in all the countries, the immigration officer rarely smile, and a huge queue greeted non-residents as we chuck our luggage towards the immigration counter.  Without any hassle, we got our entry, and off we go to get our subway pass. 

There was a special subway pass sold at a discount rate for tourist.  This special pass allow one person to go in the subway Metro line unlimited rides for two days, and all this for only 960 Yen.  There is also a single day unlimited rides that goes for 600 Yen.  This ticket can only be purchase at Narita Airport.  We purchase a few of this and off we go to our Ryokan.  It was already about 8am and we went to catch a train right from Narita to Ueno.   It was on this train we first got the impression of Japan.  The scenery looks so different from where we were from.  The land was beautiful clear blue sky, and no haze, and it was sunny.  In a distance, farm land grace the horizon with puddles of home making an honest life of the local residence.  The home design was unique and nice, and the way they park their cars was also memorable.  The train made a couple of stops along the way and up came school children on a field trip to Tokyo.  The entire carriage light up with a smile as the tiny little kids with bright red hats came in.  There were only a Two teaches with more than 10 child, and the passengers in the carriage keep an extra eye over the kids.  It shows how a first world modern society could function as a unit helping each other, something that we don’t see much in Malaysia these days.  Then this little kid with bloody nose that caught my attention, he seams quiet, while other of his comrades chuckling away like a busy bee, he just stares out quietly with a tissue jam up his nose with blood stains.  Its so early in the day, and he already had a lousy start, I could relate to how he feels.  We came into Ueno, and changed to a subway to Tawaramachi Station.  There, we hiked for 5 minutes to our Ryokan.  It was almost 10, and the streets were starting to heat up.  Tokyo streets are filled with walkway, at least 20 feet wide.  Cyclist also goes onto this walkway, so sometimes, full concentration are needed navigating through along a busy walkway.  Again, this was not something that we have often in Malaysia.  The bikes all goes onto the road, and we rarely has 20 feet wide walkway as well.  We arrived at Asakusa Ryokan Toukaisou and was greeted by a friendly and young lady.  We confirm our reservation and put our bags down for safe keeping as we set out to see Tokyo. 

On this day..

• Bunch of Reds - 2002