My First 24 Hours in Japan
Posted on 27. Sep, 2010 by Steph in Asia, Destinations
I am here! In Japan! It’s busy and crazy and kind of surreal.
For weeks much of my anxiety has surrounded the first few days of this journey- that jetlagged time where I didn’t have my bearings yet, before I found my travel groove. So I thought I would record a small diary of my first 24 hours off the plane to show exactly how a Round the World trip really gets started. Here is how it all went down:
3:30 PM
Arrive in Tokyo in the middle of a typhoon. After a bumpy 14 hour flight I am jetlagged, exhausted and disoriented. It’s 2:30 AM at home. Surprised they actually let my strung out looking self through customs (after a photograph and fingerprint check). Can’t believe I am in Japan finally.
4:15 PM
I’m always certain that my luggage is going to get lost, but once again I am proven wrong as my purple backpack bounces down the carousel. Together we leave in search of the JR Rail station where I pick up my 14-day Japan Rail Pass. It’s one expensive piece of paper, but for the next two weeks it will be my golden ticket to get around Japan.
4:45 PM
Sunny 90 degree Tokyo has apparently been transformed overnight into chilly London. Realize that after all the agonizing packing I still managed to forget my umbrella. Somehow in my tired haze I manage to get on the correct train and get off at the right station in order to meet my friend Anna. Anna is teaching English in Shizuoka and has come up for the weekend to hang out with me and show me around. As luck would have it she brought an extra umbrella so I won’t have to explore Tokyo soaking wet.
6:00 PM
After more walking in the rain then I appreciate with my heavy pack on, we arrive at the hotel Anna reserved for us. It’s a business hotel- clean and efficient, but somehow internetless. Like a true tourist, I take pictures of the toilet:
7:30 PM
Head to dinner at a local izakaya (japanese pub). Thankfully all the menus in Tokyo seem to have big pictures on them. I get a big steaming bowl of ramen and struggle to stay awake as we pour over the beat up Lonely Planet Japan I’ve acquired.
9:00 PM
Back to the hotel to pass out, not a moment too soon.
Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep
5:30 AM
AWAKE.
Think this may be the only time in my entire life I am ever a morning person. Anna suggests we take advantage of my jet lag and head to the Tsujiki Fish Market which is best viewed early as possible.
6:30 AM
Tsujiki Fish Market. There are more fish here than I could imagine in the entire ocean, much less in Tokyo on a Friday morning. Stall after stall of every kind of fish imaginable. These fish give new meaning to the word “fresh-” Some are still flapping their gills and we watch an eel make a frantic leaping bid for escape. It fails and under the knife it goes. We wander the piles of clams, shimp, octopi and more. Anna is hungry, I am disgusted. Still, I have to admit, it’s a pretty awesome sight.
8:00 AM
The row of hole in the wall restaurants lining the streets near the fish bloodbath seem like the perfect place to stop for some sushi. I am not a fish fan, particularly not for breakfast, and generally avoid sushi at all costs, but I feel like I owe Japanese sushi a chance. We order a general sampling of tuna, salmon, crab and sea urchin- which is a highly suspicous shade of oozy mustard yellow. This trip is all about doing new things, so gamely I try it all, and it’s pretty good! Totally unlike the sushi I’ve had in america: very, very fresh and smooth- even the sea urchin is tolerable.
9:00 AM
We hop back on the metro and head to Asakusa, a historical area of Tokyo. As soon as I see the red “thunder gates” of Senso-Ji with the enormous hanging lantern, I start to really believe I’m in Japan.
Guarded by some scary looking statue gods, this is the gate for an enormous Buddhist temple, the first of many I’m sure I will encounter. Still a newbie though, I am very impressed and take many pictures of the shiny gates, pagoda and temple. There is a stand where you can get a fortune for 100 yen, mine tells me (no joke) that this is a good time to start a trip.
This is also my first chance to sample some Japanese sweets from the nearby stalls. Both mochi (a gluey rice ball) and manju (a donut like cookie filled with red bean paste) are a hit with me. I am too full to even try the ice cream and other delicious items on offer. Soon though…
11:00 AM
Switching back to modern Tokyo, we head over to Ginza, the ritzy shopping neighborhood. I want to experience a famed Japanese department store, so we wander around the very elegant and pricey Matsuya. I feel like an enormous slob in my REI pants and gray t-shirt. Guess I will have to get used to that.
The store is 10 stories high with dozens of restaurants and a rooftop garden. My favorite part of the Japanese department stores is the bottom level food court, where many tiny counters sell a huge variety of fancy foods. It may be the jet lag, but I am absolutely stunned by the amount of sweets on display.
2:00 PM
We have been up for 9 hours already, and after a quick lunch I am fading fast. Time to head back to the hotel to watch some inane Japanese cartoons and take a much needed nap.
A busy first 24 hours abroad, but a good one full of new things, discoveries and delicious food. I really threw myself into everything head first- I was too excited not to. I’m sure not every day will be as frenetic as this one, but if I manage even a quarter as much discoery every day, then this is going to be a mighty fun experience!
48 Responses to “My First 24 Hours in Japan”
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- - October 1, 2010
[...] Twenty Something Travel, especially the recent post about Steph’s first day in Tokyo. [...]
Leave a Reply
-
Is the American Dream Holding You Back? -
Notes from the Homefront: How much is Too Much (Planning)? Plus! My Itinerary -
What is your Biggest Travel Disappointment? -
Haters Gonna Hate -
We’re All Travelers Here
-
Sushi in South America: an Unlikely Love Story -
Street Art of Valparaíso: A Photo Essay -
Friday Postcard: Abandoned Oman -
Sorry Santiago -
Find Out Where I’m Headed Next!
-
jackle: I'd still check the bed for creepy crawlys. And I ...
-
A Montrealer Abroad: I had no idea sushi was so popular in South Americ...
-
Nick Taylor: Great post! I think you hit the head on the nail. ...
-
Trillia @ Buenos Aires Delivery: Thanks for the shout-out! I had no idea Santiago w...
-
Granpa Duck: Most likely some Slovene tourist guide's little jo...
Kelsey
27. Sep, 2010
Sounds like you’re having a great time!
Steph
27. Sep, 2010
so far so good…
JoAnna
27. Sep, 2010
Sounds like you’re off to a great start! I love the photos you took in the fish market.
Steph
27. Sep, 2010
Thanks! there are a whole bunch more on flickr, it was a cool place.
Michael Tyson
27. Sep, 2010
Kudos on the raw fish. I’m not a fish person either and I’m not sure I could’ve stomached it, especially for breakfast! Hard. Core.
Your photo of food and the toilet got me thinking. It’s funny how the most confronting aspect of travel involves food – going in and coming out. I reckon 90% of travel angst probably involves one or the other.
Steph
27. Sep, 2010
Yeah I blame the jet lag for that moment of daring. And I agree about the food and the… other end. It’s two things everyone has to do- yet we all do it so differently!
mytimetotravel
27. Sep, 2010
Great post – I got to Japan a little before you, also in a rainstorm. Had intended to do the fish market but was limping and didn’t go – not sure I could eat sushi for breakfast anyway! Definitely recognize the toilet! Some have heated seats – much appreciated at Koya-san two nights ago,
Steph
27. Sep, 2010
Yeah I am a definite fan of the heated seats! Our hotel toilet was rather plain compared to some of the ones I’ve seen so far.
ehalvey
27. Sep, 2010
First of all, that rail pass is ridiculously pretty! Sounds like you’re off to a good start. I would’ve bailed on the fish feast, I’m not a seafood girl. You have to try some of those pretty cookies! They’re super light and vaguley reminiscent of macarons (the French ones not the coconut ones). I had a volunteer at The Carter Center who was from Japan, and she’d bring those cookies back every time. YUM!
Steph
28. Sep, 2010
Oh yes I’ve seen the macaroons around, and about a dozen other sweet cookie like things! Working my way through…
Kelly
27. Sep, 2010
That all sounds pretty fantastic for a first day of the RTW trip — and I’m jealous of how much better that sushi must be than anything in the U.S. (or Germany — I live in Frankfurt and don’t much trust the quality of the fish this far from the ocean, either). I’ve been reading your blog for a while now but am not certain I’ve commented at all yet — just wanted to say that I’m ridiculously excited for you to be getting started with your trip at last, and hope it’s excellent all around!
Steph
28. Sep, 2010
I’m glad you commented! The quality and freshness of the fish is definitely better and it makes quite a difference.
Adam
27. Sep, 2010
Sounds like a great start to the trip! Congrats on finally getting on the road. It’s a great feeling, isn’t it?
Steph
28. Sep, 2010
Definitely feels surreal but good! Keep reminding myself that I could be at WORK right now.
Jeremy
27. Sep, 2010
Hey this looks familiar…
Steph
28. Sep, 2010
I’m following in your footsteps- at least for a little while longer!
Gray
27. Sep, 2010
Wow, you really hit the ground running, didn’t you? Really impressed with all you did just in the first day. I would not have been able to eat the raw fish, but good for you for trying it. That toilet looks like a technological marvel.
Steph
28. Sep, 2010
Yeah it was a busy couple of days! attempting to slow it down a bit now…
Amanda
27. Sep, 2010
Looks like you’ve gotten off to a great start! Way to use your jetlag to your advantage. That fish market sounds amazing (though I don’t think I could have done sushi for breakfast. Or for any meal… raw fish freaks me out).
Can’t wait to read more about your Japanese adventures!
Steph
28. Sep, 2010
Yeah I’m really not a sushi person, guess I just got swept up in the adventure! Or the jetlag.
Andrea
27. Sep, 2010
Forte and I had some sushi and sashimi in honor of you today for lunch! seems like Anna is an amazing tour guide! miss you both!
Steph
28. Sep, 2010
aww! miss you too!
Andi
27. Sep, 2010
Yay to arriving safe & sound! I love that rail pass!!! It’s definitely something you should keep as as souvenir. The fish market sounded awesome, love that pic. And that temple you visited is one of my fave things about Tokyo! Make sure to go to Hakone!!!
Dtravelsround
27. Sep, 2010
Sounds amazing!!!!! Keep enjoying!!!
Scott
27. Sep, 2010
so excited for you and can’t wait to live vicariously through the blog!
Aaron
27. Sep, 2010
Welcome to Japan. I never got the attraction to the fish market. Why do tourists go there?
Steph
28. Sep, 2010
Have you been? It’s pretty neat: every kind of fish imaginable on display and all this frenetic activity. Never seen anything like it.
Jenny
28. Sep, 2010
Sounds like your having an amazing time! I know the feeling your having right now… I remember when my first long-term trip began. It felt so surreal. I was amazed. :eek
Steph
28. Sep, 2010
Yeah definitely going to take awhile to sink in that I’m not just on vacation!
Candice
28. Sep, 2010
Totally considered moving to Japan just for the sushi. Yep. Have a blast!
Steph
28. Sep, 2010
It’s not just the sushi either- lots of deliciousness here!
Christine
28. Sep, 2010
Yay you tried sushi! Looks like you’re having a fabulous time so far, so happy to see it!
Slava
28. Sep, 2010
Ok, I have to ask
what do all those buttons on a toilet do?
Anne
28. Sep, 2010
Sounds amazing!! I’m heading to Japan in 2 months for the winter and I cannot wait! Enjoy the rest of your trip!
AdventureRob
28. Sep, 2010
How awesome!, I shall be landing in Tokyo in 12 days time myself and spend a year in Japan following that, I guess I better get used to sushi quickly!
What the hell are those red things with the suckers on though?
Steph
29. Sep, 2010
That’s pretty cool! Looks like I will have just missed you.
And those are octopi. An no I didnt eat one.
Keith
28. Sep, 2010
Good idea for a post – very interesting to read about the first hours after arrival. Looks like you’re having a blast. Like others, I’m confounded and awed by the decision to eat all of that sushi at 8am!!
Steph
29. Sep, 2010
Thanks! I can hardly beleive the 8am sushi anymore myself!
Katie
30. Sep, 2010
Instead of “beat up,” my guidebook prefers to be called “well-loved,” thank-you-very-much! And that’s a great fortune that you got. Glad you liked the sushi, even sea urchin (that’s one of my favorites) and enjoy the rest of your stay!
Steph
04. Oct, 2010
oh snap! Well I have been loving the hell out of it- thanks again! Still can’t believe I ate that sea urchin.
Sheena
01. Oct, 2010
I’m a fan of fish and sushi, any time of the day! This is really envying, Have a nice trip!
Delisa
03. Oct, 2010
Enjoyed reading your first 24 hours in Tokyo! We lived just south of Tokyo and visited the Fish Market (also early in the morning) as well as the other sights you saw. Really great place to visit and so different from most places we’ve ever been!
Delisa Brown
Steph
04. Oct, 2010
Thanks! Yeah the fish market is sitll one of my top Japan experiences.
Cassie Young
28. Oct, 2010
Mochi is great – I’ve found it over here in the ATL in VA Highlands at Yoforia. Don’t worry, I’m not fooled – I know it’s probably nothing like the original! Safe travels!
Steph
29. Oct, 2010
I’m sure it’s still good though!
Verity
09. Nov, 2010
I’m glad you liked the sushi this time around. It is so delicious! If I went to Japan I would eat myself silly I think. It must have been really interesting at the fish market. I always find it so fascinating how you find all these fish you never even knew existed. Great post… I like the format of your thoughts in the first 24 hours.
Tim Wilkinson
14. Apr, 2011
Haha, so much of this reminded me of my first trip to Japan! The jeg lag getting me out of bed at 6am, my guides licking their lips at scary look crabs, and the toilets of course…
You certainly didn’t have to worry about forgetting to bring an umbrella; I always just pick one up from a convenience store when it starts raining. A terrible waste, but so convenient!