１０月３−4日
The plan was to stay in Tokyo a couple days and explore while I got oriented a little bit. After I felt comfortable I could take the Shinkansen to Hakata to see Kyushu. One of the first things I did after getting into my hotel was to go find a nice bowl of Ramen in Akihabara. I found a tiny little shop outside the train station and after staring at the menu long enough, a nice gentleman from behind gave me a hand figuring things out. I didn’t know that you ordered your dish via a vending machine by the door which would give you a ticket, that could then be given to the cook for a meal. I think it’s an excellent system and thoroughly enjoyed my ramen (although it’s always *so* much to eat I have trouble finishing).

Taking Cyan’s advice I checked out the Shibuya crossing, which was impressive. Full of hip young kids going everywhich way. Definitely my favorite area so far. I also checked out the emporor’s garden in Tokyo which is also very impressive in a completely different way. Deciding what to eat and do has also been a difficult point. There’s so much that it’s a bit overwhelming. I’ll also be coming back in a few weeks with David so I don’t want to do a lot of things that I might want to enjoy with him later. That being said, one could probably spend months (probably years) in Tokyo alone and still have many new things to do. Getting used to the subway and train system is both amazing and difficult. I think I’m getting the hang of it, but it’s definitely an adventure. So many people all going in different ways about as fast as they can. Cramming into trains, falling back out of them at the next stop. It’s a challenge to just not be in the way.