Tag 1 Arrival and First Impressions

Even before departure, it was clear to us that we needed one thing to find our way around. Internet. Orienting ourselves, translating, and simply communicating with loved ones.

I can already hear voices saying, 'In the past, there was no internet and people managed just fine'. Yes. But we don't want to make it harder than it is. So off the plane and sprinting to passport control.

Next stop, the information desk, where with a simple 'これなどこですか (Kore wa doko desu ka)' and pointing to the map, I can get help.

That easy?

Yes, that easy.

So off to the rental place, and here too, everything went smoother than expected. A dream that would only get better.

With the pre-purchased SUICA card, it's time to drop off our bags at the Airbnb and start exploring. Thanks to Google Maps, we quickly find the right platform and train.

Something feels different on the train compared to usual. It smells good, it's quiet and civilized.

Can train travel be fun? In Japan, the same answer as to the question of whether the Pope is Catholic.

Arriving at the Airbnb, I'm excited like a kid in a candy store to try out the famous toilets. So into the bathroom, a quick inspection, and off we go. The details and more information can be obtained privately or I can provide a summary at the end of the trip. But I can say this, it's a delight.

Quick shower and then off into the hustle and bustle of the city.

Destination? None

Plan? None

Motivation? 100%

So we pack our bags and go. Well, at least 10 meters until we encounter a device that is indispensable in the Japanese cityscape.

A German chocolate company would advertise it as square, practical, good. I'm talking about the vending machines that are found on every corner. Often in pairs because it's hard to stand on one leg. So far, they are only stocked with hot or cold drinks. 5.5 million of them in Japan. That means there is a ratio of 23:1 between people and machines.

But here's our first problem: the machine only accepts cash. So off to the ATM and back to the analog world.

Surprise, the next machine saves us the trouble and allows us to pay comfortably with Visa, Master, or the Suica Card. So we grab a coffee, cola, and water and head to the Asakusa Temple and the Imperial Palace. We were too late for the temple, and the Imperial Palace only opens its doors twice a year.

Where to now? Let's go see the Shibuya Crossing in real life. It's a real dance of crowds when the traffic lights turn green and up to 250,000 people walk to their destination every day. Simply overwhelming.

Along the way, we get a bit sidetracked and first go to the Asakusa Temple and the Imperial Palace. There will be more about the temples and sites in the coming days. But here, I got to see cherry blossoms in full bloom. Another item checked off the bucket list.

So we think, let's quickly eat some ramen, the noodle soup without the 'h', and then go to a bar to end the day.

Due to an unfortunate series of events, we end up at the 'MusicBar45' in Shibuya. We were the first customers and Yoshi-San, the bartender and owner, welcomes us and informs us that there will be two live DJs tonight.

Japanese city/funk pop from the 80s, which is by far the best genre in music history. In my opinion. Perfect for me. We talk about Tatsuro Yamashita, a talented artist from Japan who has shaped pop culture here. Unfortunately, his music is not available on Spotify because, according to interviews, the quality is too heavily compressed.

We start drinking, there's whiskey, 2 shochus, 3 beers, and many funny moments. Gradually, more people come into the bar and it fills up more and more. The DJs start playing the first songs and I think it must be a dream, someone pinch me. Songs that I usually only know from low-quality recordings on YouTube, now in the finest quality and at the perfect place.

Until the end, I keep thinking, it can't get any better than this.

And then I find myself 2 meters from the sandpit. As a goodbye gift, Yoshi-San gives me a vinyl pressing with the bar's own songs as a memento.

A long day comes to an end, and I'm excited to see what else awaits us.