T - O - K - Y - O

Tokyo, that was once again superlative! Approximately 38 million people live in the metropolitan area. During the day, thanks to the perfect public transportation system, you can move quickly and comfortably. But beware, as the early evening approaches, the streets burst at the seams with masses of people. You know the pictures of the famous intersection in Shibuya, where tens of thousands of people change sides of the street every day. Madness! People on top of people. Even in the subway, which you will never fully understand the sheer size of the network. If you get on a train that is already full and you didn't think you could fit in, at least 15 more people will squeeze in. Anything goes! In case of overcrowding during peak hours, white-gloved employees will push you into the train car. It has to be done quickly, sometimes trains run every 90 seconds. Alone at Shinjuku Station, 2-3 million people commute daily. That alone is very impressive! Despite all the crowds, there is no chaos, everything runs respectfully, but above all perfectly organized.

The city offers many neighborhoods with various facets. Chic entertainment districts, the business district with a view of Tokyo from the World Trade Center, next to it the historic (and still inhabited) Imperial Palace, combinations of ultra-modern and historical architecture (like the Mitsubishi headquarters or the Amsterdam-copied main train station). Then there is the world's largest fish market, of course, it's needed here... Just a few minutes by train is the hip and completely bizarre electric district Akihabara with its countless manga shops, advertisements, and girls in playful maid costumes with cute little bows in their hair, trying to lure customers into their cafes with their big round eyes and radiant smiles. The Japanese beauty ideal is sometimes a bit extreme for our taste. But here, everything and everyone is inspired by the great manga icons - big eyes, childlike faces, long legs, and low necklines. There are other crazy and youthful neighborhoods in Tokyo. Everything revolves around technology, food, and consumerism. In between, you can also find bizarre but often helpful inventions. Here, there is nothing that doesn't exist and things that we can't even imagine! Tokyo is madness! Classic meets modern, traditions meet future trends.

The most unusual event for us in Asia was the Tokyo Oktoberfest, which takes place in early June. As already mentioned, everything in Japan runs calmly and respectfully, people wear suits and are not known for being extroverted... but once the beer starts flowing, all standards go out the window ;-) It was a fantastic atmosphere and we almost felt like we were at the Oktoberfest in Munich. A German band in traditional costumes playing the usual Oktoberfest hits, to our surprise, the Japanese sang along with all their hearts! :-) There were also some people in the audience wearing dirndls and traditional costumes, waving Bavarian and German flags, and consuming alcohol that we didn't expect in Japan. However, the beer was more than twice as expensive as in Munich, sausages were eaten with chopsticks, and even shells were occasionally consumed with the beer. And so, in a small park surrounded by skyscrapers, an extravagant party is celebrated, but it already ends around 10:00 pm. Yes, the average Japanese can't tolerate much and has to get up early for work the next day.

And what is still missing from the trip to Japan?? Right, Mt. Fuji! Apart from cherry blossoms, everyone thinks of the sacred mountain of the Japanese - and probably THE ultimate photo subject... So, we decided to spend two more nights at the foot of the mountain. However, the story is quickly told, as we had the best view of the mountain upon our arrival by train. The rest of the time, the summit was continuously covered in clouds. So, we passed the time there without catching another unhindered view of the perfect conical mountain...

This is how a great, extensive, and not quite cheap tour of Nippon ended for us. What will remain in our special memories of Japan... definitely the Japanese high-tech toilet, sleeping on tatami mats, the way too short bathtubs, the toilet slippers, the constant warnings of danger, the train conductor who bows deeply when entering and leaving the train compartment, the constant friendliness and thanking, words like Nishimachi, Moshimoshi, Hai, Hachi, Konnichiwa, and Arigatougozaimasu... and last but not least: Oktoberfest 2017 in Tokyo! :-)