Upon stepping off the plane into Narita Airport with our 8 kilogram backpacks, the biggest challenge seemed to be finding the platform of the Narita Express. With seconds to spare till the train left us, we ran along the platform with several Japanese station attendants in their meticulous uniforms coming to our rescue. Each one ushered us, indicating the correct carriage and helped to save the doors from sliding shut in front of our jet-lagged faces.
This was my first introduction to Japan. It was also my first train ride in a long time.
The Narita Express makes for a calm journey easing you into the complexities of Japanese culture. During the 60 minute ride to Shinjuku, Wei Yi San and I saw a shrine nestled in a hilltop forest, plastic-looking houses with classic Japanese style roof tiling and patches of semi-rural farming. Once on the JR Yamanote line, however, we were bombarded with huge billboards for Asahi beer, 10 storey shopping malls and cube-shaped cars parked along the railway tracks.
For the first night in Japan we stayed at the Shinjuku New City Hotel. Functional and basic, the hotel offers clean rooms, yukata robes and slippers and a small bathroom. The hotel staff all speak English, but best of all is the free shuttle service to and from Shinjuku station. It makes it easy to get to the pulsating heart of Shinjuku.
View from our hotel window.
Shinjuku is gaudy, modern, edgy, neon, consumerist Tokyo at its best. Without leaving the station you're surrounded by department stores, cafes and food kiosks and a non-stopping mass of people. Venturing onto the streets, there are restaurants, shops and karaoke all with hawkers outside hoping to catch your attention.
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