Tokyo - Day One

It's 5 am here and I'm learning the Japanese keyboard. My flights on Asiana Airlines were both good. They served two meals from lax to Seoul and one from Seoul to Tokyo. The food was good and the service was like what the airlines in the states USED to have. Makes me wonder why a Korean airline can do it and stay in business but United can't.

I took an express train from Narita (Tokyo airport) to the Ueno Park district where my Ryokan is ( Sawanoya - Traditional Japanese Inn ). Ueno Park has the zoo, a lake and some nice temples:

The Hotel Sofitel - Five Star Deluxe in a bizarre building


Ueno Park Lake


Ueno Neighborhood Street


There was a festival going on involving Japanese men wearing very short kimono's and carrying around a temple on stilts. I showered and headed out for dinner. Unago!! This place specialized in Eel and had a decent picture menu. I ordered a bento style meal - Bento is the box plates that have compartments, etc. - with Eel, mixed tempura, a vegetable bowl and bowl of mushroom Miso. Izuei. Delicious! Washed it down with a `beeru'. The bill was a slight shocker but I confirmed with my guidebook that it was within the price range they specified (3,300 Yen / $33 ). Looks like the budget is going to be $100/day - hopefully.

My room is very small but way cool. Traditional straw mat with a simple futon bed and a table and pillow for tea service:





No AC in the main lobby (where I'm typing this from) but I have AC in my room. Breakfast is from 7:30-9 consisting of toast and eggs with free coffee or tea.

I slept fairly well. Very suprising. I thought I would be all screwed up but I'm actually feeling pretty good. Not sure what I am going to do today but manana I will head out to Kyoto most likely. I didn't get up quite earlt enough to go the Tsujiki Fish Market - maybe Wed..

More to come...cheers!