Konichiwa Tokyo: Domo Arigatou Gozaimashita Shiyomi!

I couldn't wait to get off the ship in Yokohama only to get back on again. Shiyomi Rakue, a friend of mine from grad school at Tulane came to meet me in port and it was my pleasure to spend most of my time in Tokyo hanging out with her and letting her show me around her hometown. We started the time with my giving her a tour of the ship. She was suitably impressed. One of the best things about showing a new person around the ship is that it refreshes it, giving you a chance to see it with new eyes. That actually turned out to be an invaluable gift. Domo arigatou gozaimashita Shiyomi! (I would say this over and over again during my time in Tokyo...)

I loved everything about Tokyo-- the skyline, the look, the vibe, the people. I was alive there, electric. It was a pleasure to just walk the streets. It's so much more polite, quieter, and cleaner than any other major city that I've ever been to. Best things about Japan include:

1) Electric Toilets! The one in my hotel had a remote! It allowed you to control the temp, pressure, and placement of the squirty bidet bum cleaner attached to the side. Easy peasy! I grew to love it :)

2) Fashion! Tokyo street fashion is amazing to see in effect. So many people are walking fashion plates that I immediately stepped up my game. I got lots of compliments too. This is the place for those big, done, falsie eyes and color saturated lips. It helped that I had a fatty asymmetrical braided style. I think I've found one of my signature looks.

3) The subway! I loved navigating the subways in Tokyo. They were challenging and confusing, but once I got it... the city opened to me like a flower. I spent an entire day alone sightseeing after buying an all day pass. It's the kind of city where that kind of experience is not only safe, but it shouldn't be missed.

4) Food! Even I, the seafood allergic, had amazingly good food. Shiyomi took me to a traditional Japanese restaurant that served only chicken. There I tried sake and wasabi for the first time ever in my life with no danger of allergic reaction.

5) The sights! Tokyo Tower, Odaiba Island, the Emperor's Palace, Mitsui Museum, Zojo-ji temple, Asakura, Harajuku, Roponggi, Shibuya ... the list goes on and on. Each and every place I visited taught me a lesson and made my jaw drop. Even crossing the street in some places was an education.

The worst things about Tokyo include
1) No way to access your money. No ATMs serve international bank cards exept the ones in the post office. You can imagine the inconvenience. Also, there is a 10,000 Yen limit to withdrawals. This is roughly 100$. Boo.

2) Smoking. Everyone does, and they can do it anywhere. Imagine the "no-smoking section" setup of the 50s in the US. That's how it is there. Boo.

3)  Expensive cabs + the subway closing early = no going out late at night. Picture this. You want to go out and expereince Tokyo nightlife. But the subway closes early, like at 11 pm. Most clubs really start popping at 12 am or later. What's your solution? Cabs, of course. Except these cost 10$ every 2 blocks. Boo.

4) Expensive in general. Prices in japan generally run 2 to 3 times what you would pay in the US. For everything, even a combo meal at Mcdonald's. ($7 for a double cheeseburger meal that costs $3.50 in the US) BOOOOOOO!!!