Checking in from Japan

Hey Lifers...I find myself having a difficult time expressing into words the awesomeness of my trip to Japan. I know it's not every body's cup of tea, and quite frankly I was afraid it wouldn't be mine either when I was first told I would be going. But now that I'm here and have experienced the culture it is just unbelievable.

I had the opportunity this past weekend to visit Tokyo, which was very surreal. We took the bullet train, which travels roughly 180 mph, early Saturday morning two hours north to Tokyo. We then walked through the streets and to one of the many Temples they have here. This is what it looks like as your walking down the street into the Temple.



We did some shopping and ate on the street, and just took in all the sights. It really was pretty cool. The city alone has a population of around 12 million people, yet it's one of the cleanest cities I've ever seen. It's Japanese custom to carry your own trash and dispose of it when you get home. There are very few actual trash cans on the streets and in the buildings. On Sunday we went to a festival which was much like any festival around my home town, with people drinking, and having picnics, grilling and vendors lining the streets. However there was very little trash anywhere. They are very disciplined people.

I also had the opportunity to visit one of the many Japanese castles here. Apparently this Samurai dude was a big deal back in the day, and they have turned his castle into a museum now, and they have this parade and the festival every year around this time to honor him.

OK that's all for now, more to come. And I'll post some pics when I get back home. Unfortunately I didn't bring the cable with me to be able to dump pictures from my camera.

J-Tony