Tokyo
Trip Start
Oct 20, 2008
1
41
93
Trip End
Jan 31, 2009
Tokyo,
Kanto,
Japan
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Had to visit a couple counters before I could exchange my Russian Rubles for Japanese Yens. It's probably a better idea to exchange all of your local currency for before heading to passport control, in your airport of departure. On the other hand, had no difficulty cashing traveler's checks.
They wouldn't exchange my Lebanese Pounds in Tokyo either. It seems like there is neither demand nor trust for this currency.
After turning my cell on and off a couple times, realized that it doesn't work in Japan. My service provider had told me the opposite. Later, I found out the reason. In Japan, they use the brand new G3 system. Unfortunately, my phone isn't compatible.
Used the internet kiosk at Narito to access my host Engin's instructions regarding how to get to his office. 100 yens for 10 minutes.
Starting from the airport, I have been feeling that I am on a different planet. Of course, there were differences between Turkey/USA and Russia, but there were also numerous similarities. For instance, an old lady in charge of collecting coins for bathroom use would treat the user in exactly the same way that a Russian babushka would. On the other hand, here there is almost no similarity. Even the customer services staff are extremely kind in a weird way. For example, the young lady at the airport information desk bowed and smiled throughout our 3-minute conversation. The alphabet is representative of the stark contrast as well. While on the one hand Cyrillic and the Latin alphabets have common letters and are both written left to right, the Japanese alphabet (a combo of 3 different alphabets) has no resemblance to either of them whatsoever.
Took an hour-long train from Narita to Tokyo Station. About $10. Then hopped on the subway to get to the Shinsei Bank headquarters, which is near numerous ministries.
The Japanese drive on the left. I was shocked to see this, as I thought that only British ex-colonies drove this way.
Just like the airport, the subway system the best organized and the most modern that I have ever seen. Trains are new and wide. Everything is very well labeled both in Japanese and in English. Even the announcements are in both languages. There are digital boards telling what time each train is. Inside the train, most of the advertisements are on the thin strip right above the side windows.
The avenue that Shinsei Bank is on reminded me of Park Avenue. Moreover, the Shinsei building reminded me of Citigroup Center in Manhattan, because half of the building is free-standing.
Engin: 28; my host; Koc and Yale graduate; head of the Yale Club of Japan; Manager at the Specialty Finance Division at Shinsei; very friendly and generous; lives in a cute apartment with her Japanese girlfriend Minako; speaks fluent Japanese, although he can't write; enjoys life and has an excellent taste.
The Aeroflot flight from Moscow was long and uncomfortable. Took a 2-hour nap as soon as I reached the apartment.
In the evening, Engin took me to a sushi place. It was a hidden gem. I tried unagi (eel) with cold sake. Really like it. Learned that the rolls should never be dropped inside the soy-sauce bowl.
Later, he took me to Gonpachi, the restaurant that inspired one of the scenes in Tarantino's Kill Bill. Looked exactly like the restaurant where the Bride slashed the gangsters of Oren Ishi. Engin told me that Tarantino visits Tokyo quite frequently. He even has a photo with him.
P.S: When a customer enters all of the waiters turn to him and say welcome simultaneously.
