Day One

Tokyo- Day One

We arrived today morning at 8.30, local time at Narita Airport. The first Japanese to greet us was the rain although by the time we got out of the airport the rain had stopped. Then we went subway-hopping, not for fun but as it was necessary to reach Tokyo from Narita Airport which is quite a distance.

The subway ride(s) was an interesting experience not only due to the punctuality of the trains but also because it gave us a glimpse of how normal Japanese folk go about their daily life. The most common grouse (or more appropriately, a peculiar aspect) that   people always mention about Japanese people is that they tend to be serious-looking gentlemen and women, and also that they are always looking into their phones, seems to be true.

But they more than make up for it in their hospitality and helpful nature, as we observed whenever we needed some directions or couldn’t understand what the signs said and the locals there explained as much as they could, even though they had very little knowledge of English.

One constant aspect of Japan that I have observed so far, at least in Tokyo, was that everything seems to be in symmetry. Be it the trees, houses, tall skyscrapers etc. It seems to be the central character in Japanese life. Symmetry can be easily associated with peace and tranquillity and is widely evident in the Japanese way of life.

I couldn’t see the sunset in Japan today and so far that’s the only disappointment that I have. Being from Goa, a spectacular sunset is a common sight for me and I sorely miss it.

These are my thoughts on Japan on the first day; and I believe it has lived up to my expectations.

Sayonara!

-Shubhankar Shah