Ari's Planet

Flew in on United. A bit of a delay taking off from SFO but otherwise uneventful--if a bit long. Coming in over Narita vicinity, fields of yellowing rice and areas with homes and trees. Took my time getting out of the airport. Passed on cellphone rental, prepaid cards also expensive at airport but I got a couple not knowing better. Trains are modern and clean, even have rotating seats when train reversed direction.

Hot and humid. Schlepping that backpack is no fun. Signs most everywhere in English make getting around much easier, but it is still disorienting. Didnt get to hotel until 7, but found it thanks to a friendly westerner who spoke Japanese. Showered and slept. Cute little room, functional.

Got up early, puttered around, called home, then went to fish market. Great photo ops, really fun to wander around. Big knives, big fish. Hope we can have this in 50 years too, poor seas. Trucks running up and down, amazing we get out of the way. Cant remember how to say sorry or excuse me, hoping I just dont knock over some fish and look like an idiot. Well, I already look like an idiot with a big camera, but at least it says Nikon. Right outside is great sushi, for 27000 yen had sushimori, really good, chef helped me figure out chopsticks which was much harder since I was trying to use my right hand. Friendly, if amused by my efforts. Im culturally illiterate and of course dont know Japanese.

Walked to Ginza, but this took a while and I got confused a few times. Cafe, heat, Sony building and real and digital aquaria. Really not worth the schlep here. Fancy new Vaio 1.1kg $2500. Picked up a SB400 flash (used) for 10,000Y ($90). Walked and walked, got confused, thirsty, found tourist info ctr (TIC) and reserved a Ryokan. Then walked and walked some more to get to the Imperial Palace Garden East. Wow, loud cicaddas! Lovely gardens. Dinner at little place back near Ginza, ramen for 670Y, but should have tried something else on menu. Internet at Kinkos--yes, American brands are all over the place here. Next to bookstore and Shinjuku.

Backpack too heavy. Not sure what to lose, so want a small rolling back to offload.

Onwards.