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  • Ben Smeele
  • Ben Smeele

Japan

My first real trip to Japan Read more
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  • Trip start
    November 29, 2022
    Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Business class to japan

    November 29, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    I booked myself a business class flight with Jetstar, wasn't the largest seats but was enough, felt might laptop almost broke when the guy Infront of me slammed his seat back and it wedged the seat and tray table.
    The lady beside me slept the whole time and didn't say a word, tried a conversation or two but she was not interested.    Read more

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Train from Narita

    November 29, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Flew in, for myself a simcard, some money out and a circa card. Found a train to Tokyo but once I got to Tokyo station the GPS freaked out and said I was KMs away from where I actually was, it scared me a little as a guy came up to help but then I kept seeing him as though he was following me for quite a while. Had to walk down an alleyway to get to the hotel but also walked around in circles as my GPS was confused. Will try and at least get the direction working correctly today.Read more

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    First night in a capsule

    November 29, 2022 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    The sleep was good and I just fit into the capsule. It felt strange how clinical everything was. Had a shower, put my supplied slippers and pajamas on and went to bed. I skipped dinner as it had been a day and ate a lot on the plane.Read more

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Tullys, free 9 hour breakfast

    November 30, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Went to have breakfast at Tully's which came with my room booking. It was interesting as I was surrounded by business men in suits getting ready for the day and the Harry Potter theme song came on as one of the tracks. Really made me feel in another country.Read more

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Camera thoughts

    November 30, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Have noticed camera noises when taking photos, apparently it's forced on in Japan by law.

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Sashimi lunch

    November 30, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Went to the local sashimi restaurant after checking into the Ryokan, no idea on the price but it was some very good fish
    I believe 1540yen + sake

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Senso-ji temple

    November 30, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    I walked down to Sensoji after lunch, it was a crowded place and I felt no real connection to the people or activities so I just kept walking then left.

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Dango!!

    November 30, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    I found some Dango while out. Wasn't dango san kyodai but still made me happy to find it again. Was $4 though so think I got highly ripped off but oh well.

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Jacuzzi

    November 30, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Have an hour to enjoy the jacuzzi, is a little shallow for me to get right in but the tile art is great and a nice calming energy here.

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Ramen dinner

    November 30, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Went to a local ramen shop for dinner. It was a little weird to order from the ticket booth. I had to put money in then press the buttons for what I wanted and it spat out tickets which I gave him.
    The ramen itself was a tentenmen with chicken but was very good.
    Said oishkata at the end to say it was delicious.    Read more

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Sake nightcap with the son

    November 30, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    I went downstairs for a sake with the son as I wanted to practice some Japanese. It was quite peaceful just hanging out, no other guests were there while I was though.

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Japanese Ryoken Breakfast

    December 1, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Had a decent night's sleep on the futon, having a shower in the morning was very small and my head could just touch the roof flatfoot but it was a shower.

    Went down for a Japanese traditional breakfast which was very fresh.
    It was grilled snapper with tiny smelt fish, chicken liver/gizzard (not sure), chicken bones, miso and rice.
    I ate what I could with a black coffee, it was not bad but not really my favourite either.    Read more

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Left for lunch

    December 1, 2022 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    Since breakfast I spent the day in bed as I tried to book a hotel which failed and got me down.
    Lunch was nice and I got a good coffee with it.

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Akihabara first visit part 1

    December 1, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    I went down to Akihabara and at first felt overwhelmed by everything that was happening there, the first place I walked into had 8 floors of tech, there was a whole section just for figurines. The top floor had virtual driving ranges and batting cages.

    The prices on most items were not much different than in Aus but some were much cheaper, a new Huawei watch caught my eye or wrist. I might go back for that later.    Read more

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Akihabara first visit part 2

    December 1, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    I hung around a while but it started to get quite cold and I will be back here another day.

    I popped into a slot/Pachinko place but could not figure out how to play and got told off for filming.

    There were lots of girls on the street handing out flyers for you to visit their maid cafe or other establishments. I popped my head in on one thinking it would be quite sleazy but instead was surprised that there were families and couples there being Kawaii with the girls in maid outfits. I left as I felt quite out of place.

    I got some really good takoyaki in a little side street vendor and talked to a girl who was eating there as well, she knew very little english so I practiced my broken Japanese.    Read more

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Packed subway ride home

    December 1, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Caught the subway back from akihabara and was one of those crammed moments, definitely like being tall in these moments as I don't feel claustrophobic as I'm above everyone else.

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Lazy day

    December 2, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    I got up for a simple nigiri breakfast then went back to bed till after midday. Started getting hungry so jumped on the train to see where it would take me. Landed in Ueno at some pasta place which seemed very popular but in my opinion was not the best.

    Continued to walk from Ueno for a couple KMs down towards the imperial palace, walked through akihabara again which is always interesting to see what people are doing.

    Had a tonketsu dinner which was really nice and crispy as I walked through book town. Lots of shops piled high with books in all languages. Found it to be quite different.

    Went along to a boardgame Meetup which was not the busiest but got to play a couple of games and socialise which was good.

    Was worried I would miss the last train but got home around midnight which seemed to be fine.

    It was definately alot colder today so glad I brought my gloves    Read more

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Train to chichibu

    December 3, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    I caught the train to chichibu, didn't realise I needed to book a seat so had to wait around for a train with a free seat. It is a really nice train with cameras you can watch forwards and backwards.

    I'm a little worried about getting back as the trains like this are fully booked so I'm going to have to squeeze in on a normal train for 2 hours.
    Hope this is all worth it but I guess with this many people I have to try.    Read more

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Chichibu festival - day

    December 3, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    I arrived at Chichibu and walked around to check out a couple of the different sites. There was Dango of course, every type of food stall on a stick you could want.the lantern floats look great but was built up by the crowd. They have to pull the floats through the town and then up a hill to the final square.Read more

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Chichibu festival night

    December 3, 2022 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 5 °C

    I walked the streets for a couple of KMs and then found the largest float and stood behind it when they started moving it. I stayed behind it the whole way through town, having to rustle for my spot a couple of times but enjoyed the not caring side. So often I would step aside or allow someone shorter in front of me so they can take photos but this time I held my ground.Read more

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Chuchibu trip home

    December 3, 2022 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 5 °C

    I caught the 8 pm train home which got me home around 10:30.
    I was worried I would be stuck there as a lot of the roads were closed off and police kept detouring me. The main fireworks went off while I was on the train but they were very far away so I didn't feel like I was missing much. It was interesting how much the windows shook from the firework shockwaves though.
    There was another guy (Josh) on the train ride back to Tokyo who was from Bunbury WA. He was on his first trip overseas and was heading back to Melbourne in a few days. It was really nice talking to someone the whole time, we almost missed our transfers twice. He suggested I check out a few places but it looks like he was doing similar to me traveling by himself and had spent most nights in capsules and eating from convenience stores which was his biggest takeaway from Japan.    Read more

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Packup from Tokyo ryokan

    December 4, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    I repacked my gear, checked out, and had breakfast. They had a lamazocco machine but he didn't know how to use that well but I paid extra for a coffee anyway.
    There was only the 2 of them working so they were a little stressed out but still very friendly.Read more

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler
    1

    Shinkansen to Kyoto

    December 4, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    I caught the train down to Kyoto for my next journey, The train cost me 19000 yen, around $210. I paid extra as I wanted a Fuji side seat but the weather was not the best to see clearly.

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Nishiki markets

    December 4, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    I got myself settled so thought I would head out for a walk, Zac had suggested a gyoza bar he liked and since I haven't had lunch I thought I would walk that way.
    On the way I passed nishiki markets which was full of action and some great smelling food. I'll have to come past here again another night.Read more

  • Ben SmeeleJapanTraveler

    Chouchou gyoza

    December 4, 2022 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Had a great dinner here, it was a very internationally friendly place which had money from all over the world on the walls. I was tempted to order the horse sashimi but thought better of it as not really that keen to eat horse.Read more

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