Travel Day to Tokyo

For a three hour bullet train ride, it felt that it took all day to get to Tokyo. Before we left Kyoto, we found out that Kyoto is widely known for their green tea. Of course, this meant an expedition before getting on the train to find the "best" green tea in Japan. With a sick member in the group, I dragged everyone to the area in Kyoto Station where it might be sold. In the meanwhile, came across one of the food courts in the station. The whole complex was impressive and I was able to buy an assortment of sushi that was extremely tasty and reasonably priced.

When we got into Tokyo in the afternoon, I think most of the group missed Kyoto. We left a very intimate, friendly, navigable city to a big metropolis with an amazingly confusing subway system and ornery folk. I take my earlier comment about Japan's transit system back. Yes, in places it is easy to use. When it comes to Tokyo, the city planner's must have done a brain fart. LA has different municipalities in the general transit system but there is reciprocity. There are several companies that operate Tokyo's system and is not always user friendly.

When we emerged from our subway station, we got a taste of Tokyo's hospitality. As a city dweller walked by, he waved us off when we attempted to ask for directions. Welcome to Tokyo! Luckily, we came across a city employee to point us in the right direction.

For the rest of the trip, we've split between two hotels, Villa Fontaine Hotel and the Conrad. I'm staying at the Conrad and it is an amazing hotel. The rooms are huge and I love the bathroom facilities. There is a glass wall between the bathroom and the living quarters. So you can soak in the tub while watching the TV in the sleeping area. There is privacy with the automated blinds that will drop down. The city views are very nice from any floor of this hotel. Luckily, I'm near the top of the hotel and appreciate the city views. I am very impressed with the location and ambience. The hotel staff's level of English skills are also very impressive. Nothing less than expected from a Conrad.