un~

Shinjuku

I’m still not convinced that Japan is a real place. I have been here now for three days, but it really feels like I have landed on another world. Narita Express took me early Saturday morning to Shinjuku Station. It was a rainy and gloomy day, but I enjoyed the view from the train.

1.5h train ride from Narita to Shinjuku

Google Maps works really well for navigating the streets and public transport. I found my hotel and explored my immediate surroundings for an hour. I got snacks from 7-Eleven and Family Mart and basically called it a day.

Everything is photogenic

I am still recovering from my second cold in a month, so I went to bed early(let’s not go for the triple, please). Missing not much because of the rain. The next day I awoke to the perfect weather: blue skies and sunny 28 degrees. Perfect day to explore Shinjuku.

Godzilla!

I did the usual tourist stuff in Kabukicho when I stumbled upon a small market in front of the Hanazono Shrine.

Movie Posters

After delicious Gyumeshi at Matsuya for lunch, I went for a long walk in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden before exploring Shinjukus stores for a while.

Sunday vibes in the Garden

Narita

The security queue in Manila was not only an inconvenience for my self, but in the end our flight was delayed because we had to wait for passengers traversing said obstacle. We arrived in Narita Airport with about an hour of delay, which made it impossible to get my booked connecting train. Feeling pretty tired, I decided to get a room close-by the airport and take the train first thing in the morning.

The Zipair flight was very pleasant and not at all what we would call budget in Europe(looking at your Ryanair).

I am scared to admit: It feels good being back in a first world country. Clean hotel rooms, no black mold, safe food/water and functioning infrastructure. I am happy to be here for sure.

What to do

Earthquake instructions in Iloilo airport