Arrival in Japan

This perfect 1st photo opportunity site greeted us at the Narita Airport after a 2-hour flight from Washington, DC. to Toronto and then a 12-hour flight to Tokyo.

It was late so we just ate in the Keio Plaza Hotel (there were 11 restaurants and bars and a full-stocked Japanese deli in the hotel) and then enjoyed the night view of Tokyo. 

Besides, we had to figure out our toilet which had as almost as many controls as the airplane we flew over on.

We Head to Shinjuku Station to Get Lost in the Crowd

Shinjuku Station is the busiest railway station in the world, handling more than 2 million passengers everyday.

It is also home to Tokyo's famed subway pushers.

Our First Daytime Views of Tokyo

Some background on Japan and Tokyo.

Now Hungry, We Make Our Way to Yurakucho (Yakitori Alley)

What is Yuracucho?

More Looks at Japanese Food and Eating

Many times, I had no idea what I was eating, but it was presented beautifully and tasted great.

You didn't have to know the language, you could just point.

You can buy anything from Japanese vending machines, which are on almost every street corner. It is said that there is 1 vending machine for every 6 people in Japan.

And there are vending machines just for kids.

The food is super fresh ...

... and much of it is cooked on the streets by happy cooks.

But the inside restaurants have great displays and food, too.

And you can always enjoy traditional Japanese group dining.

It is hot (and I mean hot) in the summer in Japan and ice cream is everywhere. My favorite - green tea.

Sometimes, the spelling is a little off ...

... but even with the language barrier, one word can let you know what you are getting ...

... and when West does meet East you can have it your way and chow down on a McTeriyaki Burger and fried McSushi Balls.

Japan Is a Nation of Animated Readers

I knew if we came to Tokyo we would find him. Gojiro! Gojiro!

Tokyo's answer to Washington DC's Politics and Prose. 

Reading material is on every corner of Tokyo.

And all the men in Tokyo told me they only pick these up for the articles.

Japan and Its Music

There is traditional.

And there is modern.

And there is futuristic.

And then there is Karaoke.

Japan Loves Its Electronics

A Night at the Robot Restaurant

Robots. Lasers. Flashing lights. Young women dancing enthusiastically in not many clothes. It must be Japan.

The Robot Restaurant has gained notoriety for its mind-boggling 90-minute, sci-fi cabaret show and its garishly illuminated interior. Completed in 2012 at a cost of $10 million, nearly every surface of the club is decorated in lights, mirrors, or flat panel monitors.

The robot cabaret show, however, is the main event. The spectacle encompasses seven or so acts including robot boxing, dancers riding a robot tank, and other sci-fi madness.

Here's a sample of what we saw: