Far East Cruise. Part 1: Japan. A Day in Tokyo.

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Kon'nichiwa ! Arrived and landed at Haneda airport at 10:30, after a smooth transfer

Immigration, visa procedures, and transfer quickly arrived at our hotel in the heart of Tokyo, Intercontinental The Strings, on the 32nd floor. From here, we had a magnificent view of a still snow-capped Mount Fuji in the distance. Due to the time difference, my wife preferred to rest while I set off on an adventure lost in translation . A taxi wasn't an option, as it cost €40 per ride and was slower than the train/metro, which cost only €1. From our hotel, a corridor connected seamlessly to a network of walkways that led to the important Shinagawa Station.

Once there, an overwhelming experience awaited me.

Greedy station corridors, shopping malls, food stalls, and various shops form a dizzying tangle of different platforms, destinations, types of lines and trains, and an abundance of signs and directions that are impossible to make sense of. Moreover, all the signs are in Japanese, with the occasional bit of English. Only ticket machines and gates are everywhere. But all those people, that crowd! Talking to people is an ordeal. It's unbelievable how little, poor to unintelligible, English is spoken in this metropolis. I know my destination, Tokyo Station, try to get a ticket at a ticket machine, figure out which line, which platform, which direction, what time, and let myself be carried along by the whirlwind of briskly walking men and women, mostly dressed in black trousers or suits with white shirts, to the correct platform. There, the gates of the greedy subway cars quickly open, and voila, I snag a seat.

Even more than anywhere else, everyone here seems to be tapping away at their smartphones, usually with earbuds in, and many wearing face masks. In short, everyone creates their own isolation cell. No one speaks a word. Tokyo Station, in terms of size and crowds, is even more overwhelming than an international airport. Finding the exit? Which exit? But once outside, my destination, the Mitshubishi Building and the starting point of a hop-on hop-off line, is nearby. With only one day here (we embark tomorrow afternoon), this seems like the best way to still get in some sightseeing.

The Japanese are very strict, force you into a queue, scan your QR code, but once inside,

It's disappointing. A month ago in New York, we had unobstructed views above shoulder height. Here, the glass sidewalls are so high that you can never take a good photo. Standing up is also impossible, because seatbelts are mandatory and feel like a straitjacket. Ultimately, the impression of the city from the bus disappoints me. Due to a lack of time, I can't get off and walk to sights like temples, shrines, and parks. So it becomes a ninety-minute drive along avenues and boulevards with little of real spectacle or beauty to see.

An ordinary big city dominated by many alienating Japanese characters. I do like the black Toyota hybrid taxis with a modern look based on old London cabs. I also like some parking lots where cars are stored vertically with a lift and then sit on a turning circle to exit. Finally, we arrive in the familiar Shinjuku area, full of flowing crowds and flickering neon signs, the equivalent of Times Square. And then it starts to rain. But it's 23°C. It gets dark here from 5 p.m., but because I'm inside now, the party to film the magic can't go ahead.

I walk back via the beautiful Marunouchi South Exit, a former main post office building from 1923

Enter Tokyo Station, where a new adventure awaits, this time during rush hour, teeming with commuters in black and white. This exuberant choreography beautifully reflects the well-known Japanese work ethic. A surreal experience in itself. It's no wonder Tokyo has the most subway users in the world. Millions! Every day! And at the same time, the safest metropolis in the world. What about that?

I let myself be carried along by the current, pick up Nella, we grab a bite to eat somewhere, and then dive into our king-size bed. It's supposed to be too big even for a four-person party. But that's not on the agenda. It's more like an instant "Sleeping Beauty" and her thornless Choco Prince. Tomorrow we're going cruising, but that's for another, next blog post.