From San Francisco it was on to Asia – a ten-hour flight got me into Narita on Thursday, from here I made it to Akihabara for the first true Japanese experience: two nights in a capsule hotel. I had decided for a more traditional place with an artificial onsen (public hot spring bath). I was impressed, this place was very well organized, everything is provided (from house-wear, toiletries to towels) – and considering the other ~35 beds on my level, it was fairly relaxed and quiet. I’d definetely do this again  –  it made a great experience and was much better than any hostel, I have been at so far.

I had an early start on Friday … jetlag got me up around 05:00 – I kind of dozed on for another 45 minutes, before heading for the capsule hotel’s sento (public bath) and got ready for the day. After a long breakfast I made my way up to Ueno Park … with cherry blossoms  everywhere and a cherry blossom festival going on as well (not at 09:00 in the morning though). I spent some time  in Japan’s National Museum, before having an early lunch at the festival. The afternoon I spent in the area around the Imperial Palace, closing with a visit at the National Museum of Modern Art. In the evening I met with a former colleague from Tokyo – we ended up in a traditional izakaya restaurant for some great food, beer and sake – before continuing to a downstairs karaoke bar for more drinks and proof that I cannot sing 😉