Sleeping in the capsule was ok. It wasnt too noisy as its not busy season so most of them were empty. You just have a roll down blind so can still hear noises and get light from the hallways. Showers in the morning had no stalls or cubicles, you just sit on a stool and its completely public so a line of guys all showering. Ok as nobody knows me there. Dried off in the sauna room. Also there is a communal hot tub which I'll use tonite.

Everything is provided, even though I brought my own toiletries. These are designed for business people working late or drinking late. You can even buy a new shirt and tie to wear in the morning with clean socks and underwear!. All men in Tokyo wear business suits. In here we all have to wear kiminos and leave our clothes in the locker. All Japanese guys here, no tourists. (See Later Entry on Japan Hotels for pics)

Took the train this morning on the Yamonote line which is the overland circle line that is included in the JR pass. Also on the platforms they have spots marked where the carriage doors will open. People will form two single lines by each door, very disciplined. They must think we are all animals when they go abroad.

Getting around is quite easy, all signs are billingual in english. The train stations are not too bad, they are all giant stations like Kings Cross, Victoria, or Waterloo in London and you have to know which platforms to use. Havent used the metro as that is not included in my pass and trying not to spend money. You can get most places on the overland circle line which is included. Also the trains are coloured on the outside based on their line so easy to know which train to get on and whether you've got on the wrong one or not.

video : Tokyo Yamonote Line
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awiWpT8U 8Ek

First went to this temple Senso-Ji. To get there was going thru an older neighbourhood with more traditional style houses. The streets were narrow with no street parking, which is nice for a change. Every other block seemed to have its own temple complex. Havent seem much traffic congestion as I think people prefer to use the trains and maybe dont own cars. Also didnt notice cars drive on the left when walking the streets.

When you get to the main temple first there is a big gate. Then there is a long path leading to another gate. Along the path are lanterns and souvenir vendors. Behind the second gate is a big temple and a 5 storied pagoda beside it. Inside there were monks chanting and beating drums and people were praying and throwing coins into the area infront of the monks.

video : Tokyo Senso-Ji Temple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djGIfJkj MFk

Heading back found this old style book cafe and had omelette breakfast with tomatoe soup and banana milkshake. Everyone was smoking and only used by older people but was a good meal. Two very friendly young sisters working there in waitress uniforms. Started saying 'arigato' which is thanks as too used to using korean phrases now. (Before I kept saying 'arigawa' by mistake so hope I wasnt saying something bad)

Then headed back to Ueno park. There was another large pagoda but didnt realize it was inside the zoo and you had to pay. I got a pic anyway. Next went to the tokyo national museum. This was well worth it as had lots of interesting exhibits. As well as ladies traditional dress and swords, they also had the darth vader style battle armour (this is where george lucas got the idea from and queen amidala is based on a geisha woman)

Also had ancient clay people a few feet high, was not aware japanese made things like that. The building next door had displays of asian history from india, china, egypt, and korea. Also they have some billingual signs/announcements in korean on the train. You never see that in korea given the history of japanese occupation.

Since I had done a lot of walking and was tired decided to go back to the capsule to rest as tokyo is best seen at night all lit up. Stopped for something to eat. You choose and pay from a vending machine and give the ticket to the guy. My capsule is just about the right size for me. If I lie completly straight there is maybe an inch or two left. So anyone taller will have to curl up. Also getting about ten japanese tv stations.

By about five headed out to Akihabara which is the main electronics district. This was the same as Yongson in Seoul but much nicer. Wasnt really looking for anything but just for curiously tried to look for a multi voltage multi region dvd player which I just got for $30 but I dont think they had it. Also tried looking for batteries for my digital camera. I have two pairs with 2000 and 2950 rating. The ones I saw there only had ratings that went upto 1000? Didnt see big price savings in anything

video : Akihabara Electronics Store
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chDGmUDP 0-A

Also in this area they had lots of manga comic stores and action figure stores for things like power rangers. There was some manga porn which was a very large section. They also had the sega building and lots of arcades. All of these builidings are 5 or so stories with different things on each floor. The arcades were very noisy, you'd go deaf, but they were quite full with men in suits playing pinball machines.

video : Tokyo Akihabara Pachinko Arcade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meztXk-q iFc

After that headed back a few stops to tokyo station. Near there is Ginza which is the big department store district with all the designer and expensive stores. The French store Printemps had a large dept store here. This was quite lively all it up with the billboards and tv screens at night. Near there is a theatre built in 1880s. I tried to ask a guy where it was and he turned out quite friendly and was looking on his GPS. Turns out it was across the road but has been demolished? Also they have the scramble intersections in a few places.

video : Tokyo Ginza by Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK3qhsyp C7Q

Back in Shinjuku now for the night. Turns out this is double the size of what I explored last night. Again you have to wait till evening to really go out and appreaciate it all lit up. This city is very crowded at all hours. Not really a sense of claustrophobia but not crowds I've seen since London. Also the trains are very reminiscent of London as are the train stations, so i'm finding it very easy to get around.

Some guy on the street last night was trying to get me to go with him saying "its free to touch the girls". Today some "brother" wanted me to give him money in the train station to get home. Also japanese women dont doll themselves up like koreans do. Weather has been light drizzle but pleasant teamperature about 10 degrees.

Tomorrow I'll try the royal palace in the morning, friday prayers at the turkish mosque, rest again, then see the nightlife in shibuya and the tokyo tower. Also been noticing really weird ridiculous signs, especially on the trains. making a seperate album Japan WTF??! for when I get back.