Japan is a real culture shock but thankfully our arrival in Tokyo was very much cushioned by staying with Gareth's friend from college, Jonathan Smith. Our lost in translation moments were temporarily put on hold by tripping around with a local. Our first day was spent observing worshippers in the Meiji Jingu shrine which is a haven of tranquility in the centre of Tokyo with a huge tree lined park surrounding the shrine and no city noise at all. We really got into the spirit of things in the shrine cleansing our hands at the entrance, offering up our wishes on bits of paper but not quite making it as far as the hand clapping ritual - maybe some day! The rest of the afternoon was spent wandering around Yoyogi Park and the infamous Harajuku area, with all its way out there fashions, and of course the famous four way crossing at Shibuya which was amazing - so many people, cars and neon lights.

The following morning started very early with a trip to Tsijiki Fish Market and it was awesome inspite of the very rude hour! It was amazing to see tuna fish almost the size of Gareth being carved up right in front of us and all sorts of sea creatures in tanks and on trays for sale. You name it, it was there - eel, sea snails, squid still squirming, abalone, the works! Of course with so much fresh fish all laid out we had to have sushi for breakfast so we headed for the nearest sushi cafe with an indecipherable Japanese menu and a queue of locals and we weren't disappointed - the salmon and tuna just melted on the tongue - amazing!

The rest of the day was spent wandering the streets of Tokyo, sampling their electronics shopping with all of the shouting and screaming to get shoppers attention and visiting shrines and palaces in Tokyo. Of course a highpoint in any trip to Japan is always going to be food and we ate our way around Tokyo with a dinner with Jonathan in a Izakaya type bar/restaurant that was used as a set in Kill Bill as a definite highpoint and also the crazy nibbles you can get in Tokyo's convenience stores!! Truly anything does go here.