Today I stayed at a Ryokan which is an old traditional Japanese house. I was waited on hand and foot by my personal hostess. These places are very traditional and basic with a simple table in the middle of the room, a small Japanese garden and at night a fouton is made up for your nights sleep. It was a really relaxing day to dress in traditional clothing, soak in an overly hot bath drinking ice cold beer, read by the Japanese garden, listen to traditional m...

Managed to find myself a CitiBank first thing this morning...I am now rich...and relieved!! Headed off to Kyoto on the Shinkansen (Bullet train). These things are so efficient / clean and smooth. There is one leaves Tokyo every 10/15 minutes and you just turn up and secure yourself a seat then travel 300 km/hr in real comfort. You are served good food and drinks at really good prices...Virgin have some work to do!! Stayed in my first hostel (K's Hostel Tokyo...