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We're Going to Japan!
Our Japan Adventure began on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
We left home with (2) Suitcases and (2) Backpacks.
Heading out for a 5 week adventure on the other side of the world.

A Bus Ride to Boston
A good friend drove us to West Barnstable, where we boarded a very economical P&B Bus ride to Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston, well in advance of our flight.

It was a very nice ride. Low stress. Best of all, we didn't have to worry about finding, or paying for, parking in Boston. We even left the car keys home.

The Wheels on the Bus go round and round... 
Neither one of us can even remember the last time we rode on a bus. But it was fun!
Geeks.

 

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Logan International Airport
Boston

We got to the airport with plenty of time to spare. We were by no means world travelers, so we gratefully accepted the help of the folks at Logan to get our bags appropriately tagged and our boarding passes printed and in hand. Thank you much!

We had a nice little meal, and then kept ourselves busy as we waited a little while to board our plane.

Are we ready for this? We are about to find out!

Our Plane. A United Boeing 757 arrived at Terminal B - Gate 25. This is about to get real!

Massport Rescue 1 passing by. A quick photo. Would you expect anything less?

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Flight 1 - Boston (BOS) to Los Angeles (LAX)
We boarded our Flight 1 - United Airlines Flight 333 from Boston to Los Angeles.
Of course, the flight was slightly "delayed" for about 30 minutes, as they prepared the airplane.
Not too bad. We had planned for it.

When we boarded our plane, we learned there was NO available overhead storage space for our carry on items. Oh well. Both of us had our "substantial" Backpacks with us. We put them on the floor in front of us and prepared for our great adventure. So much for that extra leg room.
 

FLIGHT 1 - United Flight 333 - BOS to LAX - Scheduled Departure 18:15. Delayed about 30 minutes (18:45). I had the window seat, just ahead of the wing so I could look out the window and see what we fly over. I love to look out the window and try to recognize things below.

Massport Fire Headquarters.

Boston Tower

See you in a few weeks Boston!

Takeoff! Up and out of Boston.

We enjoyed a pretty sunset as we climbed out of Boston and headed west for LA.

Flight to LAX  
Our flight from Boston to Los Angeles was about 6:30 hours.

Our hope was to get a few hours sleep on this flight. Unfortunately, with my backpack in front of me, it was a little difficult getting comfortable. We got a few naps, but not really sleep.

We landed at LAX around 21:45 local time (about 00:45 Boston time).

We got off our plane at LAX Terminal 7. We had no idea how far it would be to the International Terminal B. It seemed like miles, walking under the ramps and taxiways with our backpacks, to the International Terminal. We had planned for delays and stuff, so we had about a 3:30 hour layover. Plenty of time to get organized.

We had a little meal (at a strange time of day), and a couple cold ones, before boarding Flight 2. It was about 00:30 local time, but our bodies still think it is about 03:30. Takeoff was about 00:50 local (03:50 Boston time). It had been a very long day so far, and we still a long way to go! We were exhausted and definitely ready to get some sleep.

 

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Flight 2 - Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo Haneda (HND)
We started Day 2 in LA, boarding a beautiful Boeing 777. ANA (All Nippon Airlines) Flight 7983.

It was about 00:50 local (03:50 Boston time). The plane was packed, with about 300 passengers!
We had paid a little extra for the Premium Economy seats, which gave us a little more leg room.
Our seats were in the middle section (eight seats in rows, 2 isles - 2-4-2) at the bulkhead just behind the Business section.

We had plenty of leg room, and thankfully overhead storage for our backpacks!
The prevailing winds were apparently favorable, so we might actually get in ahead of schedule.

The flight crew were awesome. They took great care of everyone onboard for the next 12 hours or so.

Soon after takeoff, the cabin lights were dimmed, and we were able to snuggle in (with a blanket) for a decent night's sleep. Sometime during the night, we crossed the International date line, going from Tuesday to Wednesday.

What time is it?
It is still a little confusing, but after about 10 hours in flight over the Pacific, crossing the international date line, and getting a pretty decent night's sleep, the lights were turned up, and we were treated to a delicious Japanese style breakfast at about 03:30 Japan time (Sept 7).

We have no real idea what time it s back home. Maybe 14:30 (Yesterday?)
 

We flew over "A LOTTA WATTAH!"

Arriving at Haneda Airport (HND) in Tokyo
Our scheduled landing time was about 05:00 local (Japan) time, but those favorable winds had put us into Tokyo, Haneda International (HND) at about 04:02 local (Japan) time.

We were buckled up and able to watch our landing at Haneda on the screen in front of us.
We had a smooth landing at Tokyo in the dark.

We went through immigration, customs, got our luggage, and everything else without any problems.
It was actually quite easy and very well organized. Everyone was very friendly and helpful.

We were early and ahead of schedule, which gave us time to clean up and relax.
 
WELCOME TO JAPAN!

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We're in Japan!
We started out our Day 3 at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan.

We adjusted the date and times on our watch and phones, to reflect our new reality.

Nana got her first cup of coffee in Japan at a place called TullY's in the airport.
 

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"KONNICHIWA!"
We knew very few words when we went to Japan.

One of the few words we had learned, and used often, is "KONNICHIWA" (Con-eee-chi-wa).
It essentially means Hello. Basically just a nice way to greet people.

Using this simple word regularly brought about wonderful smiles and genuine appreciation from a lot of complete strangers here in the next few weeks.

Family Greeting
What could be better than being greeted at the airport by our family! Great sign and big smiles!

Here he comes!

NOTE: He looked like he might try to run past Nana to Papa, but chose wisely!

Monty wore a special shirt, specifically to greet us!

He was happy to see us in person again. It had been been about 8 months.
 

Let the Adventures Begin....
We had never been to Japan before.
We didn't speak the language. We learned about a half dozen words.
We will have to Learn Everything as we go.

Fortunately, many of the important signs are in both Japanese and English!
Let the adventures begin....

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It All Starts With Trains!
It would be very difficult to imagine getting around Japan without using trains.

Japan has many different Railroad companies (Lines), that all somehow work together to move millions of people around efficiently every day.

Rail "Lines" use a variety of different types of trains, including subways, street cars, trams, and even the famous bullet trains. A huge network of tracks, tunnels, stations, platforms, and multiple levels of underground worlds support everything. Trains run on time. You can set your watch by them.

Maps like this one are at first very intimidating. Once understood, they are vital for understanding how to get where you want to go. In combination with phone apps, a very precisely timed network of trains can be understood and used to full advantage.

Essentially, each Train Line is color coded. It is also given a letter identification. Each stop is given a sequential station number. Larger stations, where lines intersect, become hubs allowing passengers to get around. Some also incorporate bus stations. It is all very complex, but it works!

Our first train ride, will be from the Haneda Airport (HND), Terminal 3 (KK-16), at the Red "YOU ARE HERE" Box, to our Home Base Ikego, serviced by a station called "Jimmuji" (KK-52), somewhere there on the left... I think...

Our first impressions of Japan, was how clean everything was.

So we boarded our first train. Next, we must find our way to a place called Ikego.
Our Home Base for the next few weeks.

New & Old
Our first train ride from the airport to Ikego took about an hour. We quickly started appreciating how Japan is very much a rich blend of new and old. That would be proved over and over.
 

Homes in Japan come in many different sizes, shapes, and colors.

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Jimmuji (KK-52)
The trip from Haneda to Ikego was on a train line called KEIKYU (pronounced K-Q).

We boarded the train at Haneda Airport Terminal 3, Kaikyu Station (KK-16).
Train Lines, and Stations are typically identified by Letters, and numbered sequentially.

Our destination is IKEGO. The closest local train station is called "JIMMUJI" (KK-52).
It has 2 Platforms, supporting 2 tracks. One headed north-east (towards Tokyo, airport, etc) and one headed south-west (towards Zushi).

Remembering these basics would get us HOME AGAIN every day.

KEIKYU (KK-52)  "Jimmuji"

Platforms
Jimmuji Station (KK-52) has 2 platforms. Getting on or off a train depends on where you're going.

PLATFORM 1. The platform on this side of the station. Trains approach from the right, and depart to the left. We would get off a train here when returning from HAKKEI (KK-50), Tokyo, or the Airport.
We would board a train here when going to ZUSHI (KK-53) to the left.

PLATFORM 2. The platform on the opposite side. Trains approach there from the left (from Zushi), and depart to the right, towards HAKKEI (KK-50), Tokyo, etc.  Trains headed toward Hakkei will go through the tunnel in sight from the Platform.
 

Tunnels
It is amazing how many hills and mountains there are in Japan. In order to make traveling around Japan possible, there are tunnels. Lots and lots of tunnels. It would be hard to imagine a day, going anywhere, that did not include going through at least one tunnel, and more likely a bunch of them. It doesn't matter if it is by train, or car. Tunnels safe a lot of time and add fun to each adventure.

This tunnel is within sight of Jimmuji (KK-52).
 

Train Etiquette
There are many things about Japan that are hard to explain.

We had heard about this one, but did not appreciate it, until we experienced it ourselves.

This very simple sign, in English or Japanese, helps maintain a very orderly, civilized society. There is nothing complicated, or offensive, about any of these simple "rules" and behaviors. There is no apparent enforcement system, or penalty for violating any of these basic behaviors. People just do them. It is a pleasure to experience masses of people simply interacting respectfully with others.

The result can hardly be explained. There may be dozens, or hundreds of people, sharing a confined space like a train car, and the noise level is more like a library or elevator, than a train. It is quiet. People share the space.

The Bottom Line. BE RESPECTFUL. DON'T BE RUDE. Works.

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Ikego - Home Base
Ikego is protected by a US Navy Fire Station 2.

The Fire Station is well equipped and staffed.

A typical ambulance in Japan.

The Emergency Number in Japan is 1-1-9 (rather than 911).

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To Zushi for Lunch
Having flown as many hours as we did, we tried to avoid jet lag, by staying awake as long as we could to reset our personal biological clocks.

Once we got settled, it was time to head back out on our next adventure, and have some lunch.

The choice was to go to Zushi for Sushi.

One of the many amazing things about Japan, is how you can set your watch by the trains.
They arrive ON TIME as Scheduled, almost all the time.

That one is coming FROM Zushi. Not our train.
 

Here comes our train. We board at Jimmuji (KK-52) headed for Zushi (KK-53). It is only 1 stop away, about a 2 minute ride. With some friends.

Zushi Station (KK-53)
The Zushi Station is the closest to us, making a great place for shopping or eating out.

We got off the train in Zushi. This is indeed the end of the Keikyu line.

An interesting concept. It socially allows people to respect each others personal space, while also discouraging any misuse of public seating. Simple and effective.

Welcome to Zushi. It is the closest town like community with lots of stores, shops, restaurants, and things to do.

Torii Gates
One of the most easily recognized structures in Japan is the Torii Gate. The common shape generally symbolizes a border, or transition, between the secular world and the sacred world. They are often part of shrines and temples. A valued part of the respect, and memory, of things past.

As we walk around this town, and others, it is hard to not notice how clean, and purposeful, everything seems to be. 

Bike parking lot.

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Sushi in Zushi
Our first Sushi meal in Japan.

Zushi
There are many restaurants and shops to explore.

Our first Sushi experience is at a place called Kappa Sushi.

Learning how to Eat
We are definitely new to all of this.

Essentially, there is an iPad like device with the full menu (in pictures) at each table.
Simply click on any item, indicate how many, and places an order.
In a minute or two, a chime indicates that your order is arriving on the conveyer belt next to you.
You then simply grab your order, and start eating. Order several times if you wish.

When all is said and done, the bill is based on the number of plates used.
Each plate is color coded, reflecting the value of each item.

We experienced a good deal of sushi, and the bill was very affordable. That was easy!

Pay by the Plate
We tried a lot of different Sushi. A good stack of plates. All yummy!

Another word we learned and used often is "OISHI!" (Oy-she).
Which means Delicious!

We walked through some typical residential neighborhoods. This is a two way street.

Many homes are on very small plots. Every bit of space counts. People find the most creative ways to park their cars and secure their property. Every home appears unique and reflects the personal care of its occupants.

Ice Cream
After sushi, another treat. Ice cream. Interesting flavors of Japan.

We have a lot to learn and do here.

A couple old style brooms, used for cleaning up leaves and things on driveways.

Everything has purpose.
As we walked around town, we could not help but wonder what this line down the middle of the sidewalk was about. We soon realized that its design, with raised lines, is there to assist sight impaired people safely get around. These are found everywhere.

Vending Machines
Vending machines are also everywhere. Cold beverages, such as bottled water, soda, juices, and coffee drinks are common. Sometimes machines have hot beverages.

You can find almost anything you may need if you look around. This machine is actually full of fish soup stock. Not for drinking. For cooking. Interesting...

Nana found a little "Wash Salon" (Laundry Mat) called "Boo Foo Woo". Catchy!

A fun, full, first day on the ground here. We are off to a nice start.


 

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