Tokyo

Japan

By Hilton Luke

May 31^st, 2018

My Japan adventure began on Jetstar flight 11 from the Gold Coast to Tokyo. A little over 9 hours in seat 23J (exit row, phew!) and I was in the country famed for technology, fast trains, sashimi, Mt Fuji and cherry blossoms (no photos of the last two, sorry).

I've been interested in Japan ever since I learned basic Japanese in sixth grade. I didn’t take my language skills past eighth grade, but remembering how to count to 10, say my hellos and goodbyes, smiling and nodding served me well for the week-long adventure to the Land of the Rising Sun.

food heaven

Sushi, sashimi, curries, ramen, sweets and more... I don't think I've ever eaten as well as did for these 8 days.

For me, Japan was always going to be about food and photography. My friends had the food portion covered (thanks, Clare!), so I just needed to sort out my photo adventures.

I researched options before I left Australia and decided on the team at EYExplore. I booked two adventures, one each in Tokyo and Osaka—both at night!

In Tokyo, the instructions were to meet at Odakyu, a department store dominating the west side of Shinjuku Station—not easy for this Tokyo-novice, the station has over 200 exits and is the world's busiest! Apparently over 3.5 million people pass through it everyday, or so my photo guide told me. Wikipedia tends to confirm this.