Day 0 - The trip

The flight was long but uneventful. I only got about two hours sleep on the plane. It is difficult to get sleep when you are in such a tight space. I did get to do a lot of catching up on the Marvel Superhero movies. Also on the flight was Matt, the Engagement Manager (i.e., account exec) for the project. Luckily, he doesn't believe in all shop talk, all the time and is a good traveling companion.

There wasn't a big difference looking at the countryside from the air. The coast over the north island could have been any coast. The rice fields about 1-2 hours north of Tokyo were smaller than the onion fields of the Black Dirt back home.

Border Control and Customs were extremely efficient and the official staff were very polite. Both things that were not unexpected now that I think about stereotypes of the Japanese. Matt and I split up in the terminal so I could change money and he could buy a rail ticket for his extended trip once the project work is done. While waiting for him, I noticed a number of women in kimonos by an exhibit with a photographer taking pictures. When they saw me with my camera out, I got invited to try on some traditional clothes and have my picture taken with them. I seemed like a display to promote a series of festivals. I have to admit that it was confusing and I was too busy saying thank you and bowing to get much information.

We took a bus to our hotel, an hour and a half trip from the airport. After checking in and being treated like visiting royalty, it was time to take a walk for my first day in Japan.