Discouraged by Japanese traditions, but full of impressions - part 1

AMAZING Aerochute Laurent Beaune, teacher flight was quite successful, and we landed at the international Tokyo's Narita airport. It was 9:00 pm. Our friend Ben told us how to find a limousine bus to Minato-ku (one of 23 special districts of Tokyo, ca. Perevi.). His teachings have fallen by the way, as near the airport was a lot of different buses! Our first impression of the Land of the Rising Sun: employee bus station carefully looked at the clock exactly on time (to the nearest second) sent a bus. In this case, before leaving, he exchanged a series of nods to the driver through the open door. After a solemn ceremony, our bus is not less solemnly went to Tokyo, making his way through the thick ranks of skyscrapers. Youth in Yoyogi Park, Ben warmly welcomed us on Japanese soil, and we all went to the bar to drink a few cocktails with sake. We are fortunate that Ben is quite fluent in Japanese. Another glass of beer in another bar, and I struck up a conversation with some guy who clearly was the representative of Yakuza in this quarter (Yakuza - an underground semi-criminal community, common in Japan and elsewhere abroad. The Western press often calls yakuza "Japanese mafia", approx. Perevi.). Not bad for a start! Dancing in the park after a good sleep (thanks to Ben for his hospitality and accommodation!) The next morning we went to Yoyogi Park to look at how the Japanese have a rest, or rather the extreme youth get-together girls ready near Harajuku station. We have witnessed the dance style rockabilly (only for members of parties, as we recalled ominously), rehearsing the orchestra of 5 people and a photo session with "widely known in narrow circles" characters. Wow! On the way back we went to watch the crowds of people cross the street at the famous crossroads in the Shibuya quarter, and went into a terrific grocery store, which was absolutely everything, including lots of tasty. Then we returned home. The next day we decided to use their rail tickets and travel on the Shinkansen (high speed train) to the city of Kobe. Go on an empty stomach, we did not want, and on the platform we bought Eki-ben, bento (bento - odnoportsionnaya packaged food, ca. Perevi.) That can be purchased at any railway station, in Japanese, "Eki". Food quite tasty. Shinkansen train adventure in itself: it is very fast, and chairs in it rotates on its axis, so that people can turn around, facing each other. At the same time, every second car - for smokers, and hundreds of people shamelessly smoke during the trip (just like in 80 years!). Bento - odnoportsionnaya packaged foods Finally we arrived in the city of Kobe, where we were invited for a few days our friends Yuki and Yui. We were surprised that the taxi driver, a car which the word "taxi" was misspelled, was wearing white gloves and constantly bowing. He bowed to invite us into the car, and then, continuing to bow, accompanied her to the apartment. The taxi Kobe was not automatically opening doors, as the transport company "MK Taxi" prefers a more personal approach to customers, and the driver opens and closes the door behind you. So that's how it feels to celebrities! Yuki, Yui and the baby of the South We got to the apartment, we were met Yuki, her cute 3-month baby of the South and their dog is bred Shepherd Pudding. After a glass of soft drink - in Kobe is very hot and humid - we went to see Yi at his workplace in the office. Kobe - a modern, beautiful and clean city. On it is very pleasant to walk on foot. We invited our hosts to dinner at a restaurant, and all went together to eat sushi. At first we were not lucky - the best restaurant in town was closed - so we went to one of the trendy restaurants on the classic Japanese meal: fish, pickles, eggs, ginger and wasabi great (plant and spice from its roots, prim.perev). All this we washed down with sake. Yummy! Yui - great guy, he paid for dinner, no one has yet seen, but the next time we will be more persistent and will reply in kind. Preparing for the night was just wonderful. The apartment Yuki and Yui was one bedroom, but found that there was a "disguised" another room, designed guest accommodation for the night. Living room divided in half, put on the floor very comfortable futon mattress (thin, but very comfortable) - comfort on highest level! It was one of the best nights in terms of convenience bed during our trip! Read more: See also: Tokyo, Japan: moving to the metro