Life,Chapter 2 - Japan

Life, Chapter 2 - Japan

Late last night, somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, we sleepily celebrated our passage into a new year and a very new chapter of our lives.

Happy new year, dear friends and family! In 2019, we shared a blog that chronicled our honeymoon in Japan. We got some lovely feedback from many of you regarding those posts and so, back by popular demand, the blog has been resurrected.

Whereas our previous blog covered a trip of only a few weeks, this journal will span at least one year. Beyond that, who knows!

Also, whereas our last voyage followed our experiences as tourists in the Land of the Rising Sun, this time we are here as residents and students. However strange or surprising that may sound to you, we can assure you that it is tenfold so for us.

We now live in Japan. How utterly surreal and thrilling!

The Flight

We were more than a little apprehensive to have a flight on New Years Eve. Over the past few weeks, when we told people about our plans for moving to Japan, it would often go something like this:

"Any big plans for the holidays?"
"Yes, actually. We're moving to Japan"
"Wow... really? That's amazing. When are you flying?"
"On 31 December"
*Brief pause, with concern growing on their face*
"Oh... really? Wow. Ok. Isn't that like the worst time to travel?"

Each time we received a reaction of this nature, our blood pressure increased a little more. 

Were we insane? Nightmares of missed flights, mangled luggage and security lineups to the horizon haunted us right up until the moment that we arrived at Pearson Airport.

We've never seen it so quiet. 

The entire process from arrival at the terminal to boarding the plane was as smooth as melted butter.

The flight itself was similarly pleasant and uneventful. In fact, it was quite luxurious given that we had spoiled ourselves with premium economy seats. The movie selection was fantastic, the food was great (so far as airplane food goes), and our fellow passengers were quiet and courteous. 

Nary a screaming baby or seat kicker in the whole cabin.

Curry beef and chicken parm. Yum!

Is that an airplane bathroom with a window you ask? Why yes, yes it is.

As we have come to expect, the length of the flight itself wasn't much of a challenge until the last few hours. Hour 1 through 11 seemed to flow by unnoticed as we vegetated on some of our favourite movies and tv series. The final 90 minutes, however, was spent shifting around in our seats on sore legs and bums. 

Arrival

Upon arrival in Haneda, we wobbled deliriously out of the airport and into an altogether different chapter of life. Though we were barely conscious - our brains having been marinated in a stew of various intense emotions for the past month, and now well into sleep deprivation - we washed up and made the great pilgrimage; a Family Mart food run.

Huddled in bed, we munched away on our first meal in Japan. For less than $20 CAD:

• 2 vodka-grapefruit mixed drinks,
• 2 electrolyte drinks,
• 500ml of mineral water,
• A maple-syrup omelet,
• 2 onigiri rice balls (one with bean curd covering, one with tuna)
• A tray of mixed pickled veggies,
• 6 tuna maki sushi,
• Beef teriyaki and rice.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Galen Weston.

Though we had only been in the country for a few hours, we were already reminded of some of our reasons for coming here. Every human interaction we have had so far has been fantastic. The airport staff, the taxi driver, the hotel concierge, and the convenience store clerk; everybody has been polite, helpful and courteous.

The food is cheap, healthy and delicious, There is no trash on the street. Our mid-range airport hotel room is immaculately clean, and the front desk treats us like royalty.

Despite the fact that we are drafting this post not 10 feet away from a major roadway in Tokyo, there is very little noise. No horns are being honked. Nobody is revving their engine or blasting their car stereo. Everything around us is carrying on in a calm, respectful and effective manner. 

It's. Just. Awesome.

(Prepare thyself for much more Japan-praise if you intend on following this blog).

Next Step

We're still in our hotel by the airport, taking some time to do a little laundry and soak in the deep tub.

Today we are moving on to Nagoya via the shinkansen for a few days, where we plan to convalesce and get over our jet lag. We've been looking forward to that train journey and, in particular, the eki-ben (train bento)! There is something so gratifying about having a wobbly pop and a bento while watching the countryside zip by at mach-Japan.

We'll be packing up shortly and heading off to the train station. All is well.

Stay tuned for an update from Nagoya!