Around the World in Two Weeks - Tokyo Day 1

I arrived in Tokyo yesterday morning at around 9 o'clock. After a 45-minite immigration control wait, we took the bus from Narita airport into downtown Tokyo.

During the bus 40-minute bus ride (3,000￥), I just put on my music and tried to soak up all I could see. Here are some first impressions:

• When you get on a bus, the people that load up your luggage stand it line and simultaneously bow as the bus pulls away. This happens at every stop!
• Cars have completely different (and at times, very funny) names here. Will post some later on.
• It took about an hour to see a European car (Volvo V70) and a European motorbike (Ducati 996).
• You are not allowed to use your mobile phone on the bus as "it disturbs the other passengers".
• Triband mobile phones don't work here.

After arriving in downtown Tokyo (Tokyo Central Station) we looked for a cab to the hotel. A taxi-driver getting off his break quickly offered to take us to our hotel in Ginza. The guy actually fit four large suitcases and four passengers in his cab (Toyota Crown)! I was invited to sit up front because I'm "more compact". The driver was extremely friendly and we quickly entered into conversation. Mentioning I was Greek obviously surprised him as its quite rare to meet a Greek in Tokyo. He said that Greek women are very beautiful with a huge smile and a thumbs-up of approval. On the contrary, he does not like Italian women because "they are fat" and he thought that Dutch women are too tall and "look like Frankenstein".

Just at the end of our conversation about Zidane's headbutt incident (the cabbie approved Zidane's actions 100% and said he would have done the same), we pulled up to the Tokyu Stay Hotel. We quickly checked in headed for the rooms to have a much needed shower and rest. This "apartment hotel" is great. In the room, I have:

• A combined PC/TV complete with LCD screen and free internet access.
• A funky tea boiler with complementary Japanese tea
• A microwave
• A washer/dryer with free detergent (on demand) as well as a steam press for ironing
• pyjamas and slippers
• toothbrush, razors, bathfoam, shampoo, etc.
• weird toilet with butt-washing feaures (which I have yet to try)

After a shower and a knap, we went out for a bite to eat. We ended up in a quaint little eatery not far from the hotel. I had an amazing maguro (red tuna) sashimi and a mixed grill dish (nice except for the grilled chicken skin skewer). Coffee and small-talk with colleagues followed bringing me back to the hotel for more sleep.

It is now, 4am. Obviously jetlag is setting in.

Update: Check out some pics on my Tokyo Flickr set. Will be updated every day.