Konichiwa! The beginning of a year in Japan :)

So if we're being honest here, I would MAYBE have to say that my first day here in Japan was a bit of a culture shock.  I guess I'm not really sure why...maybe it's because BARELY anything here is in English.  Maybe it's because I had no clue what any of the food was in the supermarket and I almost bought dog food....until I realized I was in the pet section. Maybe it's because I can't even understand the washer/dryer, ac remote, or tv because they are all in Japanese!  Not to mention trying to figure out public transportation in only one of the biggest cities in the world. But not to worry, the culture shock quickly subsided after I was cured by the wide selection of sushi and Japanese beer.  :)

The washing machine....yeh not sure...

The most technological toilet ever...and my first heated toilet seat...pretty nice.  :)

So here are a few fast facts about Japan...
Vending machines on the streets are as common as the arcades and casinos here.  Which means they have a SH%T ton of both literally on almost every corner! And the vending machines here sell everything from juice, soda, beer to even cigarettes.  The Japanese are also crazy for arcades...It must be a law that every city has to have an arcade or casino because so far that seems to be the case.

Line to get into the arcade on a Saturday morning before 9am

Shinjuku, Tokyo

 I think that it goes without saying that there is so much to see in Tokyo.  I'm pretty sure the entire day my head was spinning in all different directions trying to take everything in. I'm surprised I didn't get lost and I somehow survived all the train and metro lines...basically by pointing to a destination on my map and being told which platform to run to from there. :)

Meiji Shrine, Sake barrels

Personal prayers from all over the world :)

One of my favorites :)

One of the little neighborhoods I explored was quite different to say the least.  I seriously felt like I was in a fun park or something...the shops and stores all seemed JUST a LITTLE different.  But I'll leave that for you to decide...

Fun land?  No, just a normal crepe shop

I'm still not really sure what was going on here

The shrines and parks all over Tokyo are amazing.  Just by being here you can tell this country is rich in it's ancient traditions.  And it's beautiful.  :)

Japanese traditional garden

Japanese wedding I was lucky enough to see :)

Just a typical stranger wanting to take a picture :)

 I'm not sure if any of you have seen the movie Hachiko...if you haven't, you definitely should! The Japanese made a statue of the dog in remembrance of him and it is now in the center of Tokyo.  :)

Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko statue

Until next time!