Day 14

Today was mainly a travel day by 'Bullet Train' back to Tokyo. This was a three and half hour journey, but this time we ended up in the Shinjuku area of Tokyo.






This is a far busier area than where we stayed before. It has all the shops and eateries you care to name, all lit up in neon when the sun went down.



After our check in we headed off to explore the area on foot. We found a noodle bar to have a quick bite to eat, then had a stroll. It was incredibly busy with both office workers and tourists from both Japan and abroad.









We went into a couple of stores - watches and cameras!!! Needless to say I resisted the temptation to buy anything - mainly as the items were more expensive than at home!





As it got dark the lights started to come on and the whole atmosphere changed. The place really started to buzz and around 5pm the swell of humanity increased dramatically . As the pedestrian crossing changed the tidal wave of people swept across the road - it was hard to stay still as the mass of people moved in unison!





We returned to the hotel for a freshen up and a hot drink - the temperature is at last starting to drop and makes walking around more comfortable. One Japanese lady told us that the weather has been unseasonably warm, hence the autumn colours being delayed, much like the UK.

Tonight we are off for our last dinner with the group before we all start heading back home on different flights early tomorrow morning.

So what are my conclusions after our trip about Japan?

• The country is spotless clean and runs like clockwork.
• The people are polite and live by a strong moral code.
• There is a strong link to the past, but the country is certainly looking to the future, both in the terms of technology and the way the country is linked financially with the rest of the world.
• The food is amazing and of excellent quality - but western influences are creeping in, however I believe the Japanese love their fish too much to be converted to a meat,veg and bread diet!
  
• Do the people loose their individuality? Perhaps, but I think there are more benefits than minuses in my opinion.
  
• I have thoroughly enjoyed the trip and have witnessed and learnt a lot. Japan has much to offer and be very proud of and the West can learn much about self discipline, consideration for others and keeping faith with ancient beliefs and practices.
• Would I come again? Yes definitely!