Introduction In today's world, we live in an atmosphere of intense peer pressure to travel more and "appreciate other cultures".  We are surrounded by people who boast about their successful travelling experiences, or tourist literature that only gives cheery propaganda. This site will tell you the straight story.

Arriving at Narita

Chances are, you will arrive at Narita Airport, the world's 26th busiest airport, an undersized, antiquated airport far from Tokyo.  Whatever you do, avoid the curry-flavored noodles served on various airlines -- the putrid flavor will bring bouts of nausea for a week afterwards.  Upon arrival, you will walk through a mile-long maze of corridors to Customs, exchange your currency at a tiny window with long lines, then figure out how to get to Tokyo.  Either you could take the bus that crawls through rush-hour traffic, or ride among three different train systems.  You are not allowed to "buy a ticket", but must "buy a reservation".  You cannot buy a reservation in advance, because that is "illegal", but you can buy a reservation for the train that comes soon.  If you take the train, have fun figuring out the complicated seat numbering system, which confuses even the Japanese.

On to Tokyo

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