It was a stroke of luck that I chose to forgo the 1hr public transport travel time and take a taxi to Gimhae International Airport, as my flight ended up leaving 1hr earlier than expected.

I had an entertaining chat (thanks to Google translate) with the taxi driver on the way to the Airport. It seems that taxi driver humour and sarcasm is universal.

After a bag search and security to clear before reaching the gate with 20min til boarding time (this is stressful form as I usually get to the Airport 2-3 hrs early).

And then we were underway to Tokyo (flying via Jeju Air).

Landing at Narita, the first thing I again noted was how clean and quiet the airport is even though there are hundreds of people milling around.

After clearing customs (they did not care about my fruit and biscuits, fingers crossed the same happens in Australia…), processed through immigration, buying an unlimited data sim, getting cash out, buying some snack from the 7Eleven and a limousine bus ticket to my hotel in Shinjuku, I was on my way to Tokyo.

1.5hrs later I was checked into my cosy hotel room resting from the days travel.

In the evening I scoped out my local area, to discover it is quite the party spot.

With love hotels and many male host clubs (sort of modern male geishas, who drink with women and entertain them).

Pretty interesting contrast to western countries, where companionship entertainment is usually just for men.

I got dinner at Yoshinya, a quick and convienient place to grab a meal. Even though the touch screen menu is in Japanese there are instructions on a poster about how to selected and submit your order.

In the evening around Shinjinku it gets very busy. There’s an air of anticipation, with many people on the look out for the evening’s entertainment of choice.

I left the busy streets of Shinjinku to the revel raisers and returned to my room to soak in the tub.

Resting up for a full day in Tokyo tomorrow.