With nothing better to do, we check out the shops and in particular the clasy Isetan dept store. HIgh end goods and a food store in the basement like Harrods Food Floor on steroids, Beautiul food and also lots of take out food. I can see how Jana and Paul easily eat at these places all the time.
Eating Out
But at least eating out at restaurants gives us a better idea of life in the big city, and we enjoy lots of really good sushi. It helps that menus in English with photos.Set meals include pickles, rice, miso soup (varies a with resto, some extremely good), an egg custard dish (with a shrimp and fish, topped with mushroom slices and slivers of teen veg) and tea.Beer is good,both draft and bottled and about $ for a double size bottle, sometimes we share, sometimes we quaff one of our own..the sake is also inexpensive so we are getting expert at tasting that too...
Politeness
Everything here is very much based on ritual, respect and sameness. Even though Tokyo is a happening city there is a lot of measured politeness to everything. Still a lot of bowing. You certainly know you are not in China or SE Asia by the general noise level. And streets are clean and clear, no jumping out of the way as a motorbike nearly takes you out on the sidewalk here. But bikes do ride everywhere, it's a popular form of transport.
Shoes Off!
Taking off the shoes for everything is a pain. I don't like going barefoot anywhere so I've had to buy new socks. I also have my airline slip-on slippers in my camera bag. Ted is trying to get away with sandals as they have Velcro. You get slippers or indoor shoes at all hotels, but they are all too big for me so I wear my own flip flops indoors. With all the rain, I can see you don't want to wear outdoor shoes inside. But there are also a special pair of slippers only for the bathroom too...
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