Arrival to Akita

I've finally gotten the internet situation under control, so here's a preliminary update on my journey so far. When I first arrived in Tokyo, I was surprised by how clean and orderly the airport and train areas were. Surrounded by Japanese people and words, I had to get a train ticket from Narita Airport, through Tokyo Central Station, and on to Akita Station in the far north. I was directed to an English-speaking ticketing counter, and had to shell out 20,000 yen for the train ride (that's about $200).

While on the Narita Express to Tokyo, I met a lovely woman named Yuki who was in her older 20's. We discussed some common interests (movies, anime, karaoke) and what were are both doing in life. She works at the airport 5 days a week and commutes from her apartment in Tokyo. If I can make a trip to Tokyo in the future, I would definitely like to go do some karaoke with her!

When we arrived to Tokyo station, I was unprepared for how hectic it would be. It was a sea of japanese people in a multileveled maze of escalators! Yuki helped me out by showing me where to go and buying me a ticket for the Akita Shinkasen (bullet train), also called the Komachi. While waiting for the train, I bought some sushi for 550 yen and watched people as I ate. 

A 4 hour train ride/nap later, I arrived in Akita-city. It was past midnight local time, and the train to Wada Station would not operate until morning. So, I found a taxi and managed to communicate that I wanted to go to Plaza Crypton (the hotel located right next door to AIU). Though it was dark outside, my first car ride on the LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD was certainly a sightseeing adventure. 30 minutes and 4,800 yen later, I made it to the hotel.... but it was locked! I found a night-call buzzer and thankfully the man working the night-shift answered the door. He was extremely hospitable, handling my room key and the money I gave him like sacred objects. I was shown to my room with haste, and thats when I began to celebrate! I had a few post-travel cigarettes outside and did a little dance to express my happiness/keep warm in the cool night air. I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't help but shed some tears of joy. YATAH!