Quicky: in Akihabara there is a little store which sells working second hand models of Nintendo consoles (Famicon aka SNES) and Sega Dreamcast. Including old game cassettes. Awesome. Even the sniper scope for the SNES. Kawaii!
Quicky: it’s very convenient that the subway stations have a sequence number indicating the position on the respective subway line which are each colored uniquely. Also very convenient. Even better: Google Maps uses these colors as well when planning a trip by public transportation.
Quicky: when you enter a toilet and you’re not sure if it’s occupied, just knock. If so, the occupant will knock back.
Quicky: as suggested by Stefano, I bought a Suica card, which is prepaid public transportation pass. ¥2000 should get me around a bit without having to keep buying tickets. Yatta!
Quicky: I got on the Shinkansen in Nagoya and took off for Tōkyō.
When I started taking pictures, the lady sitting next to me at the window, quickly thereafter offered to switch seats with me.
So sweet of her! She was also underway to Tōkyō.
We tried to talk a little, but my Japanese just isn’t that useful yet, for smalltalk. 🙁
Quicky: trash bins are between coaches in the Shinkansen. Just so you know where to find them.
Quicky: that’s a first, having my train ticket validated by a conductor.. ding
Quicky: I’m now waiting for the Shinkansen that will take me to Tōkyō!
It’s good to know that (in general) there are special lanes near the entrance locations, which are clearly marked on the platform. This way you can (relatively speaking) reserve your boarding spot.
Also, the trip will take 105 minutes, no less.
Quicky: since you have absolutely no use for ¥1 and ¥5 coins, in regard to paying for things at machines (for instance, ticket machines), it pays (no pun intended) to get rid of these coins when buying stuff at shops.
Kombini (convenience markets) have items that are all strangely priced. That is, nothing is exactly ¥200 or even ¥199. No, an exemplary item will cost you ¥213. Just perfect for getting rid of small change.
But, mind you, when you pay with bank notes or coins of ¥100 or ¥500, you will get even more of these ridiculously inconvenient coins.
Oh how I wish I could just pay for everything and everywhere with my credit card…
Tuesday 4th November
So, yesterday was Culture Day, but that had some implications for today. I will get to that. First things first.
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