So, I came up with this lame idea to write some of the things I experienced during my four day trip to Tokyo. Well, three actually if you discounted that first day when I first arrived, and that last day where I didn't go anywhere except straight to Narita.

Without further ado, let's start with note number one.

TOKYO FIVE DAY NOTES - DENSHA 01

Densha is the Japanese word for "Trains". Why am I writing about trains on my first note to Japan? Because trains are what brought me to Tokyo in the first place. Trains are the integral part of the whole transportation system in Japan.

- Take the train, it's cheaper -

When I first arrived in Narita, I recalled something I read about making trip to Tokyo: Never take a taxi from Narita to Tokyo. They're bloody expensive and the distance from Narita to Tokyo is bloody far. Plus, unbearable traffic. A train ride to Tokyo will cost only around 1000 yen, that's 38 ringgit more or less, and really worth the ride. You can see part of Japan's life spectrum just from a train ride.

- Know your lines -

At the guidance of my friend Daiki, I learned that trains in Greater Tokyo has many lines. Knowing which Line to take is really important in making your way around Tokyo. That ride from the airport to my friend's house alone took me on three different lines, and two different train companies to boot: the Keisei Company and the JR East Company. It's best to bring a Line map just in case that diagram in the ticketing booth can't help.

English can help you, but only for a short while. Trust me on this, you will need a Japanese person to guide you on your way to the trains, or better yet, you know Japanese. As far as I know, only several stations has a railway line map with English written on it. JR East has trains that speak English on most of its line, although maybe that would be a bit too late if you want to know where you're going in advance. Plus, you have to know which line goes to your destination. Even with my meager Japanese language skills I still got lost on my way from Akabane to Nippori.

Fortunately, these lines are color coded for your convenience. For example, the Yamanote line that encircles an area within Tokyo is colored light green, and this line goes through most of the famous destinations such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Akihabara and Ikebukuro. I think I spent most of my time on the Yamanote line, listening to the jingles. I'll touch on the jingles on my next note.

つづく

Soklannyer senang jer.

Huhuhu....interview tu ambil masa lebih kurang 20 minit jer. Soklannyer bukannya banyak pun. Tapi.... arghh... result keluar 12 Nov nih. Kalau tak berjaya aku nak berkelana.

1. Citerkan tentang diri awak.
2. Kamu ambil bahasa Jepun yer. Kenapa?
3. Apa pendapat kamu tentang isu kuil di Shah Alam tu.
4. Sebagai perancang bandar, kamu akan berpihak kepada siapa?
5. Apa yang kamu faham tentang "pembangunan mampan"
6. Pada pendapat kamulah, adakah Putrajaya ini mencapai pembangunan mampan?
7. Bagaimana pula dengan Shah Alam?
8. Apa aspirasi kamu?
9. Ada soalan kepada kami?