Japan

 They let me in!

I have exactly no reason for supposing that the Japanese immigration people would prevent me from entering the country. I fill in the online immigration form, I have my QR code, I am polite and friendly, I can speak enough Japanese to say please and thank you and Good Evening to the staff at the airport. But I am never, ever excited about coming to Japan until I am landside, in my hotel,  with an onigiri in one hand, and wine in the other.

The flight was entirely uneventful. Left on time, arrived a bit early. It took much less time to get through immigration and customs than I had expected. I found the Lawsons I had expected to find near the food hall and bought my onigiri and a small container of milk for my morning cup of tea (no need to buy wine - I had brought some with me).

I was sat next to a delightful young couple on the plane, who were from a small country town in Victoria, on their honeymoon and also on their very first trip outside of Australia. Once they have had their three weeks in Japan and built up their confidence a bit, they thought they might try Singapore next. Personally, I would have done it the other way round. Almost everyone speaks English in Singapore! I hope they have the very best of times in Japan. They were sooooooo excited and so lovely.

I was less excited about getting to my hotel. I knew there was a shuttle bus - but where? The lady at the Information Desk said it would be just as quick to walk. About 15 minutes, to the right from the exit door. It would take about that long to walk to Terminal 2, where the shuttle left from. So I set off to walk, along a not very well lit path, which didn't seem to be going anywhere. It did occur to me that I could have taken the inter-terminal shuttle to Terminal 2, but by then I was half way to the hotel. I wasn't worried about safety (It is extremely unlikely in Japan that anyone would attack an older woman wandering around at night) but I was a bit worried about getting lost. However, I heeded the advice that I had given to the young couple on the plane: deploy Google maps and be confident that you will always end up where you are supposed to be, even if it takes longer to get there than you anticipated.

And here I am. In the Narita Airport Tokoyu hotel. It's the same chain that we stayed in in Ise. I have a small but more than adequate room. The wifi is strong and stable. And there was corn soup on offer at breakfast. I would move to Japan for its corn soup. It is one of my very favourite Japanese foods.

I wouldn't ordinarily have corn soup and curry rice for breakfast, but if it's on offer ...

There is a possibility that I might
have had two cups of corn soup

It is a bright and sunny day today. I am watching planes take off and land from my room. And shortly, I will make my way to Shibuya, where I am staying for three nights before making my way to Gifu, and Austin, Kaori and Tatsuki's place.