And in closing...

This is to be the last post on the 'Andy and Leanne in Japan' Blog.

Sat here on the flight back to Heathrow (Somewhere over the Kara Sea, North Russia!!), it's been the first time we've really been able to stop and just reflect back to what has been one heck of an amazing 2 weeks. Everyday was an experience, with it's own set of stories and tales. It truly has been a trip of a lifetime.

We know it wasn't your traditional beach spent honeymoon, but one thing's for sure, Leanne and I feel closer to each other now than we have ever done. We've been through so much here; been happy, excited, overwhelmed, tired and of course damn scared - but never bored, never sad, never down. And we didn't argue once!

Japan is such a cool and mysterious place. We've experienced so much here, and it's definitely brought us closer together.

When we think back to when we first got here, how nervous we were and just what we have gotten used to. The radical changes in language, culture and cuisine... Going out for dinner, and not even being able to make out a meal in the pictures, never mind the text! We've eaten things that we couldn't even identify, but enjoyed every mouthful! We're still not allowed to discuss what we BBQ'd last Thursday night!

And what we've seen and experienced... the waterfall in the snow at Nikko, Mt Fuji on the bullet train, wild snow monkeys, Geisha in the lanes of Kyoto, the staff at Hotel Mume, the japanese tea ceremony, and so many amazing Palaces, Shrines, Temples and Gardens...

Then on the crazy side of things there was Big Echo Karaoke, toy shopping in Akihabara, the @Homecafe and the kinky maids, countless bars, so many rounds of Asahi and Sake!!

It's truly been the perfect blend of the traditional and relaxation, and the most awesome times! Without a doubt the best 2 weeks of our lives and something we will remember forever.

And then not forgetting probably the most memorable experience of the trip, the Earthquake last friday. Something that scared the heck out of us, and made us both realise just how lucky we are to be safe and well. Our hearts really do go out to what we have left behind in Japan and to all of those that have had their lives turned upside down by the earthquake.

Now I'm sure we've missed something in closing, but then that's the whole point of the blog. We'll be able to keep remembering forever.

And thanks to you all for following... it's been fun!

Andy and Leanne x

Airport Limousine Bus

We're so glad we got the early bus this morning. Even at 6:40 it was rammed when we got to the city airport. Must be because the NRX is still out. It was quick enough though and got us here in 90 minutes. Well recommended and exactly the same price as the train.

We're at the airport now, and stood in the Virgin Atlantic queue. Looks like people have been here a while. Our flight doesn't open for check in for another hours and the queues about 40 back! How's that four a buffer. We weren't allowed to check in online for today's flight which seems to have made people a bit cautious. A notice on the website said that all passengers for flights out of Tokyo had to come to the airport to check in.

There are a couple of airlines here, such as Korean Air, that look ram-jammed. Talking queues hundreds deep! Glad were not in that queue.

In need of a coffee...

City Blackout

We headed out to Ueno for dinner tonight. Whilst on the train we noticed several notices about planned blackouts but didn't think too much about it. There were also men standing on the station platform with loud speakers, announcing messages in Japanese to the commuters. We pushed on, adamant that this was our last night in Tokyo and we wanted to make the most of it.

We arrived at Uenu and the place still seemed to have the same old buzz with plenty of the market stalls in the lanes by the south of the station open. The restaurants were also busy, and our favourite BBQ restaurant, where we sat on the tatami mats, was fully booked out! Darn!

We did however find a cracking little Ramen restaurant very close by, and it was remarkably a dish that we hadn't tried so far in Japan. So we wandered in and ordered some Pork Ramen, spicy rice bowl and dumplings! It was like a traditional wagamamas! All topped off with a couple of Asahis. It was awesome!

We left after about an hour and was quite literally shocked by the lack of light in the streets outside. The blackout must have started, as the buzzing Market stalls were closing up, it was a lot darker and there was a serious lack of neon. The first thing we thought of was our train home, so made a dash for the train station.

Luckily, we got a train back without an issue. On the train home we saw a family of 5, many large bags, looking like they were heading out of the city. There such a mixed vibe here!

The area around Tokyo station was so different when we got back. The billboards by the north exit, usually like Leicester Square, were all turned off. This city just isn't the same with it's lights!

Back in Tokyo

We arrived back in Tokyo this afternoon on the bullet train from Kyoto. We can't make head or tail of the news reports. Things seem really calm here and there are still a lot of people about. Even the 3 coffee shops close to our hotel are full and seem to have food and drink for sale. The 7 Eleven is also open with plenty of stock. Maybe it's certain parts of town that are more effected than others.

One major bumer, is the NRX train line which joins Tokyo to the Narita airport is still out since the earthquake. This means we need to grab a shuttle bus to the airport tomorrow morning, which more than doubles our travel time. You realise just how good the trains are here when you don't have them!

Nice early start tomorrow...

But still planning on heading out tonight. Going to head back to our favourite restaurant in the market lanes of Ueno.

Are we going the wrong way!

From the news over the last couple of days it seems like everyone is leaving Tokyo and heading south. As we sit here at Kyoto train station, with tickets to Tokyo, we're really wondering what it's going to be like when we get there.

Stocked up with bottles of water, and a bottle of wine, we're about as prepared as we can be!

Leaving Hotel Mume

It was really quite sad leaving Hotel Mume today. A place we have loved staying at and where we felt so welcome. With everything going on in Japan, it felt like a safe haven, where we could completely relax and enjoy Kyoto. I told Andy that I'd love to come back here for an anniversary!

We know that tipping and gifts are not really the done thing in Japanese culture, but we wanted to say thanks and to let them know just how special our stay was.

So we brought some nice paper from a local craft shop and wrote them a small letter. We gave it to them as we left and they seemed quite overwhelmed...

Shuba Shuba

We had asked the Hotel to suggest a couple of recommendations for our last night in Kyoto, and they had come up with some fantastic suggestions. However, in the end we still wanted to go out and explore. And tongiht, we're so glad we did...

Deep in the heart of Ponto-cho, we discovered a buzzing little restaurant by the name of Shuba Shuba. One word, two syllables: Awe-Some!

We walked into this place and it was full of young Japanese people. All having a laugh with large portions, big bowls of food - it all looked so good. We headed in, but still didn't appreciate just how cool this place was...

We sat down and read the menu, look around, and started to get the vibe. For two hours, we could pick as much beef, pork, chicken, dumplings, vegtables and alcohol as we liked! Yes, as much alcohol as we liked! Awe-Some!

Our table had a hot stove in the centre, with dials to control the heat. We first had to pick two stocks in which to cook our food, and within five minutes we had a hot pot boiling away in front of us.

Then the waitress brought us two raw eggs, and literally cracked up when we didn't know what to do with them. She told us to whisk them in a bowl and to dip our hot meat in them.

She then showed up with the meat and kindly showed us what to do with it! Literally dip it into the boiling stock until cooked, out into the egg yolk, and then ready to eat. It was all cut so thinly, that it was cooked within seconds. This meat literally melted in the mouth. We had the chicken, pork, beef and vegetables, many times over. Such good fun!

But what really made this place tonight were the waitresses and groups of people at the other tables. They enjoyed the fact that we were out of our comfort zone and didn't have a clue what we were doing! Not knowing how to cook the meats, or where to whisk the egg, it was all such a novelty to them. They were so easy going, and their smiles made us laugh at our own mistakes. The groups on the other tables also laughed at our lack of chop stick skills, but it was all so light hearted and fun.

Shuba Shuba is a great restaurant in Kyoto, another new way of dining for us.

The most fun night we've had so far in Japan, and what a way to finish such an awesome day...