Come Fly With Me...

I departed early Saturday morning from Gimhae Airport near Busan to catch a 7:50 flight. After rushing through check-in and security, I found time to reflect while observing aircraft on the tarmac. Having left my engineering career approximately six months prior, I was excited about an upcoming eight-day solo vacation in Japan.

The flight experience highlighted contrasts between airlines. Japan Airlines impressed me with complimentary breakfast service, free beverages, and included movie access—stark differences from Western carriers like Delta. This observation prompted reflection on how customer service standards have declined in North America.

Upon arrival at Narita International Airport, I took a bus to Tokyo Station. Security personnel differences were immediately apparent: Korean airport security carried semi-automatic weapons, while Japanese security traveled on Segways. Additionally, WiFi availability contrasted sharply—ubiquitous in Korea but largely absent in Tokyo.

After navigating approximately one hour on foot and thirty minutes wandering, I located my hostel accommodation.

Capsule Corp.

I chose to experience a capsule hotel despite being 6'5" tall—a height that presents challenges throughout Asia. While cramped, the experience proved memorable and worthy of documentation.

After settling in, I began exploring Tokyo without specific plans.

Imperial Palace Grounds

I explored the expansive Imperial Palace grounds, which feature stunning surroundings but remain completely surrounded by a moat and inaccessible to visitors. This accessibility limitation went unmentioned in travel blogs and guides reviewed beforehand.

Worth Seeing: "3.5 Impassable Bog Moats out of 5. Beautiful area, but unfortunately you can't enter the grounds"

Getting There: Located directly northwest from Tokyo Station.

Additional Observations

While walking beyond the palace, I spotted Yakuza members driving blue vans equipped with mounted megaphones broadcasting messages. This unexpected sighting reminded me of a Vice documentary on the same subject watched previously. I noted later discovering this encounter's non-random nature related to the specific date, with further context promised in a subsequent post.