The good news: I'm here in one piece. Flight wasn't too bad. The hotel restaurant is fab and has a wonderful view from the 25th floor.

The bad news: my room is right by the lifts and the door isn't soundproofed, so I keep getting woken up by people being loud while wating for / leaving the lifts. I may have to kill someone

I got stopped and searched by Customs for the second year running too. It was such an effort not to be rude to him after a 12+ hour flight. He asked about my medicines, I tried to explain what a hiatus hernia is to someone who only has basic English (I wish I knew more Japanese!). Anyway, he then said, "Is that why you're sweating so much?" "No, it's because it's bleeding hot here and I've been awake for the whole flight, you stupid man!"

Well that's what I'd like to have said

Ooooooooh. Remind me not to cross your path when you've had little sleep. 

My bite is worse than my bark

Glad you're there safe and sound - could you not ask for a different room? Most hotels do try to oblige.

I'll try tomorrow, Soozy. For now, I've found that leaving the aircon on low muffles the sound a bit.

 Glad you got there Ok Peter Cat...... Have a wonderful time

Well done for not losing your temper (Elton John lost his for less ). Have a lovely time.

Srip searched leaving the country 

What a story that was.

Yers

Have a brilliant time PC  

I think he's killed someone  

*Hopes not* he'll not feel the benefit of a better room first thing in the morning  

No he is just pondering on it........

Even more since I got woken up at 6.45am by people waiting for the lift

頭を冷やせ.......xx

Doing my best, Syd xxx

Anyway, the good news is they're giving me a different room from this evening. Just waiting for my boyfriend to wake up and get here, then we're going out to our favourite Shinto shrine, which should really help me to chill

Glad they're sorting you out PC, and the changed routine from your usual Japanese visits might give you a different perspective on the holiday.

See, now you know to ask for a room away from the lifts in future!!

Have a great time xxx

Ta veggie. it's nearly midnight and so far this new room is a lot quieter. Have just taken melatonin (apparently it helps with jetlag) and I'm now going to sleep for as long as it takes.

How's life in Tokyo?  

Much more peaceful now I'm away from the lifts, thanks

Today is my jetlag day. I've slept for 10 hours but feel like I've been beaten up. Apart from that, I'm having a blast here. It's so cool to sit drinking coffee and hearing the rhythms of a completely different language around me. Tokyo is cool.

And for Jonesy - the only difference to life here is the electricity situation. Some shops and restaurants have shortened their opening hours and some offices turn off their lights at night in order to save electricity. It may not sound much, but it's quite different, especially where I'm staying in the skyscraper district.

Glad you got a decent sleep PC, even with the jetlag. Is it right that you only get jetlag travelling West to East? Not sure if it's true but something I heard.

With my agoraphobia I get jetlag going to the shops

So what sort of stuff have you and the boyfriend got planned for the hols?

hi p/c, dont know if u remember me cos its a long time since ive been on here, hope u r having a fab time,,also hi veggie xxx,sad not a lot of people on here now

I remember you ILWY, welcome back.

I get jetlag going both ways, Veggie, and I've always been told it's worse going East to West.

We're going to go to Kamakura, which is just outside Tokyo and is one of the old capitals of Japan. Lots of old temples and shrines, which I love. We'll also go shopping and try not to spend any money, though that's really hard in Japan 'cause they're so good at selling you things Apart from that, we'll go to some Japanese gardens and parks and generally wander around and explore new bits of Tokyo. There's always something to see - it is the biggest city in the world after all.

I remember you well, ilwy. Good to see you again!

Sounds fab, Peter - you lucky man.

Will!   So good to see you here, I can never get around to chatting on FB as I can never remember where I posted there. I'm sure more people will come back here as BB starts.

(Then we'll lock the door quick so they can't escape!)

Oh that's not good, so you have jetlag to look forward to when you return! Poor you.

I love the sound of the gardens and shrines. I bet there is a real contrast between the bustle of modern Tokyo and the tranquility of the old parts. Years ago I went with some friends to a garden in England that had a Japanese theme, can't remember where it was but it was very beautiful

I hope that your boyfriends Dad comes through his op ok too

I hope that your boyfriends Dad comes through his op ok too

He's had it and come through very well. The doctors are all pleased. Only problem is that he himself is being pessimistic about it, despite all the specialists telling him they got all of the cancer.

It's the one place I'd love to visit.

Glad it's going well Peter 

I recommend it highly

I have no idea what time it is in tokyo but .......a step by step, day by day guide would be good . I know it's not the holiday you anticipated but I really hope it's all good.

Will we get to see any pics, Peter? Glad you're enjoying your time in Tokyo(and that you got a different room!).

Lost in Translation is on Film4 at the moment, one of my fave films.

Peter, what did you do today? xx

At the moment I can't upload pics for some reason, except to Facebook. All very odd. I'll try once I'm back home.

What have you been doing?, I don't need pics (well I do, but I can wait).....