Backpacking

Jen, Rupert and I headed straight out into Tokyo after checking in. The hostel was about a 30 minute ride from the action, and had a midnight curfew, so it wasn't going to be a large one. We went to check out Roppongi, which is the ex-pat / tourist entertainment district. I wasn't expecting much and we didn't get it - it was packed with western restaurants and black American touts working for the clubs and bars holed away up high on floors of tall buildings. The touts weren't threatening, indeed they were very good-natured, but the constant pestering was severely annoying after the anonymity I had experienced so far in Japan.

We picked up one bar without an entry fee and got a "special plice" on our first (and only) beer. The bar pissed on anything in Bristol, with truly sumptuous Indian-influenced decor, stone carvings, and people sitting around smoking large water pipes like the cantina out of Star Wars, although no alien jazz bands in sight, just a DJ (who was terrible - take note Khalil, could be work for you in Japan!).

Day 13: 12th February Super Hiro!

Kobe, Japan

In the morning Jen and Rupert went to the

Tsukiji Fish Market. As I'd been there when I first got to Tokyo, I had a much-needed lie-in, but agreed to meet them in Akihabara, *the* electronics Mecca of Tokyo (think Tottenham Court Road in 3-D). I've never seen so much technology on offer, and as you can imagine, I was like a kid in a toy shop! However, I resisted buying anything - I am saving my pennies for even cheaper Singapore.