Day One In Japan!

I've not written anything on here in a while, sumimasen! prior to my flight to Japan yesterday I was on a road trip across the US, visiting family and friends while scrambling to work out some last-minute details that always have a way of cropping up.  I covered just over 4000 miles in less than two weeks--beginning in my home town of Kalamazoo, Michigan and eventually making my way to Los Angeles to catch my flight here to Japan.

Getting here has been interesting to say the least.  After I made the long flight over the Pacific, I got a crash course in being a foreigner.  I arrived in the airport a bit earlier than scheduled, then went through customs and immigration.  I got an awesome Alien Residency Card, which will come in handy as I'm trying to get settled, and I handled the currency exchange with (relative) ease.  The only hang up in the airport was getting my luggage because the airport lost one of my bags.  It was interesting trying to work with the airport staff (blame my lack of Kanji reading skills on the paperwork) to figure out what was going on.  I will say, though, that they were friendly, polite, and didn't seem to mind helping me at all (take that US airport staff!).  And--as an added bonus--they will be shipping my lost bag to Iwate for me, free of charge. I can't argue with that!

Here are some things I've learned/found handy my first day:

1. If you have a smartphone or kindle, send yourself PDFs with maps of the train system, airport terminal, or whatever else you may need.  That way you carry less paper and you have an easy offline way to show someone (at a train ticket counter for example) where exactly you need to go.
2. Use baggage delivery at the airport.  Its VERY inexpensive (less than 2000 yen) to have your luggage shipped anywhere in the country, on any date you specify up to a week after arrival.  Perfect if you plan on sight-seeing a bit before settling in, and you don't want to lug heavy bags everywhere.
3. There aren't street names! In fact finding buildings is a bit tricky...
4. The train system can be a bit confusing if you've never used public transit, but I've realized that staring at the ticket machine looking absolutely confused is a GREAT way to get help.  Or I suppose you could just ask...lol.
5. Even though the Airport staff speak English, know enough Japanese to get around.  Being able to ask where something is, what times trains depart, and basic 'politeness phrases' will get you far in the Tokyo area!

Well, I'm off to go hike up Mt. Fuji. I promise to upload some pictures sometime...I didn't take many in the airport because I was busy trying to find where I needed to go.

Ja matta!  Catch ya later!