Japan | Sushi and Returning Home

11:40 PM Ally M.G. 2 Comments

Tsukiji is world famous for its Tuna Auction held between 5-6 in the morning. The previous plane mate Chris recommended it to me (eating sushi for breakfast) at first I was appalled by the idea of eating fish for breakfast...looks and behold...that exactly what I did in the morning. With lack of directions the previous day I decided to to risk it (since I was short on time) and I asked for directions as soon as we get off the correct station. Thankfully it was very simple. Down one straight street. We also rose a train during rush hour and it was pretty packed. Thankfully we didn't get pushers to fit everyone. 

In Tsukiji, Michelle and I ate sushi. Sushi Tomo was the best and only sushi I had in Kyoto, but the sushi in Ishiki market was out of this world. I could feel and taste the freshness (if that is even a thing?) especially of the tuna. The little shop that we ate had a little counter section where we sat down and watched the sushi chefs clean fish as we ate our sushi.

Afterwards, I felt sick. One, I ate too much raw fish and Two, my stomach in shock that I was feeding it raw fish so early in the morning. We strolled around the market area for a bit after eating our breakfast, and the smell of food and fish made me very nauseous for a while. We left the market (for my sake) and stopped by a near by temple. It was called Tsukiji Hongan-ji which is interesting because it had a western architecture exterior while the inside was very temple and shrine like. Michelle and I spent a good half hour there, mostly cause I felt to sick to do much. Thankfully there were chairs available (for some reason) and I was able to rest till my stomach decided that eating raw fish for breakfast isn't such an insane idea. 

I returned to hotel afterwards where I changed into my comfortable plane gear, Ritsumeikan joggers and the Disney shirt I bought at Disney Sea. I looked ready to sleep. Michelle was kind enough to come with me all away to Akusaka Station and she also helped me with my luggage. 

After this, things got stressful. I got on Akusaka line which was suppose to take me directly to the Narita Airport. And it was for a while...until I got to the Aoto Station and saw everyone on the car getting off. My original Google train station thing told me to stay on the same cart till the end...but...I didn't listen and got off the train is panic (big mistake). I then got on the first train that was heading toward Narita airport...and I did not realize till later that it was a local train...meaning it would make every single stop, meaning it would take longer (second big mistake) by this time is was 1ish and I was suppose to already be at the airport. Panic was slowly settling in.

Next, in some station, I think it was Ueno, they made me get off the train because it was its last stop...not Narita airport...I waited half an hour for the next train to arrive, a Limited Express Line that goes to the airport. By this time I was in full panic mode, because according to my GPS I was going to arrive to the airport almost at 3! And my flight left at 4. 

Thankfully, once I got there everything went nice and smooth and check in was fast. My big luggage weighted 22.0 kilos exactly (50 lbs). It was such a big relieve. I entered the terminal and made the decision of assuming I had enough time to enter some shops and look around for stuff and then later sit down and eat something quick (third big mistake, I wasn't keeping track of the time). On my way to my gate, which was the very last one in the hall, I came across a Geiko (maybe) and a man in a kimono taking pictures with people...soooo....I stop and take pictures with them. (My mistakes slowly accumulated), by the time I reach my gate they are already boarding passengers on the plane.

I was starving because I ate at 9 in the morning. It was 3pm. I also did not know what time they would be serving dinner on the plane, so I was in another state of panic. I was chatting with my mom during this time, and I saw a little convenience shop less than 20m away. So I drop all my stuff, prayed no one touched it, and hurried to buy food and water. I bought 3 rice balls and a large bottle of water. (And three different flavors of kit-kat). 

Buying the rice balls was a smart choice, the plane food turned out to be so gross that I did not eat it...just the bread and the dessert. 

I got on the plane, and began saying my final goodbyes to Maho through voice messages and keep talking with my parents for a bit. My plane buddy is a middle aged lady who seems to be the head of a tour guide of a bunch of old Japanese people. She won't talk to me the way Chris would chit chat with me. I think she secretly hates me because I have asked her three times if I can exit the isle to go use to the washroom (I've been drinking a lot of water)

I saw two and half movies. Kingsman, which is fantastic and I wanna own it on blu-ray. Cinderella, which is so beautiful and makes me want to be a person of more courage and kindness. And Project Almenac, which is pretty okay, little over half way through the movie the audio got out of synch so I stopped watching it. I sat around for a bit hoping that by giving it time the audio would synch back up, but it didn't work so I decided to go to sleep.

But that did not last long because we crossed the time line, and it suddenly became really bright. And soon the flight attendants began serving breakfast. 

I slowly began regretting watching movies rather than sleeping on the plane. In the airport I took a couple of snoozes while waiting for my plane...which later turned it to be delayed. Once I arrive to Toronto I will have to wait 16 hours to get on another plane that will take me home once and for. 

These past 40 days have been a grand adventure that I always dreamed of having. It's was fun and stressful with every emotion in between.

Dear readers, thank you for embarking on this journey with me. I hope you enjoyed yourself and have as much fun as I did. My Japan adventures have come to an end, but it will not be forever. On March 15, 2016 I plan to embark back the country of the rising sun. This time for almost 5 months. There are still many things in Japan awaiting for me, so many new people to meet, and brand new memories waiting to be made. 

For the world is still beautiful and I am ready to continue exploring the beauties it has to offer.