Arrival in Japan: The Bullet Train to Kyoto

“Welcome to the Land of Politeness, Precision, and Perfection!”

After months of anticipation, packing lists, and polite arguments about what to pack, and how to accommodate 3 weeks with the minimum amount of packing, our long-awaited Japanese adventure begins! With our back packs and one suitcase packed, and our enthusiasm intact (despite British Airways doing their best to separate us mid-air), we finally touched down in Tokyo — ready to explore, get lost, and probably bow far too much. This is the first leg of our Encore Endeavours Japan Journey — and it starts with a bang, a bow, and a bullet train.

We’d tried every trick in the book to get seats together on the flight — checked in early, asked at the desk, pleaded politely — but alas, fate had other plans. We ended up several rows apart, both in middle seats. My seat mate turned out to be a fascinating English professor who’d recently moved to Japan to teach in Akita. She was returning from a week in Brazil — as you do — and we chatted about her life in rural Japan before our flight took off. One of those brief but memorable travel encounters.

Landing in Tokyo early in the morning, we decided to head straight for Kyoto. We couldn’t check in anywhere yet, so why not start as we meant to go on: adventurously and slightly jet-lagged.

Our first train from the airport to Tokyo was a real cultural initiation. We started out with a handful of passengers, but as the journey continued, commuters filled every inch of space until we were pressed together, motionless and silent. Everyone seemed to have perfected the art of sleeping while standing. No chatter, no eye contact — just phones, headphones, and serenity. That is, until my travelling companion suddenly shouted “We get off here!” from somewhere in the distance. You could have heard a pin drop… until you couldn’t. Heads turned. We made quite the entrance — or exit, rather.

Tokyo Station was a sea of people, waves of commuters moving in unison. It was like trying to walk the wrong way through a human river. Polished shoes, sleek black suits, perfect haircuts — and us, with our suitcases and confusion. We somehow navigated to the Shinkansen platform, queued neatly (as one must in Japan), and climbed aboard.

The bullet train was a revelation — spotless, silent, and astonishingly smooth. We didn’t manage to sit together again, but I barely noticed; I opened my book and promptly fell asleep for most of the two-hour ride to Kyoto.

Arriving at Kyoto Station, we stopped for tea, toast, and apple pie in a small café — a soothing introduction to Japanese hospitality. Everything was immaculate, the service a dance of bows and gentle smiles.

Finding our Airbnb proved more eventful. Despite Google Maps, we became hopelessly lost in the maze of Kyoto’s narrow streets. Just as we were about to give up, a kind gentleman stopped to help — walking with us for nearly an hour, even breaking into a jog at one point to lead the way. Thanks to his kindness (and stamina), we finally found our home for the next few days.

The house was a perfect slice of Japan: shoes off at the door, tatami mats underfoot, steep wooden stairs, sliding paper walls, and a tiny kitchen that was more “symbolic” than functional. Cosy, charming, and steeped in atmosphere.

After a quick freshen up, we took a gentle walk north and soon stumbled upon our first temples and the Kyoto Museum, then continued towards Gion — Kyoto’s famous geisha district. We passed Chion-in Temple, where couples in traditional dress were posing for photos. Shops rented kimonos, and everywhere we looked, there were colours, smiles, and the faint scent of incense. It was the perfect first taste of Kyoto’s timeless beauty.

By the time we wandered back through the lantern-lit streets, weary but enchanted, we already knew: Kyoto was going to be very special indeed.

 “Jet Lag, Joy, and a Hint of Wasabi”

We’d only been in Japan for 24 hours, but already the country’s rhythm — its quiet grace and bustling energy — had captivated us. From the bullet train’s whispering speed to the bowing waiters and the bewildering beauty of Gion, our Encore Adventure was off to a dazzling start. Next time: temples, traditions, and an exploding shellfish (yes, really).