Yue’s Yappings

When I left Shanghai on Tuesday, it had started to rain and the temperature mercifully dropped almost 10 degrees. After a short 3 hour flight I arrived in Japan at Narita airport. Right now it is rainy season in much of Japan, which the Japanese call “tsuyu”, or “plum rain.” While it doesn’t actually rain every day, the temperature tends to stay much cooler.

From Narita, I headed to Tokyo on the Narita express, which is roughly a one hour train ride. My hotel is near Shinigawa station, walking distance from the west entrance. After settling down at the hotel, I took a little walk.

Whenever I come to Japan, I’m always amazed by how polite everyone is. Considering Tokyo has over 30 million residents (yes, you read that right), there is absolutely no pushing and shoving to get ahead of other people. Quite a world of difference from China.

I like shopping in Japan because everything is of such high quality. Everything you find is perfectly made and presented in beautiful packing. Of course it costs more, but people are willing to make that trade. In contrast, both Americans and Chinese focus on price, not quality. Maybe that’s why the United States and China are becoming so integrated - China likes to make cheap goods that Americans like to buy.

Walking around Shinagawa station, I passed a number of small cafés and restaurants. During the evening, you’ll see lots of business men, dressed in suits, having a drink and a quick meal. Most places serve Udon (noodles) or a rice bowl with a variety of toppings - quite delicious if you ask me.

However, I wasn’t very hungry, so didn’t stop. Rounding the next corner, I found a “Dean Deluca”, a very high-end deli and grocery store that got it starts in New York city in the 1970’s. Wanting just a snack, I bought a bottle water and a small French baguette - both perfectly wrapped in their own carrying bag. Then I walked back to my hotel and starting planning for my meetings tomorrow.