Our first impressions. Orderly and efficient. There are signs everywhere telling you the correct and therefore the incorrect way to do things. At immigration, the attendant beckons you forward in line like a theater docent, quiet and polite. No yelling and chastising like JFK or LAX. There was an Iphone left behind and the airport staff just held it up over his head and waited until someone claimed it.
We are staying in the Ueno area, which is part of the historical “low city”, working class and modest older buildings. In the evening the neighborhood feels empty and pedestrians wait at crosswalks, abiding by the red no walk signal even though there is no traffic for blocks. Bicycles rule, and easily outnumber cars. They zig-zag through pedestrians deftly, elegant women in professional attire and parents with children in seats in front and back. There are very few helmets among them. The weather is 90 and humid and our number one task is to find dinner and go to sleep after our 20 hr journey from Portland!
Bochner Family Adventure 