observations of Tokyo

I have never stepped out of the airport in Japan. I thought it was a good idea to check out Tokyo. In summary, it was not for me. I did not enjoy my time there. I will list my observations; high point, low points and tidbits of information....

1. As a gaigen (outsider), there are two types of Tokyo. Those for you and those not for you. No one is ever rude but you will be able to tell by a mild ignoring when you are not welcome somewhere.

2. Smoking is is still permitted in businesses, so if you are sensitive to second hand smoke.... you will suffer here. Although smoking for the population is on the decline and they generally feel that no smoking laws for restaurants, etc are in the near future. Hotels still have more smoking rooms than non smoking.

3. There is a train/subway to go anywhere you want to go. And I do mean anywhere.

4. There are distinct areas of the city and they are far apart. Your hotel is likely to not be convenient to outside activities. You will be walking or commuting.

5. Tokyo is a young city. Not much to visit of history. Kyoto was capital for hundreds of years and has more history I am told.

6. Japanese practice two religions simultaneously; Shinto (based on nature) is the everyday religion and Buddahism at death for crossing to next life.

7. Japanese people are very modest and are respectful. The more you respond in kind like talking in a lower voice and using courteous language, the more you will be recognized.

8. Japan is expensive. Period. No matter what you do (it seemed to me) cost increments of $10USD. - simple noodles snack or McDonalds food = $10, beer = $10, lunch a modest restaurant = $50, supper - $100/$125. Even a bottle of coca cola is $5.00. So, make sure you are not sensitive to prices, otherwise, like me, you will not enjoy yourself.

9. there are hundreds of places that specialize in one thing; one food type, one fetish. And are very small and have their own niche crowd. I saw one bar & restaurant in an old house in an alley way that had 10 stools at bar and it was packed. These places will cater to regulars and as a tourist, you don't have much of a chance to get in.


Factoids
The Imperial family is an unbroken lineage for 125 generations!
Like today, where the democratic government rules, previously the politicians were the Shogun. The Emperor never "ruled" without a government. In other words, was never a dictatorship, etc. That is why the same lineage has lasted so long.
8M ppl live in Tokyo
13M in the metro Tokyo area (called Prefecture)
90% commute to work on train. Avg time 80 min
Avg household salary $60kUSD for DINKS (double income, no kids)
Avg rent in Tokyo for 600 sq ft is $2500USD
100 sq ft condo in new building, $10kUSD RENT!
Half price in suburbs
lowest house price in burbs $400K

New round of "fire" from Expedia to AA

It's been 2 weeks since Expedia put AA fares on a second tier in support of its competitor Orbitz' problems with American Airlines. Well, now it has pulled AA fares completely. Of course, AA is screaming foul and commercial dispute. I call it good old customer backlash.
Wake up American! You made you decisions. Now live with them.
AA stated in it's own PR release that customers wanted to go to aa.com to book their flights. A sly move to lure people onto their website, where you dont see any competition, so you can charge more. Remember, when the airline states they guarantee "lowest fare", they dont mean in the market... considering all airline choices. They only mean on their carrier which could be considerably more expensive than what is available in the market.
Consumer's beware of slight of hand tactics, but then again, these are nothing new. Just now (collectively) we are starting to fight back and say "enough"!
I sure wish the tarvel agent community could have banded together with this kind of clout when the airlines eliminated our commissions; a rightful payment for work performed.