There is something about Tokyo I liked straight away. Like New York it is huge and bustling but it makes no concessions to foreigners, even McDonalds is completely in Japanese. The public transport is scarily complex but incredibly efficient and I was delighted that Nigel figured it all out so I just had to follow.

As it is huge even though we are supposed to be on a self guided rail tour we hired a guide for the first day to show us some of Tokyo.

We started off at the Meji Shrine for the emperor who took control back from the shoguns about 110 years ago. Modern is relative!

Then much to my daughters’ delighted headed off to the young fashion district of Harajuku. Some of the young street fashion like the Lolita look is very striking.

Then we braved Shibuya crossing. Unlike Hanoi this just looks insane it is really very organised.

We finished off our day at a sushi bar.