48 hours in Japan and counting...

I don't know what the bureaucracy would be like trying to apply for resident status in the UK, but after hours of waiting at the local government office I'm now the proud holder of a certificate that states that in approximately a month I'll be the proud holder of an Alien Registration Card.

The hours spent at the bank were brightened by the potential choice of a Hello Kitty Mizuho Bank Mastercard (of course I chose it!) Also, in a typically Japanese move, the banks still use passbooks (which would be considered completely outdated by most Western banks), but you can deposit at exciting ATM-type machines - very exciting, even if it did feel a bit like feeding hundreds of thousands of yen into a machine and getting a small amount of ink in return.

I think the most striking thing about Tokyo so far is the constant assault on the senses, from the temperature, the bright lights, the blaring advertisements and music, and the smells of so many different foods (first delicious tempura meal consumed...)

The dormitory where we're staying temporarily for the next couple of weeks is very bizarre - the rooms aren't at all bad by Tokyo standards, although a bit beige and plasticky, and they do provide us with breakfast every day (at the rather antisocial hour of 7.30). However, I'd certainly rather live somewhere more central and less suburban, and the flat-hunting fun begins today...

E-mail me... I'm not going to have a phone number till the weekend. More to follow, photos and all, when I have a bit more time.