Japan. Land of Amazing Hospitality.

zeezee:

Through Hi Everywhere!, I hooked up with Naoya-san, an extremely amazing and patient guy who went out of his way to make sure my stay was as comfortable as can be.

And I didn't plan for my visit to be comfortable at all.

In fact, I tried my best to stay away from hotels and hostels, opting instead to spend my nights in the manga kissa or one of those 24-hr public baths, and even go camping in Wakasu. I must admit that I ended up in a hotel on my very second day. All because I was desperate for a place to shower.

And here's where Naoya-san began his role as the single most important person on my Tokyo trip.

We arranged to meet 9:30am at Shibuya JR Station. Top on my itinerary was to find a place to shower — I'd gone clubbing the night before and couldn't find a manga kissa with shower facilities to spend the night.

Leading us on the hunt for a public bath was Tokyo Encounter, a 2007 edition (the latest) Lonely Planet guide book that proved to be seriously outdated. It led us to Azabu-juban, three train lines and countless stops away from Shibuya Station.

But once there, through Naoya-san's friendly conversations with residents of the area, we discovered that the public bath has shut down. That was when I decided to put up at a hotel.

Through prior research, I already had an affordable hotel in mind. But it would be wise to call ahead, wouldn't it? In case the hotel was full? Alas, I didn't have the number or address on me.

So Naoya-san marched bravely into a police box to ask for directions. The policemen were unbelievably helpful and friendly. With nothing but the name of the hotel to go on, they quickly found my hotel listed in a super huge telephone directory.

I was saved. I can finally shower!

Naoya-san accurately navigated us to the b Akasaka, 10 minutes away by train. But once at Akasaka Station, it was a steep climb up a hill. Naoya-san valiantly lugged my suitcase — all 20 minutes of the hike.

That all happened on a Sunday. And the next Friday evening and Saturday morning, Naoya-san again took the time to show me Tokyo. We went to Ueno for the best tonkatsu dinner ever, we went shopping in Harajuku and we visited the nearby Meiji Jingu. At the shrine, we witnessed three weddings and a baby's first month celebration!

This is my second trip to Tokyo and I must say, this time's way, way better than the first.

Thank you very much, Naoya-san!