All that glitters isn't gold, it's Ginza

Tiffany is located here and so is Gucci, Pucci, and Burberry but the star attraction is not a designer name from Paris or Milan but a light bulb manufacturer from Japan. The bright sparkling lights of the Ginza district in Tokyo amaze locals and tourists alike. If we are drawn into the shops and department stores then the marketing that is Ginza has worked its charm.

Due to the massive crowds drawn to the Ginza on weekends, Tokyo authorities have pedestrianized the city streets surrounding the main drag. Sunset approaches, the sun is ready for another timezone and the power plants feeding Tokyo are just awakening to raise the curtain on another show in the Ginza; a fantastic show of lights beckoning consumers of all walks of life.

The Aztecs had their gold and the Spanish journeyed far to discover it. The Ginza entices all with the power of its lights. Welcome to the glitter that is Ginza!

Tired but in Tokyo

As our red eye flight from Singapore touched down at Tokyo's Narita airport I could tell why the term "red eye" identified all moonlight flights: my eyes were bloodshot and tired. Our second wind kicked in just when we needed it most as the trek from the gate to the immigration control and customs area was long-- maybe it just felt long because we were so groggy.

A well oiled machine of sterile efficiency is how I would describe my first impression of Tokyo. The train from the airport to the Shinjuku section of Tokyo took over an hour as Narita airport is situated quite far from Tokyo proper.

A long walk from the Shinjuku station to our hotel greeted us. It was needed though since it helped wake us up! We became enveloped in the regular hustle and bustle of Tokyo on a Friday morning. Our fellow commuters looked as if they had earned the weekend that was almost upon them; we just needed our hotel bed!

Hello and TGIF Tokyo!