12/2/2010 Tokyo Japan
This has got to be the cleanest city in the world. They have 6 buttons on the toilet just to keep you clean, even the seat is heated! After the cold of Beijing the 5 degree heat of Tokyo is positively warm. I am walking around with only 3 layers on instead of 5.
Managed to get some much needed washing done and spent the first day with Katy buying food and exploring the local area, Asakusa. Ate a strange twirly thing on a stick that turned out to be potato (thankfully). Bought my first fresh rice cracker outside Senso Ji temple. Had my fortune told – oh boy. Basically i can’t do anything or go anywhere because it will be really bad. After the last week or so (and my credit card fraud running into £1000+ now i’m inclined to listen. Went to the shrine dedicated to Sir Racoon Dog who looks after businesses. Paid my respects.
Travelled to Hakone Yamoto in the National Park near to Mount Fuji. Its a Spa resort that uses the hot water from the volcanic springs. Katy and I went up the volcano and walked through the mud pools though unfortunately i ran out of money to buy one of the black hard boiled eggs cooked inside the mud pools.
The Spa was amazing though i felt very uncomfortable stripping off naked in front of lots of Japanese men (separate baths for men and women) so we timed our visits to try and reduce my fear 
On the last night we upgraded to a traditional Japanese Ryokan and were treated to a proper Japanese room, tea ceremony, Japanese maid service and futon beds. We loved the whole experience and our maid was just amazing. I’ve never heard someone talk so much in a foreign language and not care that we don’t understand her. This is a place i could come back to again.
Stayed the last few days in Yokaham outside Tokyo which is wher e i am now catching up on washing and the blog. Japan is so expensive that we’ve resorted to eating Macdonalds some days to keep to our budget. They are the cheapest meal available and cost £18 for two burger meals!