Well, that’s my first blog entry from Japan.

I arrived at Tokyo airport on December 29th 2011 at about 10.00 a.m.

First I had to find a way to go to Kanazawa, Ishikawa-ken, where I planned to meet up with my former “short-stay-host-family”. It took me 90min. with the train to Tokyo main station. I went to a travel office to get advice how to go to kanazawa. Luckily I speak Japanese, so it wasn’t to hard to communicate with the people there. After 15min. I got my Ticket for 11’840 japanese Yen. Another 10min. later I was already on my way there. Because Most Japanese go to their hometown/relatives over new Year, all trains were crowded. I took the train to Echigo-Yuzawa where I changed to another crowed train directly to Kanazawa. After about 4h and no seat I finally arrived there, starving, tired. I had to use a public phone to call the family, because my mobile phone didn’t work. at 17.50,finally, I could relax at my family’s home.

It’s been 3 years since I’ve been in Japan and it feels so good. This time I had a real Japanese New Year’s meal with my family’s relatives. I even got a O-Toshidama (New-Years present, usually money). Most of the food we ate I didn’t know though. I’m used to the Japanese kitchen, and I reeeeally like it, but there was some really weird stuff.

It’s been about a week now and I’m having some lazy days with my very nice family. Yesterday I went to Karaoke with our neighbor and some people I’ve met already 3 years ago. It was fun to see them again and how they’ve changed. But the time with the family is still precious to me. Until January 10th I’ll stay with them.