ARRIVAL!

After a long and exhausting 14 hours on planes, we finally arrived in Narita! Hayley didn't believe we would make it, but we did!

After a measly few hours sleep (and close to none for a few excited kids) we left the airport and headed to Odaiba, a man-made island in Tokyo area.On arrival at 10am, we realized that most of the shops in Odaiba didn't open until 11! Shops in Japan have a much later general open time than in Australia (I didn't know having never been up early enough to see!).

Our kids had a look at some fun Japanese shops, played a lucky dip game (unfortunately no major winners) and some even tried a haunted house!

And we now have 4 matching girls all with gorgeous Stitch plush toys to lug around...

After eating a buffet lunch, we saw a few famous sights of Odaiba including Tokyo's Statue of Liberty (a present from France), the Rainbow Bridge and a life size giant robot statue.

With our kids exhausted, we headed to our hostel in Shinjuku. Students were amused to use the interesting toilets, complete with music buttons.

We\ve all been taking heaps of photos, which unfortunately due to internet problems I can't upload at the moment, so I will try again tomorrow!

Big day ahead tomorrow with students getting a real taste of Tokyo Culture!

Youkoso- Welcome!



Odaiba- our first stop in Tokyo!

Hi everyone!

This is going to be our official ECC Japan Tour blog site!

While in Japan, I will try and update this blog as much as possible. I'd like to say every day, but it depends on internet accessiblilty, and time.

There are just 43 days until our Japanese adventure!

The expected weather is around 23-25 degrees celcius (very warm compared to what we've been putting up with lately) so please pack lots of t-shirts, shorts, and maybe a light cardigan or sweater in case we have a colder day thrown in there too!

Before we leave, I hope everyone has been practising their Japanese on family members- I know I have! Heres a link to Tofugu's most important Japanese words/phrases. Make a list, stick them on your fridge, start writing them in a notebook, whatever!

http://www.tofugu.com/2010/10/01/the-100-most-important-japanese-words/

But please memorise some key phrases!

I also hope that you guys will bring a diary for yourselves or a scrapbook to save the awseome memories you will undoubtedly be gaining! A diary or a notebook is also a good way to record the new Japanese words you'll pick up!

When I went on my first Japanese trip, the first new phrase I learnt is "Atama ga pima desu" (literally- You're a capsicum head). I.E. "Your head is as empty as a capsicum" and I still remember that phrase clearly to this day (most likely because it's the most ridiculous phrase ever and I used it over and over again).

Sayounara for now!