Ever imagined yourself stepping off the plane onto the Land of the Rising Sun for the first time? If you’ve not had the chance to experience it for yourself yet then you can do so vicariously with our competition winner Ashley in the video below. Warning: things get a little bit emotional!
Although Ashley has visited the country once before it was only for a few days, which means that there are many things she’s experiencing for the very first time, and this time round she was visiting completely free of charge, courtesy of our little website. It was great seeing her reactions to everything.
Ashley arrived at Narita Airport from the US safely on Tuesday night (JST). She was as impressed as she’d hoped to be by All Nippon Airlines’ (ANA) service and food, which was a relief after she’d built it all up! Also, how is she so chipper after just stepping off a long-haul flight?!
After getting her JR pass sorted we all took the airport bus to Tokyo Station, where Ashley got a bit overwhelmed about being in her dream country. There were a few tears, but she assures us they were of the happy variety.
Then it was onto the train, which presented the challenges of buying tickets and getting through ticket gates. The Japanese train network is a beautifully complex system that runs like greased lightning, but it can be overwhelmingly complicated for a first-time traveller. After living here for a while you get used to it, but it’s always nice to see a newcomer’s reaction to remind us of how awesomely impressive it really is.
On the way to the hotel we stopped by a convenience store for some snacks and Ashley took in the bright lights of Shinjuku at night. It was a whirlwind first few hours in Japan, and things are just getting started. Be sure to check out our other articles under the Japan Wish tag to follow Ashley along on her adventure!
Photos and video © RocketNews24






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