Getting off the couch

Compared to the last couple of days, today was quite successful indeed. I left the couch this morning with a goal of getting fed (cheaply as always), getting some more money out and purchasing a JR bus ticket to see me to Osaka, my next stop.

I managed to achieve all three things in Shinjuku, a short walk from where we are in Yoyogi. After visiting 'Soft Bank' to pull out some cash, I strolled over to Shinjuku station where the fun began. First I walked in the centre of the station where I spotted a counter headed 'Ticket Information'. After a brief chat in studdered Japanese, the pleasant ladies behind the counter sent me in a Southerly direction where I was to cross a main road and turn left. It turns out that the JR bus station was positioned on the corner of the next block.

Soon enough, I found my way to right ticket counter where I purchased a One-way pass for the Seishun Mega Dream Bus which would take me from Tokyo Station to Osaka station for 4,300 yen which equates to about 67 bucks. Compared with the domestic flights and the Shinkansen bullet train, this was the most economical alternative.

The bus ride is about 9 hours long, but as we're leaving at 10pm, sleep should come into play and this Dream Bus' name will be put to the test.

After I had secured a ticket for Monday, I headed home via a little place called Yoshinoya. Here I uncovered the best amount of food not much money could buy in the area. All for 550 yen (about $8.50), i recieved a bowl of Miso soup, a plate of cooked salmon, a fair sized bowl of Gyudon (thinly sliced beef and onion on rice) and complimentary tea. What a bargain! haha I was stoked. You may be thinking "Gee, there's a place I can get kebabs around the corner for 5 bucks", but for here in Japan and with the ozzy dollar as weak as it is, 8 bucks is something to stick by.

In other (more exciting) news, Duck and I are headed out to the annual 'Japan's internet bloggers night'. Coordinated by Danny Choo (local internet icon), the night promises to be one of thick glasses, pens in shirt pockets and some interesting people.