We took the bullet train (probably made by Bombardier) from Osaka to Tokyo. Bowing is so deep rooted in Japanese culture that it is institutionalized. Whenever a conductor would enter or exit the car, he would bow (to no one in particular).

The first stop was for lunch. Didn't eat.

The second stop was a Shinto shrine. 90% of Japanese are Buddhists and 75% are Shintoists. So at least 65% of all Japanese are both Buddhists and Shintoists. The Shinto religion has 8 million gods. The Buddhist religion has none. Go figure.

We checked in at Conrad, the high end brand of Hilton. The rooms (which start at US$700) were beautiful. A zen-like look of clean lines and sparse looking space. But looks are deceptive. It was ultra-luxurious with toy bears on bed and rubber ducks in the bath tub. On the corridor there was a nice visual illusion. Whichever way one looked there seemed to be a translucent barrier a few yards away. But as one walked close to the barrier, the barrier seemed to recede until it completely disappeared. But it was so subtle (and not obvious because of the dim corridor lighting) that none of the other guests had even noticed it. I wondered if it was my imagination and went back to check. No it was not my imagination. I wonder how they created this illusion.

Had dinner at a supposedly famous restaurant at Ginza district. Ginza is of course the Times Square and Rodeo Drive rolled into one. Ginza is also reputed to be the most expensive real estate in the world. After dinner we walked back through Ginza. Great experience.

What is striking about Japan is its cleanliness. Whether it is the winding alley ways of Kyoto or the glittering streets of Ginza, they are clean, no litter anywhere. Interestingly enough, there are no trashcans in sight. Yet the Japanese simply do not litter the streets.

And one more thing. The trains in Japan run on time. Not just on time, but exactly on time. As our Guide said, if a train is supposed to arrive at 9.26, it will arrive at 9.26 and not at 9.25 or 9.27.