In the words of Freezepop:

Demo, kyo
Ame ga furimasu

It’s raining today. Checked out of my room and took a train to Shinjuku. Bags really heavy and difficult to carry. Got to the Sakura House office, signed a billion scary contracts, got my key, and headed to Uguisudani on the Yamanote line. (The ‘note, as only I call it.)

My new neighbourhood:

After hunting around for a bit, I discovered it: a plain grey door. Um. Got my key out, unlocked it, and went up the stairs. Saw someone sitting at a table. “Uh, konnichi wa!” They stared, confused. “Um, is this Sakura House?” “Yes,” they said. “Um…” said I, before heading further upstairs. Went in and met two guys and a girl. Dumped my stuff in my room:

View from the window:

Started chatting with Mike, a friendly Estonian who made me a cup of tea. I think he comes here every couple of months, which seems a nice life. The other guy is Asian… not sure where he’s from, and the girl is from China. I don’t speak Chinese and she doesn’t speak much English, so the mutual language is Japanese, which is rather cool.

So… I’m safe, for at least one month. Gonna head out soon, register at the British Embassy, see if I can find the Taito-ku ward office, and go back to the Working Holiday Maker’s office in Nakano to update my details and/or work out how one sends postcards.