It was all new to me, the lights, the people, the hustle and bustle of a vivid city. I couldn’t keep my eyes off it.

The language was so different here but I was starting to know the basics now. Luckily I was suggested a tour guide who spoke English and Japanese so I could get some practice in.

I was so lucky to get into this exchange program, it was a once in a lifetime experience to live and study here in Japan.

“Hey, are you Allan? I’m Kenji, your guide,” a pleasant tone awoke me from my gazing.

“Konnichiwa! Watashi wa Allan desu,” I said quickly pleased with my pronunciation. I couldn’t help but squeeze a smile in after.

“Aha, nice job! Been reading ‘Japanese for dummies’ then?”

“Not quite but yeah pretty much,” I replied in a jokey tone, one that attempted to hide my slight dissatisfaction.

Tokyo was very different to what I was used to. I’d always lived in a village far out near Oxfordshire. So city life was never available to me.

“Jonesey told me you needed a guide around town. How’d you guys know each other?”

“He is from the same town as me, we grew up together.”

“Oh wow! Yeah, I’m from London but I came to study here and ended up staying. I’m Japanese but my family live in London.”

“That’s so cool! What did you come to study?”

From then we just clicked, he was a creative like myself and was studying art design. He fell in love with architecture and become a painter. The next Frank Gehry. I, myself came to study Japanese literature in the hopes of becoming a writer. My parents spent most there savings on my education and I knew deep down they rather I’d become a big shot lawyer or doctor with the money they invested. Thing is, books were everything to me. I couldn’t imagine dedicating my life to anything else.

“I know the best place to eat.”

We visited a restaurant, I couldn’t make out the name but it was a sushi bar with a rotary belt. Good would come round on the belt and you’d take what you fancy, the first time I’d experienced anything like it!

Kenji slurped his noodles, lifting the bowl to finish off whatever was left. Something I’d never dare to do in public.

“Hey,” I whispered, “You are well hungry aren’t you?” I giggled.

“Haha, we’ll in Japanese culture it’s a compliment to the chef if you slurp the bowl,” Kenji laughed, “… It shows you really enjoyed the meal.”

It was too awkward for me, surely I couldn’t slurp these noodles in front of all these people.

“Go on try it!” Kenji said leaning back into his chair, stroking his belly.

“Really?” I looked at him suspicious, could it be a prank?

“Yeah!” Kenji smiled even wider.

Why not, what’s the worst that could happen?

Lifting the bowl with both hands I tilt the miso soup into my mouth. It’s broth swirled around my mouth lipping down my throat.

“So good,” I oozed out in complete satisfaction.

“Told you!”