Noticable Changes In Tokyo

Above, the Tokyo Sky Tree Tower dominates the city's skyline even while still under construction.

It is amazing to notice changes in Tokyo after being away from Japan for 3 1/2 years. Some changes have been small (like Becker's being replaced by The Beat Diner), while others have been big.

The Sky Tree Tower that is currently under construction to replace Tokyo Tower as the primary broadcast tower is a looming presence in Tokyo. I took the above photo from the window of the Narita Express while en route to the airport for my flight home today.

Above, one of many more shops that have been added to Narita Airport's departure floor.

There also has been changes to Narita International Airport as well. In 2007, the departure floor had lots of wide-open spaces. Not now. Since then, the floor has many, and I do mean many, shops and restaurants added. There's hardly anymore wide-open spaces on the departure floor.

Fortunately, there are some things that don't change. Such as getting a lucky shot of Mount Fuji peeking through the clouds off in the distance (below) as my plane heads away from Japan.



One other thing. It used to be that travelers were urged to spend all their yen in Japan as they'd lose money when they exchanged it back for U.S. dollars. While the exchange rate today gets a traveler fewer yen per dollar, it also worked in reverse as I got around $115 per 10,000 yen when I exchanged my leftover yen. This took the bite off the exchange rate a little.