I recently returned home to Hawaii from Japan.  Japan was very cold.  I bought a down coat on the internet from LL Bean before I went.  I was very happy that I had that coat.

This was my second trip to Japan this year.  This time I stayed for 10 days.  When I went to Japan in September I stayed for 3 weeks.

I spent the first couple of days in the Yokohama area.  I stayed at a hotel close to the Yokohama station.  Yokohama station is very crowded and very confusing.

Before I left Hawaii I bought a one week JR rail pass.  When you purchase the pass you get only a voucher.  When you arrive in Japan you must go to the green room to convert your voucher to the pass.  I asked serveral people in the Yokohama station where I could exchange my voucher.  I never did really understand where to go.  I finally took the subway to the Shin Yokohama station.  I have been to Shin Yokohama station many times and know it very well.