Keio plaza hotel is superb. It's definitely a huge upgrade from holiday inn express (now don't get me wrong, that place was nice and comfy too). Lots of chandeliers in the lobby, and people in suits ready to accomplish hotel business. Rachel and I were ready to part as roommates (we were roomies at the Chicago orientation), but what do you know, we are roomies again at Keio! (; It's definitely comforting to have someone you know well be your roomie for 3 days in a foreign environment.
After we exchanged some money at the front desk, we met up with my high school friend Shouhei who's in Japan for the summer. We ate udon at a place where we can customize what goes into our bowl. The place was good and fairly cheap. Udon noodles were different from what I'm used to eating in Hawaii. Noodles were more chewy and fresh! After dinner, we walked around the Shinjuku station area and eventually through Takashimaya time square. Then we headed back to our hotel. Meeting Shouhei again tomorrow after the orientation... we'll probably hit up Shibuya and harajuku. We'll see.
