Japan - a Quiet Country

Even in Tokyo we found that the streets were exceptionally quiet. In the little villages, towns and major cities people were out and about but not vuluble. Even the cars were quiet. The only time we heard loud cars was during our second night in Tokyo when our apartment over looked three roads and an overpass. There was some drifting going on at around 3am. Loud mufflers, screaming gears. It’s why we left for the Onsen in Ito. 

Each train includes an announcement to ‘please silence your phones’ as the train leaves the station. People are generally very quiet on the train. There was a fun exception - the Saturday afternoon train from Tokyo station to Ito was a party train. Beer was drunk, people were giggling laughing and joking. Including us. That was a lot of fun. And a surprise not just to us, but also the hosts at the fantastic hostel we stayed at in Ito.