We arrived in Tokyo with a few must-dos, one of them karaoke. So, after a ten-course meal and copious amounts of sake at By The Sea, my brother led us to Smash Hits, the most famous foreigner-friendly karaoke bar (the Japanese not liking foreigners in their karaoke joints). Smash Hits reminds me of a tiny lecture hall with the tables and the stage. The tome of songs to choose from is intimidating, especially when you’re drunk. I go for “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” by Chicago, a duet of “Echo Beach” (Martha & The Muffins) with my brother and, finally, we drag Maya up on stage for a group “Don’t You Want Me” by The Human League. Such good fun and puts to rest my memories of dying on a stage in Ayia Napa in 1993 while singing “Tracks Of My Tears”.

A pilgrimage to Womb also had to be done. It was Thursday night so only the basement was open, but more than sufficient to get a good taste of clubbing in Japan. I’d always been curious about what the deal is in Japanese clubs. Sophistication and respect of your personal space the norm. People just getting it down in their own area. And a surprisingly upbeat atmosphere to compliment the minimal techno and electro.  Womb delivered us to the street at 3:00am and we decided to head for Tsukiji fish market and fulfil a long-held ambition: the freshest sushi after a big night out in Tokyo. We’d been to Tsukiji the day before at midday and encountered a ghost market. Not so at 5:00am. Busy bees everywhere getting to work. The bewildering amount of maritme produce is so fresh that it gives off a sweet aroma. We are very drunk though and so the whole scene plays at high speed as fork-lift scooters zoom around you with their loads of ice and polystyrene. More used to drive-through McDonalds at this hour in SP, this fresh sushi is welcome.