I have been on a bit of a holiday. I try to take my daughter somewhere interesting every couple of years. COVID and big floods intervene, but we have not done too bad. This time was different though, she was adamant that a friend should come.

'I love you Dad, but I am just at that age where a friend will make it more fun'. Luckily for her the friend's parents were indeed prepared to allow their daughter to accompany us.

My daughter was adamant that it would be London. My wallet not so much, and given we spent a week there last year en route to Svarlbard, I said no. But the last two times we have gone to Europe, the loss of the Cathay service to Hong Kong and my lack of non Qantas rewards has led us to Tokyo so we could hub to Europe, and the little bit we saw, we liked. So Japan it was. The friend's obsession with Anime was the clincher.

Initially the crowds were not too bad. Jetstar has a very convenient flight to Tokyo that inconveniently lands at Narita. So we were off on the Kesei Skyliner to Ueno, and a short Taxi ride to our hotel.

Even the next day, the trains were full, but not ridiculous. We watched a pre-release movie (in Japanese!), ate Teppanyaki, saw Godzilla, and did the obligatory 'What the hell is happening in Shibuya?' Scramble Crossing thing and visited several bookstores. Gawped at Electric Town and the girls went to a Femboy Cafe (Newtype Akihabara if you are keen). I was ditched for that. It was when my daughter took us to 'Kisaburo Nojo' (a farm restaurant) that the queueing began.

Then it got worse; he who brings teens to Japan will end up in Disneyland! (and Universal it turns out). Oh My God the queues! You queue to get on the train. You queue to get in. You queue to eat. And if you want a good ride, think 120 minutes. I am not even exaggerating.

And the people, the sheer crush of humanity in those places has to be seen to be believed. We have been to Hong Kong Disneyland, but this was next level.

There was a short break from queueing in Hokkaido where I hired a lovely Crown Crossover HEV, and we drove up into the Daisetsuzan Mountains. The girls frolicked in the snow and much fun was had. I won't easily forget sitting in a warm bar, beer in hand watching them outside in heavy snow, building a snowman. A local came and photographed it later! Maybe it was the local paper?

Then we flew down to Hiroshima and started queueing again, even at the Bomb Dome, there were plenty of folk, but after a couple of days we rode the Shinkhasen to Osaka, and spent the last day at Universal Studios. It took 30 minutes just to get in. The girls rode a rollercoaster that took 120 minutes to get onto. Meanwhile I just stared at what were thousands and thousands of people, queuing for food, jostling for overpriced souvenirs, and wearing expensive merch. I wanted to go home.