Day 15 3/10/2014

Got up early to attempt to go to Tiananmen Square and despite being challenged by closed metro stations and masses of people finally got there.  Everything was tightly controlled with security checks  (more pushing and shoving) and lots of police.  We only just managed to make it back to the hostel for 12 and our taxi to the airport.  Tiananmen Square was huge and impressive with Mao's huge mausoleum in the central and looking across to the Forbidden City where his picture is prominently displayed.  All the people seemed very patriotic almost with a reverence to communism worshiping it like a religion.  The taxi to the airport took less than an hour and we were delighted to find out that we'd been upgraded to first class as the flight was over booked and Japan airlines are part of the One World Alliance which we're both members of the exec club.  Helps to make all the red eye flights to London over the last few years worth it!  Lots of bowing by the staff.  Tight security resulted in Simon's solar charger being confiscated!  Flight left on time travelling over South Korea and saw Seoul from the sky.  Landed at Tokyo Narita airport 2.45 hrs later.  Through customs quickly, easy to find airport express, one stop on subway and 250m walk to hotel.  All very easy!  After busy Beijing, Tokyo is equally busy but loud (noise and neon lights - bright and very Western).