American Embassy in Tokyo

I stopped by the American embassy today for some “citizen’y” business.  I would attach a picture to this post, but they took my camera when I was inside!

The place was a normal-looking building with iron gates and a ton of security.  I definitely can’t say that architecture was as memorable as the dark grey “prizon-inspired” Australian Embassy (see below picture).

australian embassy

The US embassy in Tokyo was a bit busy since Hilary Clinton (our new Secretary of State) is/was in town.  I’m not even sure if she was remotely close to there.  Their X-ray and security was 10x better than the airport.  I usually walk through the airport metal detectors with my watch and belt on, and today, I was given a well deserved comment about it.  The guy with the metal scanner was even able to detect some cough drops in my coat pocket (in the aluminum plastic type packaging).  Anyways, cell phones aren’t allowed, or even allowed to be turned on in the embassy.  They even ensure that by asking you to turn it off, and then they’ll hold it for you, along with my camera.

Either way.  The embassy was quite busy.  These guys work from 10-12 and 2-4pm.  Hard day isn’t it?  But man, there’s a ton of people there.  They have a notary public on site, which is quite important if you’re not in the states.  And I saw 3 couples with their newborn babies there too!  I guess there’s allot of foreigners and/or military personnel having babies overseas.  Either way, it was good that I arrived 30 minutes early at 1:30pm to be second in line at 2pm for my “citzen’y” business.  All I have to say is that it was an experience, where I didn’t expect it.