Liz and Kim

Liz, a friend of my daughter's, and Kim, my daughter. We are on our way to a Chinese restaurant for duck on the bone (yuck!) and other better food choices. Liz is a member of Japan Study at Wasada University along with Kim. She goes to NYU. She gave me a birthday card! Wow.

When we arrived at the Chinese restaurant in Shinjuku, there were tables before us but the hostess said "no table; have to wait 2 hrs." When we agreed to wait for her to call us on Kim's cell phone, she looked so surprised.

Less than 10 minutes after we left, she called to say, "Table ready; we had a cancellation."

So, back we went. Food was good except for the duck on the bone. Bad choice.

Japanese vs. Western style toilets

Japanese style toilets are in the floor. They are long and narrow with a hood at the front. You squat down as close to them as you can get, do your business and get out as fast as you can.

I had no trouble with them, but you need to be fairly flexible to use them without discomfort.

Washlet toilet "Western-style." Includes heated seat, bidet, spray, deodorizer (powerful). The one in my hotel room was broken when I arrived, running constantly. I fixed it! Was great after that.

Delightful

The bathtub was the deepest tub I have ever seen. Along the edge on the floor was a drain (which I noticed but did not understand until my daughter, Kim, explained it to me). The drain is so you can fill the tub to the top, get in, soak without making a mess. I did not fill the tub all the way to the top, but once I did fill it almost all the way up with extraordinarily hot water. I sat down in it, and realized why people do fill the tub. Sitting in neck deep hot water and soaking is delightful.

My Hotel Room

Room 1223 in the Hotel Monterey Ginza.

The bed was futon-like with a wonderfully soft comforter/quilt and no top sheet.

I slept 'like a rock.'

Jet Lag

Who would have thought, who did not know already, that...jet lag is so terrible? I came home almost a week ago, and still feel lousy. I have had no to little appetite, no hunger pangs, no strength or energy. I have been sleeping off and on constantly, have been unproductive at work, and have just been in a generally dire state for a whole week now.

The doctor said, "yep, that is jet lag."

Turns out I may also have picked up a 'stomach virus' that has been 'around.' Still, I was relieved because I was beginning to think I was really sick.

Just a few more days, and I should be back to myself. Thank goodness.

Aoyami Theatre

The very popular "High School Musical" playing at Aoyami Theatre along Aoyami-dori, Tokyo.

National Public Radio reported that "High School Musical" is a phenomenon "around the world."

Well, that's for sure.

An Unusual Glass Building in Tokyo

Empty Ikebana Classroom

My Workspace in Ikebana Class

The was my first attempt at Japanese flower arranging, an ancient art. I was taught the 'rising form' this day. My first attempt was pretty but incorrect. The dominant piece was the iris leaf rising from the center back. The smaller praire flowers and the roses were secondaries, back-ups to the primary, the iris leaf. Each was to be placed at certain locations at certain angles at certain lengths. I manipulated the petals of the flowers; ooh, not to be done. Too unnatural. My third or fourth attempt was 'not bad for a beginner.'

Ikebana Class at O'Haru International School

The master Ikebana teacher assisting an advanced student with her design.

Another View of One of the Palace Guard Houses

Imperial Palace Garden, Hibiya Park

Bride and Groom Preparing to Depart

After the Wedding

Two men preparing the "carriage" for the bride and groom after a "traditional" Japanese wedding in Asakusa.

Asakusa Shrine

After a morning of steady rainfall, the sky cleared...

5 Story Pagoda

One of many pagodas in the Tokyo area; this one in Asakusa (Ah-socks-sa). The one in Ueno turned out to be inside the zoo. I had entered the zoo at the end of the day to see LingLing, the giant Panda. I left the zoo to find the pagoda only to discover it is inside the zoo!

Famous Building Along the Samida River

Cruising Up the Samida River, Tokyo

High Rise Buildings Beyond Hamarikyu Garden

Walking through Hamarikyu Garden near Ginza with tall grey buildings in the close distance... Grey skies above.

Green Tea and A Sweet

In Hamarikyu Garden outside Chuo-ku, I stopped at a small tea house and had a traditional green tea and sweet on a tatami mat. I sat on a red carpet with the "food" on the mat before me. I exchanged greetings with several other patrons.

The sweet was a "bean paste." Yummy.

Tsujiki Fish Market

Early morning fish market in Tsujiki. I found a small counter restaurant inside the fish market where I had miso soup and sashimi meguro (tuna) with a big bowl of sticky rice and a small bite of sweetened egg.

Corner Guard House

Beautiful setting of moat and guard house in Hibiya Park.

The Palace

I believe the Imperial Palace is in the background on the right... however, I am not absolutely certain of this.

Sleeping

A man sleeping outside Hibiya Park, Tokyo, Japan.

Imperial Palace, Hibiya Park

Hotel Monterey Ginza

A 13 story hotel in the heart of Ginza, the glitzy shopping center of Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. This turned out to be an extremely comfortable place to stay, close to Yurakucho Station along the Yamanote Line... the huge train loop around the 27 "ku"s of Tokyo.

A Tokyo Skyline Beyond

One of many skylines of Tokyo; yes, that is a swan.

Imperial Palace Moat

Imperial Palace Moat

Along the outer moat of the Imperial Palace, Kyoto within the larger city of Tokyo, close to Tokyo Station and Ginza...Hibiya Park.

First Full Day in Tokyo

One of 12 bridges on Sumida River, Tokyo.