Japan: March 2005 Archives
Here are some pictures that my friend, Maki took while we were out together. The first pictures in me on the way to China town. The second is of one of the large "gates" into Chinatown and the last is of a store front. Click to see the larger version.
Here are some more pictures from our first night in Osaka. Yuko's parents ordered delivery sushi for us and man was it tastey. We really don't have so many delivery options here in Minnesota, so I am kinda jealous. These pictures are taken by Yuko as I am in most of them. Click them to see the larger version.
Daichi and I surveying the Sushi. Yummy!!!
Daichi and I getting ready to dig in.
Daichi is attacking me in bed. He really loves the futon.
Here are some pictures from our first day on the way to Japan. Click to enlarge.
Minneapolis from way up.
Daichi in his stroller at the Chicago O'hare Airport.
Daichi and I on the Train to Yuko's partents house.
Monday February 28th Part 1
On our first real day in Tokyo, I was lucky enough to be able to meet with my long time friend, Maki. She took us to several famous sight seeing locations including: Yokohama, Yokohama's China Town, The Rauman Museum in Shin-Yokohama, and of course Akihabara.
Maki pick me up at the Omori train station and we were off to Yokohama. The train ride isn't a long one at all to Yokohama. We walked around the Yokohama Landmark building and eventually made it to the subway station under the Landmark Tower to head to Chinatown.
Yokohama's Chinatown is pretty cool. It is home to a large population of Chinese people that first moved there after Japan opened it's borders in 1859 to foreign traders. Chinatown is a large collection of resturants and other stores selling Chinese items, mostly to tourists it seems to my eyes as I didn't see many Chinese people. There are lots of Sweet Chestnut vendors lining the streets of Chinatown and the air is tinged with the burnt smell of the roaster turning out this sweet treat. I happened to pick up a small sack of them for Yuko, and I guess I picked a good vendor as they were certainly tastey!!!
Yokohama Bay
Yokohama's Chinatown
After Yuko and I make the trek to the big city, Tokyo, and made our way to our hotel, we met some of our dear friends. Carrying luggage through the train systems and crowded streets of one of the world`s most populated metro areas is not fun in the least. Well me made it in one piece though, and happy to finally to be in a more relaxing atmosphere than the crmaped confines on the Shinkansen with a 8 month old that wants to crawl like never before.
After the group had gathered, albiet a little late, we headed out to find a place to eat and chat. Ah but that was going to be tricky in the big cuty on a Sunday when the entire population of Tokyo thought it would be nice to go out for dinner on a Sunday evening. We had a hard time finding a resturant with enought space for us, so we decided to go to a `beer press.` Much concern was made of the presence of Daichi in a beer hall, but he was fine.
I had three Kirin Darks and was feeling fine for the night. We did order a lot of food items as they tend to be small and snackish, if that is a word. I also got to try my first horse meat, japanese style, raw. I have to say that it was really tastey.... Oh come on Mr. Ed, I won't bite, hard....
Well Yuko and I finally made the long trip back to Minnesota. I have to say that coming back is harder to do than making the trip to Japan even though it is a shorter flight and all. Daichi seems to be really jet lagged and was up many, many times last night. Opps I have to also go to work today....
Sunday February 26th:
On Sunday, Yujo and and I and Daichi made a trip to Tokyo to see some friends. Normally this is an fairly expensive trip at about 130.00 US dollars a way, or 260.00 round trip. Lucky Japan has a nice package for foreigners wishig to travel in the way of the JR Rail Pass. People can by these passes in 7,14, and 21 day varieties. We choose the 7 day pass as it was the cheapest of all three at 260.00. This pass allows the holder to ride any JR Rail line for free, including the Shinkansen.
The ride was great! I have to say that the seating was a little cramped on the ride to and from Tokyo, but I really don`t want to give a bad impression that covers all of the Shinkansen trains as we have ridden the Rail Star 700 later in the week and was very roomy.
For beening one of the fastest trains on the planet, it really give the rider the impression that we were going about 150mph. I have to say that the light poles were a blur and you could tell that we were really moving as houses moved pretty fast further up on the horizon.
We did get lucky and see Mont Fuji as it happened to not be covered in clouds. I did take quite a few rolls of film on the trip to Tokoy and if they turn out, hopefully I got some great Fuji shots as well.
Saturday February 25th:
Yuko and I attended a wonderful wedding for one of Yuko`s best friends, Kumi, in Kyoto. The wedding was held at a wedding cente rthat over looked a famous temple and provided a wonnderful view. It was kind of cold and it started to snow shortly after the ceromony got under way.
Everyone had a great time and gave wonderful speeches...
Congratulations Kumi!
I managed to take 3 rolls of film at the wedding and I did get them developed. I plan on scanning them when I get back to the states.
Yuko and I finally can take a break from our busy vacation schedule. It has been a crazy week here in Japan. We arrived at Kansai airport on Thursday evening and got off to a running start on our first evening here in Osaka with a cold rain. We also had a busy day on Friday.
Friday Febuary 24th:
Yuko planned a trip to apply for Daichi`s Japanese passport and a visit with one of Yuko`s senpai from Sanyo. While Yuko was visiting with her friend, I did some light shopping at a computer store, Soft Mapu. Man the prices they charge in Japan is crazy! I really mean CRAZY! I was pressed to find a mouse for under 30.00 US. I also picked up a new cheap keyboard for Yuko. She has worn off the letters on her old one.
Taking Daichi out with us is a real pain. Japan tends to be very crowded and small and not handicaped/baby friendly at all, but it is slowly changing with the addition of elevators at the trainstations.
Stay tunned for pictures when Yuko and I return to the states. I will have about 30 rolls of film or so to get developed.
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