Hey friends! Greetings from Japan.
It is 6:15 on Thursday evening here which makes it about 2:15 am Thursday morning there. We just spent 5 days in Tokyo, the craziest city in the world. It is divided into districts like the fashion district (Harajuku), the kitchen district (Kappabashi), etc. Each area of the city is like its own little world. One of the most interesting things about it is that the city is so huge, people who have lived there their entire lives still need a map. Ok, so maybe not the most interesting thing, but still crazy.
We have been staying in traditional ryokan (Japanese Inns) which means tatami mat floors and sleeping on futons (amazingly comfortable). I have eaten things I don’t recognize and aren’t sure if they are meat, fish or vegetable…some delicious, some not so much. We also went to the largest fish market in the world (Tsujiki) and watched them auction off 400 lb. tuna at dark o’clock in the morning. We also took the opportunity to have sushi for breakfast that day and oh god, when your fish was caught just hours ago, it is the most amazing thing ever.
After four solid days of exploring Tokyo we traveled South to Kamakura to do some hiking and see a 45 ft. tall Daibhutsu (Great Buddha). We also went on a never-ending trek for Okonomiyaki, which are Japan’s take on pancakes. Literally after WWII, someone showed them pancakes and they took the idea and made it better. Okonomiyaki is savory pancake batter that you put veggies and things in and grill right at your table, it’s genius.
Today the rest of our family went home and Dylan and I continued on to Kyoto. We rode the Shinkansen (bullet train) which is so fast that when you look out the window things go by so quickly it makes you a little sick. But 320 miles in 2hr 45 min when you have a big seat and can get up and walk around beats flying any day. Plus we had the opportunity to see the country side which is night and day from Tokyo. Right now we are staying in the hills outside of Kyoto and it is absolutely gorgeous here. I can’t wait to see the city, but that will have to wait for tomorrow.
Pics when we get home. You wait now.