Here's a couple of pictures of the last two days here in Tokyo. To the left is my long time friend and "Best Man", Katsu Matsueda. Some of us guys are out eating some sushi.

Below is Katsu's Father, Mr. Matsueda. This was taken at our farewell dinner the night before we leave.

We've got so much to do before we leave back for the states. A little recap of the last two days: Tuesday, Katsu took us to the coolest stationary store and then to one of the most popular Tokyo places to shop, Takeshita Dori. I believe there's a picture below. Sushi dinner that night. Wed. our last day was spent with the girls going with Mr. Matsueda to the beach and then shopping at Ikspiari, like Downtown Disney here but much, much larger. They road the monorail and all kinds of stuff. Taka and I had to go back to Aikihabra again for more shopping. One day on monday wasn't enough. Plus it was raining so we really got to explore the streets.

It's Tuesday, and I'm posting for yesterday. We went into downtown Tokyo. Roppongi Hills tower is accross from Mr. Matsueda's office and one of the most hightech and tallest buildings in Tokyo. If you click on the link above you'll get the 411. We got to see the "Spiderman III" exibit while there too. The parking structure is just incredable. One pulls in like any other parking but you don't pass any cars as you pull up to the attendents in a small car sized room. You get out and grab your stuff, the attendents then check the condition of your car and then as you step behind the sliding glass, your car is moved quickly along the flat track into another room behind a moveable door. The attendents then program instructions and your car disappears and a ticket appears. To get your car later, you simply insert the ticket and await your car to appear behind the glass. The light turns green and you enter and leave. Quite amazing and wonderful. Those Japanese. I've capture video of the car parking to include at a later date. Speaking of car parking, at the home of Katsu, his under ground parking roboticaly shifts cars up and down back and forth, left and right to get the most cars in to a space. They're literally on top of each other.



Anyway were headed back into the city for more fun today. I'm going to explore the larges stationary store for one of my addictions: "Cool pens". Then it's off for some "Yakitori" for lunch and then meet Taka for whatever comes next. Oh, the picture above is at the oberservation deck of the Tower, and in the back you can see Tokyo Tower. Looking out all you see is densely pack city with a few patches of green.



That's it for now.

Catching up (summary)

We returned from Hakone on Saturday. We spent 3 days and 2 nights at the Diamond Society Resort hotel in Hakone and traveling around the area. It's about 55 miles from Tokyo but the drive can take 2 hours because of traffic. We wanted Janene to ride the "Worlds Tallest Rollercoaster" in Fujikyu at the base of Mt. Fuji.

We spent Sunday resting up from our excurision and doing some domestic stuff. Well at least Janene did. Taka and I took the Japan Rail (train) to Akihabara (Electric Town). It's a geeks heaven. Nothing but shop after shop of computers, DVD's, appliances and components. Taka an I had some lunch in one of the "Family Restaruants" which unlike the states (think Denny's) is really good food. I bought some flash memory, and plan to return on Wed. before we leave for the states. Speaking of which, our little 2 week trip is almost over and we're trying to milk it for all it's worth before time escapes us. Today, Monday, we will visit Roppongi to visit the most advanced sky high building with an 360 degree observatory of Tokyo.

Sorry for not keeping up on the journal. But with no internet connection at Hakone, it put be behind. But I hope you enjoy some of the pictures I'm posting.

Bullet Train to Kyoto

Some of the most beautiful landscape I've ever seen.
We took the bullet train from Tokyo city to the second capital of Japan, Kyoto. The history is deep and the Japanese are working hard on preserving it with restoration of some of the oldest wooden structures in the world. We were so blessed to have exceptional weather here in the spring with temps in the high 70's and clear blue skies. These last three days were so packed, it would take me half a day to relate all that we experienced. But, I will keep it brief for this writing.

Sunday: Mr. Matsueda met Janene, and I along with our girls and Taka at the Bullet train to Kyoto. We traveled around 150MPH to the very old-world meets new-world city. We picked up a cab and visited the tallest wooden structure in the world, Toji Temple. Our ride then took us to Higashihonganji Temple. These are Buddest temples that are the foundation of the religion in Japan. We then arrived at our hotel, the Kyoto Diamond Society. Our room was a very nice Japanese style room with the typical Japanese Bath Room and sitting room. If you've never used a Japanese bathroom then you're in for a very pleasant experience. After freshening up, we then went on to walk along the Kamo river next to hotel. We were surprised by the great number and diversity of people just sitting along the bank, holding hands, play saxophones, guitars, flutes. Everyone was so pleasant, not loud and so polite, even though they were all hanging out.

Walking a few more minutes on south, we came to the most wonderful little streets that are so old but so clean and beautifully lined with so many different shops and food places. I've got some great video, and many pictures to come. We stopped at more temples on our walk up to the cream de la cream, Kiyomizu Temple, one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World", located at the top of the walk. The view was absolutely breathtaking. Looking out over the city and the landscape was just mesmerizing. And this was only day one. We ended with a 7 course Japanese meal at the hotel with many of the entrees that were unfamiliar to me. A good night's rest and we're off to Nara the first capital tomorrow.

kichijyoji

Here's a picture of us in the Tokyo. Miki (Katsu's wife), Koki, Taka, Xoie, Liona, Katsu, Anyssa and yours truly. We're in the city Kichijyoji. We experienced so much of the night life walking around the city. I really can't describe the sensations being right in the middle of this fabulous culture. The people are so terrific. Lots of store, food, cell phones, little bars in the little side streets. Sushi stands. So little time. I'm really looking foward to the bright lights of Shinjuku. That the scene most recognized as looking like Timesquare NY. We'll be visting soon.

We got in late last night after a huge sushi dinner in our own private upstars room in the city. The food was unbelievable. I eat lots of Japanese food in America, but never knew what the real thing would taste like!

I will write more later. Since we got in so late and the girls are having a hard time adjusting, and we're up early this morning packing for our 3 day trip to Kyoto and Nara. We're going to catch the "Bullet train" at 11am this morning, Sunday. If you read this when I post it you'll be reading it on Saturday around 4pm.

I'm not taking my computer on this short trip. We're packing light to be able to do a lot of site seeing. So, I'll post again when we return on Tuesday evening. So you can check on Monday.

Thanks for all the kind words in the email replies. We're thinking of all of you too.

I had time to put this last picture of all of us eating lunch together at Katsu's pad. This is everyone including Mr. Mastueda. I'm the one taking the picture.

Arrival

A short entry to let everyone know that we have finally made it to Japan. After a 10 hour flight with food from hell, we landed early. A little after 2pm Japan time, we were in the line to enter the country. Anyssa wasnt' feeling so well and Xoie was ready to sleep, since after all it was around 11:Pm our time.

So after a very long ride in Tokyo traffic, Mr. Matsueda brought us to meet Katsu in town. Katsu took the wheel and we said good-bye for the night to our driver, as he was out to a business party.

We go to Katsu's Mansion after a brief stop in the park in town. And we drove into the underground parking where cars are parked on top of each other. (picture to come)

We ordered some Chinese delivery, that was so good, then exchanged some gifts. Here's a quick picutre of the Family man Katsu and Anyssa in their living room.

Still no passports

We're still waiting for our passports to arrive. Just hope there's no one waiting with a scanner to steal our information from within the envelope.

Let's see. We're starting to make lists. The girls are getting really excited too. To be frank, I'm getting a little nervous thinking about being so far away for two weeks.

Have I mentioned that our guide will be the most noble Takahiko Matsueda? Yes, he's not only going to escort us around the the country, he's holding our hand on the 14 or so hour plane trip.

Speaking of planes, we've purchased our tickets. United airlines, leaving 8am on April 26. More on the details of the flight to come.

Well, enough for the day.