Cherry Blossom Festival...another reason to love Tokyo.

On Friday Ani and I went to Shinjuku Gardens to experience the Cherry Blossom Festival. Beauty in the extreme. Every day I find something that makes me love Japan, but this day, this day was beyond special for both Ani and I in our love affair with Tokyo. We lay on the grass, walked through the huge park, even took a spin...the moment called for it. Also...we look so young. I look 15!

JK Day 2

Hi,
Well JK has now left and is Taiwan on bike business. We had a great day last Saturday. We went to the Meji Shrine in Harajuku in the morning after a picnic breakfast in Ueno park. The Meji Shrine is surrounded by 40 hectares of forest. It is really magical as one doesn't often find themselves in such a forest in the middle of one the the largest metropolises in the world. We also took a walk through the Meji gardens which are located on the grounds of the Shrine. All beautiful and peaceful, very Zen.
Then we headed down Omotosando, took a tour of the Ralf Lauren store which really spoils the shopper for other stores. We continued down this rue de fashion and stopped at my favorite Thai restaurant for lunch. Then on our way back to the train station we ducked down the Harajuku alleyways, buying and enjoying a crepe, and a stop in at a soccer store to buy soccer shirts for the game. Then it was back to my apartment for a rest. JK and Dimitri passed out so fast, I didn't get a chance to sleep.
Then it was off to the game. After some delays with finding the right stadium in Yokohama, and collecting Ani the four of us made it to the Kirin Cup - Japan vs. Peru. It was very exciting. Japan won 2-0. I wore my new Japan soccer shirt.
As 60,000 people exited the stadium we had to wait out the crowds and ended up catching one of the last trains back to Tokyo. We were all so tired that we back out of a night out clubbing and headed to my apartment were we all passed out.
JK left on Sunday.
I had a wonderful time with him here. I really feel honoured that he took the time to come and stop in to visit me on his way to Taiwan.
I didn't take any pictures, JK has them, and when he sends them to me I will post them.

Today I am checking out a possible guest house that is really close to Shibuya and Shimo Kitazawa.

I hope the place is good, it is great on paper.
cheers

JK Day 1

Hello!
Well JK is here and we are having a fabulous time!
Oh what a day we have had today. But first last night- So when JK arrived (7:30pm) we wandered around Asakusa with his friend and business partner Dimitri. We ended up at a sushi restaurant and ate our fill of fabulous fabulous sushi-tuna, salmon, scallop, halibut, mackerel, cucumber roll, and more tuna! Then to an arcade to play some racing games- JK and Dimitri had a blast.
TODAY: Well this morning I sent JK and Dimitri off to Odibia to the Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation Technologies as I went off to work. I joined them there after my class and we had a great time. We saw Asimo. Oh yeah, THE Asimo! He talks, dances, climbs stairs, waves, and of course he has perfected the bow! It was amazing. I bought a little Asimo charm. Really crazy cool. Then we saw something even cooler... a HADRIAN CAR! And it was driving! it was Mazda's duel Hadrian fuel car. It purrs like a kitten. Such a highlight!
Then we headed to Shinjuku to a great Italian restaurant that Ani and I love under the Zara's. We had planned to go to Shinjuku Gardens but it was closed by the time we finished our very late lunch and headed over. I then took the guys to Tokyo Dome City, one of my favorite places in Tokyo. They rode the roller coaster and felt it was both amazing and scary. JK said it was the only roller coaster that had ever made him fill ill -the height and going through buildings thing...rather intense.
We were so exhausted from all the days events that decided to skip the planned trip to Roppongi and head back to my apartment.
I have now taken a bath and feel fabulous. A truly wonderful and eventful day in Tokyo.
Tomorrow-Meji Shrine, Harajuku, Omotosando, the Thai restaurant I love, then to Yokohama for the Peru vs. Japan Soccor game-the Kirin Cup, and then to Shibuya to sample the clubbing would of the young and fabulous Tokyoites. All very exciting. I love having my cousin here.

To my family on the east coast who has once again been hit with illness and hospital visits- I am thinking of you. Uncle Chris, you are in mine and JK's thoughts constantly. Mer, your my girl. All my love.

Cheers

Tokyo Pictures