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Hi there!
This is my attempt at a vlog for our family's trip to Japan! I hope to distribute stickers so others can see what we've been up to. I'll update with notes and pictures as I have time/internet. Update 10/16: I'll have so many photos to go through and add, so stay tuned! |
初めまして！
これは、家族旅行のVlogを作ってみようという試みです 日本語はあまり話せません、でもやってみたいです！ 家族はアメリカのミズーリ州セントルイスに住んでいます。「アーチ」という記念碑に聞いたことはありますか？ 
このステッカーは、私たちの3匹の猫（マロウ、モチ, ダイスキ）とセントルイス・アーチをモチーフにしています。
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Travel Log
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1. F.9/25: The Flight Out
- Got to Dallas around 7am (The sky was like a red eye too with the dawn colors) - Whataburger breakfast at the airport next to a glass sound labyrinth sculpture while looking at the Coca Cola international experience (strangely they didn't sell any Coke there, so we assumed they were selling good will and probably had the distribution license at the airport) - Aaaaand delays. Supposed to leave around 11:45, left at...1253. Something about a latch and a lot of paperwork - Airline food not bad (warm and chicken not dry, but still lots of nightshades despite choosing bland option. Also mashed potatoes had corn in them so no trading with Josh for it) - Sleeping on a plan isn't, as expected. Dozed until JST AM to stay on schedule - Wanted to see out the view but it was clouds most of the trip. Might have seen ice by Alaska? |
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2.Sa.9/26: Tokyo
Technically Day 2 but still kind of Day 1 - They gave us so much food on the plane. Technically 3 meals though one was a "snack" - Watched most of Frieren Season 2 and finished Bloodstone Angels Lesser Evils - OMG nosebleed on the plane nooooo ;_; - Lots of clouds but eventually spotted the first glimpses of Japan :3 - Getting off the plane was a big blurred panic. Mostly just following the flow of traffic and following signs. - Took the Keisei line to Shimbashi Station. Got photographed by teenagers o.o Forgot blue hair was going to be unusual! - Yurikamome line to Daiba (only nonpiloted train in Tokyo) - Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba. They had echeck in but the lady ended up helping us (Jen forgot English and Japanese at the same time). Made her laugh with Neko Neko post mail. - Fancy shmancy bathroom, room very large for Japan - Took pictures of internation cruise port and concert and highway tunnel under the river |
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2.Su.9/27: Begin the Cruise!
- Good morning! ❤️ View of the docks and where we're going. Saw the Westerdam coming in to port!
- Took the sidewalk to breakfast, had to remember to walk on the left side on the sidewalks
- Bills - best chai ever, got Josh fluffy pancakes, okaikei onegaishimasu requires eye contact, how does yen even work (too many zeros for Jen). Very modernist Japan style, cute kids eating cute sandwiches, cute trio of pomeranians in a cart (Josh says a lady with cart of pomeranians must be universal)
- Walked on Odaiba beach, got to see the retromodern tour boat and a land/sea taxi
- Ethel found us on the boardwalk! Saw birds and sea bugs and crabs.
- Got luggage and mailed Caitlin's postcard thanks to the hotel staff :)
- Showed Ethel how to get Passmo and took the train 1 stop to the port
- The Most Streamlined Embarkment Ever. We've been on other cruises where there's a giant line and so many people and this had none of that. From entering to get to our room took 45min. Very impressed.
- After unpacking got dinner, there was confusion about our table reservation so they needed to reassign our table (there was a fairly uptight couple at our table that didn't seem interested in conversation. That might have had something to do with it 😅)
- Good morning! ❤️ View of the docks and where we're going. Saw the Westerdam coming in to port!
- Took the sidewalk to breakfast, had to remember to walk on the left side on the sidewalks
- Bills - best chai ever, got Josh fluffy pancakes, okaikei onegaishimasu requires eye contact, how does yen even work (too many zeros for Jen). Very modernist Japan style, cute kids eating cute sandwiches, cute trio of pomeranians in a cart (Josh says a lady with cart of pomeranians must be universal)
- Walked on Odaiba beach, got to see the retromodern tour boat and a land/sea taxi
- Ethel found us on the boardwalk! Saw birds and sea bugs and crabs.
- Got luggage and mailed Caitlin's postcard thanks to the hotel staff :)
- Showed Ethel how to get Passmo and took the train 1 stop to the port
- The Most Streamlined Embarkment Ever. We've been on other cruises where there's a giant line and so many people and this had none of that. From entering to get to our room took 45min. Very impressed.
- After unpacking got dinner, there was confusion about our table reservation so they needed to reassign our table (there was a fairly uptight couple at our table that didn't seem interested in conversation. That might have had something to do with it 😅)
2.M.9/28: At Sea
- Had breakfast and Patton family call
- Watched Justin's (tour guide) presentations on Osaka, Kochi, and Hiroshima.
- Got high tea (it wasn't that high haha). Met Britt who's grandson learned Japanese for the trip
- New dinner location much nicer!
- Chatted after dinner in couch seating
- We've been going to bed very early throughout all of this, which I suspect will be important since we'll have early departures for excursions (and since Josh and I will be going to more rural areas after this, things tend to close earlier in the evening so it's a good habit to keep up)
- Had breakfast and Patton family call
- Watched Justin's (tour guide) presentations on Osaka, Kochi, and Hiroshima.
- Got high tea (it wasn't that high haha). Met Britt who's grandson learned Japanese for the trip
- New dinner location much nicer!
- Chatted after dinner in couch seating
- We've been going to bed very early throughout all of this, which I suspect will be important since we'll have early departures for excursions (and since Josh and I will be going to more rural areas after this, things tend to close earlier in the evening so it's a good habit to keep up)
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3.Tu.9/29: Osaka (actually Kyoto)
- Saw the ferris wheel and the aquarium (it has whale sharks) from the ship - Very rainy! So wet! - Started at Kinkakuji temple. Very crowded as expected. An hour is maybe not enough time there. Did get some omamori and matcha ice cream - Next was Tenryuuji Temple, which had a Zen Buddhist lunch. Family wasn't originally focused on this but it turned out to be our favorite part. - Afterwards a brief roam around the garden. We got soaked but it was very pretty. They has other areas where you could sit on tatami and enjoy the garden longer. Lots of couples there on dates. Josh reminded me to get goshuin. - Stopped back at the bus to reconvene (Jen found the local Shinto shrine nearby) then walked to get to the Bamboo Grove. Very neat; even with the crowds the rain and umbrellas gave a nice atmosphere. - Tempozan marketplace - No time but recommended just in case since it's right off the dock in Osaka - ANA Pokemon plane spotted landing on the way back to Osaka - Passed out after dinner |
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4.W.9/30: Koichi
- Remembered that Pokémon exists 🤣 - Quagsire (ヌオー) is the official local Pokémon of Kochi - Via tour guide, gravesites are placed between people and mountains because ancestors protect from monsters - Katsurahama Beach (and Shrine, mostly shrine). Saw the giant Sakamoto Ryoma statue (helped bring democracy to Japan). Went to the shrine on top of the hill. Then found some Suo merch - Kochi Castle (brief stopover). Got our first vending machine coffee and a Kochi gatcha of... Sakamoto Ryoma! - Ryugado Cave - going up the equivalent of 20 flights inside a mountain. Unlike the local St. Louis caves, this was much closer to the limestone itself, sometimes having to squeeze and duck to get through. Heard lots of bats! - Local yosakoi dance by Miko-san on the way back |
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5.Th.10/1: Hiroshima
- Maple shape important to Hiroshima, also known for huge oysters
First: Miyajima Island
- Ferry ride to Miyajima
- Miyajima deer! They are sacred on the island and are therefore everywhere. We were also warned they really like to eat paper (As we saw when someone lost their map)
- Saw a Shinto morning ceremony and received a goshuin
- Got a ginger ale w lemon and lemon chuuhai
- Climbed a (mini) mountain as we were walking around the town
Hatsukaishi
- Lunch at Aki Grand Hotel. They had a miniature water feature of Miyajima shrine, first sashimi in Japan. The floor tiles in the hotel all had "made in France" on the side
- Saw swan and whale paddle boats
Hiroshima
- Saw school children singing at the Sadako statue as they presented their 1000 cranes in the Peace park
- The museum was packed. Many people turning around inside to not get caught in the crowd.
- Want to find the bus? Turn left at the kids with red hats (there were many, many kids with red hats. School children all wear the same color hat so they're easy to distinguish on field trips)
- hashi no hashi reference by Nobu san (so many words said as "hashi" such as chopsticks, bridges, and staying to the side")
- Hiroshima is still using 2 A bombed tram cars
Back on the boat
- Since we finished dinner quickly, started working on crochet in the evening
- Maple shape important to Hiroshima, also known for huge oysters
First: Miyajima Island
- Ferry ride to Miyajima
- Miyajima deer! They are sacred on the island and are therefore everywhere. We were also warned they really like to eat paper (As we saw when someone lost their map)
- Saw a Shinto morning ceremony and received a goshuin
- Got a ginger ale w lemon and lemon chuuhai
- Climbed a (mini) mountain as we were walking around the town
Hatsukaishi
- Lunch at Aki Grand Hotel. They had a miniature water feature of Miyajima shrine, first sashimi in Japan. The floor tiles in the hotel all had "made in France" on the side
- Saw swan and whale paddle boats
Hiroshima
- Saw school children singing at the Sadako statue as they presented their 1000 cranes in the Peace park
- The museum was packed. Many people turning around inside to not get caught in the crowd.
- Want to find the bus? Turn left at the kids with red hats (there were many, many kids with red hats. School children all wear the same color hat so they're easy to distinguish on field trips)
- hashi no hashi reference by Nobu san (so many words said as "hashi" such as chopsticks, bridges, and staying to the side")
- Hiroshima is still using 2 A bombed tram cars
Back on the boat
- Since we finished dinner quickly, started working on crochet in the evening
6.F.10/2: Kanmon Straight
- Leaving Japan for a brief stint to Busan
- Got to see the sunrise next to Himejima
- Watched going through Kanmon straight at 8:45, then checked in w/the house (kitties basically didn't care, cool)
- Watched lots of talks about the various different upcoming ports
- Leaving Japan for a brief stint to Busan
- Got to see the sunrise next to Himejima
- Watched going through Kanmon straight at 8:45, then checked in w/the house (kitties basically didn't care, cool)
- Watched lots of talks about the various different upcoming ports
7.Sa.10/3: Busan (mostly Geongju)
- Our bus was super fancy! Our tour guide told us that there used to be a big industry for party buses in Busan until there was a major accident a few years ago.
- Busan is the 6th largest shipping port in the world
- Bulguksa Temple: 2 goldden buddha statues, national treasures. It was a national holiday so very busy (not as busy as Hiroshima museum tho)
- Lunch: traditional bulgogi hotpot
Geong-ju
Golden City mounds (got to go inside one). From 500Ad before Buddhism was introduced to Korea
- Saw magpie, butterfly, dragonfly, calligrapher fly
- Geong-ju History Museum: saw the Mona Lisa of Geong-ju (famous roof tile of an unusual grandmotherly face that was found by a farmer. After it was unearthed it was bought by Japanese doctor during occupation, it was eventually returned to Korea as national treasure). Also saw a crown unburied from burial mounds. The museum was a large complex that's free to access
- Traffic was different from Japan - more of a car society and cars are similar size to US, also driving on right side of the road, but lots more traffic.
- Tour guide said they're taxed by ~50% but cheap healthcare, low income and disabled universal basic income, expensive fruit
- Interesting differences in architecture - outside of Busan you can see the Chinese influence (lots of pagoda style roofing on structures). Skyscrapers common and clustered in cities; interesting how they integrate around mountains (and the mounds in Geong-ju)
- Arrived just before rice harvesting
- There was a recent sighting of a shark in the bay that caused a lot of traffic from folks coming to see it - Bukami shark in Busan canal
- Was going to update today but... not in Japan, so no esim (whoops)
- Our bus was super fancy! Our tour guide told us that there used to be a big industry for party buses in Busan until there was a major accident a few years ago.
- Busan is the 6th largest shipping port in the world
- Bulguksa Temple: 2 goldden buddha statues, national treasures. It was a national holiday so very busy (not as busy as Hiroshima museum tho)
- Lunch: traditional bulgogi hotpot
Geong-ju
Golden City mounds (got to go inside one). From 500Ad before Buddhism was introduced to Korea
- Saw magpie, butterfly, dragonfly, calligrapher fly
- Geong-ju History Museum: saw the Mona Lisa of Geong-ju (famous roof tile of an unusual grandmotherly face that was found by a farmer. After it was unearthed it was bought by Japanese doctor during occupation, it was eventually returned to Korea as national treasure). Also saw a crown unburied from burial mounds. The museum was a large complex that's free to access
- Traffic was different from Japan - more of a car society and cars are similar size to US, also driving on right side of the road, but lots more traffic.
- Tour guide said they're taxed by ~50% but cheap healthcare, low income and disabled universal basic income, expensive fruit
- Interesting differences in architecture - outside of Busan you can see the Chinese influence (lots of pagoda style roofing on structures). Skyscrapers common and clustered in cities; interesting how they integrate around mountains (and the mounds in Geong-ju)
- Arrived just before rice harvesting
- There was a recent sighting of a shark in the bay that caused a lot of traffic from folks coming to see it - Bukami shark in Busan canal
- Was going to update today but... not in Japan, so no esim (whoops)
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8.Su.10/4: Sakaiminato (Mostly Tottori)
- Saw two Black Kites at the dock - Tour guide said there were a lot of local legends in the area, talked about yokai and oni, such as kunibikku, Mt. Daisen - Local specialties: nijuseiki nashi (20th century pear), snow crab, ryakyo shallot, gyuukotsu (beef bone) ramen, tottori washi - Tottori flower park: lots of Halloween vignettes, tried pear ice cream (tasty), saw many flowers we have at home. But the big draw was the red hill (salvia splendens). Also got to see first Osmanthus flowers - Next was Kotobuki "Candy castle" - a Yonago castle replica, where they make horse chestnut mochi which takes a year to produce (also Sunaba coffee). Got some sake just before the bus ride back - Saw Yokai road (from the manga Gegege no Kitaro) Local dialect: - dandan (thank you) - sogei (soka) - age (I agree) Overall, a town that had an expo in the 60s, and has that character now. Walked along the wharf where folks were fishing and saw one of the expo parks. Gave a nostalgic feel to the area and a very rural Japanese style. |
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9.M.10/5: Tsuruga (actually Fukui)
Fukui: Japan's dinosaur capital - Saw a Biomass generator by the docks Today was Jen's solo day: - Knife factory Takefu (takes 10 years to learn all the steps to make knife, 3 years just for sharpening). First of January they make a knife in traditional way for good luck. - Lacquerware (saw masters painting lacquerware, large shopping area where prices were divided between composite or wood lacquerware) 300 lacquerware creators in the area. Urishuturi (special tree has the sap for lacquerware, spruce). Also tied to the traditional knife making industry, as those who collected sap for lacquerware also sold the kukri around the country for farmers. - Washi paper: made from kozo (paper mulberry) and mitsumata and gum (burdock root?). The long fibers mean long term use; still have paper from 730ad. Got to go through the process to make and decorate paper. - Lunch! Gyuunabe, tamagodofu, ama ebi sashimi (sweet shrimp local specialty), buckwheat soba |
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10.Tu.10/6: Toyama (but really Kanazawa)
- Toyama means rich mountain (Tateyama mountain range) - Local specialties: Mazu sushi (bamboo wrapped trout/salmon), white shrimp, firefly shrimp. Unique feature of the area are large houses with trees surrounded by rice fields) Kanazawa - Was the Kaga domain in Edo period (Daimyo Maeda Kenji was here). Kenroken garden part of Kanazawa castle. The family was valued at one million koku (amount of rice person eats each year) which made Tokugawa Shogunate nervous of their power until they focused on cultural activites. Gold leaf famous in Kanazawa. - Higashichaya (East tea house) district: 1820s geisha district. 120 geishas in Kanazawa. Preserved as historic site. Went into the museum to see tea house. Got goshuin at local shrine and gatcha. - Ate at ANA hoyel in downtown Kanazawa (buffet style, make your own ramen and good takoyaki and deserts) - Saw Kanazawa station with it's giant wooden drum inspired sculpture at entrance - Went to Omicho market nearby - got some local tea, wallets and tenugui, also some matcha to drink. - Tried Mitsuya cider (its lemon lime soda) and Josh got very tasty grape soda. - Had fancy dinner at Tamarind on ship (yuzu cocktail with gin and sake v good, also lychee martini |
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1.W.10/7: Sakata
- Known as a windy city, lots of windmills - Sakata used to be the Shonai area (good rice+water=good sake). Sakata=sake rice paddy. Also known for cherries and pears, watermelon and peach. People in this area really like fruit, so made up their own pineapple drink (we still don't know what's actually in it) - Mountains are taller in this area compared to other places. Saw Lots of kudzu and goldenrod, as well as softly waving grasses by the mountains - Tour guide explained names for Toyota (abundant rice field) and honda (real rice field). Evergreens represent eternal - Ninamesai festival in November, important festival celebrating rice harvest, imperial family involved - Salmon used to swim up the river here - Shinjou area - Shinjo Furusato History Museum, displays of floats (yatai, which are hand carved from wood and usually tell stories from kabuki). Their August festival is aunesco world heritage site. Saw hello kitty and Chooper hazard signs. People were very excited for us to be there. - Metalworks from living national treasure (Okuyama Hoseki). Saw metal vase with waving grass titled "Mid Autumn" - Saw Mt. Choukai (tour guide explained that each area tends to have their own "Mt. Fuji" equivalent. - Noro Yamataga-san boat guide is an actor and has a YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@mogamikyo?si=TRJSpg5_CQCxSsny - Pet bottles indicate crab cages, and a large green sand dredger to prevent flood - Boats would take 30 to 40 days to go up the river before motors - Shokudo lunch (mackerel, nabe pot with beef and taro) - Rice storehouses in Sakaiminato (Ethel found the stamp). The storehouses by the ship dock were painted to mirror them. - Got compliment on my hair color from survey people, who gave us tenugui for filling out the survey - Had a bonodori performance as the ship left the port. You could see folks waiting way past after the ship left |
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12.Th.10/8: Aomori (actually Aomori!)
- No excursion today so walked around downtown area
- Started around 8:30, walked around dock park
- Walked to Utou jinja, got omamori and prayed at shrine (did not feed the fish, they were sad about it)
- Walked downtown area, eventually arrived at ASPAM triangle building. Met up with D&J
- Walked by bridge and went into train ship museum, saw all the floors and the trains in the ship
- Met up with S&E at Nebuta museum
- Stopped at A Factory and got gelato (Josh got blackcurrant special, Jen got pumpkin, chestnut, sweet potato)
- Got lunch at Aomori Kitchen Pope with S&E (lots of grilled scallops and omakase) while D&J headed back to ship for lunch and nap.
- Walked around the station for a bit then headed back to ship. Ran into D&J who were heading to take the train to the Aquarium
- Josh and I walked to the park at far end of dock, then decided to walk as close to the lighthouse we could get. Which was all the way. Interesting design up to it for seating.
- No excursion today so walked around downtown area
- Started around 8:30, walked around dock park
- Walked to Utou jinja, got omamori and prayed at shrine (did not feed the fish, they were sad about it)
- Walked downtown area, eventually arrived at ASPAM triangle building. Met up with D&J
- Walked by bridge and went into train ship museum, saw all the floors and the trains in the ship
- Met up with S&E at Nebuta museum
- Stopped at A Factory and got gelato (Josh got blackcurrant special, Jen got pumpkin, chestnut, sweet potato)
- Got lunch at Aomori Kitchen Pope with S&E (lots of grilled scallops and omakase) while D&J headed back to ship for lunch and nap.
- Walked around the station for a bit then headed back to ship. Ran into D&J who were heading to take the train to the Aquarium
- Josh and I walked to the park at far end of dock, then decided to walk as close to the lighthouse we could get. Which was all the way. Interesting design up to it for seating.
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13.F.10/9: Hakodate
- Well known for squid and fish market - Opened to foreigners in 1859 - Passed Nanae-chou, where apples were first introduced to Japan (150ish years ago?) Onuma Quasi National Park - Kanazawa-san (So) nature guide - 1 hour walk, 30min boat ride - Same latitude as Chicago - White tailed sea eagles may be visible Other animals include cranes, red fox, flying squirrels, woodpecker - Horseback mountain result of volcano explosion (Komaradake) Hakodate winery shop on the way back - small samples, good ice wine - Also had red/white wine ice cream (very subtle but really good ice cream) After we got back to Hakodate did a short walk and got more ice cream at mooma |
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13.10/10: Somewhere in the ocean...
- Mostly packing- Josh not feeling well - Lots of rolling from the ship - was opening/closing cabinet doors and making folsk seasick. Kind of hard to pack when the room is moving! - Finished another octopus while listening to Japan infrastructure talk. Josh gave Justin a sticker. |
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14.10/11: Back to Tokyo!
- Finished packing up then headed to the lounge to wait for S&E to take taxi to Tokyo Station to send off luggage to Suwa. - Taxi takai o.o - Dropped off luggage, then wandered lower Tokyo station for snack (stopped at Tokyo Craft for royal milk teas, S got a hojicha sweet potato latte that tasted like apple pie) - Saw S&E off to the shinkansen, then made our way to Ueno. Station was fine but got slightly lost walking around the streets - Found Grids, 3 hours early. They let us check our bags and sign in. Sat for a quick break - Wandered over to Ueno park where there was a bon odori festival and got street food for lunch (Jen has gyuutan, Josh got sausage, also found grilled mochi, strawberry milk tea and kalpis) - Wandered the park for a bit then headed back to hotel to check in - Tried to meet D&J in Shibuya Crossing but way too many people so they went back to hotel instead - Walked in Akihabara, then to Ueno Park (there was an idol concert happening) then to Ameyokocho - Found dinner at a halal wagyu ramen shop |
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15.10/12: Shinkansen
- Decided to get Josh checked at clinic for his cough (no flu but they gave him cough suppressant) - Stopped by Lawson for masks and tamagosando (protein drink for Jen hurray!) - Got to experience Bic camera pharmacy (kiosk check in, not too bad). Then wandered around the store (what do they have? Everything?) - Shinkansen at 12:30 - shinkansen go so fast you can't see windows on the passing train - between stations, saw farm areas very similar to western regions, but also house clusters built into mountainsides - Saw Mt. Fuji! But only the top (backwards lucky). Saw more of it later - tunnels make your ears pop - shinkansen getting in the way of watching shinkansen. Lots more shinkansen traffic than we realized - Hotel acquired: Oyado Onn Nakatsugawa. Very popular with foreigners, bigger than yesterday's hostel in Ueno (right sized), shoes held hostage in lobby. Tried yukata but they weren't big enough for either of us without flashing people. - Speaker music playing as we walked around the area. - Dinner: Nakayamatei. Cute place, we suspect mom and pop because only 3 tables. Josh got wagyu sandwich (thick today, wagyu, a little sauce) and Jen got wagyu hash (which was a red sauce with wagyu and mushrooms, oops). We ended up splitting. When we were trying to leave a mouth landed on Jen's nose :o |
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16.10/13: Nakasendo (or don't?) Trail
- Stopped at 7-11 to get snacks/drinks for the trail - Stopped at Nakatsugawa-juku, the first post toen on our trip - Checked out of our hotel on the nakasendo trail then headed out! - Saw our first Inari Jinja! - uhh... hills are hard. It's hotter than expected. And Josh is still coughing pretty bad, hmmm... - Then checked the incline and realized we'd have to go up a mountain... x10 current elevation gain... - Walked from Nakatsugawa to Ochia. In Ochia someone had a lovely rest stop by their house that we ate onigiri at (left them a sticker as a thank you) - After Ochia was the mountain up, so we hopped the bus, which itself barely got up the mountain so didn't feel so bad - Magome-juku! Got a shio-bao and yaki imo ice cream - Got a little confused on directions but wandered the main drag. Found Isaac and Megan's wedding present! - Hurried back to the bus area. Ate kurikinton while we waited for the bus - The bus was late o.o by 10 minutes. Everyone was concerned - Nice drive down and around through Magome Pass. Decided to pass Tsumago and head straight to Kashiwaya Inn in Nagiso. - Turned out to be a good plan, arrived same time as the other guests. - Shown to our roomS. 5(!) plus bathroom. Common area has kitchen, shower, garden, entry. - Turns out the dinner we had arranged wasn't coordinated, so got alternate option (still really good and half as expensive). As an apology Yakkun offered to take us to his friend Maki-san's wagashi making experience in the morning. - Jen took a brief shower (surprised the gentleman who was gardening on the way) and changed into yukata that fit - Then surprised the guy delivering dinner with choppy Japanese (we were both giggling, it worked out) - Had dinner in the traditional main room (complete with charcoal grill in the floor) - soba and udon with tempura - After dinner taught each other shogi. Josh won (of course) - Slept on futon on tatami floors. Better than expected? |
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18.10/14: Welcome to Suwa
18.Th.10/15: Suwa
18.F.10/16: Suwa
19.10/17: Back to Tokyo
19.Su.10/18: Tokyo
20.M.10/19: A two hour flight... or is it 14?