Tokyo Touring

We continue to show our guests around Tokyo by stopping at another fun site - the Shibuya crossing.  I think this was in Lost in Translation, along with just about any other movie that takes place in Tokyo.  No one actually pays attention to the five crosswalks; it's more like a deluge of people taking over the street.  The Starbucks on the 2nd floor gives a nice viewpoint.

One of the other famous sites in Tokyo is Meiji Shrine.  I love the trees here.  I realize it's one of the few places in Tokyo that might actually be considered a forest.  There are lots of trees around the city, but not en masse.

"Yes, we drank all these cases of sake!  That's why we're smiling so big."

As part of the visit, Steve instructs Shirley and Ann on the proper etiquette to see the shrine.

Rinse left hand, rinse right hand...

Naturally, they have to try sushi!  We go to our favorite conveyor belt place.  This way everyone gets to pick exactly what they want (from an English menu) and they have a fun delivery system.

"I can't believe they're making me try this."

 






This is also when we discover Shirley doesn't really want to eat raw fish...luckily there are some cooked options!

Another night we have dinner in Ginza, so they can see the bright lights and big stores!

Jetsetters!

Shirley & Steve got the memo - wear pink!

We also take a dinner cruise on a traditional Japanese yakatabune boat.  These low-slung “pleasure boats” have been operating since the Edo period when feudal lords and wealthy merchants would host parties, cherry blossom viewings or poetry gatherings on them.  They're still popular today - ours was one of five heading out at this location.  We saw some cherry blossoms, but mostly we're socializing and enjoying our dinner.

I'm glad I'm not the one who has to wash all these dishes!

It's a typical Japanese dinner - lots and lots of plates!  This is just the first course.











I did finally get a nice view of the Tokyo Skytree during the boat ride.  It's currently the tallest man-made structure in Japan, bypassing the Tokyo Tower (which I prefer) when it was built in 2010.  I think it's currently the second tallest structure in the world.

Pretty...but not the Tokyo Tower.

The next morning we send them off to Hiroshima for an overnight trip....on their own.  Will we ever see them again?