Ueno Park and Dinner with Kenji's Family

The other day we found out that my friend Kenji's family were in Tokyo for the Obon holiday week. So we took a trip into Tokyo for the afternoon to have lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen located at the Tokyo Dome and then onto Ueno Park. Afterwards we headed to Meguro to meet up with Kenji's family.

We were kind of apprehensive about going to another US restaurant chain in Japan. Usually, like with Big Boy, they change the menu to adapt to the Japanese tastes. However, when we arrived at California Pizza Kitchen we noticed that the menus were exactly the same as in the states and they were still in English. Great for us but not for business here. There was a double header going on at the dome and there was absolutely no waiting at CPK. We ordered the California Club and the Thai Chicken Pizza. Both just awesome.

Afterwards we took the train to Ueno to spend the day at the park and zoo. There the temperature was in the lower 90's but with the trees and the breeze it felt like 89 degrees. Yeah, it was hot. There we saw this band from Peru again who seem to be a regular at the park. They are very talented.

Finally, we made our way to Meguro to meet up with Kenji's family in from Singapore. Luckily they gave us a private room where the kids could go just completely crazy. They probably should have soundproofed the walls a little better though. Kenji's wife, Asako his boy Kengo, and daughter Nanami had a great time with my daughter and their three cousins from Mito, Ibaragi. With that many kids, you can imagine the volume in the room.

Narita Airport Athletic Course

On Saturday Anna Mae and I went to this park nearby the Narita Airport. If you have ever seen the show "Sasuke", the ultimate obstacle course, then you can get a good idea of what this place is like. All of the obstacles are made of logs and rope and spread out through the forest for a total of 50,000 square meters of pure fun for kids and big kids. I think my sister would become quickly addicted to this place.

The best part of the obstacles was the cable swing that took you from up on a high hill down, across a small pond to the other side where there was someone there to catch you. They also had small cabins and a well all connected with dirt tunnels in the hills underneath the forest. All much like the dream playground you wanted in your back yard as a kid. You definitely want to wear clothes you are willing to get very dirty.

They had one part of the park where you go into this huge hole called the ogre's stomach. There you can get yourself out by the ropes (the wimps way) or you can get out the cool way like I did. Well.... sort of cool. I started running around the bottom of the hole and got enough speed to run out. However, there was a tree in the way at the end of the run at the top of the hole that I fell into. There was another father looking on. I had to try to maintain my cool and not lead on that my head felt like I just cracked it open. Luckily no concussion.

Date In Tokyo 2008 and the Quest for the Fish Dish!

Last weekend the wife came all the way from Inzai to Tokyo to meet up with me and my friends at work. We had a party of 12 and we all headed to Manse in Akihabara. This is a huge restaurant with 9 floors. It is famous for its beef also.

They had a beer hall set up on the 8th floor where we all met after work. It was great for everyone to meet their wives and significant others (for those that brought them anyway).

On the next day Hiroko and I headed into Tokyo again to try Jangara Ramen (See my profile picture on the top of the page). As you can see from the picture, she was just as enthusiastic about the great noodles as I am. As I have traveled Japan to find the perfect bowl of ramen. I still always have come back to Jangara. I understand they have other locations in Tokyo. We will have to check out some more.

Next, Hiroko and I headed into Shibuya. I had to show her the famous intersection where thousands cross at every other minute. This also shows up in every movie with Tokyo. Following that, Hiroko wanted to try to make it to this laquerware store to by a "fish dish". A fish dish is a dish that is rectangular in shape that allows you to set a whole broiled fish on it. I know the picture makes the dish look square, but it is a rectangle, I swear.

In order to find the bus to get to the place we had to search for bus number 51 to Roppongi. Well, Hiroko and I have different ways of looking for things. My style is to wonder, look, observe, and avoid maps because maps make you less of a man. Hiroko did not like this style and became very angry when I walked past the bus depot map. I would have found the bus ........ eventually!

Clam Hunting in Tokyo Bay

This Saturday we went with my friend from work to Kisarazu on the coast of Chiba Prefecture to go hunting for little clams. Here in Japan they are called Asari and Hamaguri. This activity is really popular here, especially with little kids. It is basically a good excuse to play in the mud for half the day.

Anna enjoyed building mud castles with her friend Koki and all of the adults loved getting our hands on these tasty little creatures. Ove the course of the day I made the erroneous decision to not wear sunscreen. I am paying for this today. I have a great shade of red right now on my neck arms and legs. Also, since I was wearing Crocs in the big mud puddle, I have red sunburn dots on my feet too.

Afterwards we took our bounty back onto the boat and washed them up. We then put them in sea water. It was really cool when we brought them back home. When you looked into the bunch of them they really do move around and like squirting water at each other. Very cool.

2008 Matsusaka Gion Matsuri

Unlike last year, since there was no Typhoon, the Matsusaka Gion Matsuri when as scheduled this year. This time, I was able to carry the Mikoshi with about 100 others for Yagumo Jinja near Bell Town in Matsusaka. The temperature was a balmy 90+ degrees and not a cloud in the sky. I think many would have wished a few more rain drops though, including myself.

The groups for our mikoshi were divided into yellow, red, and blue head bands. Each group would carry the mikoshi for a leg of the journey into the center of the town. My group, the blue group, carried second. The mikoshi is about the weight of a car on your back, even though you have several others helping you carry, when you are about 4 to 5 inches taller than everyone else, you tend to carry much of the wieght.

Luckily, I survived, but I did feel like I would pass out from the heat at some point, so when the opportunity to ditch out the second half of the carry arrived in the middle of the town. I took it. I will try to last a little longer next year if the heat is not so bad. Yeah right.

I also got to help with my daughter's mikoshi carry through the Naka-machi area of Matsusaka. Following that my daughter and her cousins put on thier yukata's and danced with the rest of the town in the "Suzu Odori" or bell dance. We had a ball!

Boso no Mura

Today we went to Boso no Mura located inbetween Inzai and Narita. We have been told about this place a few times by others in the neighborhood but this was our first time there.

The town is modeled after the Edo or Samurai Era of Japan in the 1700's. They also have many crafts to try your hand at making. My daughter made a cute candle with rabbits on it and then she made a plate that will be baked, sealed and then we can pick it up later this week.

While walking around we decided to take a break and drink a Lamune Soda. These have been around in Japan for many years. The bottle is unique in that there is a glass bead that you first have to push into the bottle in order to break the seal.

My daughter has never really liked any carbonated drinks but she wanted to try this one. I knew what her reaction would be to the soda so I decided to take a quick video that you see here.

We also have a quite a few pictures to check out on Picassa.

Anna and Kouki Play in the Fountains at Lala Port Mall

Anna Riding Her Bike Video

Anna's Portrait of Daddy

Last week they had a display of the area kindergarten's student's portraits of their fathers. Here is a picture that my daughter made of me. What seems to happens is that Anna watches her neighbors make their artwork and she does the same.

Anna seems to be getting that Daddy looks different from the other dads but still, in the portrait, I have black hair, brown eyes, and have not shaved.

This above is one explanation, the other is a mystery. When I ask my wife for an explanation, this is her look.

Waku-Waku Sankanbi!

On Sunday last week was parent's day at Kobayashi Tenjin Yochien. This was formally known as Fathers Day Activities but since many dads can't make it there, they just settle for the politically correct, parent's day.

It was allot of fun. I got to see Anna sing her school song again this year and also we were able to play outside some games like "Try to pat your buddy's butt" and "Step on your partner's Toes".

In Japan, they play Rock, Scissors, Paper very seriously. I suspect it is used to make most decisions for everything here in Japan. One of the games was a very complicated version of the Rock, Scissor, Paper game. First, you both put out your right hand with rock, scissors, or paper. Then you put out your other hand doing the same. Lastly, you have to pull one hand back and then determine the winner by the remaining hand. Pretty complicated, but kind of fun.

Later that day we headed to Choshi for some great fish and also to see the curvature of the earth.

Grandma Matsusaka in Inzai!

Last weekend Hiroko's mom came to Tokyo from Matsusaka. On Saturday we went to Ginza for a display and demonstration of Japanese Calligraphy by some famous teachers from around Japan. Included in the five teachers was my mother-in-law's teacher from Matsusaka.

Each sensei showed their prowess in the art by writing Japanese poems on large canvases. I wish I had some more, hand-eye coordination so that I could try doing this. While being here for this short time though I have gotten complements on my writing from my co-workers though. Although I am only handwriting the kanji that are usually repeated in expense reports and time cards. For the most part, I use the PC. That definitely does not give you any skill to practice hand writing Japanese.

This is definitely becoming a lost art here in Japan.

Disturbing Anpanman

Here in Japan there is one cartoon character that has been consistently the most popular amongst 2 to 4 year olds for many years. He is known as Anpanman (Sweet Bean Paste Bun Man).

In addition, one of the most disturbing movies that I have ever seen has to be Hannibal with Ray Liotta and Anthony Hopkins. The one scene that still gives me nightmares has to be where Hannibal is eating Ray Liotta's brain.

After coming here to Japan, my daughter immediately started liking Anpanman. In most scenes he offers up a piece of his sweet bean paste bun to his friends. Whenever I see this it brings shivers up my spine thinking about the scene from Hannibal.

Here in the picture is a small figurine of Anpanman where he is giving you a piece of his head. You can see the sweet bean paste that resembles Ray Liotta's brain here.

OK. I'm done with this post. I don't want to look at this ever again.

Nut Kills 6 near my office!

This afternoon I received an e-mail on my phone from a co-worker that there were several people stabbed outside the UDX building today. Luckily, it is Sunday here and I was at home. Apparently, this nut was unhappy about his sorry life and decided to drive from Shizuoka to Tokyo to stab several people in the area. Right now reports are that 7 people are dead among the 18 people injured. The picture of the person laying down by the sign is the nut job himself.

The victims were apparently stabbed while waiting in line at the McDonald's I buy my lunch at every other day. This seems to be a trend here in Japan. There was another incedent like this just a couple of months ago in Ibaraki prefecture.

Unbelievably scary day today. I'm glad I don't work on Sundays.

Visitors From Novi, Michigan

On Thursday we had visitors from the USA. Anna's friend Momo, her mom and new little one arrived to visit our from Novi, MI. Unfortunately, I was at work for the day and could not meet up with them. But from the pictures, I know they had allot of fun.

I have included two pictures here. The one on the top is from July of 2006 at Indian Springs Metropark in White Lake, MI. The second one is taken just this past Thursday at our house here. It is amazing how in just a little over 1 1/2 years they have changed.

They played together as if they had just seen each other the other day. We hope to soon make a visit back to Michigan to meet up with Momo's family again there. From there we will head down to Georgia to see my family.

Must Have One of These!

Anna Gets a New Bike!

After Jero's concert we took a trip to the other side of the tracks to Joyful Honda and bought Anna a new Hello Kitty Bicycle. Many of her friends at school are already riding on just two wheels (no training wheels) and we thought it is probably a good time for Anna to get started. At first we looked at the Pretty Cure Gogogo model but Anna liked Kitty the best.

The Barbi tricycle that Grandma had bought had gotten much too small. Tomorrow we will take it out to break it in by riding to the park. Hopefully I won't have to push her too much.

Hello Japan! Here Comes Jero!

This Saturday was the much anticipated arrival of Jerome White Jr. or Jero as he is known here in Japan. My mom got to see him perform on TV while she was here and was impressed (At least that is what she said). Jero sings "Enka". Enka is a Japanese form of folk songs and old country music. It has been very popular in Japan for a very long time.

Jero grew up in Pittsburgh, PA where he sang songs for his Japanese grandmother. As he grew older he learned many more and made his debut on the Japanese NHK TV show, "Nodo Jiman" or the "Proud Throat". Now he is about to release his first CD here in Japan and the hype is unbelievable. He looks like a Rap star but sings like a Enka star. Young and old from all over Japan are going to love this guy.

This afternoon at 3 he had a short free concert here in Inzai at the Big Hop Garden Mall (The same mall that my wife works at). The square in the middle of the mall packed in everyone shoulder to shoulder. Anna and Mom bought a CD to get up near the front and get a handshake after the concert. I have their picture here.

Jero sounds great! He has a talent for languages and music that few could aspire to. He has done alot of work and deserves every yen he makes here. His grandmother would be very proud.

Click Here for Jero's Website

Two Big Earthquakes - Anna Still Sleeps

The first earthquake hit at 1:09am. This one shook the house pretty good. When you are sleeping on the 2nd floor, you really feel the house sway. Afterwards there were several aftershocks. This one was a 3 in Inzai on the Japan vibration scale.

The first map shows the power of the earthquake by color. The light blue is a 3.

After this one was over we thought we could then go to sleep. We were wrong.

The second one rocked the house back and fourth. This measured a 4 on the vibration scale and a 6.7 on the Richter scale. This one made my wife scream a little and scared the crap out of me.

As can be seen on the second map the green triangles represent a 4. This one was wide and strong. We had 2's at about 15 minute intervals until early morning. As a result not many people were able to sleep to well last night.

Our daughter Anna has yet to wake up for an earthquake. We are not looking forward to the one that she does.

Click here for the Reuters Story.

Ueno Zoo Panda Dies

When my daughter and I visited Ueno Zoo a couple of weeks ago we were very fortunate to be able to see Ling-Ling, the giant panda there. This morning's news was very sad though. Just as I had thought, he did not seem too well when we were there. It has to be very hard to live out your last years inside a glass box where people snap photos of you every time you look over your shoulder.

When we were there the guards would tell people to turn off the flash. Unfortunately there are dolts that refuse learn how to use their camera and just keep flashing away. You could see the panda flinch every time someone would flash him. This is about the best picture I could get.

It's just a sad way to go.

Click here for the article on Ling-Ling.

Goodbye to Uh... to Yeah... these two fish

Well, we have learned another lesson of life here in Japan. That is, never encourage your daughter to try to catch fish at a street vendor at the side of the road. Of course, everyone here says, "Oh yes, my kids caught some fish years ago and they are still alive and well!". Yeah, screw you!

Well, yesterday my wife found another goldfish dead in the water. This time Anna was not effected at all. I believe the fish/death thing has now desensitized her somewhat.

This morning I woke up to check on the fish and found the remaining two dead also. Now we have an empty tank and the fish graveyard in the front is going to get crowded. I asked my wife if she thought we should get some more fish but she said she will tell Anna that we will not get another. I am still waiting for the reaction this morning from home on how Anna will take that.

The salespeople at Joyful Honda tell us that the goldfish crop this year is bad. I wonder if there is a goldfish health index we could look up on the Internet?