Imperial Palace & Ginza

On the last day of sightseeing, we took a train & subway out to the Tokyo central.




If I remember correctly, this is the capitol building.


We found a wealth of photo opportunities around the Imperial Palace:






















Japanese are very good about not littering, but not above making use of a handy bicycle basket parked on the street.


Ginza's main drag where you can find the most expensive name brand shops.


This one with Lamborghini parked out front.


I really liked this building, which is made entirely of glass blocks.

New Year's Day, Hatchioji, Shabu Shabu

New Year's Day begins with a special breakfast meal together with the family.


Many special foods and dishes are served especially for this meal--I had some difficulty with a few of them.








On the 2nd, we went walking around Hachioji. We passed this drum performance taking place.


Many people were lined up to pay their respects at shrines and temples like this one.


New Year's sales were everywhere. Derek picked himself up a couple new sweaters.


I did my fair share of shopping as well. Here I am taking a load off outside a store.


Killed some time on McDonald's internet before dinner. This is the view of the street below.


Derek, Shintaro, and I went to an all-you-can-eat Shabu Shabu restaurant. Meats and vegetables are placed in the boiling pot on the table, then fished out with chop sticks and dipped into various sauces. Good times.


Waiting for our train home.

Tachikawa, Churrasco, & Yokohama

I was in Tachikawa yesterday on my own, but didn't take any pictures. In the evening, I went to a pot-luck dinner with some members from church.


Today we met the Souza's, a Brazilian couple, and some of their friends, for lunch at a Churrasco in Shibuya.

Derek is featured here in his recently purchased [from a thrift store] Mighty Johnny shirt.


The Souza's:


Me in front of Barbacoa:


Derek demonstrating the after effects of "All You Can Eat."


Entering the train station.


This girl went to a lot of trouble to make her hair look that way, so I felt obligated to record it for all time and eternity.


On the train to Yokohama. Derek made a face.


Distinguished gentleman on the train.


Yokohama's China Town:



Random English on a shopping bag.


Little Brazil within China Town.


Back in regular Yokohama, things felt Japanese once again: McDonald's, Denny's, & 7-11.


Yokohama Bay.


Most public restrooms you'd find in parks and such have a very 'open door' policy.


Before returning home, we stopped by a convenience store. This simmering smorgasbord is the Japanese version of nachos and corn dogs.