My Side of the Fuji

Photos Here! So, the day we landed was February 1st at around 4pm. We landed at  Tokyo-Narita airport. Masaki met us and his dad drove us on the Tomei highway about 2 hours to Kayama Station in Odawara in the Kanagawa prefecture. Masaki's father was very kind to drive us all the way. It was raining, too. We went under a river in a tunnel. Anyway, at Kayama station, around the corner, there is a ramen place that has been there since 1974. Masaki grew up eating there and every time he visits home, he said, it's straight from the airport to the ramen place. So, we were sticking with tradition. It was so good. We had chachu (pork) with Miso broth and the best potstickers I've ever had. They have soy sauce, of course, but also a semi-sweet vinegar you mix with a type of chili oil. The oil is very strong. Only two drops is very hot, but I like spicy. The oil and vinegar with those pot stickers was addicting. There was something magical about that restaurant. They brought us ...

I have learned something about Japan before we even get there. I was listening to Morning Edition about a 4.5 earthquake that caused falling rocks and and avalanche. A person died in the wake of it. This was in Hitachi. This is the same day that the Tsunami warnings were all over the West coast because of the Earthquake in Alaska. So, Wayne told me our plans with the ferry were changed, so I hopped onto my laptop to call my friend. He said, "so, did you hear what happened?" Me: "yeah, I heard about the Earthquake". And he said, "The one in Alaska?" "No, the one in Japan" "there was an earthquake in Japan? Where?" (mind you, he lives in Japan, near Tokyo). "you don't know about that? A soldier died." "oh, that kind of thing happens ALL the time." "people just die in earthquakes?" "Yeah." Me, "Oh... So, I guess the thing that happened is that the ferry got cancelled for maintenan...

Well. It's 10 days until we embark. So far, we are going to Odawara, Sapporo for the glorious snow festival, Chiba, Fujiyku and the amusement park there , and then back to Odawara. After that, we'll be going to Tokyo once or twice. During all of this, we are eating delicious food, of course. Half the best things to do in Japan, from what I gather from guide lists like "50 Things to do in Japan", most of it is things you can eat. Besides that, I think we're seeing some old castles and gardens, if they are open. It is Winter so Mt. Fuji attractions themselves are mostly unavailable. But that's okay. I like travelling to wintry climes, anyway. I've seen the snow festival in Oslo, which was stellar. Still dreaming of those Fiskburgers. If Sapporo is half as awesome (but I've heard it's on par or better) it will be so, so good. I can't wait!!! We are taking an 18 hour ferry ride both there and back. I'm looking forward to it. The ferry has ...