Prayer for Hiroshima
Just after having a coffee and small breakfast, Hisashi reminded me via text to make a silent prayer for Hiroshima. Today is the 78th anniversary of the first use of atomic weapons.
I prayed for the victims of Hiroshima and for enough sense to remain within humanity to avoid such misery and destruction in our future here on Earth.
Tsukiji
The breakfast at the hotel is not very good (in my opinion). I would also like to see and do as much as I can with our couple remaining days. I decided to take a trip to the Tsukiji Market, the traditional fish market in Tokyo.
I know that they have moved the auction that was so popular with tourists but I understand that the “Outer Market” is still very interesting and that many of the great restaurants still operate.
I want sashimi for breakfast!
Yatta! Success!
Asakusa
This afternoon we have plans to visit the Asakusa area with Hisashi-sensei and one of his friend’s family.
Asakusa is best known for the Senso-ji Temple. We will meet at the Kaminarimon Gate.
Kaminarimon Gate
Senso-ji is very busy. There are people from all over the world including many Japanese. We saw several couples dressed up in kimonos (yukata).
We were introduced to two beautiful girls, the daughters of Hisashi’s friends from Ise.
Mirei-chan and Koyuki-chan are university students and were very nice to show us around this afternoon.
Hisashi is a great composer and producer when it comes to getting wonderful photos taken. He is quick to ask passersby to work with him getting the best shots. Then he invites them to join our group which they are always happy to do.
We told this sumo wrestler how much we enjoyed the match at Naogoya.
He seemed flattered and proud. He thanked us for inviting him into the picture.
Nitenmon Gate
If given the chance, I would also like to visit Nitenmon Gate as it houses the remains of Ieyasu Tokugawa the first Shōgun of the Edo period and Blackthorn’s counterpart in Clavell’s novel Shōgun which my father and I both enjoyed very much.
I got to see Nitenmon Gate. I learned that although it is not as impressive as Kaminarimon, it is a lot older as it did not burn in the fire-bombing of Tokyo as the other buildings had.
Senso-ji
We made our way through the line and up to the altar to pray. It is a huge temple.
My prayer was of thanks for an amazing trip to Japan.
Sukiyaki
Hisashi had made reservations for a very nice sukiyaki restaurant. Asakusa was once a very large entertainment district and the restaurant was part of the history. I do not believe that most tourists that come to the area to shop and see the temple get to eat at such a great place.
The woman who started our hot pot was a master. Owen told me that she kept her eye on him the whole meal and made sure that his bowl always had meat.
Tomoko-san, Mirei-chan’s mother, joined us for lunch.
Akihabara
After lunch, we were not ready for the fun to end. The first plan was to go the the National Park at Ueno. When we got off the metro, our guides quickly changed plans because it was pouring rain.
We headed to Akihabara.
Akihabara is famous for Otaku, the super fans of anime and manga, the nerds. It is a very lively area with huge billboards depicting characters from animated shows and video games.
It is also famous for Maid Cafes. To my great surprise and delight, I learned that our guides Mirei-chan and Koyuki-chan were taking us to a Maid Cafe.
I had asked Owen if he wanted to go to a Maid Cafe when we were first in Tokyo and he flat out refused. I believe that he knew the stereotype in the American mind that they are “pervy”. I understand. The idea of cute girls dressed as French maids serving drinks, singing, and dancing would seem “pervy” to the ethically Protestant minded American. I knew that Maid Cafes are part of Japanese “kawaii (cuteness) culture”.
We had a great time together and the girls made it even more fun. We had a couple rounds of drinks, enjoyed singing, playing cute games together, and watching cute dance performances.
We were with several groups of people that includes men, women, and couples. For Owen’s sake, I was relieved that it wasn’t overtly sexualized. I think he had a good time despite himself and his dad acting the fool.
Good Bye
Hisashi-sensei rode on the train with us to Shinjuku Station where we made our farewell. He has been such an important part of our visit to Japan and is such a great friend. I was happy and proud of the strong bond that he and Owen made and felt privileged to share so many wonderful memories with his family, his friends, and him.
I felt very sad saying goodbye and I hope I was able to properly express my gratitude and affection to and for him.
I can’t wait until we have the opportunity to see each other again.
I felt more sad than I expected to say goodbye.