We have all arrived safely into Tokyo with all our equipment and luggage and have settled down with Ezra's friends Hena and Mihi on their apartment floor.  (More to come on Hena and Mihi).  Yesterday we started our exploration of Tokyo with our trusty guide Ezra. On our list of places to visit was the Emperor's palace, the headquarters of Subaru, and the Shinjuku district.   

Here's Ezra ordering from his favorite bento spot.  We are lucky to have a member of our group who has lived in Tokyo Japan for over a year. Ezra has been taking us to his favorite eateries around the city for lunch and dinner, and each place has been different and tasty. To be safe, I always choose what Ezra chooses because my past experience of just picking a dish has led to some interesting meals. 

While we were eating lunch there were two girls at the park with us blowing bubbles to entertain themselves.  I tried to pop one when from out of nowhere Jack was flying through the air and swatted it first. This made me quite sad, but through hand gestures I conveyed my desire for more bubbles. I may also have yelled the word "more" which was met with both confusion and understanding (and lots of giggles).  

After lunch we took the train to the Imperial palace in Tokyo and walked around the gardens for an hour. The walls around the Emperor's residence were high and steep to prevent us from seeing inside.

The long walk took it's toll on our tour guide, who had to pause to nap for a minute before we could continue. 

At the palace we found a photo opportunity with a very small part of the Tokyo skyline in the background.  It's really interesting and striking seeing the Imperial palace surrounded by the huge cityscape that is Tokyo.

Jack performs his first back flip of many on this trip while we were in the Emperor's garden. 

Next we headed to Shinjuku and stopped at the Subaru headquarters.  We were hoping to see some of Subaru's most famous cars on display but were disappointed to find only a legacy wagon.  We did get some directions to their "historic" show room.  That's for another day and another post.  

Ezra is teaching me Japanese one letter and one day at a time. This character means (if I remember correctly) "to go into" but only because of the surrounding characters, and means something entirely different with another set. 

Ezra looking classy while sliding down the railing.

Me not being classy while sliding down same railing.  

And here's Ezra laughing at my technique.  

This man is selling cats on the street. There are restaurants in Japan that give you a cat to pet while you eat, I don't know if your allowed to bring your own though.

There are a lot of stores selling all sorts of products in Shinjuku, it is like a massive outdoor shopping mall.  There are also quite a few "massage" parlors.  Not quite our thing though...

Heading to Shibuya and Ezra's favorite ramen shop.

- Dick (Richard)