Day 1

Photo by Hiroo Tanabe

The group at Odaiba – across Tokyo Bay from the city of Tokyo. A replica of the the Statue of Liberty is in the background.

Konbanwa. Today was a touristy day. We started off in Asakusa where we saw the famous giant lantern at the gate of Sensoji, Tokyo’s largest Buddhist temple. Hiroo Tanabe of AIG Insurance Communications, and his daughters, Kanako and Asako, joined the group, as well as Asami Sudani. While visiting Asakusa, we shopped for souvenirs, prayed for good health, and even saw the world’s largest flip-flop.

Classmates Erica Ballard and Lucia Jimenez enjoyed sashimi and sushi for lunch, and noted its freshness. Erica even tasted natto (fermented soybean), which we were warned not to try. After tasting it, she knew why.

Leaving Asakusa, the group hit the water for an alternative view of the city. Traveling on the Tokyo Bay Cruise Line, we docked at Odaiba, a man-made island just outside of Tokyo where we toured the Fuji Television Station. In Odaiba, we witnessed the colorful, creative workings of Japanese television. Odaiba is also home to its very own Statue of Liberty, and the Rainbow Bridge (a look-a-like of the Golden Gate bridge).

To contrast the previous night’s traditional Japanese dinner, tonight we had the Japanese version of Italian food. The menu offered numerous alternatives to a traditional Italian menu, such as octopus ink instead of marinara, and shrimp instead of pepperoni. The one thing that does not change from culture to culture- great chocolate cake for dessert.

Tomorrow the group is heading to the Tsukiji fish market. Afterwards, we are touring the Asahi Shimbun, one of Japan’s largest newspapers.

More to come.

Sayonara!
Amy-san and Jill-san
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