Eating at a Korean restaurant in Shinokubo called "Ton Fu." I had Purukogi and Masami had Bibinpa.
There are some Sakura trees in a tiny park in Ueno that bloom earlier than most varieties. We tried to have a look, but you wouldn't believe how many people where there.
The view from Shinjuku. We went a couple weeks ago when Jason and Missy were here, but that was at night. Last year I tried to visit, but they closed the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories after 3/11.
We walked to Arakawa river in the morning ahead of the small typhoon headed our way this afternoon. You can see the Sky Tree, which is 6 miles away.
Akihabara looking for a mini display port to hdmi cable. I found one, but for way too much.
I attended a small festival in Sugamo
Taiko drums
Today we visited the upscale Daikanyama neighborhood. We ate lunch at the Holy Cafe, and bought some fancy cakes from the french style Qu'il Fait Bon pastry shop. They put a little packet of dry ice in your take home box to keep your treats cool.
I had the sautéed chicken. It was excellent.
Here's Masami with her curry and iced tea.
We went to Ringer Hut for gyoza. They have the best gyoza around. I ordered a mini Chanpon and 10 gyoza. I'd have just ordered gyoza alone, but that would be like going to Olive Garden and only eating breadsticks.
Here's the chanpon and gyoza. I had already eaten five of the gyoza before I remembered to take a picture.
On the walk back from Ringer Hut we stumbled on a park with sakura in full bloom.
I visited Ueno Park today. The cherry blossoms were at their peak (a single day a year) and it was a Sunday. That equates to this epic flooding of humanity. Every walk way was shoulder to shoulder, every flat surface was covered by a blue tarp for a group party. Quite the sight.
Masami's sister Tomomi's high school entrance ceremony.
Back in America! This was taken in O'Hare waiting for the bus to Madison. We had two hours to burn and mostly just drank McDonalds coffee and zoned out. Finally got back to Madison around 4am Japan time.
I made Chicken meatballs for spagetti tonight.
Lunchtime walk
Lunch at Famous Dave's for Kathy's birthday.
We went to a small exhibit at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery on campus. Here is a squid born just today.
We thought about trying something like this, but weren't quite convinced. Masami is looking forward to going fishing this year.
Meatball stew with pasta, and a side salad with homemade dressing.
This robin let me get pretty close.
I bought a hard drive at Best Buy while Masami did some shopping at the mall.
We went to see The Secret World of Arrietty ( 借りぐらしのアリエッティ ). We both loved it.
Quick panorama of ducks enjoying the afternoon at Lake Wingra.
My hand is enormous!
I walked to the zoo and saw a bear.
Happy Birthday Grandmo!
Maru's birthday party
We went to see Jiro Dreams of Sushi, and were the first ones there.
Okonomiyaki