Author: wabisabisole Page 46 of 54

I enjoy running in a new location because it gives me an opportunity to see the area from a different perspective. Running provides for data collection and discovery without the concern for appearance or protocols. Without the stress of an agenda, running let’s me explore without purpose. It is simultaneously therapeutic and investigative. 

That being said, there is a certain level of comfort that comes when a running route becomes a familiar route. Finding the perfect route is a bit like creating a work of art. When you know exactly where a mile is from every direction of your house. Or approximately how far you need to go “out” to run “back” and achieve all of your desired mileage. 

Dave and I are slowly working out the kinks of our long run routes. We have consistently run over double digits the past few weekends and will break into the teens next week. We have yet to perfect the exact route. Today, we doubled backed at mile 8.25. We were approximately 2 miles from home and I was hoping if we added a 2 mile circle, we would arrive back at the gate right around 12 miles. I underestimated the distance. We agreed to stop running at 12 miles and walk home from there. Plan your work and work your plan! We essentially did a half marathon by the time we returned to our front door. All in all it was successful. We achieved our mileage, had ¥110 for water at the vending machines and enjoyed amazing views of Mt. Fuji. Run happy! 

But when you do, make a big one. Seriously. Let me set the stage. Dave needed to go into work for a couple hours this morning. We decided we would meet when he was finished at the Kanazawa-Hakkei station and continue to Yokohama together. We have talked about going to Antenna American for a few months now (haha, we’ve been here for a few months!) Anyways, that was our plan. Also part of the plan was for Dave to pick up onigiri and I would bring roadies (fizzy water with a shot of vodka). 

Before I go further, I must provide a little background to the story about riding the trains. It is frowned upon to talk loudly, to eat, or to drink on the train. (Definitely don’t share a bottle of wine with your friends while eating Garrett’s Popcorn.) However, water is acceptable. Dave and I anticipated we would have time at the station to eat our onigiri and we would enjoy our fizzy water with vodka along the 30 minute train ride to Yokohama. Like all plans, they were subject to change. 

There was an accident. Apparently, between Kanazawa-Hakkei and Shiori Station (where Dave was) a person jumped in front of the train. (Horrible) This created a huge delay in train operations. About 2 hours total. 

People waiting for the stopped trains.

Ok. Let me regroup. Back to me waiting for Dave in Kanazawa- Hakkei and him not being able to leave Shiori. We realize he could switch train lines and we could meet in Zushi. From there we could continue our trek together to Yokohama. So, I backtrack. Dave walks to the other side of Yokosuka. He catches his train, I catch mine, he meets me at the shin-Zushi station, with onigiri and I have roadies. We are both starving, but no food on the train. And please don’t make a spectacle by eating. Instead, I encouraged Dave to have a sip of his roadie. I mean after an hour of essentially going backwards, we both needed a drink. And so he opens his fizzy water and it explodes!!  All over the train. Seriously. Gaijin!! (Foreigners!) Dave runs off the train (still at station) and I’m using wet wipes to attempt to clean it up. OMG. Awful. The Japanese guy next to me moves away because he’s embarrassed for us. As we are wiping the floor, a sweet Japanese lady across the aisle offers us a pack of tissues. Arigatōgozaimas. We continue to clean (the train is moving) there are no trash cans (I use a recycle bag from my purse). OMG. So, embarrassing. My face was bright red. When we finish, the same sweet Japanese lady then offers us a hand cleaning towel. OMG. Again. Seriously. I feel like a moron. Arigatōgozaimas. I’m sitting across from her bowing with my bright red face. Go big or go home, right. Oh, yeah. We made a big spectacle and stayed on the train. We owned that spectacle. Like a boss! 

I was ready to jump off when we passed our housing stop. Remember, we had to backtrack. Dave said “just relax.”  When the sweet Japanese lady exited the train I bowed at least three times and Dave did too. She smiled and return our bows. 

The rest of the afternoon, thankfully, was a delight. Blue skies and sunshine on a patio with American beer. It was delightful. 

I realized we were in the same area as the Cat Cafe and attempted to find the same Ramen place Laila and I ate that day. No luck. Instead, we found a conveyor belt Sushi. Sushi you order is delivered to you via a train. Kawaii!! 

So many lessons learned today. Like life is an adventure, have fun. And of course, use the flavored water for roadies… they don’t fizz so much! 

Dave impersonating an exploding fizzy water bottle

Tokyo has every kind of town imaginable. Including of course, kitchen town or Kappabashi. My neighbor invited me to join her and a few other ladies for a field trip to the north side of Tokyo to explore Kappabashi. We took a very indirect route on the way there and it took almost 2 hours. Coming home was a lot smoother and only took about an hour and 15 minutes. Here is a screen shot from our route home. I learned a lot today. One thing, besides the blanket statement of the trains in Japan can be confusing if you don’t speak Japanese, is that there are many train lines going in many directions. At one point we were on the “Tokyo Subway”. That is why our route is in pink. Anyways, I figure the more I use the trains the more comfortable I will become.

Finally making it to Kappabashi. Of course, it’s raining. 

At the entrance of Kappabashi! Notice the huge chef & teacup balconies!

Back to Kappabashi. Kappabashi is a street filled with shops selling any and every kitchen gadget, accessory, appliance, etc. that you could possibly want or need. From plates, cups, bowls, chopsticks (in a variety of lengths) to chopstick rests, skillets, knives, big red lanterns, curtains for door coverings and saki sets.

Plates

Saki sets

Teapots

Bowls & plates

More plates & Saki sets

Japanese knives are a big deal. This was again part of my research. I’m not making that decision without Dave. My neighbor, picked out her Christmas present. 

I almost forgot to mention the most bazaar and my most favorite accessory. Fake food. Yep, the fake food restaurants use as displays in their windows are available for sale!! 

Bento Boxes!

¥13000 for the pie!

Sushi boat!

Can you see the big burger

Ramen

Cooking chopsticks, metal chopsticks, cat chopstick rests and wooden utensils with smiley faces. The cooking chopsticks were Dave’s request. 

Two cute small accessory bowls. 

This cute sign of the seven lucky Gods. I will tell you more about these Gods in a later post. 

And my guilty pleasure. Faux Ramen! It was silly expensive. I just couldn’t resist. It is just so KAWAII!! 

For my cooking loving friends, when you visit we will go to Kappabashi. Hopefully on the most direct train route possible! 

It was barely September first and Halloween stuff could be found in The stores. That is obviously very similar to the U.S. What is also similar is how little Japanese influence there is on decorations. Everything is in English and at times, a very funny translation. 

Not to confuse you, hotdogs are sold on a stick in Japan.

Costumes don’t have the “sexy” appeal.

And if you notice, the costumes show a lot of leg – no cleavage. Exposing cleavage is not acceptable by the Japanese, even on Halloween! There apparently a limit to the spectacle you are permitted to be. 

Sumo masks – of course!

I made Dave check my head for lice after trying this on!!

Octopus head?

Makeup

Two highlights from the evening. One was asking to have my picture taken with Japanese trick or treaters. Since they asked, I asked them to take one with my phone as well! 

The other highlight was after a group of about 25 Japanese came to the house, a young girl gave me a small package. She said, “Happy Halloween. We have present for you.” So sweet. 

Overall, it was a pretty fun evening! 

Next year, Dave and I discussed going to Shibuya station and informally parading around the crosswalks dressed in costumes with the locals. If you remember, when I went to the kimono fitting, we crossed Shibuya intersection. It is one of the busiest intersections in Tokyo. On Halloween, people come dressed in costumes and walk around the intersection. This activity shuts down traffic and draws out the police to ensure there is good order and discipline during the festivities. The thought of there being  a need for police kind of makes me laugh. The Japanese are so orderly, I honestly can’t imagine things getting out of control. None the less, have 364 days to come up with our costumes! 

Dave and I woke early on Sunday morning in order to meet the ITT bus for a day trip to Nishizawa Ravine. Included in our tour was an 8 mile hike and winery visit. 

Here is a map of our route to the area where we hiked. 

The almost three hour drive provided us a chance to snooze. 

The hike was amazing. Here is a picture of our route. 

The fall foliage was breathtaking. The waterfalls were gorgeous. I couldn’t take enough pictures! The hike going up was rocky and a bit treacherous. The trail was meticulously maintained and had ample support rails to help in difficult areas. The trail coming down was smooth and an easy descent. Warning: lots of pictures! 

Hello Fall

Shrine at the end

The brown area on the bottom of the map is Mt Fuji

It was a really fun and beautiful hike. I hope my pictures transport you and don’t overwhelm you!! 

I’ll do must best to convey(or) the humor of this experience.

Rewind back to my birthday in August. Dave and I went to the Sushi-go-Round or “Sushi Ro” near the base. I posted a video of the sushi passing on the conveyor belt. When we were there, we assumed it was a free for all and just grab whatever you thought looked yummy. I learned the error of our ways this week.

After going to Glass Beach, Dina asked if I was hungry. Clearly, she doesn’t know me well – I responded, “always.”  She suggested we stop at the sushi-go-round. Wait for it… NEAR OUR HOUSE?!? Say what? Yes, please. Teach me.

So, we went. We drove there. The restaurant has a spot in the front to wash your hands. Because, we are in Japan and cleanliness is paramount. I wash my hands and Dina goes to the bathroom. She returns to our table and was surprised I hadn’t ordered anything. I was waiting for you was my reply. She then proceeds to use the table side POS device to order her favorite dishes. My first thought, “what’s going on?”  She then proceeds to school me that if you want a specific dish, order it. Hmmm “what happens if you just grab whatever looks good when it passes you?” She starts laughing. “Then you are taking someone’s order!”  Oh, my. Hilarious. Anything in a bowl, or what looks like a fancy ashtray is a special order food. Anything on a plain plate, is open for the taking. Basically, back in August, we were eating everyone’s food! On the plus side, you’re only charged based on the plates at your table. So they could order again. I now understand why karma was pissed at me for a little bit. I ate other people’s food!! Hilarious.

French fries “fried potatoes” in the dish are special order. Don’t take!

Plain dish- grab away

I told Dave about the experience with Dina and we had a good laugh. Simultaneously, I was so excited to have a Sushi-Ro near us. Today we took the train and worked our way around. Before and eating sushi.

I explained to Dave that we are given a kanji sign in a specific color.  Anything you order will have the sign. Followed by a cute song.

The song alerts you that your order is arriving.

My melon sorbet.

The melon sorbet was a perfect finish after a salty meal.

Obviously, I realized after our meal I should have been taking more pictures. Sorry, I was hungry. When you visit, we will go to the sushi-ro. And check out two temples on the way home. Seriously. So much beauty in the middle of a city.

Temple & Car.

Do you see the frog?

Not every day is filled with amazing views. Some are filled with amazing accomplishments. Today, I went to the Japanese grocery store. The name of the grocery store is Yorkmart and it is a 7-10 minute drive from the house depending on how many trains you encounter. I usually go weekly. For the most part, I’m familiar with the store. My mission was to purchase the items for the rice dish I made last week at my Japanese cooking lesson – Takikomi Gohan. 

Armed with my list from the recipe and the pictures I took that day, I ventured to Yorkmart- solo. 

I was so proud of myself for finding the Dashi & Mirin. 

The Dashi was simple because the picture I had matched the bottle. For the Mirin, I had to ask the clerk. In Japanese. Sumimasen – excuse me. And then I pointed to the picture on my phone. Ok, maybe I cheated a little. But, I was in the right aisle. The remainder of the ingredients were pretty easy to find. 

Shiitake mushrooms 

Shimeji mushrooms 

Burdock root

Bamboo shoot

Chicken

(And carrots – had them already) 

I was so proud of myself, I felt like skipping out of the store. It may seem like a pathetic accomplishment- grocery shopping. Please, come visit and I will take you on the most overwhelming experience of your life!! A trip to the Japanese grocery store!! Happy Friday! 

Today was a glorious day. Crisp fall temperature with low humidity, a breeze and few clouds in the sky. Towards the end of our run today, I commented to my friend Dina how glorious it was and I needed to find something to do outside. She asked if I would be interested in going to Glass Beach with her. She needed to go by the main base briefly and then we could continue on the way south to Glass Beach. Yes, please!! 

Here is the route if we were to leave from our housing area. 

I was in love the minute I stepped out of the car. There was ample parking and there were only a few other visitors. 

We started on the sea glass side and walked around toward the other side that had pottery pieces!! The seaweed created a strong brine smell. It made me think of Rhode Island. And it made me realize what I was always missing in Great Lakes – salty air!! 

There was so much sea glass!! It wasn’t hard to find and the pieces were huge. I couldn’t believe this little gem of a beach is so close to our house! I see beach chairs in our future. 

My favorite picture of the day!

The pottery side. 

At the top of the point is a small Japanese lighthouse. 

And of course some sort of shrine. 

A few more pictures of the amazing view. 

And finally a picture of my bounty. 

This will definitely be on the Julia tour schedule. It was breathtaking. 

Ps. Did you catch the part where I mentioned I have a new running friend!! I haven’t ditched my favorite running partner, Dave. Just adding a few runs a week with Dina for social time. Run Happy!