Fotos para tu! (Not Japanese I know. Sue me :-)

Mihoko took all of these pictures except the one she is in of course. As you can tell she is an excellent photographer. Mecha sugoy!

This one is the sakura! That means cherry blossoms and they are just starting now in Japan. This one is by Mihoko's house.

Sakura

This is at the Shinto shrine in Harajuku, at the center of Tokyo. It is famous because it is right in the middle of the bustling city but it is peaceful and full of natural beauty because they have a lot of garden land with huge trees and creeks around the shrine. Shinto is one of the biggest religions in Japan. Google it if you want to know more; we are short of time :-) I am looking at prayer boards that were left by worshippers and visitors and then blessed by the Shinto priest. They cost 5$ at the shrine shop, and must be hung at this particular spot in the shrine by a tree, as is the custom.

Shinto

This is Shinjuku at night, with Mihoko and I together. Shinjuku looks like Times Square, except instead of being just a few intersections around where Broadway crosses the grid, the neon lights and 5 story tall colored lit signs go on for blocks and blocks and blocks in all directions. It puts NYC to shame! And other parts of Tokyo, like Shibuya, also glow at night. Shinjuku is the best I've seen so far, though.

Shinjuku

I will give you three guesses about what I am eating here. "Sushi" does not count. Yes, it is sushi, but what sort of protien and/or vegetable matter is it? Define the organic life form that is involved in this dish, besides rice and nori. Go ahead, look! Don't peek at the answer! I'll meet you back here in a minute....

Sushi?

Ok, did you look?

Honestly?

What is your guess?

WRONG!!!!

Second guess?

Wrong Again!!

One last time??

You will NEVER guess!!!

FISH TESTICLE SUSHI!

This is actually from the testicle of a cod fish. Mihoko and I both ate one, so actually I only ate one of the pieces of sushi pictured here. But how many people can say they have eaten fish testicle sushi in Japan? Well now I am one of those select few.

And now it is late but before you worry know that I can sleep in a bit in the morning and I am going to bed right now. Happy Easter Everyone! I celebrated at a Shinto festival, in my own way. Enjoy your day!