Asukusa - Night Cruise

Naoko took me shopping in her neighborhood. Neighborhood is a bit of an underestimate because the shopping district is bigger than downtown Philadelphia or Seattle. The shopping there is overwhelming -- floors of beautiful food products. I took many pictures of the creative packaging. Think thousands of iPhone covers, thousands. And there were rows of vending machines dispensing toys in plastic eggs. I think it is a child's paradise. I bought iPhone jewelry in the shape of a sumo/monk mushroom. 

Throughout the day I word the "mushroom" hat -- the Amananita Muscaria hat and Naoko posed me for pictures throughout Tokyo.

Afterwards we took the train to "old Tokyo" where we met up with Togo and Kyon for a Rickshaw ride. While on the ride, we ran into a famous Japanese comedian, Pei. Kyon started yelling at him -- Pei, Pei, here is famous American Mushroom fellow (or something like that). He actually came over to us (remember we're in a rickshaw). A crowd started gathering and people were taking pictures of us. Pei then took a picture of us with his pink camera. I am told this is his signature move -- it is a great honor to have Pei take a picture of you!.

Afterwards on the rickshaw ride, we felt like we were in a parade. As we went through the drinking district, people cheered, we cheered, it was hilarious.

Naoko invited her friends, plus people who had visited me in the United States for a dinner cruise of Tokyo harbor. The boat was lined with tatami mats (I think all around to provide cushioning) and the 

tables were low so you sit on cushions on the floor. This was a bit of a challenge for the 64-year-old me, not least because I am double the size of everyone else.

Dinner was cooked by the guests on a grill in the middle of the table.

The view of Tokyo was stunning and I felt very lucky to be with so many very nice people and also to experience a Tokyo that only the Japanese see.