Japan (4/5/07-4/16/07)

Itinerary: Japan (4/5/07-4/16/07)
4/5/07-4/11/07: Tokyo
4/11/07-4/13/07: Fukuoka
4/13/07-4/15/07: Okinawa
4/15/07-4/16/07: Tokyo

4/5/07-4/11/07: Tokyo
4/6 (Fri evening), Arrived into Tokyo then to Larry’s place in Shinagawa. Headed out to Shinjuku, Advocates then Arty Farty… too tired/jet lagged to enjoy myself too much – headed back by midnight, before the subway shut down for the night.

4/7 Sat, Lunch with Larry and friend at Italian restaurant. Met Dennis, headed to Shimo Kitosan. Cool alternative place to hang out - a good alternative to tourist crazy Shibuya. Had some great American food (milk shake and chilli fries). Dinner with Larry – counter seating, stone slab in middle where they prepared the foods - great rounds of tasteful small dishes – it was their discretion what to serve and it was some of the finest cuisine I’ve experienced.

4/8 Sun, Lunch – had a really great Burger and coke. Met Dennis at Snoopy store in Harajuku, walked all around. Sushi dinner at yet another awesome restaurant with Larry… Met up again with Dennis and crashed at his place at Tokyo University.

4/9 Mon, Walked around Tokyo University had lunch in cafeteria. Headed to Harajuku to walk around all day. Spent night at Julio’s.

4/10 Tue Roppongi - Museum day with Dennis – theme of “smile in art”. Lots of NYC artists, around my age. Then got late lunch in Swedish restaurant. Had Coldstones ice cream, then I headed to Harajuku to get a haircut. Met Dennis for dinner at Aladdin-themed restaurant, then to Tengu, then out for a couple of drinks at GB.

4/11/07-4/13/07: Fukuoka
4/11 Wed Doug picked me up at airport, got food before heading back – fried noodles. Headed up to a mountain area to get table, lunch (more delicious noodles!) on way back, biked to dinner. Doug took me to an awesome restaurant where the owners pretty much grew/hunted their food… with dishware made from the ceramic studio up in the mountain workshop where Doug made his table.

4/12 Thurs back up to mountain area to return car. Had the best ramen noodles ever, and biked all around town. When we walked into this one coffee shop, we didn’t realize how loose the door hinge was, and we swung it open rather suddenly by accident, startling the 3 ladies that were sitting around a small table. They all looked up… one of them was probably 8 or 9 months pregnant. The hostess was this distinguished, beautiful thin lady with grey hair dressed in all white. We ordered lattes and video chatted with my cousin Steven… Later on, the hostess chatted with Doug and when she learned I was visiting from NYC, she insisted on giving me a gift… I don’t remember what the other choice was, but I quickly chose a small metal owl. For dinner, Doug and I went to eat entrails… quite tasty! We then walked around areas – searching for nightlife, but nothing promising… hung out in yet another cool coffee shop instead and stopped by a junk shop on the way back. This crazy guy had a store completely loaded with random junk amassed over what seemed like several decades. Looking into the window, there is hardly any room to move around the store. Back at Dougs, we watched the animation Tokyo Godfathers.

4/13/07-4/15/07: Okinawa
4/13 Fri, Doug and I arrived to drizzling rain, but as after getting a rental car, and driving to the northern point (Hedo Misaki), the sun began to come out. Drive was a bit long, stopped along a cute hippy-ish place that had some organic/home grown coffee. When we reached Hedo point, the sun was just setting and the view from the jagged cliffs was beautiful. We then headed back down the island to find the hostel that was recommended earlier by the coffee hut. We checked into the super friendly hostel, then borrowed bikes out to get food/beer. At night did a bit of fire dancing. Doug and I lay on the beach looking up at the stars till I dozed off for a bit… dark night, so many beautiful bright stars.

4/14 Sat, While Doug did some work in the morning, I played around the beach at the hostel… then we headed off in car to lunch - had some awesome Japanese version of Mexican tacos. Then trekked around NW peninsula, looking to find a good place to snorkel, but no luck – nothing looked promising. Then headed off to do a quick hike to Hiji waterfall… swam in the cold water and went under the waterfall. Our ears were ringing for hours afterwards. Quick snorkeling afterward, not much to see – murky waters, but still fun to swim around… then picked out rocks along the beach. Headed to another great Japanese restaurant before heading back to hostel. Enjoyed getting drunk, and hanging with the hostel gang.

4/15 Sun, Headed back to airport as the monsoon set in. Crazy rain. What perfect timing for our stay/departure though.


4/15/07-4/16/07: Tokyo
4/15 (Sun evening) – 4/16, Arrived back in Tokyo… went to meet up with Dennis, I was about 1.5 hr late, but he had waited – headed to a sauna to wind down for the day. Dennis and I then went to eat some “street” food and had a large beer. I then headed out to meet Daz – I was late again, but things all worked out. Got up early to catch next day noon flight. Was a bit of trekking around the last 24 hours and exhausted, but had a great time.

JAPAN PHOTO LINK