Azabu Juban Fall Matsuri

Our neighborhood came alive yesterday and today with a Fall Festival (Matsuri). There are several neighborhood associations who set up portable stations to get ready for the carrying of Mikoshi (a portable Shinto Shrine). The picture above is the group closest to our apartment.







This is Kaela standing next to one of the portable shrines. They are carried on long poles with the first stop the local Shinto Shrine.








At the Shrine, a Shinto Priest blessed each Mikoshi and the group carrying it. The next day, the groups carried around the Mikoshi in a large parade.







Each group seemed like they were trying to be louder than the rest.

- Posted from my iPad

It was a blustery day

A typhoon was supposed to hit Tokyo on Friday or Saturday. Luckily, it changed directions and mostly effected the Osaka area. For us, it meant that the day was very windy with occasional rain.

We decided to do some grocery shopping in the neighborhood and then try a different onsen. The picture above is a Tanuki, a kind a Japanese raccoon. There are statues of them in front of stores. I think this one looks a little crazed.




We found a fruit and vegetable place in the neighborhood with amazing produce. The prices are quite reasonable compared to the grocery stores.





We came across this group of statues in front of a shrine at the subway stop. The individuals represent the Seven Lucky Gods of Japanese mythology. I like that one has a real bamboo pole he is holding.




Here are Tommy and Kaela checking out the statues. I tried to take a picture of Tommy with the Tanuki, but he wasn't interested in the idea.

We made our way to the Niwa no Yu Onsen which is just a two minute walk from the Toshimaen train station. We took one train all the way there.

Here is a link that shows pictures of the sauna rooms. Tommy and l liked the steam room which had a menthol scent. After you spend time in the sauna, there was a shower space with either an option to pull a rope and have a wooden bucket of cold water dumped on your head. We both had to try the bucket dousing.

http://www.niwanoyu.jp/floormap/sauna.html

Kaela on the girl's side had discovered the teacup baths (these photos are from the Onsen's website - no we didn't sneak a camera into the onsen).




They are just big enough for one person to get in. The picture below is the outdoor pool. It was really hot.




And this was the hottest pool. You couldn't stay in for very long without feeling like a lobster.


We came out refreshed and relaxed. And got into the subway just before a major downfall of rain.

- Posted from my iPad

Going to the Onsen (Japanese Hot Springs)

We decided that we need to do things on Saturday to take advantage of the time here in Tokyo. And with the weather slightly cooler, we opted to try going to an Onsen.

Onsen, or Hot Springs, are located all over the country. There is even one in the suburbs of Tokyo. Sanga no Yu is located a short walk (we took a taxi) from Futago Tamagawa station. Here is the link to the onsen. http://www.setaonsen.co.jp/onsen/index.html




You go inside, take off your shoes, and check in. Then up the stairs to get your towel and to the men's / women's changing areas. The blue sign in the background is the men's area.




Once inside, you undress completely. There is an open room where you wash yourself before you go into the Hot Springs. And yes, you "in the buff" the whole time. You do have a small towel about the size of a big wash cloth to cover yourself.

In this Onsen, there is a also an outdoor area where you can have a swimsuit on. We met up in that area. The water was a comfortable 42 deg C. It is a natural hot springs which means that the water has a lot of minerals.

Inside (in the "birthday suit" area) there were several pools to choose from - a large pool, a cold water pool, a jaccuzi style pool, and a pool where you could recline. There was also a sauna room that was 90 deg C.

Tommy was a little freaked out at first, but he got used to it. Kaela thought it was fantastic.

We are definitely going back sometime.

- Posted from my iPad

Living in Azabu Juban

We are getting used to our neighborhood here.  The picture above is Azabu Juban subway station.  This entrance marks the start of Azabu Juban Dori (a great shopping street).  I'll be writing about the shops and restaurants soon.  In the meantime, here is a picture of Tommy next to a small square.  The red shop in the background is a great French bistro.

We went to a small Japanese place the other night, and Kaela found a fan with a drawing that I thought looked like her.

Harajuku

Yesterday we ventured out to one of the nicer shopping areas in Tokyo, Omotesando. A good friend of mine showed me a great gyoza place there a few years ago. And my son wanted to get gyoza for lunch. My daughter was going to meet up with a friend she met over the summer who happened to be in Tokyo.

Next to Omotesando is Harajuku. It is mostly known for being a teenager hangout, and for the place where Japanese women dress up like baby dolls. I don't understand why, but in a land where everyone is pressured to conform, I guess some people need a way to express themselves.



- Posted from my iPad

What a difference a day makes

With a long layover in JFK, we decided to head into Manhattan and get lunch. We debated what kind of food to get since we would be leaving for Japan in a few hours, and this would be our last "American" meal. So of course we decided on French food.

Many years ago when I worked in NY, a friend stumbled on La Bonne Soup. It is a cozy French Bistro located on 55th street between 5th and 6th. They have wonderful French Onion Soup. But, their Croque-monsieur is even better.

After our lunch, we got back to JFK and got on our 13 hour flight. We left Monday evening and arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday (a day later). Walking out of the airport, we were hit with a wall of heat and humidity that made it difficult to breathe. And that was at 11pm at night. It got worse the next day.

With a heat index of 104 degrees, the whole "it will be great to walk everywhere and take public transportation" idea seemed a little crazy. But, the temperature is supposed to go down next week. And at least we have air conditioning in our apartment.

We did visit the American School yesterday and walked past this nice temple with a perfectly manicured tree. I love the attention to detail.



- Posted from my iPad

Tokyo here we come

I like the image of a mother cat carrying her kitten which is the logo for the friendly guys at Yamato Transport.

The movers from Yamato arrived this AM and packed up our things.  Our biggest concern was not to take too much stuff.  And it was liberating to decide what things you need and what we are content to leave behind.  

We are moving from our 1740s farmhouse in Massachusetts to a 3 bedroom apartment in the center of Tokyo.  Our house is great for what it is.  But, I have to admit, it will be nice in the winter to have some carpet under foot. 

I fly out with 2 of my kids on Monday.  And my wife will come as soon as she gets our oldest daughter settled into her dorm at college.