The whistles, the chants, this was so cool to see. The girl in the green-and-white polka dot shirt was a real cutie. Sassy too, calling off the steps in time with the whistles and chants.

The matsuri turned the corner, and as we stood there watching them parade off, my friend asked, "Follow?" Heck yeah, I'm here for the adventure!

Well, you can probably guess what happened next.

This oji-san sees us following, and asks if I want to join. I start to politely say that I would be honored but do not want to intrude. But before I can get far, he is putting his robe on me and getting one of the other guys to let me in.

Let me say that if you ever have this chance, take it! It's murder on the shoulder if you're tall, but it's an experience you'll always remember.

During the following beer-and-snack break, I met this very charming gentleman and we talked in a mix of Japanese and English. His sons are both studying English in primary school. I hope I can meet them again on my next trip.

bmwracer wrote:

Whew... It's pretty much like being there.

Thanks man. I couldn't afford to take anybody else with me, so this was the best I could do.

Break over, we waved goodbye to our new friends as they headed off into the night. I never did see the girl in the polka dot shirt again. Story of my life.

We finished our baby beers (wish I could find these in the U.S.) and got back to the task of finding our kaiten sushi restaurant.

I took a LOT of motorcycle pictures. Especially if it was a model we never got in the U.S., like this R1-Z.

WhiteHawk wrote:

Thanks man. I couldn't afford to take anybody else with me, so this was the best I could do.

I woulda paid my own way....

...Though I'm pretty inept with a motorcycle.

Approaching our restaurant destination, we heard the now-unmistakable sounds of another matsuri. I was really starting to love this. It had all the trappings of a proper festival...

bmwracer wrote:

I woulda paid my own way.... ...Though I'm pretty inept with a motorcycle.

It's okay, I can teach ya.

When I took this picture, the little girl turned at looked at me for a bit. But never missed a beat, literally. A true professional!

Finally, we make it to the kaiten sushi, right next door to the matsuri. But I, erm, snacked a bit at the matusri, so I didn't eat a lot at the sushi-go-round.

Passed a local onsen on the way back to the house. I never did try one of these. Adventure is one thing, but I've heard the temperatures at the coolest one of these is well beyond what my delicate Scots/Irish/American skin can handle. Or maybe it was a massage parlor. My friend said something about how her husband could take me back there...

So many cool little shops in Japan. I want one!

WhiteHawk wrote:

I stopped to take this photo in our neighborhood, and my friend asked, "Why are you taking picture. It is just a normal street." To which I smiled and replied, "In Japan, everything is interesting."

I know what you mean. The first time I took the walking tour of Little Tokyo there were some Japanese tourists along and they took pictures of everything.
Stop signs, sidewalks, you name it. I guess it was all new and different to them.

Anyway, thanks for the pics!!

WhiteHawk wrote:

I'm not sure what that is, but I totally want a bucket.
_________________

Wanna trade? My Drama List (UPDATED: July, 2013)

Wynter wrote:

I'm not sure what that is, but I totally want a bucket.

The Japanese sign in the bottom left corner says "karaage" so it's fried chicken

���͂悤�������܂��A������B�@�iGood morning, Adachi-ku.)

Actually had to do some work. One of my many jobs is maintaining the collection of the Lane Motor Museum. While in Japan, I had to look for parts for one of the cars I am rebuilding, as well as find someone who could source future cars and motorcycles for the collection. After a bunch of searching and dozens of emails before leaving the U.S., I had narrowed it down to one guy. Unlike most exporters who buy and sell from their computer and never actually see the cars, this guy has indoor storage and goes to the auctions in person. I took a short trip on the Toneri Liner and he picked me up in this blinged and pimped Veilfire.

Before I left Japan, this car was sold to a buyer in... Malaysia... I think.

We talked business, checked out some of his inventory, and even snapped a few pics of his personal Fairlady. I have a cousin who buys these cheap and fixes them up. Seeing a JDM version this nice was a treat.

Then it was off to lunch in the stylin' Veilfire.

At the restaurant, this Toyota Century was just backing into a spot next to the Nissan K11-series March. Seeing a privately-owned Century is like seeing a Rolls-Royce Phantom, except more rare, even in Japan. It's the only Japanese production car with a V12 engine.

Shoe lockers at the restaurant.

After lunch, my new business associates actually dropped me and my friend off at our local station. Right by the grocery store. So after lots of goodbyes and bowing, we went in for groceries and... beeeer...

To me, this is unusual. If my local grocery store tried this, the TV and DVD player would be stolen by the end of the first day.

That night, we went to meet up with another of my Tokyo friends. When she asked me if there was anything I missed from America, I thought for a moment and said "peanut butter". "Oh, you can get that at international market!"

On the way there, I heard a familiar sound. I looked, and sure enough, it was a Lamborghini Gallardo cruising through the neighborhood. Didn't have my camera ready, sorry. But I did look up to see the Tokyo Tower right after that. That would have made for a great shot, a white Gallardo driving past the Tower.

Scored me some peanut butter! Pretty expensive though. I found some much cheaper later on in my trip, but oh well. At this point, I had gone nine days without it, a new personal record.

Back out for a tour of Roppongi on the way to dinner. Thought this building looked really cool, covered in plants.

Checked out the Mori Tower. Shiny.

From one of the observation patios at Mori, we had a nice view of the Tokyo Tower. With the help of the zoom function on my camera, of course. While here, we ran into my new friend's daughter and her boyfriend. It was decided that we should head to a certain Italian restaurant in Akasaka, where my new friend's Italian husband works as a chef.

So back out onto the streets.

You know, there is some money in Roppongi Hills.

Absolutely love Tokyo at night.

After dining on fine Italian food while being surrounded by beautiful Japanese women, it was time to end the day. At the train station, I saw this cool painting that resembled a robe like those worn during matsuri.

At Nippori Station, I saw these bosozoku. Somehow, I don't think they would let me ride with them.

Great pictures WhiteHawk:applaud: ! Seems you had a blast
Reminded me that I have to start appreciate Tokyo more and not take it for granted

WhiteHawk wrote:

You know, there is some money in Roppongi Hills.

A little blurry, but I think it's a Ferrari California.

EstherM wrote:

Great pictures WhiteHawk:applaud: ! Seems you had a blast Reminded me that I have to start appreciate Tokyo more and not take it for granted

Thanks! Indeed I did!

Towards the end of my trip, my friend noticed that I was taking fewer pictures. I was getting used to the scenery, so I wasn't taking pictures every time I looked out a window. We all get accustomed to our surroundings. Sometimes it takes fresh eyes to open ours back up. I'm sure when my friends visit me here, I'll see Nashville differently once they start taking pictures of everything.