Hi there,
We checked out of the business man's hotel and made our way to a place outside Tokyo that is a village of Bonsai enthusiasts, who open their houses to the public and the Bonsai Museum. Sunny day for a change and we had a lovely day wandering around gardens.



We bought some Oni Giri for lunch, which is a takeaway food, a bit like nori rolls but different. We found the Omiya park with a lake. ducks and giant carp competed for food that an ancient lady brought to them.

Teruko played her sanshin and sang while I took a video of her but no photos. She's unselfconscious about it.  It was a really peaceful and lovely day.

another nice man hole

Made our way to Tokyo on the trains and a taxi driver who seemed to not know anything about Tokyo, got us to our hotel. Wandered about a bit and had Soba noodles for dinner. Japan makes excellent fast food.

Gui Don - meat and onions on rice with sauce and side dish of miso soup and kimuchi (Korean pickled vegetables)

me and squid man, a rare moment.

Hayao Miyazaki designed this squid.  According to Teruko, my guide and educator, he is a famous animator, director, who made the animated movie "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea".

Next morning made our way to a meeting with a cousin I may have met once, Stephen Barker, his wife and daughter. We had some lunch in an American cafe.


Then went on to the National Art Center of Tokyo and saw an exhibition- "Vincent Van Gogh- the adventure of becoming an artist"

I found it really inspiring and even thought that I might become an artist one day.