Day 13, Tokyo, Japan

Finally we arrive in Tokyo

where we are met by another friend who loves Japan, its Martina from the Czech Republic
( http://www.postcrossing.com/user/Marti_k)

Hi Marti....how nice of you to join us! Don't you think that it is such a beautiful, clear, sunny day in Tokyo today ?? ......what is this we see in the distance??

Oh, wow! It is the majestic Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan at 3,776 m (12,388 ft) and one of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains" What an amazing view.......


We strolled through the streets of Tokyo but didn't do too much shopping because we are all tired and hungry.

It's Nopi's birthday so Noriko, the perfect hostess, made a delicious picnic basket of tempura- seafood or vegetables dipped in batter and deep-fried, tempura is served with a dipping sauce and daikon; Koshihikari rice and seafood and vegetables (Takikomi gohanohan), a bowl of miso soup (miso shiru), pickled vegetables (tsukemono) and sushi served on vinegared rice and included cooked seafood, vegetables and egg.

Nopi's special birthday treat is a huge platter filled with Morinaga Petit Cheese Cake; Fujiya's Look A La Mode chocolates;Strawberry mouse Chocolate; Lotte Snowl with chocolate ganache filling and pure white chocolate coating and Gute chocolate slices.......ooh, all those calories.....watch the hips!

That is to be washed down with Sake ( Japanese rice wine/ seishu) which will be served in an earthenware bottle (tokkuri) and poured into small cups (sakazuki). Sorry Marti, you are under age....cannot drink this!!

Nopi's is delighted with her surprise picnic at Okunitama Jinja Shrine in Fuchu City for "Candle Night". This is a nationwide campaign that encourages people to turn off the lights and spend a slow evening and 20th June marks the first night of the campaign.

We lit candles along the shrine's approach, creating a relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy a summer evening. Established about 1,900 years ago, the shrine is believed to help worshippers succeed in a romantic relationship, which makes the event perfect for couples.
Nopi missed her boyfriend just a little but the wide variety of collaborative events held at the site, which included a live mini concert and a local product fair made up for it as a tipsy Nopi danced the night away!!

The campaign naturally invited all of us to think about the world's environment, global warming, peace, and the people who are important in our lives..

Until next we meet......Sa yo na ra from Japan, Asia