Japan - Day 3

10/11/2016

This day started with an early morning round of disc golf for the guys.  Joey got an ACE on hole 7!!  Good way to start the day. 

They said that it was a cultural experience playing disc golf in Japan because they were surprised to see it crowded! and with mostly old ladies!!  Japan probably has the most active old folks of any country.

For lunch Mike took us to one of our favorite lunches ever at a little place right by their house that just looked like a house with a menu stand out front.   You couldn't order - you just ate what they were making.  It was seriously delicious.  It even has a Michelin star.

Then the five us wandered off to explore Tokyo for a bit.   We tromped all over until we got to the Tokyo Municipal Building.   We were stopped in the courtyard by some cute high school girls who were taking a poll about tourists and so we answered all their questions.  We know a lot about ourselves being tourists so we got 100%.  Here's my attempt at a panoramic shot of the courtyard.

Then we took the elevator to the top for some amazing views of Tokyo. 

Here's one of Troy's photos  (this is another place you would be able to see Mt. Fuji if it wasn't cloudy - 2nd of 4 attempts. :)  )

We had a little time to kill before Joey and I took off to Hachioji to go see Mie Shimai - so Mike found us a quirky place to visit called Shinjuku Golden Gai.  It's just this tiny little part of Shinjuku - only 6 narrow alleyways actually - just made up of tiny (TEENY tiny!) shanty bars and clubs.  I'm sure this place is hopping at night but we were curious how many people could even fit in these little places!  It was actually a really cool and funky place to see.  And I think Mike read something about it being torn down in the near future - so I'm glad we got to see it.  

And we just stumbled on this random (but turns out famous) shrine called Hanazono Shrine.  So that was a plus.  This is actually one of the most historical shrines in Japan - it was build in the mid-17th century and it dedicated to the god of fertility and worldly success.  And since it's right in downtown Shinjuku - it's a favorite place for businessmen to come and pray on their lunch break.  It was pretty happening when we were there.  People coming to quickly clap and pull the rope to ring the bell, clap again and they were on their way.     

Then we said good-bye to our friends and were off to Hachioji.   It was about an hour train ride and I would get to see my beloved Mie Shimai and meet her kids!!   I was really nervous though about communication.  My Japanese is terrible and she doesn't speak much English.  But when we got to Hachioji station - I called her and it was SO good to hear her voice!!  And she pulled up in her little car to pick us up and it was like no time had passed. She's so warm and immediately puts you at ease.
Mie is my best friend from my mission.  Miles Shimai and I taught her for 4 months when I lived in Kofu.  And then I transferred but she would still come and visit me on p-days.  And then she got baptized just before I left!!!   She visited me a couple times in America and a year after I got home, I got to come back and be her escort when she went through the temple.  I just love this girl with all my heart.

I finally met her 10 year old daughter Shiki!!  I was so impressed by this girl.  She was so mature and sweet and helpful.  I love her relationship with Mie.   It was so fun to see Mie as a MOM! 

And her 5 year old son Tasuku.   He was so funny - he just loved Joey.  I'd try to talk to him and he didn't have much interest in me but climbed right up on Joey's lap.  He would talk and talk to Joey even though Joey had no idea what he was saying - but that didn't seem to bother him.

And unbeknownst to me - Mie had invited Kyotani Shimai!!  Kyotani Shimai was the cutest little missionary friend ever.  We served with a lot of the same people but were never companions.  But it was so good to see her!

Kyotani Shimai (well now she's actually Akiko Sawada - married with FOUR kids!), Me, and Mie Shimai

We talked in Japanese for 2 hours straight!  My brain hurt so bad and my smile muscles ached.  Oh it was good times.  Joey was a good sport and just quietly ate his food and was very reverent. :)

Here's everybody - Kyotani Shimai and her 4 kids and Masaru (who had just gotten home from work) and Mie and their two kids. 

That night before we went to bed we got to do a real Japanese ofuro - a deep bathtub used for soaking to relax you before bed.  They use the hot water for multiple people so you use a shower to get clean before you get in.  The whole ofuro room is tiled and there is a drain in the middle between the bath and the shower.  We were thinking our kids would love that room because it's completely splash proof.  We soaked, relaxed and went up to bed.

As I was going upstairs - Mie asked me what time to wake up and how long I needed to get ready in the morning.  I said I needed 2 hours to do my makeup.  It takes me a while to look this good.  She and Masaru got a big kick out of that.  I love that she laughs at everything I say.  Even though it's totally rude to laugh at that joke.  :)
 

Went to bed very happy.