The alarm went off at 7.00 this morning.  I had a shower and a small nibble that we had bought last night, and worked until 8.  We then had a walk to the fish market in Sapporo.  It was about 20 minutes so by the time we got there we were all getting pretty hungry.  We found a little restaurant to eat in, where we all had a selection of mini don buri’s.  Afterwards we were allowed to take a photo holding their (fake) giant crab.  Lots of the restaurants had crab here, so it seemed quite common.

We walked back to the hotel, stopping to have a quick look at the Jim Beam festival that was set up.  It didn’t open until 10.00 though.  We went to our room and I did more work, we finished our packing, and checked out about 10.15.  We walked to the station, and got on the next train for the airport.

Checking in was easy!  We were even allowed to select exit row seats, at no extra charge!  Plus they were the only seats on the plane that had 2 next to each other.  We also went to level 4 where there was a “VR” show (although it wasn’t really VR) – we had been given tickets back at the food festival in Sapporo.  I’m glad we didn’t pay the 500 yen for it, but at the end we were (each) given a voucher for 500 yen off any purchase at a particular store in the airport!  So we went there and bought a few things, with a very nice saving.

We purchased a bento box each for lunch on the plane, and then rushed to the gate.  We had gotten to the airport nice and early, but how time flew!  Once on board we ate our lunch and then I slept for most of the flight to Haneda.  The Shinkansen was more fun than flying, but flying was a lot quicker!  We landed about 3.15 – so just a 2 hour flight.

We caught the train to Shinagawa and checked back in to Shinagawa Prince.  Our room was very disappointing.  Lower floor, noticably smaller, less seats…Our last room must have been a special as we were staying for 5 days.  This time it is only 3 days.  Michael and Kaoru got washing organised, and then everybody came to our room to chat and drink while the washing was going (I was working).  As soon as it came out of the dryer we rushed off to Ebisu station, to meet up with Gary and Rikuko for dinner.

We arrived just after 7.  The restaurant was a very authentic place.  We were in a “shoes off” area, on the floor, and for the first time, there wasn’t an area under the table so you could sit normally.  So it was quite uncomfortable but enjoyable.  Kaoru and Rikuko sat on their knees the whole time – it was amazing to see.  We drank sake, wine and beer, and the girls ordered some fantastic food for us all.

After dinner Gary had to meet a friend of his, as his daughter was in town and he wanted to say hello.  So we all got in a couple of taxis and ended up having to go through a secret door to get in to the bar!  It had only recently opened.  Inside I saw a familiar face – Neil, who I met to discuss Inflatable World with last time I was here.  So that was a surprise.  We stayed for a few drinks, but not too long as it wasn’t really what we were after.  Leila and Kaoru went back to the hotel, but Michael, Gary, Rikuko and I decided to go out for a few more drinks.  So we went to the gaigin bar Gary took me to when I was here in June, where we had a couple of drinks.  Then we went home.