Kaoru finished the washing in the middle of the night. We then woke up a bit before 8.00, and had breakfast. We didn’t have any plans for starting the day, so after a shower, we went to Shinagawa for a cuppa. We ended up at Tulley’s, where I had an iced ginger. At 10.30 we walked back to the station and said goodbye, as Kaoru was off to visit her friends for lunch. I went back to the room, and had a bit of a rest, before heading back to Shinagawa station. I met up with Mai at 12.00. We recognized each other immediately.

Our first destination was a meat show in Shinagawa. Kaoru and I had noticed it when we were out at our cuppa this morning. So we walked around it, but were too busy talking to really look at anything. So about half an hour later we were back at the station, and went in for “Stand Up Sushi”. We had to wait about 10 minutes to get in, but eventually it was our turn, so we took a stand and got in to it. We ordered one by one, but saw somebody order 8 or 9 all at once. Maybe that’s the better way to do it. But then the rest in between each helps justify a longer time there.

After sushi we caught the train to Ropongi, and walked to our planned destination – Teamlabs Borderless. Mai had already booked tickets, which was lucky as Mum and Dad missed out when they were in Japan 3 months ago, and we have spoken to a few other people who have said it was hard for them too. We had a 3.00 entrance which was a good time, so we found out. Too many photos to upload from here. It was quite an experience, but impossible to describe. Lots of rooms with different visual light shows.

Once we had finished, we went to a tap room I had seen on our way. Mai had never been to a tap room, so I was obliged to introduce her to one. Their tasting paddle was for set beers, which was a shame as I didn’t like the looks of them, so I picked a beer for myself and one for Mai. Both were quite nice, although Mai preferred my higher IBU one which was interesting. The place was interesting – being in Ropongi it was tailored to non-Japanese people, so seemed to be owned and operated by Americans.

We then made our way to Tsukishima, where we met up with Kaoru at the station. We went to Monjayaki (or Monja) for dinner, which is something Mai has only had once or twice before (because where she comes from they have Okonomiyaki, so not Monjayaki). Tsukishima has a street that is famous for Monja, so we walked down there and found a place to eat. After about 10 minutes, Mai’s cousin joined us – Mai is staying with her cousin tonight so we invited her to come out for dinner. Her English is very good so it was easy to have a conversation.

After dinner we felt like one more drink, so we caught the train to Yurakucho – Mai’s cousin (Rika) had booked a table for us at a bar so we went in there for a cocktail. It was a very posh place. I had a dark rum chocolate drink, which I think was just dark rum on ice, with a thin slice of chocolate on top. It was quite nice.

We then said goodbye – Mai and Rika were able to walk back to Rika’s house, and Kaoru and I caught the train home. We went to a convenience store on the way (in Yurakucho) but it was so small and didn’t have any sake!!!! So we caught the train back to Shinagawa, and instead of going in to the 7-11, we just went to the New Days in the station. Their sake selection wasn’t as good, but we found dessert to keep us happy.

That’s right – I ended up with cup sake. But my cake was nice.