I was up before 6.00 local time. It was Kaoru’s birthday and I wanted to wish her Happy Birthday before she went downstairs. She was still fast asleep though, but not for long. She went downstairs, and I came down about 15 minutes later.

Kozue made us some breakfast – a beautiful Japanese breakfast to start my first day. We talked for a while, and then it was time to start the day. We left the house about 8.40, and went to the Toho studio, which was about a 5 minute walk away, to catch up with an old mate…

We hadn’t seen this statue before so that was pretty cool. We then walked back to the station and caught the train to Tokyo and got to Zoff about 2 minutes before it opened. I had an eye test, and it was good to hear my eyes hadn’t changed much in the last 6 months. I then picked another pair of glasses to be made up, as I’m currently using my old ones when I leave the house (if I remember them), and they’re a weaker prescription. So after picking a frame, we were told they would be ready in a week. Kaoru had gone there yesterday and had her eyes tested and bought a couple of pairs herself.

We left there about 10.35 and were off to the Shinkansen station. We stopped to get a bento box on the way (yakitori, sushi (of course) and beef), and then went to the platform, with an “only in Tokyo” experience on the way…

There we met Mio and her friend Tomoko (who I have met on previous trips), and we caught the train to Nasu, enjoying our lunch on the way. Tomoko hired a car from Nasu and the 4 of us drove to Okaasan / Ottosan’s house. The garden was beautiful as always, but especially now in Spring, and they were happy to have us all there.

I had a bit of a snooze, and we chatted for a while, and then went to dinner just before 5. We went to an Italian restaurant which saved anybody cooking / cleaning. I drove Kaoru, Okaasan and Ottosan, and Mio and Tomoko went in the hire car. I enjoyed a alcohol free beer with dinner.

After eating we said goodbye to Mio and Tomoko – they were staying at a hotel in Nasu for the night, and then going home tomorrow, and I drove us back to the house.

Okaasan gave me a present – some sake! 2 local bottles, in a beautiful bag. I had the first bath, and then was allowed to enjoy a beer (I’m not allowed to drink before my bath – Okaasan’s rule), before calling it a night.