I got up at 7.30 this morning. Not long after, Kenichi and Yukari came down, so we were all up, except for Minami who had left before 7.00. I had breakfast and did my usual email tidy-up. Kaoru left about 9.00, so it was just Kenichi and I for the day. I spent morning doing various activities on the computer, and generally staying cool since it has been so hot outside.
Kenichi made us Udon for lunch. It is one of the regular meals he makes when working from home. So we enjoyed that together and talked for a bit. Once I had eaten, it was time to start my day. So I left the house at 1.00 and headed for the station. From there I caught the train in to Shinjuku station. The train came in Tokyo Metro, and not JR, so I was in an unfamiliar part of the station. Not that you can ever be familiar with Shinjuku! It’s so busy! But I eventually managed to find my way out, and to a familiar area. After going outside I was surprised to see a cannabis dispensary – I didn’t know they had those in Japan!
I wandered around Shinjuku for a while, and went to a Starbucks for an iced macha latte. I send Kaoru a message as we had planned to meet at Don Quijote. I had one in my mind (the one on the start of “Midnight Diner”, but while walking I found 2 others, both of which we have been past previously, so wanted to make sure we were talking of the same one. She was actually already in Shinjuku, after her lunch with Akemi (a friend she made in Australia, who moved back to Japan), so I made my way to where she was.
Next we went to the main area of Shinjuku, to go past the Godzilla – just because we could, and it was too early to go to dinner. We also stopped to see the 3D cat, but that was a waste of time. Whilst it’s cute, there’s lots of ads that play, before a very short clip of the cat. Then we went back to the station, and caught the train to Tokyo station. I wanted to buy a couple of Japanese craft beers for Kenichi to try, as he hasn’t experienced any here. We also went to Zoff to see if our glasses were ready, and luckily they were! So we tried them on (perfect fits all round) and were happy to tick that off the list. We also went to Daiso and bought a “single cup rice cooker” – it’s basically a mug that can go in the microwave for rice. We thought it might be useful for me when I want rice. We also went in to “Loft” (as well as a couple of other places) to get a glasses case for me. Zoff gave us a case, but it’s a pretty crappy one, and too big so the glasses shake around when I walk if it’s in my pocket.
Then we continued our walk to Ginza, and found the Kushiage restaurant Mikiko had booked for us. Tonight we were catching up with Mikiko and Yoshi, and also Mikiko invited Ochi-san along! We haven’t seen Ochi for over 10 years. He is now married, and has a 3 year old son. Interestingly Yoshi hasn’t met Ochi before. We had a great time, and had a range of deep fried foods. We were on a “we will keep bringing you food until you ask us to stop” deal, at which point they will work out a cost.
It was great talking to Ochi again. We found out about his wife and son. And we talked about some of the old days of catching up – including the time that he ended up in hospital after a night out drinking with me.
After dinner, we walked to the station. Mikiko and Yoshi took Ochi to the train, and Kaoru and I went to IBrew. We had walked past it on the way, I thought it worth checking out on our way home. 47 taps! I found a beer which looked interesting and ordered it, and Kaoru ordered a “craft moscow mule”. Unfortunately the beer I wanted had ran out, so they brought me something else. But it wasn’t a Japanese beer, so I sent it back and ordered another one. It wasn’t as good as what I was hoping to order.
After a beer, we walked back to Ginza station, and started the journey home. It took a few trains, and a walk from the station, but we got back about 10.30. It had cooled down beautifully. Kozue was in bed, and everybody else was still out. So we had a bath and called it a day.
