My adventures in Japan, 2019

July 29th-August 3rd

It was OK.

I finally took the time to visit the pond that my bus passes every day on the way to work:

Stop taunting me with your logo! You’re not In-n-Out!

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August 4th-10th

I did a bit of traveling this week. I visited a friend in Tokyo, one in Saitama, one in Yokohama, and one in Nara. I even met some new friends in Osaka.

I stayed at a dormitory inn in Akatsuka. It’s very cozy.

Strangely, this dorm doesn’t have any cubicles. The beds were out in the open. Needless to say, it took me until after midnight to fall asleep.

This girl liked to sit on the bed and lounge like a cat, or a mermaid on a rock.

On the first day I visited my friend Jeongmi at her restaurant, Aina Cafe.

I went to Komiya Park afterward.

Tokyo has the best parks!

I returned to Aina Cafe afterward.

Next I went to Akihabara to eat at Carl’s Jr.

Akihabara was crawling with foreigners! It’s a strange sight to me because to my knowledge I have yet to see a single foreign tourist in Kitakyushu, but in Tokyo they’re everywhere!

Next stop: Asakusa.

Day 2: Saitama. Specifically, Ooyama Station. I went here to visit my friend Juri.

After this I ate at Queen Sheba, an Ethiopian restaurant. The food wasn’t as good here as it is in Las Vegas, but I suppose that’s to be expected.

Day 3: Yokohama to see my friend Aiko.

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I had about a third of an inch of clearance.

After Sea Paradise, Aiko took me to Costco because I miss American food and ambiance.

I ordered a hot dog, a pizza slice, and a bolgogi bake. It was wonderful.

Day 4: to Nara.

The airport was packed! Fortunately the check-in counter had a special line for passengers whose flight was scheduled to take off within thirty minutes. That saved my butt, let me tell you.

Nara!

After dinner, Kaoru took me to Nara Hotel.

Nara Hotel was amazing. The place was swimming in immanent history. It honestly gave me goosebumps.

Next stop, Nara Park. There was a festival that night.

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These pictures were taken by my friend Kaoru.

She’s a good photographer, yes?

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My hotel had such proper pajamas!

Day 4: Kyoto and Osaka.

I went to Kiyomizudera after taking a wrong turn, like, three or four times. I felt really stupid. But I made it in the end! Also, when I was on the bus I wanted to strangle someone. The announcer kept calling it “Kiyomizudera Temple.” “Dera” means “Temple.” It’s just Kiyomizudera, not Kiyomizudera Dera. If you’re going to call it that, why not just call it “Kiyomizuderaderadera Dera Templetemple?”