SHIBUYA!!!!!!!!!!

"Shibuya" is the name of one of the many downtowns of Tokyo and it is also an exclamation (Shi-boooooo-ya!!!")that was invented by Dan, Mike and I to describe the undescribable sights, sounds and tastes that have been the hallmark of this past week. From the largest fish market in the world to the sulfur-spewing mountains where Japan's shogun warlords once vacationed, we have covered a lot of ground and consumed many an Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, Yebisu and....of course NOBU KUREEKU!!!

Dan and Mike surprised me with their fearless sampling of raw chicken sashimi, chicken skin with shiso leaf, boiled octopus, salty breakfast fish, cold fish cake, and many more exotic and texturally disconcerting foods. They have also impressed me with their interest in the customs and etiquette of this strange land I currently call home.

Here are some of the highlights from the extremely busy seven days:

Raw chicken gizzard (center) ringed by raw chicken breast.
(click the picture to enlarge and see the freshness of the meat!)


Dan uninhibitedly trying the raw chicken breast


Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo


Out at a Restaurant in Shinjuku


The "Romance Car" observation deck we sat in on our train ride to Hakone


Three samurai ready for a soak in the sulfur spring bath


Our feast at the hotel


Relaxing after our Ryokan feast


Mike, Dan and I became very close during their stay here in Japan.


After a walk, outside our ryokan in gora.


Mike at Hakone Shrine


Sacred Tree at Hakone Shrine (another sacred tree is pictured up at the top of the page)


One of the guardian lions at Hakone Shrine