Meiji Shrine

Learning the subway system

Marilyn

Every town has a wax museum and when we walking by the one in Tokyo, Marilyn was sitting out front.

I had to snap a photo because Bob took a similar picture a few months back - like father like daughter.

A Visit From the Tooth Fairy

Ingrid lost her first tooth two weeks shy of her 7th birthday and the second wiggled out over the Pacific Ocean. I read online, so take this fact for what it is worth, that in Japan traditionally a lost bottom baby tooth is thrown onto the roof so that the adult tooth grows strongly upward. A lost top baby tooth is placed under the floor boards so that the adult tooth grows downward straight and strong.
Being in an Airbnb on the 10th floor of a Tokyo tower we settled for the good old fashioned tooth fairy. She paid in currency. The next morning, Ingrid's tooth fairy money went to buy miniature glass dumplings.

Retro Arcade

Octo Balls

To keep our young travelers awake on our first afternoon in Japan we bought them "Mac's First Coke." We found an arcade across the road from our Airbnb, the food specialty at this stall was Fried Octopus Balls so the kids washed them down with a Coke. 

Imperial Palace Garden

Tsukjii Fish Market

A 3am wake up has never felt so good. We started our day before the sun and headed to the famed Tsukjii Fish Market. Our taxi dropped us off at a small alley. In the morning darkness the shops and stalls were setting up there outdoor eateries and merchandise as we walked toward the the market.

By 6am we had squeezed our kids into a narrow restaurant. The ten stools were all occupied when we first walked up to the place. When two of the locals stood up Ingrid and Mac took their places. That is when we heard another customer stand up and declare something in Japanese to the group, they all laughed. No doubt the joke was at our expense and rightfully so. Our awkward ways were worth it because Ingrid and Mac ate the "best noodle breakfast ever."

Fast Friends and Old Friends

It is so cool to have the opportunity to take Ingrid and Mac, age 7, to Japan with Cheryl. She and I met when we were 7 years old and have a lifetime of shared memories. For me, having only brothers, she is my sister. Along with Cheryl our other long time schoolmate is our friend Amy. Who was also a good friend at age 7.  Amy lives here in Tokyo with her husband Washio and their two boys.

At Narita Airport we were met by Amy and her 15 month old Ugee. It was wonderful to see them and thankfully they escorted us to our airbnb in Odiaba, Tokyo.

Off to Japan

After a bit of planning Cheryl and I put three of our kids, Ingrid, Barr and Malcolm, on an airplane and set out for Japan. This trip has been in the works for over a year but it snuck up on us all the same. Cheryl had the brilliant idea of spending quality time with our kids while exploring the world.

Now after three days in Tokyo the kids feel like locals. They have rubbed shoulders with all of Tokyo in the subways, walked miles on their tired legs, eaten the "Best rice ever!" and we have just begun.