Hakone Torii

Hakone Shrine

Victory on Lake Ashi

Mt. Fuji

Hakone was my request because I really wanted to see Mt Fuji.
Good thing we brought baby Barr on our voyage because if he didn't wake up painfully early I would have missed it all together.

Hakone

Hot Springs-

Our Dojo-

Leaving Tokyo...

...wasn't easy.

As San Francisco Giant's fans we had work to do tracking down Yomiuri Giant's gear in Tokyo. One of our problems was that we left it to the final morning in Tokyo and another one of the problems was that you can't freely buy Giant's stuff around town. But as you can see from the photo we did find the stadium, the store, the merchandise. We also dragged our (my) huge bags across Tokyo, up flights of stairs, in and out of taxi cabs and missed our ticketed train.

But the kids looked great getting on a the next Hakone bound train. Go Giants.

Inokashira Park

Ghibli Museum

We first visited Ghibli Museum when Ingrid had just turned two. She had already been introduced to My Neighbor Totoro. So when I watched, along with Amy and Bob, the delight on her face when she played on the life-sized Cat Bus at Ghibli I was struck by the thought that we were witnessing a child's happiest moment come to life.
As excited as I was taking Ingrid back to Ghibli sequels are difficult to do right. That said, the museum was just as magical for me. I love the memories of our past visit and I love that we were able to have Mac, Takashi, Ugee and baby Barr with us this time.

Amy's Neighborhood

On our final evening in Tokyo we spent time at Inokashira Park near Amy's house. The kids were able to walk around and people watch. Then we dropped the young boys with Washio and went to dinner. It was Saturday night and the neighborhood was hopping with activity.

Ingrid has graduated with her chopstick skills, now she can eat octopus.

I met the Curry Man.