Japan

The Hilton and Skydome where the Skyhawks play

Flying from the States to Japan was a comfortable flight but a long one. I flew on Japan Airlines from New York to Tokyo. When it was time to eat, they showed pictures of the meals so you can choose. They served tea from large pitchers and the green tea was something I didn't expect. It was a light, translucent green, like murky sea water. One of the sides was a piece of raw fish on a bed of lettuce. I opted for something I knew, a chicken dish with rice. Dessert was an individual tub of Haagen Dazs ice cream.

Tokyo immigration was efficient and friendly. I had to collect my luggage and recheck it for Fukuoka but fortunately for me, the flight from Tokyo to Fukuoka was empty. Since my row was empty, I leaned over for just a second to rest my eyes and I was out. Being in transit for 34 hours does that to you. I woke to find a pillow sitting next to my head, but my head never found it.

The head of the school picked me up at the airport and took me to the hotel. My 11th floor view gave a good panoramic of the neighborhood. We were on the outskirts of the city. Notice the mountains in the background. 

These are women's public toilets. Not all are like this, but many.

The bathrooms are interesting. The console attached to the toilets can set the seat to be heated, and to wash you. The water going into the toilet goes through a pipe at the top. It makes a basin where you can wash your hands. 

Ordering in the food court was easy with the vending ticket. 

Lunch

At some of the places, you put money in and purchase a ticket. You give the ticket to the person at the counter.  That helps if you don't speak Japanese. Of course, you aren't totally sure what you are buying form the machine, but it has worked out so far.

Many restaurants show wax replicas of the dishes they serve.

The wax replicas are made by a factory in Fukuoka. My class and I are going to see the factory for a field trip.

Most of the city looks like any other city unless you look closely. This is a Japanese style house in my neighborhood.

My neighborhood

View of the road running in front of the school and the ocean inlet from the roof. 

Another view from the school roof. I live on the peninsula straight ahead.

Part of my neighborhood shopping area.

The Japanese are seafood people. The kids eat seaweed snacks and rice balls filled with fish at school. These are the typical things you will see in the grocery stores.

   

Creme filled pastries