Saturday began with this breakfast for me
and Suzanne
and this sign in the elevator
which amused Suzanne
though this was the one I wanted (like us on facebook).
Masatoshi took us around the city this day and we began at a cruise ship location
where this photo was being taken
before we went to our boat location as Suzanne studied the schedule
and then posed with Masatoshi in front of the boat we wouldn't be taking
with this backdrop
and then we boarded our boat for Asakusa and observed this scenery along the way as we passed under many bridges
until we landed and saw this decoration on top of a brewery
and made our way past these possible desserts
towards the shrine at Asakusa
where crowds were gathering
as we approached the Kaminarimon Gate
with this large decoration
in front of which we posed
and proceeded
through the many street shops
past a variety of crackers
and a geisha sitting on a rooftop
towards the shrine
stopping to see these fruits which undoubtedly were the source of the vermilion for the temples and shrines we've seen
before I purchased a tweeting bird from this woman with Pikachu on it
though there were rules about what could be tried before buying.
The final shrine was the largest
and we posed in front of it
as the crowd was burning incense
and so Masatoshi gave instruction
and Suzanne lit her incense
sniffed it
added it to the flame
and inhaled the smoke
before we made our way to the core of the shrine
with pagoda on top
and golden interior
and remarkable painting on the ceiling
and many opportunities for fortunes.
We moved on to a less crowded neighborhood where I recorded this sign
as we crossed the outer moat that defined the city at one time
and now has railroad tracks below
at the Iidabashi station where we were also to have dinner
and we entered a noddle house
where tea and crackers were served
along with beer
and fish
as Masatoshi captured Suzanne and me
and I captured him
as my vegetarian (lotus) was served
along with edamame
and various condiments
that went with the noodles without
or with seaweed
and so this was the table at which we ate.
For the first time, I found collection signs in the bathroom
which are clearer here
along with the fresh flowers I'd come to expect.
Walking on through the shopping area, we came to the Dental location
and plants that yield the vermilion fruits
complete with the fruits
and then walked by a pachinko parlor
where there was lots of action
and went into this pastry shop where many options were offered
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and Suzanne chose this one.
We then went past a restaurant using real food for samples
and decided to beat the heat at a cafe with iced coffee
and espresso
green tea gelatto
and corn gelatto.
We paused at the shrine which was located where Meredith and Masutoshi's children had gone to kindergarten
and then stopped to visit Masutoshi's offices
where Suzanne played the visitor
and Masatoshi as the executive
posing in front of their sign and brick facade.
We walked down his street and Suzanne and I posed
before admiring these pieces of art and calling it a delightful afternoon. For some unknown reason, I forgot to take photos at our dinner that night with Masutoshi, Dave and Satsuki.
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