Day 1 Travel to Japan

Day 1 is a travel day.  No complaining.  Just very grateful to be going to Japan with my family and The Pearls.  Everyone I have spoken to about Japan says it's amazing.  We are traveling LAX to Tokyo on American Airlines.  We got to the airport early so Reid could spend some time in the Kids Room before we got on the plane. 

 This is Reid not in the Kids Room...

It's kind of weird going to a Pre -Prom party as a parent.  My parents never went to my Pre-Prom.  We didn't even have a Pre-Prom.  And what the "f" are Promposals?  I dialed my prom date on the phone and said, "Hi.  I'm Jeff.  You probably don't know me, but I sit across from you in Ceramics.  Do you want to go to the prom?  If not, do you have the number of the girl that sits next to you?"

I'm really looking forward to the food in Japan.  I think everyone is.

The plane ride is 11 hours.  No complaining.  The guy next to Max had bad gas.  No complaining.

The girl next to me had snacks and slippers. Thank you.

 Tokyo is hosting the 2020 Olympics, just in case you are interested. 

I often wonder if I started training today, what Olympic sport could I compete in.  I think I can compete at curling.  I'm good with a broom at home.  

Or the ribbon gymnastic sport where they dance and twirl ribbons.  In preparation for the trip, I've also been working on my origami.  I'm getting pretty good at it.  Maybe they will add Origami as an Olympic sport.

I couldn't sleep on the plane.  No complaining.  Brad had to work and is joining us on Wednesday.  So, Amy went out searching for a dinner date. 

My initial thoughts about Tokyo after only being here a couple hours is that it is clean, people are really nice, I am bowing more than usual, and it feels a little like SF and NY. 

Everyone was getting a little hungry after we checked in, and I finished my first origami project.  "Ori" meaning folding and "Gami" meaning paper.  So we ventured to look for a traditional Japanese restaurant.

Although tempting, being the 1st Wendy's kitchen, we opted for Sushi.  The hotel recommended Itamae Sushi.  Pronounced It-a-mae.  One of my goals is to really understand what the sushi chefs say when you walk into a restaurant.  It sounded like, "Heymofo".  But I'm not 100% sure.  

Normally, I shy away from food pics.  But my first sushi meal in Japan?  How could I resist.  It was really great and everyone (except Brad), loved it.

Tuna, Scallops, Salmon and Red Snapper Nigiri

Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls

Brad, Where Are You?

Brad, The Bill is Here

I forgot to mention, we all loved the tradition of taking off your shoes at dinner.  The Japanese have some great traditions.  We all headed back to the hotel and put on our kimono's for bed.

It's really exciting to be here and I love the Japanese vibe already.  Thank you Evan for agreeing to take blog pics during our trip.  Evan is masterful with the phone cam.  I take no credit.

Namaste Mofo's