Tokyo, Japan: Tsukiji Fish Market and the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
<span class="bigPic"> <img src="http://img.fridgg.com/540we_18640000_75___farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4587813779_a326bf3b58_b.jpg" alt="Me in the hotel hall before Tsukiji Fish Market"/> </span> Our fifth day in Japan was one of the longest, and also by far one of my absolute favorite days there. You'll see why in a moment... :D We got up early, and headed out to the Tsukiji Fish Market. <span class="bigPic"> <img src="http://img.fridgg.com/540we_18640000_75___farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4587817041_a7d8dce7f0_b.jpg" alt="Stalls at Tsukiji"/> </span>
Tokyo, Japan: Yoshinoya, Ginza, Tokyo Imperial Palace, and CoCo Curry
<span class="bigPic"> <img src="http://img.fridgg.com/540we_18640000_75___farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4586184546_b9c51d4e50_b.jpg" alt="Brian, Francis, and Dave in Yoshinoya"/> </span> On our fourth day in Japan, we started the day by walking to the other side of Shinagawa station to try Yoshinoya for breakfast. <span class="bigPic"> <img src="http://img.fridgg.com/540we_18640000_75___farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4586185376_e8dd0007ae_b.jpg" alt="Ginger container in Yoshinoya"/> </span>
Kyoto, Japan: Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market
<span class="bigPic"> <img src="http://img.fridgg.com/540we_18640000_75___farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/4576272201_2c1652a61b_b.jpg" alt="Shinkensen"/> </span> Our third day in Japan, we decided to get out of Tokyo for a day, and head down to Kyoto. Which meant getting up <em>early</em> (which is really that much worse when you have jet lag and are exhausted from so much walking!) and catching the first Shinkensen (bullet train) to Kyoto. Luckily it left from Shinagawa Station (the station right next to our hotel) and we already reserved
Tokyo, Japan: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Yoyogi Park, and Kaiten Sushi
<span class="bigPic"> <img src="http://img.fridgg.com/540we_18640000_75___farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4570653742_18f398661f_b.jpg" alt="Yamanote Line"/> </span> By the second day of our trip, this was quickly becoming a very common, and very welcome sight. You can get darn near anywhere in Tokyo, and even to quite a few other places in Japan, by using their very extensive public transportation system. <span class="bigPic"> <img src="http://img.fridgg.com/540we_18640000_75___farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/4570655470_0dc1f8c331_b.jpg" alt="Train station"/> </span> The trains, I love them. Oh, how I wish we had a transportation system like this in Los Angeles! How
Tokyo, Japan: Ueno Park, Akihabara… oh, and a giveaway!
<span class="bigPic"> <img src="http://img.fridgg.com/540we_18640000_75___farm3.static.flickr.com/2275/4514556559_37550c4894_b.jpg" alt="Cherry blossoms"/> <small>Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/franksvalli">David Calhoun</a></small> </span> I've never been much of a traveler. (Though you wouldn't know it from my itinerary for this year.) Up until a couple of years ago, I had only been to a few states aside from California, and never been off the mainland. And <em>certainly</em> never to another country. However, I've always wanted to go to Japan. I just never thought I'd get