xxxx

We went with Michi’s mom to Tachikawa station. I wasn’t feeling good on the way. I probably caught something from the plane, and it was getting to me now with a cough, so I wore a mask. We had lunch together, and I got a coffee from Good Sound.

Then we caught the train to Ome and went out to Mitake. We took the cable car up and made the short trek to where we were going to stay the night My cough was bugging me, and it was a long trip, but it was worth it.

We arrived at the shukubo Komadori Sanso which was opened in 1776. We met Akemi Baba, her son, daughter-in-law, and their newest two-month-old daughter, Yae-chan. When she is an adult she will be the 19th generation caretaker for the shukubo.

We spent the evening there and enjoyed the warblers and the quiet. We relaxed, drank tea, and had a wonderful vegan set meal before our bath. Our bath was cut short because I thought there was a huge spider, but it turned out to be a harmless beetle.

Daichan picked us up and took us to Jindai-ji where there was a beautiful temple and the Hakuhoh Buddha.

We walked around enjoying the sights, then went to the Kitaro Cafe. We got a bunch of little things, a bag, and mugs. Then we ate oyaki and mochi dango from some nearby vendors. It was so fresh.

He took us to the Jindai Botanical Garden, where we saw some of the most beautiful flowers. There was an unbelievable rose garden and orchid house, and the smell of the roses was strong and sweet.

Then we went to Kick Back Cafe, where we had a delicious salad, ramen, parfait, a guava mojito, and one of the best iced coffees ever.

Daichan surprised us with tickets to the Fujiko Fujio museum, and Michi was so happy. The museum was great, and the gift shop was fun. I got some Time Patrol Bon merch, a folder, and a cup. We had fun with the rooftop playground and going into Doraemon’s house and capsule.

We then drove through where Michi grew up in Fuchu and went to the temple her dad took her to for Matsuri.

We ate breakfast in the Shirokane hotel and got ready to go for a walk. We had a nice, quiet moment in the tiniest park in Shirokane.

She met with people from her uncle’s massive architecture firm to share a signed book about him with them.

I walked to Azabu and around the area, enjoying the little shops. I saw the Zojirushi headquarters. Buy a rice machine from them, you won’t regret it. I stopped into a Book Off and found some manga that interested me.

We met Daichan, and he took us to Ebisu, where we ate at SimplyBio, which was a delicious karaage plate.

We went to a stationery shop, and I got some great stamps and ink there. We were dropped off in Shibuya, and we went to some of Michi’s favorite vintage clothing spots. I got a great shirt from Desert Snow. The shop rep was wearing a Hōkūleʻa shirt, and we talked about it.

In Tokyu Hands there was a phenomenal cassette player collection on display. It felt like destiny.

We went to Disk Union, Fangamer, Nintendo, and Jump and worked our way down to see all the other shops in Parco and an Aokizy art gallery.

I fell in love with a fake embroidered Apple Watch that I didn’t but should have bought.

We made our way back to mom’s house as we were both tired and had some of our takeout karaage for evening snack.

We woke up at Shirokane and had a great breakfast. We went to Roppongi and got some goodies from 7-11, the hijiki tofu bar was so good.

We found Michi’s head massage school. Her class was going to be about four hours, so I went to Azabudai Hills. I saw some beautiful art and cool cafes. Then I walked to Tokyo Tower. I kept walking and ended up at Hibiya. I ate the loco moco at Mr. Farmer and walked back through a government area. I got coffee at %ARABICA in Azabudai Hills, and it was unreal good.

I met up with Michi at Verve, and she got a shiso kombucha. We went to Don Quijote and then got the bus to Shibuya to transfer to go see her grandma.

We went to Zoff then, and Daikichi picked us up for a surprise. The surprise was Mr. Farmer in Komazawa(!). This was hilarious because he had no idea we had already eaten there. I had it for lunch, too, but it was the original restaurant location, so we were excited. We ordered two plates and the tempeh cutlet burger, which was unreal good. Then we got desserts, and the fruit tart was the best. Cheesecake was great, too.

We went to Hibiya. We ate at Mr. Farmer. We got loco moco, uji matcha tiramisu, and a burger. Everything was ridiculously good. Then we walked to the Hibiya Park music festival. We saw EYRIE, fox capture plan, and Rie Ideta (I loved “キツツキ").

We also saw a nest of murder hornets. Michi warned the festival organizers and the people sitting there and they put cones up. She was so surprised because she had never seen them, but there were 5 or 6. They were carrying what looked like berries but may have been insect heads.

We toured the festival and saw Korg, Roland, Casio, and Suzuki booths. It was super cool seeing everyone playing a variety of musical instruments.

Then we went to Hibiya mall and got delicious coffee and hungout on the roof garden. I got a cool OHTA pencil and mugi cha from Today’s Special.

We headed to Shirokane where we met her brother, Daichan. We got fresh-squeezed juice and so much good food from Queen Iseten.

Any recommendations on a digital photo album?

I have never owned one, but I would like one that I can just stick a memory card in, not one that needs an app.

You can change the protocol, or you can change the world.

Whales are Now Legal Persons:

Whales now have inherent rights, such as freedom of movement, the right to a healthy environment, and the right to thrive alongside humanity. With this treaty, the giant of the seas will be protected in South Pacific waters by legislation and its habitat secured.

“He Whakaputanga Moana is not merely words on paper. It’s a Hinemoana Halo, a woven cloak of protection for our taonga – our treasures – the magnificent whales,” King Tūheitia said.

Brilliant!

Found this in an old journal:

We need invisible things. Air. Love. If an alien were to capture us we couldn’t even draw on paper what it is that we need. Patience. Understanding. Stability. Peace. These are our actual needs. We need free things.

No source written, and I’m pretty sure it’s not my original thought, but I love it.

Who could have guessed that some Norwegians would make some of the finest midwest emo I have ever heard?

After the first few notes, I had to listen all the way through on their bandcamp and just ordered the cassettes.