Fourth & Final Farewell Dinner

Monday was our Last full day in Japan, I stayed home and packed and Shota had to do some last minute shopping in Machida...

Later we enjoyed a home cooked meal of, Gyoza, Tofu, Calamari, Bok choy, a Cabbage salad, seafood soup and lot's of delicious Desserts! Sadly Kohei was unable to be there, he was caught up at Uni, but we did have another guest. Shota's old School friend Masaya, they have been friends for many years, he even visited Shota in New Zealand a few years ago.

After Dinner we enjoyed playing with some traditional Japanese toys, called Kendama, I am pretty hopeless, but Shota and Mei are quite good. 

Let the cooking begin...

Learning how to make Gyoza!

I love this video, it's so typical of a evening in the Suzaki Household, Chisa in the background putting away the dishes, Nobutaka has had a few drinks and Mei And Shota playing around. Ahhhh... I will really miss this family :(

Our very beautiful Card from the family xxx

Thanks to everyone who has actually been reading my blog, it's been great fun for me to write and I love sharing our adventures. I will probably add a couple more posts once back, as I am sure I have some pics that I would like to share.

Today, Valentines Day - Tuesday the 14th of Feb 2012, at 9:20pm we will depart from Narita airport and head back to Australia, but not before enjoying a last sushi meal for lunch! (I mean what else would we eat? lol). Nobutaka and Chisa are driving us to the airport, it's 2 & a half hours away, so it's very kind of them. I am sure there will be many tears (from me), but I know we will see them again :)

Japan is a wonderful Country and I feel so lucky to be part of such a great Japanese family.

love Jessica
xxx

Our Last Day out in Tokyo Town - & Shibuya at Night!!

Shota and I have now been to Asakusa three times, which is to Japanese people a lot. I know this because Chisa told all the family members last night when they were here and they were all surprised! Asakusa is in Tokyo and very touristy, hence why I like it. It is the perfect place to pick up gifts back to Australia... not that we have any room in our luggage to do so :(

Waiting in line, for the express train, for the last time :(

Anyway we spent a few hours enjoying the sunshine and enjoying the market stalls, we also had sushi for lunch, so we were both in good moods. Here are some of the pics Shota took from Asakusa;

My new favourite "peach" flavoured softdrink! It's amazing!! 

Then we went in Shibuya, which I have decided is my favourite part of Tokyo! It is mad! People everywhere, the busiest station, bright lights, large TV screens mounted on buildings and a Starbucks. The second highest earning Starbucks in the world, it overlooks the busiest crossing in Tokyo and only serves drinks in "Tall" size. I think that’s the biggest! We stopped for a coffee here, enjoying watching the crowds in the streets below. 

I then indulged in bit of a shop at FOREVER 21, my new favourite shop, with the help of my wonderful boyfriend who was very patient! Then Shota took some artistic shots of the crossing.

A small video of the craziness!!

Then after the "photo shoot" we met up with my friend Claire for a shop at H&M and Dinner and a drink... more sushi! :) 

It was a great day out in the city for us and I can't wait to hopefully bring my Sister back with us next time we visit! As she will definitely love Tokyo, drinking lychee alcoholic beverages and the occasional sushi dinner :p

Claire I will miss you heaps! It was so great to meet you and I hope our paths cross again in the future. Goodluck with your Japanese, you are already miles ahead of me, I'm sure by November you will be fluent!! Also all the best for the rest of your time here, I hope you find that perfect job and enjoy the rest of your time here in Japan.

xxx 

Washing time in Tokyo!

I have become obsessed with Japanese peoples washing… I think it’s because we do not use balconies the same way they use theirs. Which is to hang out their washing on, seriously, some small apartments also have their washing machine on their balconies too. Also many Japanese families still use Futons, Shota sleeps on one here every night, its normal to put your futon outside in the sun everyday.

Over the past few weeks I have been taking pictures of people’s houses and their washing, oh and car parks too. Land is so limited here, so people have tiny car parks and it amazes me how they actually fit their car into the parks….

Washing time in Tokyo;

Haircut time;

Carparks;

Drying Vegetables; (thats was cars and clotheslines are for)

Make sure you "Pick up your Doggy's Poo";

So I have been hanging onto these pictures for ages... as today is our last full day in Japan, I thought it was a time to post them.

xxx

PS Chisa is cooking us Gyoza for Dinner tonight... my second favourite food in Japan., so excited!! :)