Japan: Tokyo- Samurai Museum!

Only a few blocks from our hotel, we happened across the Samurai Museum. For 1800yen (~$15), you get a pass that includes open access to the museum, a 60-minute guided tour in English, and a fighting demonstration. I was looking forward to this, and was excited, and am happy to say that the experience even exceeded my expectations. The armor and weaponry that they have on display is authentic, and some of it is upwards of 800 years old. Absolutely incredible and mind-blowing.

Interestingly enough, this started out as a guy's personal collection that got so large, that he felt it was ashamed to not to have the history shared with the public. I am glad that he had this sentiment!

Adam practicing

A samurai and his geisha

My samurai <3

Japan: Tokyo- Plastic Food Art and Zen Gardens

Japan is really interesting in its fanaticism with plastic food art. Adam even came across a class online about mastering the art of it, and it seems to be a popular industry here. Almost every restaurant has a display of plastic food, very realistic in appearance, outside of their main door trying to lure you in. It truly is a craft, just look at the examples (all the "food" below is plastic):

Now, feeling like professionals at navigating the Tokyo metro system, we set out for Meiji Jingu, a massive park and garden complex with a famous shrine in the middle. The park complex itself is free to explore, with little side gardens that you can pay a "maintenance fee" to explore. We opted for the fee option for the Iris Garden, as they are my second favorite flower and I love looking at them.

Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu

For the Iris Garden, I think that we were about a week too early, as there were SO MANY irises with buds but very few with actual blossoms.

Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu

Unfortunately, the main part of the primary shine was under renovation so there wasn't too much to see there, but the structure was still quite captivating to see.

Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu

Japan: Mt. Fuji

Much to Adam's chagrin, we were up and going at 0530, to catch the very first train leaving Tokyo for Mt. Fuji. Fortunately, the train left the station nearest to our hotel, so that worked out very much in our favor.

There are two options to view Mt. Fuji (short of catching a bus to the actual mountain), the town of Hakone or Lake Kawaguchiko. We opted for Kawaguchiko, as it was a lake resort town that the Japan Rail station representative stressed that I choose over Hakone, for better viewing and pictures. Hakone if more of a hot spring resort town, that is further away. I am thankful to this random lady, as she gave us EXACTLY what we were looking for.

The train ride out was beautiful, as we passed one quaint village after another.  I continued to be impressed by how agricultural this country seems to be, with every home seemingly having some sort of garden. We arrived to an almost empty station, via express train (drinking strong black coffee along the way), and started walking the town.

Mt. Fuji sighting from the train!

Mt. Fuji sighting from the train!

The place had some of the largest and most beautiful irises that I have ever seen, and I loved them!

The best pictures of Mt. Fuji are from the center of the bridge that crossed over the middle of the lake.

After enjoying our view for a while, we further explored the lake-side town. 

My obsession with awesome manhole covers continues! Thank you Japan!

We were also excited to tour the Ide Sake Brewery, knowing that Adam would absolutely love the learning experience! This place has been run for centuries by the same family, currently on its 21st generation of brewers!

 Fortunately, we were the first ones there at 1030. Unfortunately, they were only running one tour that day, at 1500. We did get the good fortune of a private sake tasting, from which we did walk away with a small bottle of Ume (plum sake)

Ide Sake Brewery

Ide Sake Brewery

Ide Sake Brewery: Adam had to duck to enter

Our artistic train

More views from the train

Hazards for the tall people!

Enjoying the journey and sharing some tunes <3