This past weekend was definately the best one I've had yet. On Saturday I went to Yokohama which is the second largest city in Japan but only a short train ride from Tokyo. From my place in Funabashi, it is on the other side of the bay, but about an hour and a bit on the train. So Reeshma and I decided to go check this place out and we definately weren't disappointed. The city is supermodern and the architecture is stunning. Sitting on Tokyo bay its is Japan's busiest port, but from Minami-Nori 21 (Pier 21?) its just picturesque. The open spaces and seabreeze was a pleasant respite from Tokyo and where there wasn't room for grass, they put in on the rooves of buildings like a penthouse park... We just wandered around taking in the sights with the ultimate goal of Yokohama's famous Chinatown. On the way we stopped at the base of Landmark Tower (tallest building in country) and watched an American street-performer. With all honesty I can say that it was probably the most entertaining street show I have seen. Despite having no idea what he was saying cause his Japanese was impeccable, I laughed and clapped with the rest of the audience. And at the end the children and adults rushed toward him to fill his hat with money.
Then we continued to walk and chat down the shore until we reached Chinatown where we tried the ever-popular Chinese dumplings and some sort of Seasame ball with chestnut in it. We examined fine Chinese clothing and bought some massage finger things from a woman who simply grabbed my hand and started to massage it followed by shoulders, arms, back, etc. So after that I felt compelled to buy something from her. We also checked out a Chinese shrine. While there we were instructed on how to pray and to whom of course we were praying to. It was my first time actually in a shrine so it was pretty neat.
Then it was a long ride to Gyotoku, made worse by some train exchange mistakes by yours truly, where it was time for a Halloween meal. Funny thing is, raw, whole squids and octopus tenticles are exactly what one might expect to eat on Halloween, but here it was simply part of the normal menu.
posted by M. Sullivan @ 10:44 PM
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