Day 103: Tokyo - start of our short Japan trip

After one stop-over in Kuala Lumpur (to pick up the suit/dress for Hide's wedding) and one stop-over in Singapore (to pick up the apartment key from Choy Fun), we finally arrived in Tokyo. The weather was dry and cool – quite different from the humid tropial climate Katy and I have got used to the last two months. It was very good to see Hide, who picked us up from the airport in his new Mercedes E class. Always in style – Hide style. :)

Hide and me at a gas station (or "air pump" as I call it - gas pumps are in the roof)

At dinner time, we finally met the bride-to-be, Noko, in person. Very nice lady. We were so happy for them both. As a welcome dinner, Hide treated us to a nice unagi (eel) restaurant that was founded more than one century ago. Delicious indeed. It was also Noko's last day at work. So double happiness.

meet the groom and bride

I still had the beard

As a ritual, a visit to Tokyo must include of a sushi breakfast at Tsukiji fish market. The last time I was at Tsukiji was with Hide two years ago, and we waited for three hours at Daiwa Sushi. And we did not even a seat at the end (a long story for another blog). So at 6am, we grudgingly got up to turn off the alarm. An hour later, we were at Tsukiji market. We waited about 20 minutes for a seat. My God, the wait was well worth it. The sushi was so fresh that the toro (tuna belly) just melts in the mouth and we could still taste the sea in the uni (sea urchin).

scenes from Tsukiji market

sushi chefs hard at work at Daiwa Sushi

The next day we boarded a bullet train with Hide to Kyoto, where we planned to spend a few days visiting the temples and shrines.

Katy posing in front of the huge slipper at Sensoji temple in Asakusa

our delicious bento box on the train to Kyotocheck out Hide's sandwich - he was on diet due to the upcoming wedding