A biz trip turned into a family trip turned into Xmas and New Years in Japan. After some chaotic travel (my connected flight via Frankfurt was cancelled, rescheduled, delayed), I did make my flight to Tokyo.
Of course food is always a core part of the experience, and shortly after arriving we were off to a “catch your dinner” restaurant with our friends Mark and Debbie. Kai nailed the first catch (a red snapper, which we had sashimi and grilled), while Teo caught some eel, shrimp and other fish. The rest of us enjoyed the catch, and enjoyed some tasty Japanese beers.
The next day, the boys and I went to visit my college classmate Wes Heiser (whom is now back to Japan after many trips around the world and a long stint in Singapore) who had moved outside to Tokyo to Fujino (halfway to Mt. Fuji). It was a different kind of living from Tokyo (where six of us were sharing a < 30sqm studio) — wood burning fires (powered by wood — see Kai with the axe), gardens and mushroom farms, plus some friendly cats. We managed to attend two mochi festivals on the 2 days, plus a relaxing onsen (hot spring bath) by the river. All-in-all, was great to catch up with Wes and the family, have some alternative to city life for a bit, plus a chance for papa to catch up with the boys he hasn’t seen for a few weeks.
Over the next days we celebrated Xmas, had a reunion with Japanese friends from New York City 25 years ago, went to play giant Pokemon video games (2x), went on a few bakery runs (I really loved Transparente in NakaMeguro), and had all-you-can-eat dim sum with Mark and Debbie. Oh, and did I mention an epic date night/birthday dinner at the Conrad hotel from Chika.
It also seems to be a recurring pattern to run into friends from around the world in Japan. We had a great time catching up with Remy and Mariko and kids. Perhaps a bit too much fun after Remy and I went out too late to shabu shabu, jazz clubs and bars where someone missed their train, came back with me to the flat at 3am, accidentally switched on the light, and you kind of get the picture (but we did discover a late night food markethall which is now once of my favorite places in Tokyo).
I could be happy with my family anywhere in the world for the holidays, but this was an extra special treat.
