Day Fourteen

May 14th

This morning we left Tetsuya & Hiroko's in the Gunma Prefecture (a Prefecture is kind of like a county) to head back to the Tokyo area. But before we left in the morning we were treated to a wonderful breakfast, a harpsichord performance by Hiroko, and the beauty of their home inside and out. We also enjoyed some time in the Word as we read from Our Daily Bread. We were challenged by Christ's words in Matthew 23:1-12 to make sure that we are people of inner substance and not just outward appearance. We were also challenged to have an attitude of humility and to serve others as Christ did.

We took the Shinkansen ("bullet train") into Tokyo. Hiroko joined us since she wanted to meet Keiko along with us. Both Hiroko and mom knew Keiko from the same church in Shizuoka. Keiko is a dear lady in her mid-80's and is very active and rides her bicycle yet. In fact, she was recently bitten on her leg by a dog, but that didn't deter her from continuing to ride her bike.

From the bullet train we took a "local" train to Shinjuku Shinjuku is an area of Tokyo that is the busiest section of Tokyo. The train station there is the busiest in Japan, and probably the world. From the Shinjuku station we walked a few blocks to the Keio (pronounced "kayo") Plaza Hotel where we met up with Ken & Miko as well as Jordan Nogaki. Before we would enjoy a huge lunch buffet, we checked our bags at the "Cloak Room." I was relieved to unload my heavy computer bag along with the two other small bags we had taken with us this weekend.

What a great time we had at lunch, just enjoying the great food and fellowship with each other. But soon we had to say goodbye to Hiroko, Keiko, and Jordan. Since Jordan is heading back to Seattle for his brother Dan's wedding later this month, mom sent a small bag of things with him so she wouldn't have as much stuff to take to Singapore and China.

Next we spent some time shopping at the Keio Department Store. I was glad to find some gifts for family and friends back home. Following the shopping we went to the 8th floor of the store for some coffee, tea and dessert (eating again!). Here we met Lan and her mother Fumiko Mochizuki. The Mochizuki's were mom and dad's landlords in Shizuoka. Mr. Mochizuki is the great hunter. Lan is in her last year at the International Christian University here in Japan. She is an accomplished musician like her mom, but she plays the violin rather than the piano like her mom.

After saying goodbye to Lan and Fumiko, we headed "home" to Ken & Miko's. On the way home, I took some pictures of some things that have caught my eye about life here in Japan which I haven't mentioned. One of those things are these hotels they call "love hotels" here in Japan. They are hotels where couples can rent rooms by the hour or day to spend some time together. I think you can tell what might go on in these rooms. These hotels have unusual signs and names. Names like "Hotel Sweet" or "Hotel Seeds" or "Hotel Liberty" are common names for these hotels. One hotel had a replica of the Statue of Liberty on it.

Another picture I got was of a mechanical machine that looks like a guard, directing traffic or warning motorists of construction. It's quite an unusual thing. Another unusual thing I noticed is what looks like sound barriers on the tollways (they aren't "freeways"). These sound barrier things are curved inward toward the tollway. I'm assuming that is to act like a sound barrier, but I'm not sure why they are shaped like that.

After finally getting home, we took it easy and enjoyed a nice light supper. After supper we dug out a classic movie "Joan of Arc" starring Ingrid Bergman, made in 1948.

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is our last full day in Japan. The days have been very full. We've packed a lot into our days here, but it has been such a rewarding experience for me. The people here have been so kind, hospitable, and incredibly generous to us. It will be sad to say goodbye to Japan!