It is time to leave Tokyo – and we are taking our first bullet train ride to Hiroshima. The bullet train makes the trip short & easy. We arrive in Hiroshima around Noon – just in time for Okonomiyaki – yum! A specialty with cabbage, egg, onion, seafood grilled before us & topped with a savory sauce- so good! Which gives us enough energy to tour the Peace Park. A beautiful, sobering tribute to the Japanese people.

Tokyo is such a huge city that is made so manageable with a fabulous transportation system. Greg went off to explore pickleball so Jack & I explored. Went to a great local park with fabulous gardens – Japan is filled with amazing landscapes. The fish market for Japanese egg snack. Ginza for some strolling & window shopping / brief. On to Tokyo Station for more hiking around Imperial Palace surrounded by huge stone moats. All of this touring has us starved and we meet Greg for lunch at one of Tokyo’s fun cafes right at train station. A bit of nourishment before collapsing for a nap💤.

Tokyo Tower at sunset gives us an appreciation for the size of the city.

Our travels take us to our first – restaurant – automated ordering system. Boy are we confused! We find a cute little ramen shop & go in. We are immediately escorted outside to an electronic board where we insert money & push buttons to order food. Not so crazy until you remember the menu is in Japanese. Google translate to the rescue! the Ramen was excellent & we were so hungry & we get another cool experience in Tokyo!

Team Labs Planet had light displays. Walking through knee deep water. Orchid displays- sounds crazy – was a great experience in Tokyo

Shinjuku crossing – ok – there are lots of people here. Crazy busy intersection in a city of 36 million.

Trains, subways, buses make this huge city manageable. That – and very courteous citizens- it works!

Jack has arrived! Tsukiji Fish Market. Ginza. Tokyo Station. Imperial Palace.