What a wonderful vacation!  I thoroughly enjoyed my latest trip to Japan.  In addition to seeing and appreciating Japan with adult eyes (I last visited Japan in 1981 with my parents), it was an opportunity to visit my dear friend Andy - who's currently teaching English via JET program in a tiny village of Matsuo in Chiba-ken.

I brought with me to Japan 6 rolls of film.  Who was I trying to kid?  Within the first few days, I quickly realized that I had underestimated the lure of this country.  I quickly replenished my film supply with a visit to Yodobashi Camera (the largest camera store in the world - for which I'd visited every day while staying at Keo Plaza Inter-Continental Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo).  All in all, 444 photos were taken on this short trip.

My days in Tokyo and outskirts of the city were filled with photo opportunities.  Shopping-wise, I looked for odd things to bring back.  Ever seen sample food?  Well, Japan is inundated with sample food.  Outside every restaurant you'd see nicely displayed samples of food you may choose to have in the restaurant.  Don't despair.  I have taken a series of sample food pictures for your viewing pleasure.  In addition to being the sample food capital of the world, Japan is also the king of vending machines.  Vending machines sell everything from drinks to cigarettes to batteries to meals to train and subway tickets to porn video and magazines.  No way, you say... well, it's the truth.  I was floored.

Ahhhh...if there's anything I can say about the Japanese, it's the fact that a good majority of them do not have black hair.  No.  They are not naturally born with hair in shades of brown or blonde or orange.  It's fashionable for the Japanese to look as western as possible.  At least that was my impression.  Another thing, it no longer surprises me to walk down the street and see Japanese school girls dressed in Betty Boop outfits.

Stick with me and check back in a week or so for updated photo postings.  Enjoy!