Sat: Tsukiji Fish Market, Super Kabuki, Roppongi Hills

Nissan Skyline pics for Chris....

On Saturday morning we got up very early to catch the first subway train to the Tsukiji fish market. We arrived around 5:30am and the market had been going on since about 2 or 3am. I'm sure the auction had finished already, but it was not open to the public anyway. There were quite a few tourists there and we all just seemed to get in the way. It was the highest energy filled place that I've ever been in. It was exhilarating and somewhat dangerous with all the carts whizzing around and fishermen organizing their shops. After that we went back to the New Sanno hotel and met Jim before going to Super Kabuki, Yamato Takeru. It lasted 4 1/2 hours and was a great experience. The costumes, makeup, acrobats, and special effects were amazing. Many thanks to Ayako, Grandma, Marlene & Dave for making this possible. Ayako also provided us with a DVD before hand so that we could understand a little better what was going on. Our seats were right next to a walkway that jutted out from the stage, so we got to see the actors (all male) up close. Unfortunately we were not permitted to take any pictures. Afterwards we stopped in Roppongi Hills to get an idea of what Tokyo is like. While we were in what I think was downtown Tokyo, we saw a street that was closed off to traffic for a while as hoards of people swarmed the street. You feel like a stationary spectator as a blur of people quickly move past you like a fluid in a huge living organism...ok, maybe my imagination is running a little wild, sorry...must be the effect of the zen garden. :) We then returned to the hotel, did some laundry and said good bye to Jim. Another full day of Japanese culture...