Henry is very interested in all things Japanese and has been learning the language through Duolingo, even before he knew there was an opportunity to visit his Uncle Tim, Auntie Yumi and cousins Shun (age 6) and Mika or Mimi as she is affectionally known (age 2 and a half). Henry was impressed with Shun's ability to speak English and Japanese when they met for Christmas last year and wanted to try and be able to talk to his cousins in their own language. 

This trip was different for me as well in that we travelled from Tokyo to Yumi's parents' home, a distance of 715 miles and 14 hours solid driving. This was done over two days each way, with visits to see sights as we travelled. Yumi was flying with Mika but Tim, Shun, Henry and myself did the road trip. I also had to get an International Driving Permit and couldn't believe how old-school that was. Bought from a tiny corner shop in Dunoon, the only place around us to obtain one, and a paper job. Very little security or checking on any of it. 

Here is a record of the very many experiences we had in the two weeks. The easiest way to do this is to show photos from each day and tell you what we got up to. Absolutely fascinating experiences for someone of my age, let alone an 11 year old. 

Thursday 7th August - flight  to Japan
Henry and I flew from Heathrow to Haneda in Tokyo, one of the smaller airports but nearer to Tim. Henry was very happy with 14 hours that he could use screens or sleep as he wished. No WiFi on the BA direct flight, not working for some reason, so that was a bit disappointing but ok.

Friday 8th August - first look at Tim's home and area
Tim, with Shun and Mika, picked us up from the airport when we landed. All very easy to get through and to get to Tim's car. He took us to their home where we dropped our bags and then we walked out, beside the river near him, to a local eatery. This had several men sitting eating and they did look at us with interest when we sat the children down and ordered food. The menu was entirely Japanese characters on wall boards, just as well we had Tim with us to be able to order something to eat for us all. The food was basic Japanese food, much in the style of a small café in the UK, and Tim ordered lots of small plates to share. Henry tried something of everything, which was even more impressive at it was around 6am UK time.

Tim was keeping this as a fairly quiet day for us as we had been flying through the night and Japan is 8 hours ahead of the UK. After something to eat we walked back past Tim's home and into the main shopping area. Shun and Mika were on their bike and scooter and these couldn't be taken into the arcade. All bikes, even toddler bikes, have to be left in an indoor garage area where you get a couple of free hours and then pay for the facility. Each vehicle is locked into a stand and then you get the machine to unlock them when you want to leave. Brilliant idea.

The children all had ice-creams in the arcade and then there was a trip to a playpark for them where I got talking to a Japanese mother, married to an American, whose children were also playing there. Home for tea and bed to try and get us into the Tokyo time zone.

Saturday 9th August - exploring parts of Tokyo
The next day, being a weekend, Yumi was also available to show us some of the sights. We caught trains (like the Underground in the UK, sometimes under, sometimes over ground) to different several different areas and had lunch in a small restaurant with lots of sharing plates again. I love the Asian way of doing this as everyone can eat as much or as little as they want and if you run out then you just order some more. Useful with children. After lunch we wandered shopping areas and market places, including the statue of Hachiko at Shibuya Station, and Akita dog who waited almost 10 years in that area for his deceased master. There was a massive queue for photos to be taken with the statue so we went in from the side to take one of Henry. Shibuya is also famous for it's very busy Scramble Crossing when you can see crowds of people crossing the road when the lights allow them to do so. We had a lovely wander round the shops, looking to see what was different and what was the same as at home.

Fish Restaurant

Later in the evening we went to a fish restaurant with a difference. This one was set in a barn with many fish pools and you catch your own supper. You choose what size fish you wish to get and then fish in the pools that have that size. Henry was supplied with a rod and bait and also a net to put the fish in once caught. He was so excited when he managed to get one and keen to know if the man behind the counter was going to cook it for us. Uncle Tim said that the man would prepare it for our table. When the prepared RAW fish was delivered to the table Henry looked at his Uncle and said "I thought you were joking" as he realised that we were about to eat the fish he caught but it wasn't to be cooked. He did eat it though and had several pieces. Yumi had also caught a fish and ordered some other food and some of the fish was sent to the kitchen to be cooked but honestly, it was better raw. 

Sunday 10th August - quiet day to prepare for road trip
Sunday was to be a quiet day, to allow for preparing to drive for the next two days. It would be a long journey, over 14 hours solid driving in total and 715 miles (or 1150 km as they use km in Japan). There was playtime with the children in the morning and then a trip to the local shops to get some snacks and bits for travelling. Ice-creams were the treat of the afternoon and then homemade popcorn a bit later in the day. Yumi cooked a delicious meal for the evening and everyone ensured they were packed and ready to leave at 5am the next morning to get a good start on the journey.

Monday 11th August - Road Trip!
Excitement in the air as we piled Henry and Shun into the back seat of the car. They had been told they could travel in their pyjamas and have screens to start the journey as we were leaving so early and that suited them both just fine. Yumi and Mika were catching the bullet train to Hiroshima later that day and we would meet them at the Airbnb that was booked for the night there. The distance for us driving was around 800km, so just over two thirds of the full distance. 

Driving in Japan

This was my first time driving on an International Driving Permit, although not my first time driving abroad. It was fairly easy as the road signs, although in Japanese characters, also had pictures on them. So, for instance, a whole load of Japanese characters by the side of an umbrella with lots of lines above it was a warning about heavy rain ahead. They also had a number of signs that are the same as here in the UK. No Entry, Stop, One Way etc, all the same. Their speed signs were great as well because they told you when a speed restriction was starting by a number with an arrow pointing to the right, and also when it was stopping, with a number and an arrow pointing to the left. The rest of the time it was derestricted. 

The drive was very interesting as the service stations are so much cleaner and better organised than those in the UK. They also have men in the parking areas to direct you to a space. This happens all across Japan apparently and was very evident in some places. I mentioned to Tim that surely all these people were not necessary and he replied that it gave people a sense of purpose to be able to work and it kept the economy going. It wasn't seen as futile or demeaning work, it was seen as employment and pride in having a role to do, even if it was directing traffic.

Tuesday 12th August - Hiroshima
Tuesday was an eventful and thoughtful day with several 'firsts'. A huge experience for Henry for when he comes across Hiroshima in his history lessons, he'll be able to say that he has been there himself and seen the site of the atrocity. 

The whole experience of the atomic bomb site and surrounds was very salutary. It was interesting to read about the total destruction in human terms but that buildings remained standing, even at the centre of the site. This building has not been touched since that day, it has been left exactly as it was on 6th August 1945, a little over 80 years ago to the day. As the bomb detonated immediately above the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotional Hall it killed everyone in it immediately and destroyed the roof but left most of the side walls standing. It is now a World Heritage Site and a Peace Memorial.

Tuesday 12th August - Yumi's parents' home
After leaving Hiroshima we continued our journey to Yumi's parents' home near Oguni Town towards the very south of Japan. This town is on Kyushu, the 3rd largest island of Japan and the most southern of the 4 major islands. It is known for its warm climate, volcanic landscapes, hot springs (onsen), and unique culture, making it a distinct region within Japan's main archipelago.  Yumi's parents own a rice farm and also grow watermelons, chillies, onions etc. Yumi's mother grew up on the farm and it has been owned by her family for generations. Yumi's maternal grandmother, in her 90's, is also still living there with Yumi's parents. Rin, Yumi's 13 year old niece, and Zen, her 10 year old nephew, are visiting her parents for the summer holidays as well.

Yumi's parents were so welcoming, even though they didn't speak a word of English and I had about three words in Japanese to use, we were greeted enthusiastically. We were scooped into the farm kitchen and sat at the table that was spread with many various foods, some of which I had no idea what they were. The way they were eating was so natural. There were fewer chairs than people and a small table with food but some ate and then stood up and others then sat and ate whilst everyone talked in two different languages and a bit of translation and hand signals worked.

After eating, Henry and Zen, neither of whom speak the other's language,  were easily playing computer games together on a Switch. They both spoke that language! Shun joined in where he could, as did Yumi's mum. Yumi's mum and grandmother also really enjoyed playing with Mika.

When it was bedtime everyone slept in the house together by sleeping on bed-rolls or futons scattered on the floors of the home with traditional paper walls dividing the family groups. Yumi's mum and Rin, her granddaughter, were together. Henry was with me and then Tim's family were in another section. Zen and his grandfather disappeared somewhere as did grandmother. Everyone just collapsed and slept on the floor mattresses.

Wednesday 13th August - Mount Aso Volcano
The next morning we went on an outing to Mount Aso. Tim drove and we took all three boys with us, Zen (Shun's maternal cousin - only speaks Japanese), Shun (speaks Japanese and English) and Henry (Shun's paternal cousin - only speaks English). The boys figured it out and were able to communicate between them by some means or other. Henry and Zen also took the Switch with them for the short car journey. 

Mount Aso is a volcano that is still active and is currently increasing in activity. We were able to see a lot of past volcanic activity as well as indications of current activity. The boys were first of all concerned about it being an active volcano and then Shun was upse as he couldn't see the bubbling lava. There was an acrid smell in the air and it is constantly monitored; closing if it is deemed to be too sulphurous (or sulfurous as Japan uses American English). Fascinating experience and so interesting. It last erupted in 2021 and we were lucky to get there on a day when it was deemed safe. We were also able to see ancient volcanic landscapes or caldera which were very intriguing. A caldera is a large, cauldron-shaped hollow, typically exceeding 1 km in diameter, formed when a volcano collapses into itself after a massive eruption empties the underlying magma chamber. Unlike smaller volcanic craters, these features are caused by subsidence rather than direct explosion. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aso_Caldera

Emergency shelters are provided for protection from falling magma should the worst unexpectedly occur. The boys were loving those too!

Shun was upset that he couldn't see the heaving magma but we could see a lake in the crater that was glowing fluorescent yellow and green which was a sight I had never seen before. The air had a faintly sulphuric smell and the landscape was barren of any living or growing thing. When the air quality worsens then they close the viewing as just the fumes can be very dangerous. There were notices everywhere about people with certain conditions or if you felt unwell what to do. All a bit exciting really.

We stopped for some lunch and then the playpark and more icecream after that. Then it was home to Yumi's parents' house to have supper together before going out in the evening to Oguni Town for the Obon festival. The supper was lovely, many different food bowls on the table and you help yourself to whatever you like by taking a sheet of seaweed, adding a little of the rice and then loding it with some fish or meat and a sauce. Yumi's niece was so delightful to watch as she delicately made the rice parcels up that I asked permission to film her, or her hands, as she did it. 

Wednesday 13th August - Obon Festival in Oguni
That evening we went to the Obon Festival and fireworks in Oguni. The Obon Festival is where families gather to honour their ancestors with dances, food festivals and fireworks or floating lanterns. 

Wearing a Yukata, a light cotton kimono, is common for children and adults. As this is considered a  'relaxed' look then children may also choose to wear their pyjamas to this evening event, which Henry, Zen, Shun and Mika all chose to do. I had taken a yukata with me, which I had found in the UK and I think surprised Yumi and her mum. Yumi had to help me to put the sash on properly and fold the yukata across in the right way too. Her mum had signalled to her to take me away and dress me properly. I felt a bit silly but I had not wanted to let anyone down by not being suitably dressed. 

Traditional food and drink was available and the children had snacks and then shaved ice drinks. A very full and long day, high on sugar and colourings and late to bed after the fireworks but a really interesting and lovely from start to finish.

Thursday 14th August - Yufuin Floral Village
Yufuin Floral Village today, more ice-cream,  rice field and sparklers and a barbecue at Yumi's parents' place before going back to an airbnb to sleep. 

We arrived at the Floral Village at about the time the younger children had lunch so thought we would eat first as they were beginning to get a bit cranky. The area was really busy and it was hard to find a parking space. Tim found one which was hugely expensive but he stopped there to get me and the children out and to find a place to eat. When we found somewhere suitable, the Inaka-an, with soba and udon, there was a queue to get in. We were given a number and told to wait outside. Tim decided to go and see if he could move the car to somewhere cheaper so that we could stay for a while without worrying about carpark fees. I said I would stay with the children, sitting in the shade outside the restaurant and wait for our turn whilst he went and did that. I felt that was within my skillset until an elderly Japanese couple signalled to me that I should take their number and swap ours with them as I had the children and they could wait longer for a table. They wouldn't take 'no' for an answer (all done with hand signals) so I accepted graciously and thanked them as best I could. However, they had booked a table for 2 and we had requested a table for 5, which caused a minor issue when I went with the children when their number was called. I couldn't tell the witing staff what had happened as I don't speak Japanese and they didn't speak English but we eventually got shown to a suitable table and I settled the children whilst frantically looking around for Tim. Menu cards were brought over to us, in Japanese only but there were some pictures. The waitresses were asking me questions - in Japanese of course, aaahh, where is Tim? The children are hungry and Shun is telling me he wants the curry and rice dish. Well ok, but where is your Dad? I asked Shun to let the waitresses know we were waiting for his Papa, which he did and they seemed to calm down but they wanted to get us ordering, eating and out of there because they had a queue of people waiting. By this time the elderly Japanese couple had been brought in and were seated and I was still trying to stall the waitresses and calm children. I thought I would just order the curry for Shun and I knew that Mika liked soba (noodles) and there was a children's menu with pictures and this on so I ordered those for them. Where is Tim? Henry said he'd wait for Uncle Tim as I couldn't tell him what to order, or even to order for myself. Where is Tim? The food came for Shun and Mika, both seemed pleased with what had been ordered and both started tucking in immediately. Phew! Where is my son? Managed to order some drinks for everyone, waitresses flapping. Many months later (oh, ok, some minutes later) in walks Tim! Everyone is really pleased to see him and he's pleased that the children are eating. Another phew! Car is in a much cheaper carpark that he had to circle around for and eventually find a place with a bit of a walk back but at least it isn't as extortionate as the first place. Yet a further phew! Tim ordered several different dishes so that He, I and Henry could try lots of things out. And relax! I must learn some Japanese food words before I go back to Japan!

After lunch we found that the Floral Village was really interesting. Many streets of small old buildings which had been falling into disrepair have been repurposed as a foodie craft tourism centre. Many interesting foods, crafts and artefacts. There were art shops, and specialist food shops and niche clothes shops and taster stalls of various foodstuffs. We would have spent longer but the children were only interested in the food shops and stalls. They also had an interesting ice-cream stall, which of course we had to try. Shun had a Volcano ice-cream with sweet potato squiggles. Tim, Henry and Mika each had one with a sweet daisy flower on the top and I had the raspberry one. Delicious.

As we left Yufuin there was a shop called Yufuin Whiskey which Tim asked if I wanted to stop at. Ray likes some of the whisky from Japan and I'm not likely to be back so I said 'why not'? Tim had the children in the car so I went in by myself. I found some whisky that I thought Ray might like and the shop said they did duty free sales but I didn't have my passport with me. In the end it was very easy as the young woman behind the counter was South Korean and spoke perfect English, something she said they all were taught at school. She answered my questions and even managed to swiftly and digitally fill in the duty free form from just a photograph of my passport, doing it by hovering her phone with an App open over my phone. All done within seconds and all she needed to know were my dates of entry and exit of Japan. So easy and the whisky is going down very well.

We returned to Yumi's parents' farm in the afternoon, stopping off where Yumi's mum works so that she could show off her grandchildren to people she works with. Family is so important to everyone, and everyone is so respectful of family. Such a wonderful traditional way of living.

On our return, Tim, Shun and I took the Kuharu, the dog, for a quick stroll whilst others were entertaining themselves on the Switch or helping prepare for the barbeque we were to have in the evening. The weather is lovely and warm and the meal was prepared on a low table just outside the door to the house and between that and the farm shed, where the tractor (covered up for protection) was housed. Yumi's dad was an absolute whizz on the BBQ and Tim helped him. Yumi and her mum brought out trays of food to be cooked and also vegetables for eating with the cooked meats. There were other types of Japanese delicacies too to try out. Delicious and a really fun evening for everyone. Yumi's parents also had sparklers for the children for when it got dark, which finished off the evening very nicely. Then we were back to the AirBnB to sleep.

Friday 15th August - Aso Farmland
A day at the Aso Farmland playpark. Huge fun for all kids with loads of exciting and challenging areas. There was so much there and something for all ages too. We started with the petting zoo, which provided good entertainment. There were wallabies, capybara and a giant tortoise to feed with tubs of vegetables bought from the establishment. There were owls and snakes to get up close to and many other creatures to see. They all enjoyed it and Mika, especially, had a lovely time. 

We then moved on to the outdoor adventure playground. Oh my word, so much to explore and do. It was very hot though so not a day for anyone to be running all over the place and some of the areas had very little shelter, except in the little huts. The huts were good fun, each had a different challenge or use and the children could explore wherever. There was even things for adults to do, or you needed to be adult sized to be able to make the most of them. Thankfully they also had places to sit in the shade and watch. Now I know I'm getting old!

The waterwheel is an old building by the side of the road as we travelled. I just liked the look of it.

Saturday 16th August - Local walk and onsen for everyone
Another busy day, our last before starting to drive north again tomorrow. Tim was helping Yumi's father in the fields during the morning and Henry was with Zen so I took my camera and went for a walk. I found an interesting shrine, a snake at the shrine when I had flipflops on, a large bird of prey - only one of which I managed to photograph well. I also saw a man working in the rice fields and some interesting vegetation and properties. I was however gone a little too long, Yumi was worried I had got lost, but it was such an interesting walk.

Once Tim had come in from the fields and showered he took us out to lunch at a nearby noodle café. We all sat on tatami mats at a chabudai (low wooden tables) on zabuton (cushions) in the traditional way for lunch. I am ashamed to say I found not so easy as I am no longer used to sitting cross-legged on the floor and my left hip was telling me so. Something else I need to get more practice doing before I return sometime. 

Japanese Onsen - Volcanic Hot Spring Bath
In the afternoon Tim, Yumi, Shun, Mika, Rin, Zen, Henry and myself went to an Onsen, a traditional Japanese spa bath from the local natural hot springs. No clothing required so Tim and all the boys went to one; Yumi, Mika and Rin to another; and Yumi had booked one for me to have to myself. I could hear shrieks of hilarity from one direction, with beautiful singing from the other direction, whilst I soaked peacefully in the hot volcanic spring. So relaxing and the time passed so quickly that I was last out.

Final evening in Oguni with Yumi's parents

Back to the farm for some of Tim and Yumi's friends to come over for the evening meal. They are an American English man and his Japanese wife, with their two sons. Yumi and her mum prepared loads of food to bring into where a table had been set up in the room that Tim and family sleep in when they are there. Yumi's dad was a brilliant host with the alcoholic drinks. He didn't need to be able to speak to me in English for me to understand that he had another can of drink ready for me. 

It was great to see entertaining done in the Japanese way and the children had so much fun together. There were 4 who spoke Japanese and American English, 1 who spoke Japanese only and I who spoke English only but they all made it work. They managed to organise a game of 'rock, paper, scissors' and then had the bedrolls all over another space for jumping in and playing together. 

We had the same language dynamics for the adults in the room and that also worked somehow. We managed to keep conversations going with very little translation. Some Japanese, some English and some hand gestures to communicate. It never felt that anyone was left out of the conversation.

As we left Yumi's parent's home that evening it was goodbye as we travel back tomorrow. This has been a fascinating few days insight into Japanese family life and I am very sorry to be leaving them, they have made us so welcome and I have enjoyed it immensely. Rin, Yumi's niece, even said that it was "nice to have met me" - in English,  as we left! Her English is better than my Japanese, I was quite humbled. This has been educational and fun.

Sunday 17th August - Start the drive back to Tokyo via Kyoto

We left Yumi and Mika staying with Yumi's parents last night as they are getting a lift to the airport today and flying back to Tokyo so that Yumi can be back at work for tomorrow, Monday. Tim and I are driving back with Shun and Henry over the next two days with a stop off in Kyoto overnight. We started travelling at just gone 5am and passed back through Hiroshima, stopping to visit the Himeji Castle, the oldest original post and beam castle and fortified city in Japan.

The Service Stations were interesting and the western toilets, even in a Service Station have so many buttons and features for warmth and cleanliness. They also had child seats in the cubicles so you can take a pee in peace for a minute. Japanese traditional toilets are very different.

We filled up on breakfast goodies and snacks for the rest of the journey to continue on our way. We were stopping every 2 hours to change drivers.

The shops in the Service Station near Hiroshima were packed with local delicacies such as the iconic Momiji Manju. This is a buckwheat and rice cake shaped like a Japanese Maple leaf and is local to Miyajima, Hiroshima. It has a fluffy sponge-like exterior filled with sweet red bean paste (anko). They are traditionally steamed but can also be deep fried for a crunchy airy creamy treat. Their tag line on the boxes states that they make sweets with carefully selected ingredients. The sweet flavor (sic) will bring you happiness.

We arrived into Himeji for a late lunch. The area was very much more touristy than other places we had stopped at. There were coachloads of people disgorging onto the pavement to visit the castle and people trying to sell tours and visitor paraphenalia as you stopped to cross the road. They boys were asked what they wanted to eat for lunch from a range of eastern and western offerings. They chose western and Tim managed to steer us to a delightful small bakery in a back street where we could sit tucked into a rustic corner. Sitting next to us was a table of 4 young people, the guys speaking English to the two Japanese girls. Hilarious to hear them trying to describe what living in the western world was like, I so wanted to interrupt but managed to restrain myself. The pastries were very tasty and beautifully made. The boys were allowed to choose whatever they wanted to eat as they were being exceptionally well behaved on this very long, albeit very interesting, journey. 

After lunch we visited Himeji Castle, the oldest original post and beam castle and fortified city in Japan. We then travelled from there to Kyoto for an evening meal and a stopover in an AirBnB. 

Monday 18th August - Drive back from Kyoto to Tokyo - via Numazu
We started the morning in Kyoto where we had stayed overnight and travelled to Kyoto where we visited the Golden Pavilion before continuing our journey north. The day was very hot and it was delightful to go through the water misting as we entered the grounds.

The building was stunning as it was covered in gold leaf, both inside and out. Visitors are not able to go into the building for fear of damaging the delicate decorations but there were many photos of what it looked like. The surrounding gardens were exceptional, even for a Japanese garden. Lots of tourists but still delightful to visit in so many ways.

When we had arrived at the Golden Pavilion Tim had parked in their small carpark as we were only going to be there a short time. When we turned off the main road to get there we had about 400m to get to the carpark with around 15 spaces for cars. We could see uniformed men at every corner where we needed to turn with signs to show us where to go. Then there was the man at the entry barrier who took the ticket from the machine and handed it to Tim - as though Tim couldn't stretch from the car window to grab it from the machine. Then we had a man point to a space to park in within this miniscule carpark where you could see exactly where the spaces were. After our visit we exited the car park through the exit barrier where Tim handed his ticket to a man who put it into the payment machine. This man then said to Tim how much it would be, taking the money from him and putting that into the machine. The change was collected and handed back to Tim. There certainly were about the same number of men to help us park as there were parking spaces to park in. It keeps the economy going and provides a role in life for some.

Tipping: No tipping here, or anywhere else in Japan as it is considered against their principles. They consider that exceptional service is a duty, not a task deserving of extra payment. Offering a tip can feel insulting as it implies that the worker is poor, the employer doesn't pay enough or that the service was not genuine. 

We continued travelling north to reach Numazu, a quiet fishing village. We stopped to look at the harbour and to have some of their local fresh fish. The Fish Markets had closed by the time we got there but a heavy fish smell was in the air. The restaurant was good again and we order lots of fish. Henry though had had enough of raw fish by this time and requested some cooked fish. There was then a search for somewhere to buy ice-cream, it's a bit of a daily habit on this holiday. The boys were fed and watered and had quite a bit of time running around out of the car so we pushed for home in Tokyo, espying a view of Mount Fuji in the clouds at sunset as we travelled. Bath and bed!

Tuesday 19th August - Pokémon Center Day!
Henry was having a super holiday but this was THE day he and Shun had been waiting for. Pokémon Center day! Good to do it at the back end of the holiday as they were so excited and looking forward to it. It was also nice that Yumi could take some time off work to come with us too. 

We all set off on the train across Tokyo and arrived at the shopping precinct where we would find the Pokémon Center. The excitement for all the various aspects was patent and Henry was bouncing, literally bouncing, with excitement. He was so excited to be able to pick up Pokémon gifts and cards that are only available in Japan. He generously chose some to take back for his friends at home as they wouldn't be able to get them anywhere else. He had left room in his case on the way out as he knew he'd have gifts on the way back. He brought gifts for his cousins on the way out as well.

We had ice-creams and then queued for a restaurant for some lunch. Yes, I know but we're on holiday. In the restaurant they had something I don't think I'd ever seen before - a dedicated smoking room, looked like a telephone kiosk and about the same size. We then went back to the Pokémon Centre at our allocated time for me to go in with the children and have our photos taken with Pikachu. 

On our way out of the shopping centre to go home there was an escalator that flattened out to level and proceeded to go down again, interesting. There was a load of people saying how cute Mika was as she ran through the walkways ahead of us and there was a 'Women Only' carriage on the underground train we caught. It is women only just at certain times of the day so we were all able to get in to travel. Interesting concept though.

We arrived back home in Setagaya, on the outskirts of Tokyo, in the late afternoon and Yumi cooked a lovely dinner for everyone. We did a bit of local shopping in the evening, to get some gifts to take home, and sadly it is our last day tomorrow. Tim asked Henry what he'd like to do for his last day and Henry asked if we could go to Mount Fuji, so we are off there in the morning. It really is a full and exciting time we are having here.

Wednesday 20th August - Mount Fuji - almost!
On the last day of our holiday in Japan we did a trip to not see Mount Fuji. We travelled towards Mount Fuji to see the iconic sight but the weather defeated us. Thunderstorm clouds were between us and it so I only managed to get a sort of a photo when Tim stopped for fuel as we were going back to his home. Still, we did see a temple, a lake, shared an interesting ice-cream, took a cable car ride and then had a great selection of sushi in a splendid Tokyo sushi restaurant so the day was splendid anyway.

We started by a visit to Hakone-jinja,  Shinto Shrine on the shores of Lake Ashi, below Mount Fuji. It was undergoing a period of renovation but still interesting to look at. A most serene setting and a lovely walk along the lakeside, culminating in a picturesque bridge.

After leaving the Shinto Temple we made our way to the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway for a cable car ride up above Lake Ashi where we would have been able to have a splendid view of Mount Fuji had it not been all behind thick cloud. A great ride up, not enough time to take the next cable car to glide over a volcanic crater but hey, you can't have everything. Some really good views, just not of Mount Fuji. Another time perhaps.

We stopped at a small Sushi cafe on the way home. It was very late for the children but they were hungry so while Tim drove I looked at where we could stop and where there might be sushi. Busy area to park, making us later still, but the sushi was well worth it. The owner/chef looked a little shaken as we all clattered into his small establishment but he was fantastic. He immediately got drinks, in sealed cups with straws, for the children and then he started preparing sushi for us. Small plates arrived at the table and the contents quickly vanished. There was a beautiful selection of different types of sushi for everyone to try. He was interested in 'what' we were, the dynamics of two European adults with one European child and 2 Japanese looking children. Tim explained that I was his mother and that he was married to a Japanese lady and the children were his. He had to explain Henry and how he fitted in and that stretched Tim's japanese but he managed it and the chap was so excited to have us in his place. When we left he asked me to take a photo of him with Tim and the children so that he could show everyone. I took the opportunity to take a photo myself.

Another really full and exciting day for everyone and a fairly early start in the morning to get Henry and me to the Airport so quickly to bed tonight.

Thursday 21st August - Flight home to Heathrow
So, so, sorry to say goodbye to Tim, Yumi, Shun and Mika this morning when they took Henry and me to Haneda Airport. It has been a brilliant fortnight, we have all had so much fun together with so many memories that will last a lifetime. If you have reached this far down the page then you will have realised what an absolutely splendid time we all had together. Something for everyone and so many new experiences and sights not seen anywhere in Europe for Henry and me. We loved our time with Uncle Tim and his family, thank you so much XxxxxxxX