From May, 2015
One of the best views of the city is from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building – and it’s free! So after enjoying more of the spectacular sights I joined friends for dinner and once again vegetarianism was at the centre of events. Despite my two friends speaking the language fluently, it was a struggle to order something suitable. The pictures weren't clear and the descriptions lacked ingredients – bacon, for example. Fortunately, it was clear to see the pig meat before tucking in and my friend told the waiter, only for him to say that he will remove the bacon and microwave it. She explained that I wanted a new dish and he was perplexed, but he accepted. How good of him. It was pretty tasty to be fair. If we were in any other country I would have expected to find bits of bacon out of bitterness…
One of the best views of the city is from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building – and it’s free! So after enjoying more of the spectacular sights I joined friends for dinner and once again vegetarianism was at the centre of events. Despite my two friends speaking the language fluently, it was a struggle to order something suitable. The pictures weren't clear and the descriptions lacked ingredients – bacon, for example. Fortunately, it was clear to see the pig meat before tucking in and my friend told the waiter, only for him to say that he will remove the bacon and microwave it. She explained that I wanted a new dish and he was perplexed, but he accepted. How good of him. It was pretty tasty to be fair. If we were in any other country I would have expected to find bits of bacon out of bitterness…
Rodney and I took advantage of the country’s trains yet again to visit the incredible Mount Nokogiri in Chiba. We hiked the mountain both ways in the increasing heat and saw the marvellous 235-year-old and 31m (102 ft) stone statue of Yakushi Nyorai – Nihon-ji Daibutsu. Another remarkable carving and a great sea-view from 330m (1083 ft) completed our only Japanese hike together.
Soon after my arrival in Japan, I mentioned that Rodney had an uneasy moment with a housemate. This housemate enjoyed and commented on my Glastonbury 2014 t-shirt and we shared music interests. She explained how she loved seeing Sigur Ros – also one of my most memorable concerts – and she then asked of my favourite band. I said Radiohead. She sighed and said she doesn't like Thom Yorke (the lead). Shame. We were getting on so well before but now it feels like she has put a nail in the coffin of – what was becoming – a beautiful friendship. The awkwardness has now only heightened since that forgettable girlfriend-swapping incident. Thank goodness I won't have to see her again.
The moment we had all been waiting for had finally arrived. Just when I thought I would be eating the same meal every day for the rest of my life, Rodney said he had finally had enough ramen. I was ecstatic. To celebrate, a six of us went to a local izakaya restaurant and ate and drank for hours. Rodney ordered ramen.
The last night in Japan was one to forget. A group of us went to a club in Shibuya after enjoying a quiet drink at home. Rodney and I were leaving for Seattle, USA, the following afternoon, so he was frantically panicking when I arrived home from the night before at 1:30pm with a broken right thumb and the cause unknown…
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