I wake early and generally scurry around to prepare for the trip. However it is Naoko’s birthday and this cannot be left uncelebrated. I can just squeeze in celebration at work and then limo to airport. Naoko is late so I benefit with amazing breakfast of rice porridge and pickles. There is some pressure. Will I make it to the airport in time?

Maki san is the best

Naoko arrives and we celebrate! The day has just begun.

Glamorous people I work with.

I make it to the airport and head off for Narita.

ANA is the best airline in the world.

Narita snack.

They have their own sushi chef

I then get on a big airliner and head off East.

The flight is heavenly. The Japanese do service so well.

Matsukawa san welcomes me. 

As I am sneaking out of the toilet towards the end of the trip, the flight attendants gather around me giggling and announce they have a gift for me. There is a card and an exquisitely wrapped something.

It is all hand made with stick on stars and little drawings. The Japanese are so playful.

It is a sake bowl that the ladies have drawn on with felt markers!

Little hearts,  a pagoda and a pretty mountain.

Anyway I get to where I am going. It is 08:00 on Thursday morning.

View from Hotel

I eat

I walk back to the hotel.

It is still Thursday!