Title plagiarized from Tim Hunt.

A bunch of us head North on the kind invitation of Ichiro san and Tomomi san. I drive up very slowly and delight in the van loads of election canvassers who wave at everyone wearing both white gloves and huge smiles. Saturday was polling day for representatives of the local regions and also the Governor.

Tomomi and Ichiro produce another extraordinary meal in Ichiro san’s studio.

Ichiro san produces the main course, which he has been cooking for 4 days.

What an evening!

Next morning we leave at 05:30 to track down the elusive Okinawan Rail or Yanbaru Kuina in Japanese. It is one of the rarest birds in the world. Ichiro san immediately spots one roosting.

We return to the hotel for delicious Japanese breakfast.

Such fun!