Japanland: Day 2

Notes about last night:
Yoichi's parents made little noises when they looked at my photos. They freaked out at the photo of my parent's house (b/c it was so large. Here things are a bit more compact). There is a little faucet on the back of toilet so as you flush, you can wash your hands before the water fills the bowl. What a conservationist's wetdream! (i wish i would have taken a photo! it was one of my favorite things about japan. and conversely, led to one of my least favorite things--having hands like little ice cubes all the time). Additionally, the toilets seats are heated and some have a budeis (sp?), others are squat toilets. Both are equally novel, at first. There are also different slippers that you put on in the bathroom.

Today we ventured out around town and hit up a local dollar store--THE Dizo is my favorite chain. I think I spend 25 yen-ish! We headed to the local bookstore where Takeshi works and is selling his newly published book. THEN we went to the lookout of Chichibu. The mountain in the distant is Bucosan and it is sacred, but they are also mining it for concrete. We went down slides with children at the playground. I also had my first onsen experience (hot springs--v. popular in Japan)! We then met up with alot of cool cats and had a party at Yoichi's house. But not before we ate these cook it yourself pancake things with different toppings--all sorts of sealife and veggies and mochi. It was chewy and not one of my favorites, but a very good experience especially when you have the worst jetlag EVER!

I will be adding more photos and text to my Japan logs. So please check back even though you think you've already seen them! xo jd