We started with the open air museum and then continued the smokey mountain, Owakudani, close to lake Ashi. We climbed up with a train and cable car and then down to the lake with another cable car. It was a bit cloudy, so we could not see the view of Mt. Fuji. On the shore of the lake we visited a small shrine and it was cool to hear how the shrine is used for worship.
After eating some yummie soba noddles we went to our first Onsen - a Japanese bath. I was lucky to have Satoshi with me (it's not mixed sex) to explain all the rituals but Anita was alone and had to observe the others (looking without staring at naked people is not easy). After an hour in the hot pools we were very relaxed and headed back to Tokyo for dinner. We went to Ninja restaurant and were joined by Ryo-san, another future classmate. The place was all designed like a ninja cave with small private rooms in an underground maze. The waiters and staff are all dressed like ninjas and every dish is served with a 'twist'. After the food the 'head ninja' came to the room and did some magic tricks that left us dazzled...
In the next few days we explored Tokyo by foot, covering as much ground as possible. We ate in small places, trying to figure out from the pictures and models what is offered. After a few days Anita mastered a few critical words: meat, fish, vegetable and it became easier. In any case, everything we ate was extremely tasty (and no, Japan is not only about sushi).
We also had an early morning at the fish market - the biggest in the world. We skipped the big auction, when frozen tuna is sold from the ships to wholesale. Instead we just wondered around the stalls, trying to avoid the little electric cars flying around and enjoying the sales atmosphere. After seeing so many fresh fish the only thing that was left was to eat some. We had a great sushi breakfast and as people told us in advance (good tip Uri), it does taste much better when it comes straight from the sea to the plate.
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