In February 2005, Ritsuko and I traveled to Japan. We covered a lot of ground in the two weeks that we were there.
Leaving home at 6am, we flew to Chicago O'Hare, where we caught a non-stop, 13 hour flight to Tokyo Narita airport. Immediately upon landing in Tokyo, we took a train from Narita airport to Tokyo station, where we caught the last bullet train that would get us all the way down to Okayama in time to catch a sleeper train that slowly traveled through western Honshu and along the Pacific coast of Kyushu. Early in the morning, we had just about enough of the sleeper train, and got off in Oita, where we had breakfast, and caught a limited express to Miyazaki.
Here is a rather tired looking Ritsuko on the train to Miyazaki
She was looking out at the beautiful, mountainous Pacific coast near Oita
After a couple more train changes from Miyazaki, that took us through the mountains and over the Ebino plateau from Miyazaki prefecture into Kagoshima Prefecture, we finally got to Ritsuko's mother's house late that afternoon. The next morning, I got up early and walked about, taking some pictures, reminiscing over the times that I had been there over the past 30 years.
Down the hill from Ritsuko's mom's house, I took this pic of Kirishima in the distance.
From the levee of the Sendai River, I took this pic of Ritsuko's junior high school.
We spent several days at Ritsuko's mother's house, and had a big family reunion. It was a wonderful time, and we were all so happy to be able to visit with Ritsuko's family, most of whom we had not seen for 14 years.
When we left, we traveled by train to Kagoshima city, then north to Hakata, where we caught a Shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka.
Hakata station -- a train approaching on the opposite track
The train that will take us to Osaka approaches
In Osaka, we stopped overnight to spend some more time with Ritsuko's younger brother and his family. The next morning Ritsuko and I went with Hiroaki and his daughter, Ai, to nearby Kyoto, where we spent the day.
Although we had passed through Kyoto on the bullet train numerous times in the past 30 years, we hadn't spent any time there since 1975. Kyoto, the ancient capitol, is the home of many ancient temples and shrines that are juxtaposed with modern buildings.
A street in Kyoto
That afternoon, Aki and Ai took us to Kyoto station, where we said our goodbyes, and boarded a train for Tokyo, where we would stay for the last 5 days of our trip.
Tokyo is without a doubt one of my favorite cities in the world. It is such a fascinating, vibrant city. From 1973 to 1978, I was stationed at Yokota Air Base which is located in the western part of Tokyo prefecture. Ritsuko and I met in late 1974, and were married in April 1975, so the first 3 years of our lives together were spent there. Wherever we go in or around the city, the things that we see evoke many fond memories. During our stay in Tokyo, I decided to take a side trip to Fussa, the city where Yokota Air Base is located. You can read more about it by following this link.
I'll edit this page later, but for now, without a lot of narration, here are some more pics taken in Tokyo.
Harajuku -- the fashion district, Takeshita street on a Sunday afternoon
Posing with some of the Harajuku "cosplay" girls
Ritsuko fit right in with the gothic look!!!
Outside Shinjuku station at night
Ginza on a Monday morning