The 'Rents Visit Days 5,6 and 7

Day Five

We got up early to take a train headed north-west of tokyo to Chichibu, where a sleepy countryside town at the foot of a  mountain swarms with tourists keen on seeing the carpet of spring Phlox flowers (known as shibazakura in Japan).

Although the photos don't really show it, it was a scorching day, and the flowers were so colourful in the sunlight!

 Animals were out in force, we were treated to dogs in prams, a *pig* (a debut for me) and some sheep!

 

 Posing in front of some torii gates leading to a shrine

 Korean bbq

Day Six

Another excursion outside of Tokyo, we headed west to Mt Takao. Mt Takao is a popular day trip for Tokyoites, as it's not too far from Tokyo, and it's thought to be a "power spot" (or pawa-supotto as they call it in Japanese-English. This is a new spiritual craze that was only created 20 years ago). This means that climbing Mt Takao will bring you good luck as the Earth's energy gathers at this place. Another "power spot" we visited was Meiji Jingu.

 My Dad is tickled by a double mispelling on this signboard. Can you see them? Click the picture to zoom in..

Onwards and upwards..

Video: My parents climbing a particularly slippy and muddy part. I like 0:21 hehe..

Yay! We made it!
600m high! It's no Mt Fuji, but it was good exercise and a chance to get some fresh air

I'm proud of my mum, who had foot problems :)

Afterwards, we went to a 'Trick Arts Museum', which was really interesting! Here are some photos:

 Good, isn't it?!

We finished off the day with Thai food

 

 My parents look sad.. must be because they're leaving Japan tomorrow :(

Final Day

We went to the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to take a last glimpse of Tokyo

Look how much my mum's chopstick usage ability as improved!

And them we said goodbye to them at Nippori airport before rushing off to work.. they got home safely seemingly 48 hours later. Phew! I can also safely report that my mum's feet are back to normal.

Thank you for visiting mum and dad!!

The 'Rents Visit Days 3 & 4

Day Three
Monday is my Japanese lesson day (an intensive course which I can't cancel/retake, I don't mean to be a bad daughter), so while I was studying, I abandoned left my parents in a nearby Japanese Garden, Koishikawakorakuen (now that's a mouthful!).
Here are photos my mum took:

 

 It looks lovely, I'll have to go myself someday!

After having yummy Mexican Food, I took my parents to Ice Cream City for pudding! As much as I tried to convince them to try eel, crab, fried noodles or wasabi ice cream, they finally settled for vaguely normal flavours ;_;

Mum: Rose Dad: Lavender Me: Garlic & Mint

Here is the reaction video...

Day Four
A bit of a nervous day for me.. today was the day I introduced my man to my parents!
We took my parents to the Imperial Palace, but discovered it was only open two days a year, but here are some photos anyway:

 It got a bit drizzly, so we ducked into a Soba restaurant for some lunch..

 

 (Look at those chopsticks!)
 Then we headed to Sensouji Temple in Asakusa where we took our fortunes..

 My Dad was the only one to receive a good fortune.. (pictured right)
The bad luck my mum, Toshi and I received decided to BUCKET down on us for the next 30 mins...

 My mum modelling her 75p raincoat from Daiso

We legged it through the rain to Ginza, a high-end upper class district for a full Omakase Dining experience, where the dishes build up in size and are of superb quality. It's a typical course that businessmen would treat their clients to. I lost count, but we enjoyed perhaps up to twelve dishes (ranging from pickles to poached fish to fruit).

I needn't have worried, Toshi being the gentleman he is, I'm sure he made a good impression ^^ Phew!

To be continued xxx

The 'Rents Visit Days 1 & 2

Thank you so much to my parents for making the big journey to come and see me in Japan! I'm proud of my mum for flying for the first time and trying many new things, and my dad got to fulfil his dream of visiting the Geeky district of Akihabara!!!

Arrival

I made it to the airport in plenty of time, and waited at the exit for my parents who finally emerged! Group hug! They were pretty sleepy, but excited, and my mum fit right into Japanese society with a snooze on the train!

For dinner, we had ramen and my mum attempted to use chopsticks.

Day One Oversleeping, jet-lagged parents were thrown into the depths of nerdy city of Akihabara on their first day! Akihabara is the electronics, gaming and 萌 "Moe" capital of Tokyo.

Omelette rice, ketchup and melon soda at a "moe" Maid Cafe in Akihabara.
The maid we had the polaroid taken with's nickname was none other than クレア aka Clare! Flattering!

Parents' Reaction:

 In Ikebukuro and our Puri Kura (a crazy photobooth)!

Dinner was an Aeon reunion party, featuring some Aeon teachers and students who had been very eager to meet my parents! We had dinner at a seafood restaurant, where the seafood is VERY fresh, and my mum developed a unique chopstick-using technique.

 

 Exchanging omiyage souvenirs- rice crackers and tea for creme eggs.

What does one do after dinner on a Saturday night? Karaoke of course!

My Parents sing Tainted Love

Day Two We had a calmer, more traditional start to Sunday morning, heading to Meiji Shrine, a so-called 'power spot' in Japan. It's a very old shrine (though unfortunately many parts are recent reconstructions due to WW2 bombings). We were very lucky to see no less than three Shinto-style wedding ceremonies, since May 1st is considered to be a lucky day in Japan.

 Before entering a shrine or temple, we must purify our hands and mouth.

 

Afterwards, we hit the fashionable youth centre Harajuku, where my parents discovered the 100 yen (75p) shop, Daiso. There was no stopping them!!

The weather was rather miserable, but after visiting Zojoji Temple, we scaled Tokyo Tower as the sun went down to see the foggy, mysterious night scene.

To be continued...xxxx