First Road Trip - Mount Fuji

Yesterday, we took our first road trip. We used what I like to refer to as Google Drive (we also use Google Train, Google Walk, and eventually we will use Google Bus). Of course, everyone else knows it as Google Map. Anyway, Mount Fuji is a pretty easy to get to - less than two hours using the tollways.
We actually went to check out a ski resort at the base of Mount Fuji called Fujiten - Zachary wants to go soon because he thinks his boat could be deployed at anytime and he doesn't know how long they will be gone.
As for Mount Fuji, it is amazing.

Very cute girls. That is Mount Fuji in
the background.

The girls thought it was
hilarious that they made
me use the little snowman.

Mount Fuji 

This is probably the best
picture of capturing just how
stunning Mount Fuji is.

First trip to Tokyo Disneyland

At some level, Christmas is
celebrated in Japan.

Mona, Andrea, Macie and Zach.

Mona, Andrea, Macie and Zach. Later
in the evening this tree was the focus
of a lot of Japanese families' pictures.

Cinderella's Castle as you enter
Tokyo Disneyland.

View of Cinderella's castle as we waited
in line for Space Mountain.

Zach finally finds his hat.

Zach and Macie showing off
their new hats.

It was extremely crowded -
especially for the parades.

Andrea found a hat, too.

Andrea and Macie in front of
Cinderella's castle under lights

First car trip off Yokosuka Naval Base

You wouldn't think finding a place to park would be so difficult. Something as simple as parking becomes an adventure when you can't read any of the signs.

First Trip to Tokyo and the Shibuya Crossing

We took our first trip to Tokyo yesterday. It takes a little over an hour by train from Yokosuka. It was definitely an adventure - I think everyone had sensory overload by the end of the day. One of the more amazing sights on the trip was the Shibuya (Sha Boo Ya) Crossing - it is feels kind of like the beginning of a dodgeball game where everyone runs to the middle to try to get a ball. Except, of course, here you keep going to reach the other side. And it was even busier later in the evening than what is on the video.

Riding on the train on the way
to Tokyo.

Riding on the way back to
Yokosuka from Tokyo.

The Land of Umbrellas. This
scene was so surreal - now I
know where they got the idea
for the Blue Umbrella video.

At times, it was so busy that
you couldn't move across the
flow of humanity to get to a
store.

                                            The Shibuya Crossing

The "sea eagles" of Yokosuka

This video taken by Andrea shows what many in Yokosuka call sea eagles. I believe that they are actually black kites (at least that is what I have read). The reason the birds are congregating and swooping down is that some of the kids on a field trip put out food for the birds. It didn't take long for the birds to take notice. This isn't my first exposure to these birds. On one of our first mornings here in Yokosuka, we were walking to Mona and Macie's school. Macie and I were a couple of steps behind Mona when one of these birds swooped down between us to try to get a doughnut out of my hand. He missed but I quickly threw the doughnut on the hill - I had learned my lesson. What lesson? We had heard stories of people who had encounters with the birds and warnings not to carry food while you were walking near the ocean. The lesson - no more doughnuts while walking to school. As Homer Simpson would say - Doh!

Andruh arrives in Japan

Our daughter, Andrea, arrived this week in Japan. When we found out about the possibility of moving to Japan, she was the one who was most excited and ready to move. Unfortunately, when we left for Japan, she had to stay behind to finish her semester at college.

Macie and Andrea after we pick
Andrea up at Zachary's apartment.

On our way back to the base, we stopped
at More's City mall to eat. Andrea with
Macie and Zachary.

Everyone is celebrating Andrea
being in Japan.

This is the view from the top of More's City.

Two very happy girls.

Zachary's Apartment

When we visited Zachary's apartment, it was our first look at Japanese style living arrangements. It was very small, yet very functional - lots of things packed into a very small area.

Zachary and Macie looking at
the Japanese characters for
the elevator.

Me getting onto the elevator - no
room for anyone else.

One of two bedrooms - room for
an air mattress but not much else.
Andrea still has jet lag.

Macie and I sitting on his "couch".
Notice we aren't wearing shoes
in his apartment.

Zachary showing us his
laundry room.

Lastly, this is the remote control
for Zachary's bidet. Not sure how
it works, not sure I want to know
how it works.