Visiting Tokyo for a Family Reunion

 Last year in April I was contacted by my Cousin Karen about getting together in Tokyo. It wasn't doable at that time but there was another window of opportunity in January 2025, so we all agreed on that and yesterday was the day for our family reunion.

We were set to meet Karen at the Hotel Okura's Prestige Tower 5th floor lobby at 11:00 on January 12th. Emi and I went to Tokyo the night before and stayed at a small hotel near the Tokyo Tower.

At around 10:00 Emi and I left our hotel and started our walk to the Hotel Okura. Tokyo Tower is in the center of the picture. 

It's a Japanese holiday today and the normally busy streets are quite empty.

Near the hotel I spotted a Chinese maple tree with autumn leaves still hanging in there. 

We have arrived at the Hotel Okura. For those that don't know, the Hotel Okura is no ordinary hotel, it's a premier VIP hotel that caters to the rich and famous. I hope they'll let us in! 

They let us in! The hotel staff in the lobby were extremely friendly and professional. The lobby is huge and bustling with people coming and going and there's a wedding reception going on, too!

Emi and I found a quiet place in the lobby to sit and wait for Karen. The next problem is that Karen and I haven't seen each other since 1975 or so. What I remember is that she's an attractive woman with blue eyes and blond hair. From my seat I'm scanning the lobby looking for a person that matches that description. 

It doesn't take long before I find her! 😊

After all these years Karen and I have a chance to get reacquainted. 

We talked, had lunch at one of the hotel's restaurants (thank you, Karen), and talked some more. Emi told me later that she was amazed at how easily Karen I talked with each other despite the fact that it had been so many years since we had last seen each other. I told Emi that's the way our families are. We have some sort of magical bond that is unaffected by the time spent away from each other.

This is us enjoying coffee and tea after lunch.

Well, sadly after four hours of getting reacquainted it was time to say goodbye. It was a wonderful family reunion. Karen is a terrific person and I'm so glad we had this opportunity to get together. 

Back outside of the Hotel Okura's entrance and it's time to walk back to our hotel. 

Walking along the street and I'm thinking... Tokyo's such an amazing place. It's the perfect place for meeting old friends and family; it was the perfect place for meeting Karen!

(Azabudai Hills in the background)

All the best,

Mike

 

Return to Chōshi City (part 2)

 Now for the second part of the Chōshi adventure.

After seeing Byobugaura Cliff it was time to turn around and make the long walk back to the bus stop.

The bus stop was in front of the Chiba Institute of Science. I asked Emi to take my picture. 

Yes, this is me holding my camera and drinking coffee from a thermos in the nice shelter of the bus stop while Emi stands out in the gale force wind taking my picture. 

Here comes the bus! 

We got off the bus in front of this local products center where we bought some bento box lunches and ate them in a small lunch room.

Next we went for a walk around the Chōshi City waterfront. This is where the fishing fleet moor their boats.

The fishermen are very friendly. This guy is the Captain of the yellow boat behind him. He asked me where I was from? Then he posed for this picture.

Other men busy working on their fishing nets.

It's time to take the train back to the Inn and spend some time soaking in the hot spring bath before dinner time.

Our train is arriving.

The train is a lot more crowded at this time of day.

When we got off at Ashikajima station a young girl politely said goodbye to the train driver; he smiled and thanked her. People are very nice in Chōshi.

It's time for dinner! We're wearing the hotel lounge wear.

Emi looks cute!

I look... not so cute 😞

A little wine with our dinner.

Let's eat!

Next morning and we're back in the dining room for breakfast.

The food is very delicious at this hotel. 

Nothing beats a raw egg for breakfast! 😍

This is the view from our room. I took this picture while we were packing our bags.

We took a local bus to the main train station.

One last look at the local Chōshi Dentetsu line. We enjoy riding the local train during our stay but now it's time to take and express train to go home. 

This is a train!

We're going home in style!

Our car is up near the front of the train.

Last shot of the trip. Getting seated in the train just before departure.

We did a lot of sightseeing and had a lot of fun on our second trip to Chōshi and I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't come back here again in the future. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike

Bonus shots!