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
That looked like a good time. I didn't realize you two look alike.
ReplyDeleteHello Kristen, what a pleasant surprise to see your comment.
DeleteIt was a good time, it was a great time!
All the best,
Mike