Last night was my first for a lot of things. Oh yes, I had my cultural cherry popped. We started the night when the Yamazaki's took us out to dinner at a Sushi-ya. This particular shop was a conveyor belt sushi shop, unlike anything I have ever seen before. Efficiency is a must at the place, something out of Henry Ford's diary. The Conveyor belt has to be a football field in length, weaving through the tables and back into the kitchen several times. Needless to say the choices are overwhelming. But I was so excited to try fish in Japan. I tried many things. Squid, Sea Urchin, Duck, Halibut Belly, Toro, and it was all great, the sea urchin was the most unusual taste I have had. I did not like it at first, tasted like the most concetrated extract of ocean water, excrement included. But, I think can taste some hidden umami, it must be an acquired taste, I will try again soon.
After dinner, I thought we were going home. Nope, we were going to someplace that is magic, a place of ultimate relaxation, the Onsen. The bath house is a massive building, full of facilities to take your mind off of your hecticx day. The contstruction is immaculate down to the stitching in the tatami mats. The baths are beautiful, with both indoor and outdoor baths made of granite and marble, a hot sauna with aromatics. We were definitely the only Gaijin there. It was somewhat awkward being the subject of curiosity when you are totally naked walking between baths. I think that the Japanese men were just fascinated to see foreigners in the baths. But, Im sure I made some faux pas that attracted attention as well. After the baths for an hour, we returned to the lobby for a relaxing beer. My first beer in Japan was something to remember.
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