Today is my travel day back to Seattle from Japan. My first leg will be from KIX to Narita airport on JetStar Airlines. I checked in two bags total weight was 23 kg. 3 kg above their limit and I had to pay ¥3000. They asked me if I want to take 3 kg out of the second bag and put it on my backpack. I refuse and I pay ¥3000.

 

I tried to use priority pass but somehow my priority pass was denied access to this particular establishment. They clear that they are welcoming priority pass customer I wonder what went wrong. I wasn't hungry anyway. I already came to the gate about 40 minutes. Sitting on the computer with the bench walking. Next stop Narita airport.

 

 

 

Today, I bought sushi at the supermarket—one pack with eel for about $3.50 and another mixed assortment for $4.00. I put them together on a plate, which you can see in the second picture. So everything on that plate cost around $7.50. For me, this is incredibly inexpensive compared to prices in the United States, and the quality of the sushi here is on another level. Honestly, I would hesitate to buy sushi in the U.S. after experiencing the freshness and flavor here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today, I met a retired man selling coffee from his homemade coffee vending mini truck on a street in Tokyo. He shared that after retiring, he found himself with nothing to do, so he decided to follow his passion for coffee by serving one cup at a time. He even told me about traveling around Japan in his mini truck. What a unique way to spend retired life. I’m glad he found something he truly enjoys. I wish him the best of luck.
 
 

 

 

 

It is a beautiful Saturday morning in Tokyo. I woke up around 6 o'clock, had a cup of coffee at the hotel, and went out for a walk. The hotel I’m staying at is only about 10 minutes from Tokyo Station. I walked to Tokyo Station, explored the area on the other side, and then headed to the south side to cross the railway. The entire walk was about 1.9 miles, or approximately 4,500 steps—more than double what I usually walk when I’m in Seattle. I have one meeting today before traveling to Kansai via Shinkansen. I also have a meeting in Nagoya tomorrow before reaching my final destination in Ashiya.

 

 

 

Foods in Japan are so good and inexpensive compared to the US that it’s hard not to eat more than I should. I've gained weight, which isn’t great for my health. While I miss home-cooked meals, the food here is simply too delicious to resist.

 

Tanuki ... The tanuki in Japanese culture symbolizes prosperity, good fortune, and playfulness. Known as a shape-shifting trickster in folklore, it represents adaptability and transformation. Tanuki statues often embody traits like generosity, awareness, strength, and financial luck. Its playful, mischievous nature makes it a symbol of lightheartedness and abundance.

 

 

 

 

Congratulations. Donald Trump will be becoming next present of the United States.