Here are some takeaways from our fascinating trip to the far east.
First and foremost, jump rope is an amazing sport. Finn’s single rope team freestyle (“fourstyle”) group earned a 3rd place medal in the international open tournament. Finn it to win it!
A walking tour of Tokyo with local guide Haiyan gave us a great first-day overview of a surreal city. With over 38 million people, Tokyo makes DC feel positively provincial. Our Shinjuku train station, which processes 3.8 million visitors a day, has not one exit, nor two exits, nor four exits, but 42 exits. Meanwhile, our tiny, clean apartment had not one sitting area but zero. We could see why the Japanese are dedicated to making space for space in the form of peaceful parks and forests, even in the middle of the city.
Japan is mega weird when it comes to fashion. It was refreshing. Kevin, who knows the Japanese culture from his time there in the Navy, said people are kind of wound tight from all the work and family pressures and so create, again, space for active fantasy lives through cosplay. Yes, “cosplay,” as in costume play. There were costumes for little Bo Peep, goth girls, business men, and a lot of cutesy babydoll outfits. There are also a lot of pretty boys and “girlie clubs” for the so-called (and clearly not) gentlemen.
What’s up with all the cute in Japan? Cute cats, cute dogs, cute kids, cute anime, cute toilets. There’s a lot of cute. “Kawaii” is cool.
In one memorable moment, Finn took on a sumo wrestler. The other guy was 280 pounds, so he may or may not have lost. But how cool is it of Finn to step into the ring?
The art and architecture are eye catching and intriguing. There’s a paradoxical mix of modern and traditional, edgy and constrained, proper and provocative.
We loved the Team Lab Museum, which integrated science, color, nature, interactive technology and knowledge into playful learning—and they offered some delicious vegan miso soup with crunchy lotus roots.
The food. It was lovely. Like receiving a gift-wrapped package at each meal.
Finn’s Highlights
Watching the finals, the athletes’ gala, going to 7-Eleven, the arcade…basically everything on the last day.
Being in Kawasaki—the tournament.
Definitely reading.
Clara’s Highlights
The Team Lab Museum.
Seeing the puppies in Tokyo (next to Pet a Pig).
Dad being ridiculous at the ice cream place (and coffee ice cream). Last night in the elevator, Dad making me laugh.
Finn wrestling a sumo wrestler. “They have so much confidence to go up there. I mean they’re basically naked.”
Our tour with Haiyan. Seeing the popular places. And, “My steak. It was like the third best steak I’ve ever had. I ate three quarters of it.”
“By the way, I love Copenhagen. Even though I’ve never been. When we go to Norway in two years for the next Worlds, we should definitely go to Copenhagen.”
“When Dad clipped his toenails. That was like a proud daughter moment.”
Going to the brewery last night. We were watching the Devil Wears Prada and learning about when Dad and Mom first met.
Kevin’s Highlights
Definitely sumo.
The museum. I loved the technology and the way it brought in learning. The flowers were super peaceful. The water was cool.
The hustle and bustle of Shinjuku, where we stayed in Tokyo.
The Mt. Fuji stuff. I liked the forest there.
Heather’s Highlights
The bamboo coffee shop in the forest in the middle of Tokyo.
The hat shop.
Watching Clara watch the sumo wrestlers.
Going down the slide at the Team Lab Museum.
Kevin and the “watch out for bears” sign at Mt. Fuji.
Strawberry beer and family history with Clara.
@theterrace 