In the evening 3 friends of mine from the States arrived and another American buddy of mine, who lives in Fukushima Prefecture, also came down to visit.  Out of the 3 from the States, 2 is their first time to Japan. 

However, before everyone arrived late in the afternoon and since it was a beautiful warm day, we (family) decided to take another trip to family friendly Yokohama; specifically Chinatown, Yamashita Koen and the Minato Mirai area, which is home to Queen’s Square shopping mall.  I’ve been to Chinatown before and also spent some time in the Minato Mirai area but it was my first time to Yamashita Koen (park).  It’s a park that runs along the water and is a popular spot to take pictures of Yokohama’s well known Landmark Tower, which is the tallest building in Japan.  Within Yamashita Koen is a “Happy Lawson” convenience store.  Not just a Lawson convenience store, but a “Happy” one.  What seperates this Lawson from the other Lawsons is that this one is A. much bigger and B. is family/kid friendly.  Like our McDonald’s play area’s, Happy Lawson has one and unlike it’s other chains, this one sells more kid/baby goods.  I think it’s the only one in Japan, but I could be wrong……

After having lunch in the largest Chinatown in Asia we decided to walk to Minato Mirai 21 district via Yamashita Koen and unexpectedly came across a eco-friendly vehicle car show at Yokohma Red Brick Warehouse.  I got to sit in Ellica, a Keio University batter powered car, that I saw a piece on the Discovery channel a couple of months ago.  It can go from 0 to 60 miles a hour in 4 seconds!  Crazy!  I want one!

I seperated with my family in Queen’s Square and hooked up with my Fukushima buddy and then we proceeded to meet our other friends in Shinjuku.  However, before that we took the Minatomirai Line & the Tokyu Toyoko Line (one train) to Naka-Meguro station then walked across the platform on the Hibiya Line where a train was waiting for us to take us to Ebisu station on the JR Yamanote line.  Before we departed for Japan we made arrangements to have my friends pick up a rental cell phone from Softbank at the airport so they were able to call me to tell me what Narita Express train they got on so we could meet them on the platform in Shinjuku; with beer in hand :-). 

After dropping their luggage off at Sunroute Hotel in Minami (South) Shinjuku we walked over to Higashi (East) Shinjuku and had dinner at a chinese restaurant called Seiryumon.  Simply put, you don’t go there for the food, you go there for the experience and ambiance - including the bathroom.  I’ll let the video below show you what I’m talking about.

Funny thing - The “first time to Japan” friends told me that seeing people wearing white masks over their mouth kind of freaked them out.  Some Japanese people wear masks if they have a cold so they don’t spread it to others, but during the spring many wear it because of pollen.  For a first time visitor I can see how that can freak them out.  :-)  Bird Flu! Aaaaah!!

Oh, jeez - I almost forgot. From a Japanese perspective, I almost forgot the most important event of this day’s post. Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) are starting to bloom!