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Kari visited the Nagaos with me one night. They showed her their typical generous hospitality.

On the train to somewhere.

These crabs are still alive, by the way. That's why they're all wrapped up in rubber bands.

Walking through the open air markets in Ueno.

Kari enjoyed the amazing selection of boots and shoes in Japan. I enjoy it, too, but finding women's shoes in my size here is, quite literally, impossible.

Taking a break in the afternoon. We found this great hole-in-the-wall restaurant made of basically just plywood.

A walk in the park. Ueno Park.

Jonathan likes looking at microphone parts in Akihabara.

And these.

This is Akihabara. I've posted many pictures from Akihabara before, but I've never shown much of what it's famous for. It's famous for gadgets/parts/trinkets/thingies. Like these.

On our trip into Akihabara, we got stopped by this dinosaur and this superhero. They interviewed us briefly for some low-budget, internet TV show.

I teach these four six-year-old girls on Friday nights. After their lesson, I teach a lesson to their mothers.

Jonathan and I.

That night evening, as we were trying to find out way back to the station, we stumbled upon this community festival celebration.

The golden flame. This building is near Asakusa temple. Many tourists and Japanese alike enjoy making childish jokes about what the "golden flame" ACTUALLY resembles. Ahem. Next to it, is the office building of Asahi beer. As you can tell, it looks like a foaming, golden pint.

Jonathan ties his omikuji (fortune paper) to the post.

A shamisen player entertaining tourists outside the temple grounds.

We visited Asakusa temple. Jonathan and I posing in front of the main entrance to the temple itself.

I took Kari to my local hairdresser, Matsumura-san. Here he is working his magic on Kari.

On September 13th, my dear friend, Kari arrived for a two week visit. We took her to a little Japanese restaurant to welcome her to the country. She didn't like some of the cuisine, apparently... =)

In early September, we went and ate sushi with a few friends in Tokyo. On our way to karaoke after the meal, the boyfriend of one of the women in our group showed up on his spicy convertible. I went for a ride. Yaow!