After my fairly quick tour of the north part of Japan, I headed back to Tokyo. Mainly so that I could spend my birthday with the friends I had made over my time in Japan who were largely based in Tokyo.

Had opted for a novelty option for my birthday dinner in the fishing restaurant where you can fish for your dinner. The main restaurant is a big wooden boat surrounded by a moat like tank.

Fishing rods where a simple stick with a small hook where depending on what fish you are trying to catch you either put a little bait on or just get the fish to bite on the hook. I have to say I was pretty hopeless and no birthday boy special treatment from the fish to have a nibble on my line. Luckily Shane managed to catch quite a nice bass and we ordered a la carte for the rest of our evenings sustenance.

The suitcase had been a bit of a pain on the previous leg of my journey as it barely fitted on the overhead space in the trains and train station lockers and was cumbersome to wheel around. Time to get reacquainted with my backpack which I hadn’t used in earnest for 10 years. Repacking into this bad boy meant I was more conscious about travelling light. Still amazed how functionally well thought through this bag is. Great investment. Must try to use it more!

Onward to Hakone….