Day 4. 30th May, 2007

Today we had a lie in and a slow start to the day. We explored to the left of the hotel and found another 7-11 and lots of little restaurants, including a block of them that Takeda san had told me about.

Saito san arrived at 2.15 but without Yoko san who had to stay at home as a new gas range was being installed. We took the JR Yokosuka line to Kinshicho and then a taxi (driven by what appeared to be a nonagenarian) to Takeda’s home. Ota san was waiting on the street to direct us to the correct house. Everyone except Ebihara san, who arrived a little later, was already there. Takeda san showed us his office set up on the ground floor. A double room full of computers, copiers and other office equipment. Then upstairs to the party! A couple of low tables loaded with food, including sashimi tuna, bonito and squid, crab salad, sushi, and several other dishes that I don’t know the name of. Happily we were able to sit on a sofa as our legs wouldn’t put up with sitting on the floor for very long. As everyone present had a few miles on the clock there were some others who found it a bit of a challenge, but everyone else managed far, far better that we would have been able to. We started with beer, and a toast of welcome to everyone, and worked our way through white wine, sake, shochu, and red wine. I did, anyway, and I wasn’t the only one! As if there wasn’t enough food already, after the partly had been going for an hour or two, Takeda san and Noriko san prepared Tempura mushroom, asparagus, fish and prawn. Yummy!

A great time was had by all.

Saito san escorted back to the hotel – just as well – and we collapsed into bed.