Glimpses of my weekend on Sado Island.
After a great time at Earth Celebration last year, we returned to Sado Island for more taiko and sea air. It takes all day to get there from Tokyo — shinkansen to an express train to a ferry — but for me getting there is half the fun. Each night on Sado we climbed the hill next to the harbor and watched the sunset amidst cicadas until the concert drums and night stars took over. During the day we napped in the grass and swam in calm ocean inlets. Ah, Sado.
sunset
A Day by the Sea
This weekend I went to Enoshima. I don’t know why it has taken me 3 years to get there; it’s only an hour from Tokyo by train but it feels a world away. I left the city heat behind me and spent an afternoon near the sea with friends. Lovely!
Our objective was to see jellyfish at the aquarium and eat seafood. Perhaps an insensitive combination. 
That ray had the most expressive face.（＾Ｏ＾）
We accidentally caught the dolphin show, which was surprisingly entertaining. I usually dislike animal shows but this one was choreographed with dancing, singing, synchronized swimming girls who sat inside big clear balls and were pushed across the water by a false killer whale. Everyone around me was like, “What the hell?” but in a good way.
Dolphins and smiling rays put up a good fight, but the jellyfish fantasy hall was the real shop-stopper. That, and when I caught a seal pooping.
After a walk along the small streets of Enoshima to the top of the peak, we were rewarded with a pretty sunset. And back to Tokyo we went.
Christmastime in Twinkle Town
Merry Christmas everyone! I just needed to share, here is what Christmas looks like in Japan:
Roppongi Illumination is pretty amazing.
Christmas cookies, very delicious.
A picture of people taking pictures.
Our Christmas view. Squint and you can see Mt. Fuji.
Fried Chicken, a Japanese Christmas tradition. Mmmmmmm.
