Day 5 June 22

Today we decided to take the bullet train to Hankone primarily to visit the Open Air Museum. We've been looking forward to travelling on a Shinkansen since we first saw one. We took the local train to Shinagawa where we were to catch the train. Reserved seats. And very comfortable they were. Actually I had just settled down to reading the new Ray Davies biography after viewing the countryside for a bit when we arrived at our destination. From there we took a much slower train and then an even slower one. The train journey was getting hard. But then we started moving up the mountain and into the national park where the scenery was breathtaking. It all became a bit puffing billy. As we rose up the mountain we found ourselves up in the clouds.
At the station we came upon a very misty village. A short walk and we were in the museum. I'm not that big on sculptures but places like this quickly change your mind. There's the Henry Moore sculptures I had to write about in Art way back in the early seventies. A Rodin piece I recognised. Some great contemporary work. And then there is the Picasso exhibition. There are works I've never seen before even in books. I didn't know he did all this glass artwork or that he diversified into so many areas. Mind blown.Just brilliant and worth the long journey.
We also bathed our feet in the hot springs too as our feet were worn out from all the walking. We stayed at the museum so long that we never got a chance to look around the town much as it was closing time. We did stop and have a bite to eat though at at a Toy Story themed restaurant where he a lovely little curry and a glass of beer.
After taking the long trip back to Harajuku the others called it a day. We picked up some bento boxes on the way for dinner. However I went out to Roppongi to meet a parent from school who was here working on an art project. Geoff Nees and his colleagues met me at at place called Yakitori. They put a heavy mug of sake in front of each of us. Very strong and tasted potent. The others then proceed through a course of chicken on skewers. First chicken hearts, the neck the liver and so on. Unfortunately I had eaten twice in the last 5 hours and there was no room for anything. I did try the liver though and with a sip of red wine it tasted immaculate.
To get to Roppongi I had to use the Metro and it was easier than I thought. Roppongi reminded me a bit of the old Kings Cross. Every few steps a guy in a suit was strung to get me to come into their fine establishment. Travelling home after midnight I notice quite a few men in suits sleeping on their way home. I must admit that I was ready for sleep myself.