I didn't switch to the appropriate train on the way to the new airport in 名古屋, so I called the airport ahead so they wouldn't worry. I think it must be frightening to arrive in Japan without a guide. Anyway, we took a bus back into town, found some strangers to help us locate my parents' hotel, then checked in.
Sunday, headed to 犬山, home of one of the oldest original castles in Japan. Many castles in Japan were burned or bombed last century, so they are mostly recreations now. Afterwards we headed out to Monkey Park and played with some primates. Returned at night for a meal in one of the towers above Nagoya Station (42nd floor). Beautiful view of the city out the window.Monday, visited the Aichi Expo. Despite the heavy rain and the fact it was a weekday, the crowd was still a nuisance. Still too early, I suppose. Most interesting to me was the pavilian with a video about the creation of the expo, accompanied by a live opera singer. Least interesting was the ability to walk into a model futuristic train (600km/hr), since you just see the seating arrangement. Due to the crowds (3 hour wait just for Toyota's pavilian), we only saw a fraction of the park.
Tuesday, visited Toyota Museum of Textile and Automotive History. The place is constantly growing. I would have liked to see the special exhibit on Japanese marionettes, but we had gone to a dedicated museum in Inuyama just 2 days prior. Spent a good part of the day there, leaving no time for a trip to the port, which continues to grow as a tourist attraction. Instead, I took them by my university campus and ate at a spaghetti restaurant where I hoped Dad would branch out of his search for the perfect meatsauce. He did, but it ended up being too spicy.
Wednesday morning, it was off to 京都 via bullet train. No cherry blossoms yet! Cold front still persists. Took a guided tour, visited some shrines, same as every other tourist in Kyoto. No time for Nara, unfortunately.
Thursday, caught a few more sites in Kyoto. The taxi driver took pity on our tight schedule and seemed to appreciate conversing in Japanese with a foreigner, so he turned off the meter and just took us around Kyoto University's campus, and by a few shrines lesser-known to foreigners. Caught Silver pavilian, which I'm sure is gorgeous once Cherry Blossoms are blooming. Took an evening bullet train to Tokyo. Checked in that night to Takasomething something New Prince Hotel.
Friday (東京), had another guided tour, although these tours don't seem to ever let us get a feel for the well-known parts of the city. Didn't see Shinjuku, Rappongi, or Akihabara. My parents had walked enough for the day to go exploring too much. I met some friends for dinner. Crazy Taiwanese restaurant that was fashioned after some sort of dungeon. Not sure what's up with Tokyo. That place is just odd. Tried to find souvenirs, but Ginza turned out to be a bad place to look. Should've gone by more places in Nagoya where I know they can find some.
Saturday, my parents took a shuttle to the airport. Being the terrible son I am, I didn't accompany them. Instead, I flirted with the massive tourist group from 广州 (Canton region, China), hoping to practice my Cantonese. Sweet. Now I have a friend to show me around when I visit Guangzhou, in addition to those I intend to meet in the north. She recommended I visit 新宿公園, so I do. Leaving the hotel with too much baggage (getting heavier throughout the day), I realize the weather has suddenly turned warm, and amazingly, cherry blossoms are everywhere. I can't stress how dramatic this change was... going from about 53 degrees(F) to the mid 70s in one day. I only wish my parents could have come a week later. Shinjuku Koen was absolutely the most beautiful thing I've seen in Japan. Sharp contrast from my expectations of Tokyo. 200 yen admission includes different style gardens, a greenhouse, a pond with GIANT carp... oh man I wanted to take pictures like the other 1000s of Japanese that poured in that day. Even the prime minister gave a speech there the next day. Managed to do some souvenir shopping, met up with my friend Kayono's boyfriend, who gave me a room for the night out in a neighboring prefecture.Sunday, hit up Ueno Koen, which is another popular spot for 桜の花見, only this one is free and frequented by street performers. Not nearly as beautiful as the Shinjuku, I watch some Australian sing Simon and Garfunkle hits before entering the nearby Tokyo Museum (of something-rather). 150 yen for students, a great deal given the large number of exhibits on display. I only laughed at some guy trying to get in free with a media pass. Mwahaha I am STUDENT! After paying an extra 300 yen or so to see a single statue that was considered the epitome of beauty, I hit up 横浜. Already dark by this time, but it only cost about 400 yen to get there, so I went for it. Had dinner in China town, notably the largest in the world. Had to catch a train home, so I didn't see much else. I'll go back later, I hope.
