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BACKGROUND
This was another 3-week long business trip, centered in Aichi prefecture. Also my last trip to Japan (as of this writing on 2023-Feb-26) that was paid for by a company. Because I had been twice before, and my (then) wife and mother wanted to see Japan, I arranged for them to fly in for the two weekends in the center of my trip.
We had a lot of fun, and got to experience first hand Japanese experiences because of my co-workers desire to learn from three Americans and our experiences.
There are not many pictures right now, I seem to have misplaced many of them. If I find them, I'll update the blog and renotify everyone.
So, let's see what the pictures will provide by the following categories:
Each of these links should take you to the sub-blog (is that a word?), and the page for the sub-blog should have a return to this page, so you can see all the things (except the last one).
Cars & Vehicles
Psych, no cars this time. At least not yet.
One last shot of the "Queen of the Skies" leaving NGO airport. I took this picture because around this time, it had been announced that she was being retired.
But I wasn't at NGO to travel. I was there to see this plane off safely to DTW, since my (now ex-) wife and mother were on it. We had some fun on the two weekends we were there.
And the biggest surprise at the airport, a police man checking me out in his new scootie-machine.
Animals
Eat your heart out Nara, Nagoya-jo has deer also. The moat is not very effective without water in it though.
This one needed a rest from posing for all the pictures.
Shrines & Temples
Senso-ji:
Contrast of Senso-ji and Sky Tree.
Looks like today wouldn't have been so great for being up in Sky Tree.
Meiji-jingumae:
I believe I witnessed a Japanese wedding, at Meiji-jingumae, by accident.
I kept my distance and my mouth shut, and just lived in the moment from afar. I was amazed by the grace of the whole thing. I can only imagine what the cost would be to get married in one of the most famous shrines in Tokyo.
Castles
Nagoya-jo
One of the cement-reproductions castles. I actually went inside because my family and I were exploring with some of my Japanese co-workers and their kids. It was fun to feel Japanese, if only for a day.
My favorite part of the castle, a suit of samurai armor.
Views from the top of the castle:
A demonstration of samurai life at the castle. The kids really enjoyed this. I wish I could understand what was being said, but the art of it was worth watching.
Gardens, Plants, & Scenery
This tree is a twin to one that was in the front yard of my house. When I saw this one, I had to take its picture, simply because of the imagery.
Why Japan?
One of the people who dress in this lovely style, but doing normal things like dragging their bags home from the train station.
I believe this was an actual sumo wrestler. We were in the area of Tokyo known for housing the sumo and the crowds surrounding this guy were immense. I wish I knew who he is, though.
My image of how this was named
Person 1: How many pictures can we fit on the front of the machine?
Person 2: Seventeen.
Person 1: Ok, the company's name is "Seventeen" something. What do we sell?
Person 2: Ice cream and Frozen treats.
Person 1: That's too many words. Let's shorten it. "Ice" covers all of that.
I forget where I was in Japan at this time, but what I understood was that there was a tour bus moving tourists along on the highway and the bus driver was overworked and sleepy.
Unfortunately, this was the result. And around the same time, this happened multiple times around the world.
I hope everyone stays safe.
CONCLUSION
There should be more pictures. I hope I can find them. But just in case they are permanently gone, I will publish as is.
Missing items would be the fabulous unagi lunch with my Japanese co-workers, and my family getting fried chicken instead. The unagi was delicious!
I think I went to a very delicious sukiyaki restaurant near Nagoya Train Station, and another restaurant with an enormous Buddha inside, where I smashed my head on a nearly invisible, and severely low, door beam. I literally saw stars when I smashed my head into it at full speed.
Hopefully I can find the photos.
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