Japan 2014 Thursday

Thursday - After a short walk, we checked out of our cute hotel, and as we left, one Japanese fellow did a full bow in the doorway as we pulled out, and the other Japanese clerk went out in the road and helped us get on our way. They are always so courteous and kind. 

Then we went to the Yunessun which are the flavored hot tubs. We sat in all the tubs -- red wine (we got to splash some real red wine on us), beer, green tea, coffee and yogurt. 

My favorite part was Dr. fish where hundreds of little fish attack your legs and feet and nibble your skin. It tickles and feels very strange, but it's very fun. We shared two small cups of soup-- pumpkin and sweet potato--and a frozen crepe. The crepe was definitely the best part.

Then we went on an adventure to add seven years to our lives. We took a train and a cable car up to some volcanic hot spots (reminded me of yellow stone), and we bought some hard-boiled eggs which were cooked there in the spring where the elements turn them black. You peel the black covering off, eat the egg, and wallah!-- you've added seven years to your life!

Enjoying our black (vanilla flavored) and yellow (egg-flavored) ice-cream cones.

Then we went to Odawara Castle. We walked through it quickly-- not much of interest inside-- more like a museum. Got some good pics outside.

Then we went home and Mike and the kids joined us for dinner where we had yakinuku which is food you grill yourself over some coals in the middle of your table, and there are lots of choices on the table for sauces to dip the meat in. Yummy. No one in Japan expects a tip for service, they just gladly give it as part of their job. We love that! Another thing of note is that they don't have a lot of public garbage cans. You're just expected to take care of your own trash.