bullet train, backpacks all day, and japanese family...

Day 1 in Tokyo...
We left Nagoya at 7:53am yesterday morning and arrived about 1.5 hours later thanks to the bullet train!  Called the Yokomoris when we got to the station in tokyo and they werent going to be home til later in the evening so we had a great time exploring some of the city all day.  We loved it, the only downfall was we had to carry our backpacks around all day which made for a long and tiring day.  Our first stop in Tokyo was Harajuku which is a funky, fun shopping area.. Next headed over to the Meiji-jingu Shrine which was pretty cool.  There was a ceremony going on which I overheard was a traditional Japanese wedding so that was interesting to get a glimpse at. Then later off to the Yokomoris and the awesome and realiable public transportation.  Actually they are supposed to be reliable but on one of the subways we were on yesterday they stopped for at least 5 or 10 minutes and someone came over the loud speaker making some important announcement cause when some people heard it their eyes got really big and a few people got off the subway.  Then after we got going again we stopped once again in the middle of the tracks and another announcement was made.  Oh to be in a land where the first language isnt english and sometimes you just have no idea what is going on around you. 

Harajuku

A significant well at the Meiji Shrine

Today we slept in and decided to take it easy with the Yokomoris, the boys showed us around their neighborhood and we just enjoyed a relaxing day from all our many days of travel prior to this.  Tomorrow we will head back into the main part of the city and continue sightseeing.  We were also just planning on staying in Tokyo a few days, but they have invited us to their home town which is out in the country on a farm, but that isnt til the 9th.  So I think we will stay with them til then, spend one night in their hometown and then head back to Nagoya in time for me to begin orientation at school.  Im so thankful for them allowing us to stay here and welcoming us so warmly into their home. 

Entrance to Meiji-jingu Shrine