karin & Ossi in Japan

Ossi told me some weeks ago that he has to work in Japan. I am that lucky mushroom being invited from him instantly to join him.
Monday morning we were both happily sitting in Japans biggest airline ANA. The announcements nicely done in Japanese. How exciting is that for us. The food ‘of course’ excellent Japanese.
Some changes at the passport control in Narita: they took our finger prints and shooting a photo. I asked how long they do have this procedure? The officer asked: how long you haven’t been to Japan? I said long enough to come back for a check. He was smiling and I was glad to use my old Japanese language skills.
Narita express was in time for us and we arrived at the hotel in Yokohama in time. Next little wonder: the hotel stuff speaks all perfect English. But I couldn’t resist to ask in Japanese for the closest Kaiten Sushi. That’s the place where little plates driving around containing small portions of different sushi. The clerk was friendly and smiling. 'Just opposite at the west entrance of Yokohama Station up on the 6th floor' was the answer. We loved the new sushi-ya but realized changes here as well. To our surprise there was sushi with avocado. ‘Ka li fo ni a’ sushi! Well, with that I can live but not with ‘ku ri mu chi su’. (Cream cheese) very strange – not only we thought. The Japanese next to us wondered as well.
Our arrival day was a rainy day and pretty cool compare to China. I appreciated Tuesday morning to find a sunny day with absolute clear and amazing blue colored sky. This time our hotel room has no Mt. Fuji view but I knew he must be visible at a clear day like that.
At 11am I was standing at our old spot: Yokohama Station’s entrance close to the escalators. My old friend Tamae was arriving. How great to meet again. She saw us recently in Guangzhou after a long hiking trip in North China. She loved our cat and our house in the 29th floor. How different compare to Falkensee and Tokyo she said!
Lunchtime: Tamae didn’t know the new Kaiten Sushi and I was glad to introduce it to her and have Sushi again! Then she leads me to a close by building (sky fame) to have a look for Fuji Sama. Wow! 11th floor- there he was. Absolute high above the sky line covered with snow – so beautiful. My heart was filled with love and memories.
We ended up in our hotel room. Talking, drinking green tea, enjoying sakura mochi…….
The evening I was invited by Ossi. His colleges had dinner in a Isekaya. Isekaya’s have a special atmosphere. It’s may be like 'urban life'. Basic raw wooden tables, sitting on the floor, the interior simple but cozy. They offer lot’s of little dishes. And of course sake, beer, sour plum drinks…… and other drinks…… The food is Japanese, delicious little nibbles, but again I was surprised about the menu. International food was offered. It’s great to sit and talk and eat and drink …….very enjoyable.
We where so glad about our first day back to our old town Yokohama.