Pucker Up!

Saturday saw us venture into the unknown to watch an ice hockey game. I say unknown coz we were waaaaay off any map we have but still only took us 30 min to get to. The game itself was between the Nippon Paper Cranes and the Oji Eagles (1 v 2 as it turned out). We managed to get seats in the Eagles member area, and to be honest I felt dirty, probably a throw back from AFL, but I just cant bring myself to support any Eagles so I was rooting for the Cranes (on the inside).



The Mighty Cranes warming up



 Having seen an NHL game I was expecting a little bit of biff. I should have known better!



Kate, BEFORE her team started getting flogged



 

These Japanese people are to polite/friendly/honourable! The only aggro shown was by the Canadian/American expats but despite their best efforts none of the locals would rise to the challenge so we had to be content with some slams into the wall (incidently, this lack of aggression in a violent sport does not bode well for my potential basketball career over here!). 

Any Bump that lifts you a foot off the ground
is a good one!



My team (the Cranes) really gave it to the Eagles in the first 2 thirds scoring 3 goals to nil but seemed destined to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory after surrendering early goals in the last period.



A respectable shirtfront. Now if only they weren't
Wearing body armour!



The Cranes regained the lead 4-3 but with the ugly cologne of desperation permeating the arena, the Egirls subbed their goalie for an extra attacker…….……… the gambit failed and in the end they went down 5-3.



Group hug!



I must investigate the possibility that any team that goes by the moniker ‘Eagles’ will promise much but be woefully inadequate in front of goals and rely on their defence and midfield to keep them in games.



The Cranes were on top for most of the game



Sunday saw us check out Meiji-Jingu (shrine) which is in Yoyogi-koen (Yoyogi Park). This park is smarterthanyouraveragebear and makes for quite a nice stroll. It has a massive iris garden which given the season was more of a mud pit and 'fish pond' full of koi? The garden was a gift from Emperor Meiji to Empress Shoken back in the day (as you do!). 



Steve couldn't quite work out why the ibis
 kept going for him



The entry to the main complex



The Meji Shrine itself was actually destroyed during WW2 but was rebuilt in its original form using traditional methods and materials. All in all quite an impressive structure! We also saw a wedding occur which was pretty oldschool (and it turns out a highlight in the eyes of the Lonely Planet).



The Wedding procession



We then went to Akihabara to find Kate a new camera. After much grumbling and groaning on my behalf we managed to do many things; settle on an Olympus tough 8010 find a store that still had one and then Kate managed to get the guy to knock off another couple hundred Yen! High fives alround!

That’s it for now, apologies it took a while! 

This week I hope to go find a shop that has this website……..

http://www.japansword.co.jp/

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Ninja, teaparty over!!!

What could go wrong??!