Japan - Day 4

I hope you are still with me on this :) If you have only just started reading you need to go back a few posts to the start of the Japanese adventure!

Workshops over we now had 2 planned days of more touristy activity. A chance to see a bit more of Japan. Dice collected us at 8.45 from the hotel and we headed off to the station. We were to go by train to downtown Tokyo to the Shinjuku Art Clay Studio. As well as all the Art Clay products there was some stunning work by some of the top masters in Japan in Art Clay with lots of fascinating new techniques we will be hearing more about soon I think. In the teaching area were Japanese students making some wonderful creations that they were keen to show us. The standard of work in Japan is really very high.

Then it back to the trains and off to the Temple at Asakusa.

This is one of the oldest temples in Tokyo and it was all stunning. We ate street food from the small stalls – I don’t think I have eaten rice in so many forms! – bought small souvenirs and wandered around soaking up the atmosphere. The sun shone all day and it was really warm.

 

Below - One of the many pottery shops

Above - even the modern shutters were beautifully decorated

More trains and back in Toyko to Tokyu Hands , Creative Life Store, a large department store. It has a really large craft section so needless to say we all descended upon that area and had a good shop!

Then it was a brisk walk back to the station to ensure we caught a train back to Fuchu in time for the highlight of the week, a meal hosted for us by Mr Aida himself, President of Aida Chemicals. The meal was booked for 7.30pm and with impeccable timing Dice got us all there for 7.25. The meal was Chinese and in a stunning location at the top of a tower block with views out across the city. Mr Aida was the most gracious and entertaining host and a good time was had by all.

Below - group photo and me with Mr Aida and Mr Kwai