Saturday

Christopher woke up feeling sick today, so we tried to keep things a little less active.  We went to the pharmacy and bought medicine and a face mask (he feels like he fits in better now).  Then we wandered around Ningyocho/Nihombashi for a couple hours.  Happened across a tasty-looking and *really* cheap local joint; we plan on going back for food tomorrow.  Found a playground complete with playing children and reflexology path. 

Speaking of playing children, I would note that Japan gets fatter every time I visit.  Five years ago, I noticed only one fat Japanese person the whole trip.  Three years ago, I noticed a handful.  This trip, I've seen dozens.  I suspect our American diet, which is quite popular in Japan (McDonald's, KFC, Wendy's, Burger King, Denny's) is starting to have an impact on some Japanese waistlines. :(

This evening, we decided to go to Freshness Burger for dinner.  It's nearby, but not next door like Yoshinoya.  We walked there to discover that they had closed early (they'll be closing early every day this week for the New Year's holiday - except the 1st and 2nd, when they're closed.  The Yoshinoya is closed until January 5). So we decided to go one train stop further to Akihabara. 

While Ningyocho was completely deserted, Akihabara was packed!  We went ahead and did some shopping at Book-Off and Hobby-Off.  I got some really cheap cds (T.M. Revolution, BOA, Ayumi Hamasaki) and some cheap games for my Japanese PSP.  Christopher scored the entire Final Fantasy series I-VI (although I and II are a compilation that was released in 1994 - still pretty cool).  I found an Auntie Anne's!  Yay! 

We finished off the night by riding the Yamanote line around Tokyo.  Christopher told me he was up for it.  At Shinjuku, the train filled up.  Between me squishing him on one side, someone else squishing him on the other, and the train warming up, Christopher soon drifted off to sleep.  I enjoyed the second half of the loop though!