Traditional Japanese Lunch

Today was a very big surprise for all of us ladies!! Teresa took us all to a traditional Japanese restaurant.  There was even a person who parked the car for us very impressive.

Car Attendant

I loved the originality of the place, there was curtains hanging in the entry way like all traditional restaurants have. I am so happy to be here; wow don't have any idea of what to expect? We stopped right at the entrance and there were house slippers sitting out for each of us.I looked over and saw all the shoes of the people already inside having lunch.  All the shoes were set neatly in a row waiting for their owners to pick them up.  I'm smiling as the Japanese lady takes my shoes and lines them up with the others.  She helps me slip into the slippers she has for me.  What's so special is all the ladies I can see are all dressed in traditional kimono's with pretty white aprons over them to keep them clean.

Our waitress lead us all up the stairs to the 2nd floor where she directed us to the room that we would be in for our lunch.  As we each arrived at the doorway she bent down and took off our slippers and placed then neatly outside the door.

We each take a spot at the table which is of course the Japanese style seating, low table with the chairs and cushions on the floor. I am in awww as I take a spot at the table and let my mind absorb all that is around me. A place in the wall that has fresh flowers with some Japanese writing behind it.  The ladies and myself are busy now taking pictures of our surroundings.

As soon as our waitress came back we told her we were hot and she immediately put down the tray and went and got the remote to turn on the air-conditioner. She proceeded to put the beginning of our food on the table in front of each of us. The display of food looked so very pretty.     

Turning on the Air

First delivery of food

I love the way the food looked but I like my foods to have some crunch and not everything mushy in my mouth. The last thing we got was dessert which consisted of  a jello tasting custard.

Next we were given some green tea which you have after your desert. T said that we should eat the dessert then have a sip of green tea. Teresa showed us all how to sip the tea which there is a certain way you are suppose to drink the tea. I have a video of  T showing us the proper way to drink green tea.

The last thing they brought was a dessert I think it was a clear noodle that you put into some brown liquid that tasted like maple syrup.  I tried it but like I said I don't care for everything being mushy.

Deb is trying the noodles and dipping them into the maple sauce but she didn't eat them did not like them.  Deb and I are alike guess i'm a little picky, I don't like raw fish.....which alot of the food today was raw. The meal was topped off with a pot of hot green tea. Green tea is not my favorite just can't get used to that smell of the tea. In Japan you don't pour your own tea or beer, someone has to pour it for you.

Ice cold clear noodles

Noodles in maple sauce

We are done with our lunch and Teresa said the Japanese will get offended if we leave food on our trays.  She dug in her purse and got out her cloth.  She then proceeded to gather the food left on our trays and place them into her napkin and place the napkin with food insider her purse.  Teresa and Sue tried to eat what we didn't want but they got to full.

We are done and getting ready to leave the restaurant. We leave our room and go back out and slip back on our slippers. I was the first one out of room, as I started down the steps to the 1st floor I looked up and loved the lamps hanging from the ceiling.  I really like their lights which are mostly made of some kind of paper. Very pretty.!  I also love the water falls that they have almost in every restaurant. The sound of the water coming from the pipe and hitting the water below is so soothing.  I am so very lucky to get to experience this Japanese lunch.  Teresa thanks so much for making these arrangements for all of us ladies this experience will be something I will never forget.

When we got outside i saw a pagoda looking statue boy I would like to have this.  Unique yes thats why I like it.

Teresa I will never be able to repay you for this awesome experience i have had in Japan.  Ladies thanks for sharing your time with me and being my friend.

We visited Deb's apartment which is up on the 11th floor, she has a nice place that is decorated nicely.  The view from her apartment is wonderful you can see the train station and watch the bullet trains come and go. 

  

 Ended the day by checking out all her stuff she had got at a Hard Off (used clothing/furniture store). We have all decided that is where we all want to go tomorrow. I can't wait to go!!! Visited the grocery store across from Deb and bought me some wine and oil that also had basil in it.  Having dinner in our room tonight.

Thanks to all of you for everything you have done to make this trip so special