February 8, 2012: Tokyo Day #13! The Longer Longest Day! And Dark Matter #2 hits the stands!

The second issue of my comic book series, Dark Matter, hit the shelves today.  Did you pick up your copy?  Have you read it yet?  If so, what did you think?  Were you shocked by the surprise ending or did you see it coming?  Do tell?

THINGS I HAVE LEARNED FROM THIS TOKYO TRIP:

1. Do not eat chocolate in bed unless you are washing the sheets.

2. Japanese mustard is NOT the same thing as Western mustard.  It is actually closer to wasabi paste, with an explosive, sinus-clearing, eye-tearing, throat-constricting kick waiting to surprise anyone stupid enough to pop some into his mouth.

3. If I sample something while shopping, fifty percent of the time I will buy the product.  As a result, I should avoid sampling.

4. The Japanese like their paper currency in pristine condition – crispy and clear as if it just came off the printing press.  I have no idea where all the old, folded money goes.

5. Most Japanese women can be quite shy and unassuming – unless they happen to be bathroom attendants in which case they'll brazenly stroll into the men's room and refill the soap dispenser unruffled by the guys lined up at the urinals.

Well, it seems I spoke to soon.  Akemi is only halfway to getting her permanent residency.  Apparently, the second part of the process has yet to be completed: final approval on the part of the embassy in Tokyo.  And that could take another 6 months.  So, positive news but the wait continues…

We were scheduled for a late 3:30 departure on the shuttle bus to Narita (for our 19:10 flight to Vancouver) and, despite having a half day to work with, Akemi felt she needed most of the time to pack and shower (after stocking up necessities like okonomiyaki sauce and dried seaweed).  And so, rather than go out for lunch, we stayed in and enjoyed a few items from the Mitsukoshi basement food shops…

Akemi had a fruit sandwich from the little fruit shop near Chuo Dori.

I had the Maisen katsu sandwich that was surprisingly crispy and moist with a hint of sweetness delivered by the accompanying Maisen sauce.

I also had some shishito tempura (love these tiny Japanese peppers).

I also had a yube and broccoli and mushroom and Japanese sweet potato and lotus root salad – and a chocolate cornet for dessert.  And -

This ultra-rich and decadent dark chocolate creation from Frederic Cassel.

Some final images from my Tokyo trip:

Banana dispenser in one of the Tokyo subway stations. When a Coke just won't do it.

Don't know what she's selling, but I'm buying!

Don't know what she's selling either, but I'm also buying. As long as it's not the hat.

Mmmmmm. Collon cream.

Apparently, some of the supermarkets offer a handy sweetness scale for fruit.

Also - want to know where your produce comes from? Well, in this case, meet the farmer who grew the crop you're about to purchase.

I wonder what spurred them to erect guardrails on the subway platforms. Too many drunken salarymen ending up on the tracks?

Riding the subway

I prepare to eat my crispy pork sandwich before passing through security in the however unlikely event they choose to confiscate my dinner.

And my Hattendo cream bun too.

The underground shortcut to Gate 43.

Back home and exhausted…