Day 8

Well, Today’s my scheduled visit with Ms. Hisao Muto. She is a Professor and Lecturer at Hosei University. I have known her for 15 years, and most of that time, I haven’t been able to meet up. Because of the left foot, again, this was going to be kind of light.

Prior to that, I have a shot of the “Challenge Round” of canned coffees.

I can understand the FIRE part of this name. I have a jar of some of the most drank instant coffee in Japan in my room:

Trust me, the CLASSICO is better. This stuff tastes like they flash fried the coffee beans to ASH first, THEN made the stuff to coffee, THEN freeze dried. You cannot put barely a fraction of a teaspoon of this stuff in your cup until it seems like you are drinking PAPER ASHES. Anyway, the FIRE BLACK is the “Challenge Round” of this. How was it? Well, my kidneys are getting a workover right now…ugh…

After this, I readied myself up, then took off for my 1PM meetup with Ms. Muto.

I guess, because of her University status, they did this meetup in a traditional Japanese businessman way – in a reserved conference room. WOW! did I deserve this? Anyway, after this meetup, she decided to take Mr. Tamura and myself out for a late birthday dinner. (Get ready PHOODIES!)

This was the plate of sashimi. Well, I guess I get to take a hit for the cause.

This was the place of assorted tempura.

This was the chawanmushi. That is a particular seafood chowder, almost in the consistency of a custard, served in a formal teacup.

This is a SEA SNAIL. Yes, the bowl is on fire. I have to admit, this had the consistency of liver pate.

Deep fried sardines, and a bowl of pickled ginger, pickled cucumber, and pickled daikon.

Then…The Main course…

The UNAGI! This is marinated, grilled river eel. I had Unagi on the ANA flight out of LA to here, but, of course, this was a LOT better.

Also, there was LOTS of…

Sorry, I forgot to take pics of the sake.

Tomorrow, I will attempt to do another short trip, then my dinner with the Tamura family.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled websurf…

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