Day 7 Tokyo & getting home

 We woke up at the Temple housing and couldn't come up with a plan.  This was the first time we were having a difference of opinions and couldn't decide what to do.  Finally, we decided we were worn out and the city sites weren't what we wanted to see so we found a flight home and then went our for a final day of sites.

We started at the Tsukuji Fish Market.  It was so busy and crazy and SMELLY!

Everyone was standing in line for fresh sushi (for breakfast?) I saw the prices and thought, NO WAY ($30+ per plate)!  but then the longer we were there the more I wanted to see what all the hubbub was about, so we shared a plate.  It was so amazing!  Melt in your mouth deliciousness!  The chef prepared it right in front of you.

We took the subway back to the temple to pick up our bags.  Without our train passes(they expired yesterday) travel was expensive and Tokyo was a bit confusing.  We took our bags to a stop and checked them into a locker we were so afraid we would never find them again, the station was SO busy and big.  Tokyo is really a city you have to experience to understand the busy-ness.  

We walked to the Tokyo Metropolitan building for a view of the city from many stories up (5th tallest building in Tokyo).

We walked to the Meiji shrine in the middle of the city, but after the many amazing temples in Kyoto, this one paled in comparison.  Maybe if we saw it first...

A traditional wedding

We did a bit of souvenier shopping and then headed to the train to get to the airport.  We were planning on getting our last meal at the airport, but there wasn't really any Japanese food there!  We were so disappointed!   

 Here are the MANY tickets we had for train rides and entry passes.

 We were able to fly to LAX (on United) and immediately catch a flight to Utah.  

We were tired, but slept a bit on the plane.  The kids didn't know we were coming home (neither did Grandma and Grandpa!) so we just showed up and they were SO excited.  I loved being squeezed and hugged and seeing the happiness on their faces.  

The souveniers we brought were a HIT.  We bought them all at dollar stores!  BEST IDEA EVER.  These fans were selling for $15+ and we got them for $1.  We also got parasails, oragami paper, bento lunch boxes, candy, umbrellas, stickers, bags,  etc.  

We didn't get anything for ourselves (we never know what we want).  But we got magnets from all the major sights.  This was such a great trip!  Couldn't have gone better.  I love Japan.  The Food, the people, the culture, I love it.  I will forever have a place in my heart for this wonderful country. I thank God for the opportunity to serve there and love so many people.  

Day 1 & 2 Hiroshima   Day 3 & 4 Kyoto  Day 5 & 6 Himeji & Takayama   Day 7 Tokyo