Sayonara Japan

It was our last day in Japan, our flights weren't until early evening, so we had decided to take an Uber to the same Museum where the Kokufu was exhibiting and visit the first day of the Suiseki exhibition. We had already spent many hours viewing stones during the tour, it only seemed fitting to see them in exhibition.

We arrived before the start time, so we went for a walk around the property. 

Five Storied Pagoda

This pagoda has changed ownership many times from the Shinto religion to the Buddhists and finally donated to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government where it now lives on the premises of Ueno Zoo.

Nearby was this Ema display. An ema is a pictorial votive offering made of wood. Traditionally people write New Year's resolutions, prayers for success or wishes for good health and then hang them on this special holder hoping god will make their wishes come true.

Then it was time to go see some rocks! This was the 62nd installment of the "Exhibition of Japanese Suiseki Masterpieces". Displayed are stones prized by collectors from Japan and all parts of the world.

Raw chrysanthemum stone

Closeup

Recognize the one below? David tried to buy it at one of the nurseries, LOL. I guess this confirms that it really wasn't for sale.

We learned this trip that stones can be raw, sand blasted and polished. The chrysanthemum stone below is sand blasted and  polished. I think with all the flowers, it looks nicer versus raw. What do you think?

This one below really looked like either a Utah or Nevada landscape. Even the presentation in the sand in the tray made it seem more desert-like.

The one below is another black stone from the Abegawa river in Kyoto.

I like this one below as it makes the rock seem more fragile.

I love the two tone on this one.

The surface on this stone looks reptilian or fossil-like.

I think the detail on the daiza was a good match for the stone. When we had had our fill of rocks, we grabbed an uber back to the noodle house that David and Ira had been thinking about since we went there the first time. They wanted one last bowl of noodles before heading to the airport.

Here's the ordering ticket machine, that we are now experts on. LOL

And here's a picture of the kitchen bar. We were the first ones in there, but by the time we were finished, there were four people waiting for our seats. So needless to say, we didn't linger. The boys were satisfied though. 

Back at our hotel, we grabbed our bags and then ordered separate Ubers to our respective airports. Although Ira shared the screenshot with the driver, we mistakenly climbed into David's Uber and he into ours. Instead of just switching destinations, our driver made a U-turn and went back to meet the other driver to switch. So crazy! At any rate, we had a bit of a laugh.

We made it to the airport in plenty of time which was good, because airport security at Haneda airport did not like our rocks. Both Ira and I were pulled over and our bags were searched. Fortunately the agent thought David's dragon egg was super cool. So we asked him to search mine as well so he could see our chrysanthemum and hut stones. He gave us some tape to re-wrap everything and sent us on our way. So all was good.

I promise photos of all the rocks we purchased when we're back in San Diego.

A dopo!

P.S. While we were in Tokyo, we managed to get the last of the paperwork complete and submit our Visa application. So now we wait!