Tokyo, Japan!

We had the incredible opportunity to go to Japan last week! Our great friends, the Briscoe's, moved to Tokyo last fall and extended the invitation for us to come out and visit them whenever we wanted. Well, to their surprise we took them up on it! We left Alana and Tolan at home with Mom and Dad (to whom we are eternally indebted), and took Bryce and Jared across the international date line to visit their best buddies, Noah and Matteo.
We had a FABULOUS time! It's the first time Craig and I have really left the country, (not counting Tijuana, Mexico and Victoria, Canada). The Briscoe's were the perfect hosts and took us on our own personal guided tour throughout Tokyo and the mountains of Nikko.
This first set of pictures is the American Embassy Compound where government employees and their families live. Great place to stay!






Here is a cleansing station at a shrine not far from the compound:


There were lots of 'Japanenglish' signs around that made us laugh. Is public vomiting really a problem in Japan???



Memu - At least they tried! Heeheehee



This is at the Buddhist Temple in Asakusa:





Beautiful view of Tokyo:


300 Year Old Pine Tree:


Wedding party at Meiji Shrine:



Some of the local offerings at the grocery store:


Japanese farm house:


Tokyo McDonalds!


The Imperial Palace grounds:


...more pictures to come...

For Grandad: