Hello Sumo ....Goodbye Japan

Sunday morning started with a breakfast raid on one of those French/Japanese bakeries - that almost get it right - toasted ham and potato salad baguettes, schnitzel burgers, rolls with sultanas that are really red beans etc 

The raid was a good one - they probably made their daily profit after the 8 of us and the boys filled up on breakfast.

We then realised we had got a bum steer on the timing for the Sumo tickets (lucy and I thought it was a conspiracy) - but it turned out to be  a blessing - we didn't get the cheap western seats - we ended up with a "Japanese box" - a little square area with 4 cushions - and we got the last 8 seats or 2 boxes sold for the day - and they were absolute crackers of seats.

If you ever go to Japan - make sure there is Sumo on. We had such a good time. The bouts got bigger and bigger - and the drama more and more exciting. Lucy's special topic is now Sumo - and can work out how senior a referee is from his sandals, what sort of hair style means what etc. It was a lot of fun

Jem and Charlie checking exactly where they were standing

We ate Sumo food - beautifully presented

 

In the box early in the day before everyone else had arrived

The arrival of the sumos 

warming up before the bouts

Part of the ritual

We bet between ourselves on each round

I love this - thirsty work obviously

we were here for the ceremonial entry as well...

We did sneak into the Edo Museum for 2 hours - it was captivating - recreating scenes from Edo area Japan. Gorgeous

So thanks to all the fellow travellers - a very special trip

Until next time ....