On the sixth day, we took an ANA flight out of Hokkaido and headed to Yokohama (横浜市). We woke up really early at around 6am. Rachel and I were feeling a little down on leaving Hokkaido as we had grown fond of the place. Nonetheless, we are moving on to the second leg of our Japan tour.
![The sky was still dark when we set off The sky was still dark when we set off](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3394401902_c43d816d71_o.jpg)
![On board the train to the airport On board the train to the airport](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3393593651_72d87d7af6_o.jpg)
![Half-awake Half-awake](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3393596107_d16aef0dc8_o.jpg)
![Melon Hello Kitty we saw at the airport Melon Hello Kitty we saw at the airport](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3659/3393595023_5d7daa9804_o.jpg)
At the airport, Rachel was persistent on trying out a caramel soft-serve ice cream she saw, but did not get to try when we first arrived at Hokkaido. As the restaurant serving the caramel soft-serve only opens at the same time as our boarding time, Rachel sneakily made a dash for it while we were not watching and almost made us missed our flight. Here’s a picture of the naughty little brat enjoying her victory prize.
![Little brat enjoying her soft-serve which almost made us miss our flight Little brat enjoying her soft-serve which almost made us miss our flight](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3394401946_c9e6bbbf18_o.jpg)
Upon landing, we rented a car and headed to Shōnan (湘南), a resort-oriented region along the coast of Sagami Bay in central Japan. We were going there to stay the night at Mark’s Japanese friend, Masako Asai‘s house.
![Getting our car at the airport Getting our car](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/3393591673_86939b56e2_o.jpg)
![We rented one of these cars We rented one of these cars](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3393595077_efe1feca49_o.jpg)
![Filling up the paperwork At the Nissan store](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3393595269_e3d3562afc_o.jpg)
![Setting the GPS Setting the GPS](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3456/3394405470_1990645837_o.jpg)
The Asai household consists of working dad, Katsuya; housewife mom, Masako; their two sons, Toshiki and Motoki. Masako used to work as an English translator, and speaks very fluent English. She also passed this on to her two sons. Her elder son, Toshiki has also taken Chinese lessons.
Once we reached the Asai’s house, Masako, our friendly host whipped up a sumptuous Korean-styled lunch for us. After unpacking, Motoki, Mark and I cycled to the nearby train station to purchase our Shinkansen (新幹線) tickets for the later part of our tour. We also stopped by the local supermarket to pick up some groceries for our dinner which Masako will be cooking for us. Meanwhile, Rachel and Meiyen stayed home to play with the Asai’s pet hamster and their neighbour’s fat cat.
![The Asais neighbourhood The Asais neighbourhood](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/3394402230_816fac8b48_o.jpg)
![Masako bringing out lunch Meet our beautiful host, Masako](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3634/3393594619_09a9e7f111_o.jpg)
![Rice with pork slices Rice with pork slices](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3394404208_8f3260d8c9_o.jpg)
![Vegetable and beancurd soup Vegetable and beancurd soup](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3393595811_493e9716f3_o.jpg)
![Mark and Meiyen enjoying their lunch Mark and Meiyen enjoying their lunch](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3393594979_aea35bd58a_o.jpg)
![Helping to wash up after lunch Helping to wash up after lunch](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3394402180_285acc1eca_o.jpg)
![The Asais hamster The Asais hamster](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/3394404006_9954869b02_o.jpg)
![Running up Rachels arm Running up Rachels hand](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3393592511_e28f149b73_o.jpg)
![Munching nuts Munching nuts](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3446/3394403550_eb3ce0c90a_o.jpg)
![An entire cat food section at the nearby convenience store An entire cat food section at the nearby convenience store](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3434/3393592475_cf300a8744_o.jpg)
![The Asais neighbour with a very interesting surname The Asais neighbour with a very interesting surname](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3548/3394403666_e9571f4312_o.jpg)
![Japanese cats are much fatter than their counterparts in Singapore Japanese cats are much fatter than their counterparts in Singapore](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3540/3393591561_4cfa3fd172_o.jpg)
![Close-up Close-up](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3450/3393591083_3174a36fc4_o.jpg)
![Lazy cat twisting around under the sun Lazy cat twisting around under the sun](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3394405958_0bc4c4c0bb_o.jpg)
![Licking his own balls Licking his own balls](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3394406434_5625414361_o.jpg)
![Back to sleep Back to sleep](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3394405716_532f996785_o.jpg)
![Rachel stroking the fat cat in the Asais garden Rachel stroking the fat cat in the Asais garden](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/3393591277_57019c214d_o.jpg)
Toshiki then brought us to a nearby shrine, located on a mountain-top with nice scenery for a short tour. On our way there, Mark stopped at a Nissan shop to pick up a badge for his Nissan Skyline which he ordered when he was in Singapore. We managed to catch the sunset from the peak and the view was breathtakingly beautiful.
![Driving to the shrine Driving to the shrine](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3394406002_cb01d507be_o.jpg)
![At the Nissan store At the Nissan store](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3653/3393596443_169b77540c_o.jpg)
![toy car models toy car models](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3393594009_2b7208f301_o.jpg)
![Mark planned this Japan trip just to buy this piece of plastic We have an eerie suspicion that Mark planned this Japan trip just to buy this piece of plastic](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3450/3393592921_6448b675d2_o.jpg)
![Shophouses at the foot of the shrine Shophouses at the foot of the shrine](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3590/3394406102_b6fb704fd6_o.jpg)
![Cute-looking biscuit Cute-looking biscuit](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3394404534_c11c56ecf2_o.jpg)
![Sakura-flavoured soft-serve Sakura-flavoured soft-serve](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3393593829_6b8557e919_o.jpg)
![Sweet tooth bunch Sweet tooth bunch](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3393591625_b777db2f16_o.jpg)
![Rachel and the soft-serve midget Rachel and the soft-serve midget](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/3394402142_cae564b8a6_o.jpg)
![Paper-thin processed cuttlefish Paper-thin processed cuttlefish](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3393596547_76bbc9d1be_o.jpg)
![Cute-looking snack Cute-looking snack](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3471/3394404076_83134ea721_o.jpg)
![Assorted seasoned Senbei Assorted seasoned Senbei](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3394406384_c2330f1b44_o.jpg)
![The Senbei store The Senbei store](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3393591339_e047bf29fc_o.jpg)
![Greedy girl Greedy girl](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3394403116_a545c1aed5_o.jpg)
![Me enjoying a Japanese herbs Senbei Me enjoying a Japanese herbs Senbei](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/3393594711_e72e6faf2c_o.jpg)
![Rachel and I on our way up Rachel and I on our way up](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3591/3394402842_4934852373_o.jpg)
![The shrine The shrine](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3394403348_bb3f34e0e2_o.jpg)
![Smile cos we reached the shrine Smile cos we reached the shrine](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3440/3393591787_581ff65222_o.jpg)
![Toshiki explaining to us, how to make wishes at the shrine Explaining to us, how to make wishes at the shrine](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3467/3393596357_7e5bea0671_o.jpg)
![Close-up of the knots Close-up of the knots](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/3393592609_11c0c5caa6_o.jpg)
![Wishing pond to throw coins Wishing pond to throw coins](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/3394403012_8287d2b5ea_o.jpg)
![Guangyin holding a sword? Guangyin holding a sword?](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/3393592971_e30ccc036e_o.jpg)
![Wishing tree Wishing tree](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3434/3393592359_464c5104d2_o.jpg)
![Wishing plates Wishing plates](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3393594667_89c5021005_o.jpg)
![Lots of wishes made Lots of wishes made](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/3393593889_8639c4c21e_o.jpg)
![Probably left by a sports team Probably left by a sports team](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/3394403418_bafb888d9a_o.jpg)
![Handprints of Kabuki performers Handprints of Kabuki performers](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3393593269_5fe7073906_o.jpg)
![Water to cleanse yourself before praying Water to cleanse yourself before praying](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3435/3393596301_8ccb833a73_o.jpg)
![Mark cleansing his foul mouth Mark cleansing his foul mouth](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/3393593137_0b052e88ae_o.jpg)
![Praying Praying](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3558/3393591129_d4d89bc302_o.jpg)
![Stone lion with a bip Stone lion with a bip](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3394402774_8922d31d31_o.jpg)
![Demon-god Demon-god](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/3394402660_904d6396d2_o.jpg)
![Sound the gong for blessing Sound the gong for blessing](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3393595309_46b2ebed14_o.jpg)
![On the way up On the way up](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3394405626_0db1e0669f_o.jpg)
![View from atop View from atop](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3394406252_be930e5e5b_o.jpg)
![Harbour view Harbour view](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3394404246_996f041258_o.jpg)
![Garfield Garfield](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3393596229_7076a2c277_o.jpg)
![Thats a real persons name Thats a real persons name](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3394406198_048f408433_o.jpg)
![Prickly tree Prickly tree](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3394405372_05176f3738_o.jpg)
![Enjoying the scenery Enjoying the scenery](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3394402598_afddaf2811_o.jpg)
![Nice flowers Nice flowers](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3394405868_5332625269_o.jpg)
![Close-up Close-up](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3393595415_8300fc64f0_o.jpg)
![Its getting dark Its getting dark](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3634/3394405158_064899eaf3_o.jpg)
![Closing for the day Closing for the day](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3393596587_7f81b649ba_o.jpg)
![Sunset Sunset](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3394406280_c29d58cf08_o.jpg)
![Beautiful isnt it? Beautiful isnt it?](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3170/3393593491_44565b5fd6_o.jpg)
![Another angle Another angle](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3393593237_9b3aab17fa_o.jpg)
![One last glance One last glance](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/3394404140_e1df273fd3_o.jpg)
Thereafter, we headed home for dinner. Masako cooked a lot of food! The meal was healthy and delicious. Masako really filled our tummies to the brim.
![Masako preparing our dinner Masako preparing our dinner](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3394402908_d4f59b285a_o.jpg)
![Getting ready for dinner Helping out to lay the table and the dishes](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3456/3393595953_15fb745f1d_o.jpg)
![Filming our celebrity chef Filming our celebrity chef](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3393596009_bf4c3a57ec_o.jpg)
![Cooking the wagyu beef Cooking the wagyu beef](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3393596501_dc8cdd8b58_o.jpg)
![Dinner time! Dinner time!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3393596173_24bf50f2db_o.jpg)
![Delicious beef stew which took Masako two days to broil Delicious beef stew which took Masako two days to broil](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/3394402948_74d0feb103_o.jpg)
![Giant bowl of fresh salad Giant bowl of fresh salad](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3459/3393593971_719e4cb340_o.jpg)
![Another bowl of salad with octopus and salmon inside Another bowl of salad with octopus inside](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3435/3393593195_d353e58f63_o.jpg)
![Raw fish with lots of greens - Rachel and I love this Raw fish with lots of greens - Rachel and I love this](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3394406824_efe48cf4d7_o.jpg)
![Chicken with sweet home-made sauce Chicken with sweet home-made sauce](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3393594753_d81f77d66b_o.jpg)
![wagyu beef wagyu beef](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3393593703_dabb30bdc7_o.jpg)
![Less premium grade beef Less premium grade beef](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3634/3394403524_37e2b25272_o.jpg)
![Very large pan full of pasta Very large pan full of pasta](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3394405666_8dc4bfb5a9_o.jpg)
At night, we had a chit-chat session with Masako and Katsuya, who arrived home from work quite late. We then tucked in for the night, overwhelmed by our host’s kind care and attention. To be honest, Rachel and I felt bad to be imposing on the Asai for the night. Hopefully, they might pop by for a visit to Singapore some time and we can then have our turn to play host. 🙂
Links to my previous blog entries on my Japan trip:
Day 1 – Kansai Airport, Hokkaido
Day 3 – Asahikawa, Asahiyama Zoo
Day 4 – Sledding, Shiroi Koibito, Crab Buffet
Day 5 – The 60th Sapporo Snow Festival
Day 6 – Staying with the Asai, Shōnan
Day 8 – Shibuya and Akihabara, Tokyo
Day 12 – Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and Dotonbori
Day 13 – Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge and Mt. Rokko
Technorati Tags: Yokohama, 横浜市, ana flight, melon hello kitty, Shōnan, shonan, 湘南, sagami bay, masako asai, katsuya asai, toshiki asai, motoki asai, Shinkansen, 新幹線, pet hamster, japanese cat, fat cat, nissan skyline, sakura soft-serve, caramel soft-serve, senbei, kabuki, samuel cocking garden, mt fuji, wagyu beef, rachel chan, hua meiyen, mark tan, japan travel, alvinology goes to japan