Shrines, Onsens, and Shinkansen Train

After a couple days off from being a little under the weather from drinking with the roomies (well worth it btw), I had another full adventure today. I met with my friends Hiroco, Momoko, Asami, and Hirohisa aka "Party boy" ;-) and we caught the Shinkansen train out to Shizuoka. For those of you that are not familiar with the Shinkansen train, it is also known as the bullet train. Among the many trains in Japan, this one is the most expensive, most luxurious, and high speed trains. This train can reach speeds up to 240-300 km/hr! I did not realize it at first and then I was so shocked at how fast we were going! Japan is absolutely gorgeous and taking the train through the countryside was such a site to see. Once we arrived into Shizuoka it was time for sushi!

 Delicious, authentic, freshly caught fish...SUUUUSHI. Look at the big crabs they caught in the picture with the chef. Every time I have gone out to eat in Japan, I've never ordered. I leave it up to the pros and trust that they'll order something that I like...so far, so good! One thing I tried for dessert was vanilla ice cream with wasabi. It was to die for. The wasabi is a lighter flake type texture but what's strange is that the vanilla overriides the strong taste of the wasabi and leaves just enough to give it the right balance between sweet and spice. It's a science. Neeext, the Mishima Taisha Shrine...it is everything you can expect and more. Peaceful, powerful, calm, spiritual, impressive, and beautiful and to think this is only one of the many shrines in Japan. Along with the offerings/prayer, I also participated in getting the Omikuji. Omikuji are fortunes that you can get at shrines (usually in the beginning of the year to increase luck/reduce bad luck). You pick your fortune out of a pile, read it, and then tie it to the string with the rest. Apparently, my fortune is extremely good luck and rare to get. My roommate even saw a quick glimpse of a picture with my fortune and was shocked to see it! This luck of mine carried throughout our whole day...after the shrine, we dropped Hirohisa off at Yoshiyuki Fujita's office. Mr. Fujita is a foot chiropactor for many famous athletes in Japan. A very nice and welcoming man. During Hirohisa's appointment, us girls decided to go to the Onsen!! Woohoo! I've been waiting to do one of these things. A place of complete relaxation. The mineral water that was inside of this onsen comes from Mt Fuji and is considered to be extremely conditioning for the skin and I'll tell you right now...my skin feels like a million bucks! First, the hot stone bed...man was it hot in there! Second, showers and outdoor onsen, and 3rd indoor onsen. Oh, and yes people...it was all in the nude! Very normal and surprisingly comfortable. Well worth it and I'd definitely do it 20 more times!