Bravely we approach the slot machine to try and organise breakfast. After a few failed attempts working with Kanji and pictures we find a button translating to English. Easier – but for the first timers not easy!
We eventually get a ticket and sit down to see what we have managed to order. It arrives promptly and is quite delicious. While looking a bit daunting at first it turns into a bowl of Udon noodles with seaweed, stock and undiagnosed little white balls. A second bowl of eggy-chickeny-rice.
Very pleased with ourselves we enjoy breakfast and head off for a walk and meeting with Cam and Yuko.
Google maps was both help and hindrance. We followed instructions to cross the river and meet them near Sakurogichi station. We crossed the river, walked through lovely laneways strung with lanterns, skirted Sakurogichi station then discovered we were lost. A phone call to Cam got us back on track.
We later discovered the walk that took us about 20minutes can be made in under 10minutes using the direct route!
Finally found Cam and Yuko – well actually they found us. We all had lunch together then Cam took us on a tour of Minato Mirai and on to an enormous multi-floor computer and camera store. Phone cases covered an entire floor with rows and rows of every brand and model. Well every brand and model except the Samsung Note 4!! Did manage to find a compact little Bluetooth keyboard I can use with the Note and once back at the hotel I discovered it was not only a keyboard but the case turned into a stand for the phone. All this for $24Aus.
Once we had our fill of technology we headed to an equally huge “food paradise” in the Takashimaya department store. We hunted and gathered all kinds of delicious foods for dinner. Wandering through the aisles mindblown by the size and choice and display of food.
One specialty of Yokohama is the Yokohama cookie – we bought some to try. The older women behind the counter was so excited to hear we were from Australia she came out from behind the counter and gave us the cookies and change with a deep bow.
Heading back to Minato Mirai on the train we stopped at the food hall attached to the station where a store with the weird name of Beard Papas. All they sell are the Choux pastries filled on the spot with creamy custard. That does not even begin to describe the heavenly feeling of biting into one – life changing.
Once back at the hotel we had our dinner of food paradise tastes and finished with our Choux Crème before walking back to our Hotel.
A beer nightcap at the Yokohama Brewery before bedtime.
