Dirty Dirty man likes Yakiniku

aw Koji!


we are so official!
June 14, Day 12:

I woke up to rain outside…ah rainy season has begun. Instead of going in for office today we were to meet Koji at 8:30am at the Tokyo Station. Our travel filled day was to Osaka for another similar presentation and tasting session as our first one in Shinjuku. We made sure to leave on time in order to activate our JR 14-day pass we purchased back in Georgia. From Tokyo Station we were to take a 3-hour bullet train (JR) to Osaka. However, after running all over Tokyo Station trying to find the correct JR exchange office we were denied to activate our pass because whoever issued the pass forgot to stamp the issue date. The problem could easily be solved through a phone call or two but one main problem… the necessary office opened at 9:30am and our train was to leave at 9:03am. Semi-frantically calling Koji’s cell phone with our new prepaid phone we tried to explain the situation and he came to meet us. After he sweated a little from nerves he told us that we could take the 10am train and still be there on time since the presentation officially started at 2pm. In the meantime he helped us talk with the JR ladies and decided to wait and ride with us. Finally after waiting for 9:30am, it finally came and we went straight to the desk. Wanting extensive information about our flight receipts and dates of issue and traveling, we were nervous that we may not be able to get our pass today. However, after some negotiating from the helpful ladies behind the desk, we were soon off running towards the train. Catching the train just in time, we all took a large sigh of relief in our seats and let some laughs out as Koji quickly went to the smoking cart to “calm his heart.” The train passed through various cities, such as Nagoya, Nara and Kyoto, before reaching our final destination. The outside view was full of beautiful greenery and mountains that we had not yet seen on our trip to Japan. However, every time we got close to a city the towering buildings all looked so familiar. After several discussions about customs and culture differences between the US and Japan, we arrived at Osaka (by the way Japanese people do not say I Love you…??) We took a cab to the hotel where the presentation was held and quickly stopped at 7 eleven for a pick-me-up of black coffee. A few familiar faces were at the presentation and as we sat down. In front of my eyes were two bottles: black coffee and green tea…can you say caffeine high? The presentation was almost exactly the same as our last outing, so we mainly spent time calming Koji’s nerves before he presented and kept ourselves busy. After the presentation we all walked down the street to the oldest Yakiniku restaurant in Japan and were put in a room with Koji, Furiya, and two very important, leading men of the Yakiniku Association. Differing from our first Yakiniku experience, we had more vegetables than weird cuts like pork foot, which we happily ate. After we got to try US beef, similar cuts to before (tongue, skirt, stomach), and Wagyu beef. Wagyu beef is the domestic high-quality beef of Japan that is highly marbled and so tender it almost melts in your mouth. Overall the meal was delicious and we had some great laughs from constantly being looked at to see if we cringed at the food or not. Before we left in order to catch the train back to Tokyo and not be forced to stay overnight in Osaka, we were escorted into the large room where everyone else was sitting. The room was filled to the brim with smoke and we were escorted to a table of men sitting. Before leaving our room we had been warned the man we were to talk to was a creepy old man that likes young women. ?? However, to our happy surprise he was just very nice and did not give off a creepy vibe. We soon took the opportunity to say our respectful goodbyes and find our trustful friend Koji. The ride back to Tokyo was full of constant laughter, playing Uno, and learning/teaching slang words. Including the constant laughter and mention of how Furiya got the nickname “Dirty dirty man” at dinner and with Koji saying, “Dirty man likes Yakiniku.” Behind her faithful camera Bean took a handful of videos of Furiya talking English and our great games of Uno. Sadly to say we never fail to be the loudest people on the train…day or night. I think we continuously embarrass Koji in public, especially when we yell “I love you” to him. But, no matter because I think my abs got the best workout so far from that one 3-hour trip back from Osaka. After getting to Tokyo stations we said our goodbyes and headed to our hotel. From laughing so hard Bean and I had trouble going straight to bed and ended up staying up till about 2am just doing who knows what! Our real work week starts tomorrow but it sure did start off gloriously!!