Fuchu!!!

Yesterday was Atsuko's day off so we did a little shopping and exploring around Fuchu where we've been staying.  We started off the day with an American style breakfast that I prepared. I found some bacon at the store,(not quite American bacon but close enough... more ham in flavor ),fried egg, and a fried slice.(okay, so that part of breakfast was English). Anyway, having eaten we hit the road! First we went to a store to buy a pillow, then we went to another department store and found these!

They had all sorts of cute little doodads in them!

This one wasn't cute and claims to be popular in America! EEEEK!!!

 

Before we had even made it out of the parking lot to the store we ran across this vending machine! It was great!

There were many great ice cream flavors, blueberry cheesecake, tiramisu, chocolate mocha, and of course:

 

(I think it looks good, I will have to try it next time)

After doing some shopping there to pick up a few things we needed  we went to a different area of Fuchu.

 

 

Of course by then we were hungry so we HAD to stop for some Takoyaki! Takoyaki is a delicious treat that originated in Osaka. Pieces of cooked octopus are placed in batter with other ingredients and grilled. They come out piping hot, round, a little larger than a ping pong ball and delicious! You can have different toppings and they are one of my all time favorite things here!

 

Ours were delicious! We stood right there and ate them up!

Then it was off to enjoy the sights and people of Fuchu! We had read that the people of Tokyo are notoriously un-friendly. So far, we haven't found that to be true at all! We have had no problem speaking with people and getting help with directions etc. Gary just goes up to people and talks to them and they are very nice and let him take pictures even!

 

 

(this little guy insisted on posing for a picture too after we took a Photo of his big brother)

 

 

 

This young Dad and new baby were really cute!

 

And then we were hungry again!!!

(soup, rice and gyoza!)

 

I had Tonkatsu, a Pork based broth that had such a rich flavor!

 

 

It was getting late:

but we still had a few more things to pick up so we headed into the mall which is in full Christmas swing... go figure.

Behind me was a bread shop with this strange sign...

We finally headed home after I taught Atsuko the useful phrase: "Shop till you drop!"

Though truthfully we had only bought a few things, we did explore this area of Fuchu pretty well and had some very tasty food!

AND

Atsuko bought some new slippers!

 

p.s. I also found a new button on one of the toilets..it even had English translation!

I didn't push it as I wasn't certain if it was going to spray ME or what?!