Today I mailed a package home. Just my training gear (except the swords), an empty scroll case, and some books I finished. My luggage on the train into Tokyo was totally unmanageable, and packed so tight there was absolutely no room for anything else. So hopefully this should free some space. I was thinking of sending two packages. The largest box the post office had was not big enough to fit everything I could have sent back. But then I got told the postage for the first one: 9940円… YIKES! That has to be the most expensive package I’ve ever sent. I hope it makes it, because if that thing gets returned to sender, I may be liable for more money than it’s contents are worth.

In retrospect I think I may have selected the wrong transport method. I chose “SAL”, in part because it had the largest letters (and there were separate options for airmail and express, which I did not select). Does anyone know what this acronym stands for?

Anyway, after that expensive trip to the post office I went back to Asakusa for my second visit. I’d been there once before on tour with Ms. S, but our stay was brief and I knew there was more to see. And there certainly was! Senso-ji temple is an amazing sight during at midday… but at sunset is stunningly beautiful.

Also at night Asakusa takes on a carnival atmosphere even on a Monday evening. New stalls are set up surrounding the temple, and the whole area is packed with tourists, both Japanese and foreign.

After a good True Japanese Ramen dinner and some exploring of the surrounding area, I got back on the subway to get back to the hotel, but stopped off at Ueno to take a look around. That’s where I’ll be heading tomorrow, and it looks like fun will be had.

Update: It turns out the carnival atmosphere was because there was a carnival going on!  Note to future travellers: Dec 17-19 is the Toshi-no Ichi and Hagoita Ichi fairs at Asakusa.