this and that

Pretty lilies that we saw on the way to the temple for MIL's 100 day service.

"Juicy" inarizushi by Shigezo.

It was my first time trying this...super cheap at 208 yen for 7 inarizushi.

It was juicy (lots of sauce)...but I would've preferred a little more "stuff" like carrots or even sesame seeds instead of just sushi rice inside.

New (to me) baggage processors at Haneda airport for JAL.

After you scan your ticket, it prints out your baggage tag, YOU put the tag on your bag yourself and bring the bag to these conveyor belts.

The bag gets scanned and weighed and off it goes...

NOTE: do not listen to the check-in staff who told us to put our tag on a part of our bag that couldn't get scanned...boo!

Sumomo, a type of  plum...these were so sour..blah!

On top of that they were wrapped so tight that a lot were bruised…boo!

Shijo area, Kyoto on Saturday morning...usually this area is packed with people.

I think the time of day plus state of emergency resulted in the scarce amount of people.

FYI: There were more people when we got closer to the Kawaramachi area

Gotta love free wifi on the Shinkansen!

Been enjoying the gardenia in everyone's yards.

This seed bread from PAUL.

So soft and lots and lots of seeds!

They had actually filled it with soy filet "tuna" and sold it as a sandwich.

I also saw that they sell the bread separately too.

I'll be back to buy more of this bread!

This house had a cool net to catch all of their falling ume (apricots) from their tree.

Super tender yakitori (grilled chicken) bento that I found at Benny Supermarket...only 480 yen (plus tax).

Tokyo's numbers were steady at 400 cases a day, yesterday it upticked to 500!

It seems the main branch of government will end the state of emergency on schedule on June 20th, "because everyone is getting tired"...WT?!

They are opening up just so that the Olympics can take place.

So…get ready for the case numbers to "do its thing".

I feel so bad for the medical people because they are working tirelessly.

The main branch of government still says they can cancel this Olympics at any moment if they see fit (ha!) but I think Japan is on a vehicle with "no brakes" just so they can let this Olympics take place.

Most eateries have not been able to serve alcohol during this state of emergency, which has hurt the beverage industry as well. 

Starting on the 21st, if these establishments pass jumping through hoops, they can serve alcohol until 19:00! which literally means nothing.

This main branch of government is just trying to look like “the good guy” because they will hold an election later this year 

I'm trying to keep zen and hoping you all have a safe weekend.

Take care!