Flew back last night, and we took an interesting route right through the Russia / Alaska border and then over the north pole.

Given the flight path and time, we've had a sunset visible on the horizon for multiple hours. Oh, and apparently there were Aurora / polar lights visible, but we must've slept through it unfortunately.

#SecretBearSocietyInJapan

Took me three trips to #Japan to finally get #Dango 🍡 and dang (!) was it good. Even better getting it on from a shop on an old school shopping street (shōtengai) in Sugamo. So good that I ate it all before I could take a photo.

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I like to believe that somewhere there is a tumblr dedicated to pictures of tourists in Japan hiding in deserted alleys and parking lots trying to eat their 7Eleven onigiris as fast and silently as possible.
To whom who might curate such extensive gallery please have the courtesy to not tag me, thanks. (^_____^)
#SecretBearSocietyInJapan

Day trip to Mount Mitake, technically still in #Tokyo but a good 90+ minutes away by train from #Shinjuku station. On top of Mitake-san is the Musashi Mitake #Shinto shrine, amongst others “Oinusama” is enshrined here which according to legend is the god of dogs (or rather now-extinct Japanese wolfs).

It was fairly cold and heavy fog rolled in after we had a delicious bowl of #Soba noodles, which made for a tranquil descent down to the cable car.

#SecretBearSocietyInJapan

Today we walked around #Yanaka, a part of #Tokyo near Nippori which has mostly kept it’s old world Tokyo vibe and visited the Asakura sculpture museum which is housed in Asakura Fumio’s old studio and residence. A grand concrete building in the front housing his studio (with an electric lift built in the 1930’s for his sculpting work), and a typical Japanese wooden house as the residence, with the most serene courtyard garden with trees and a pond.

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Accidental poetry by Google Translating Japanese #SpecialtyCoffee descriptions:

“The impression of navel orange and hassaku, and the sweetness of caramel is full. The mouthfeel is round and the afterglow of black tea is gently fragrant.”

#SecretBearSocietyInJapan

We went to KOFFEE MAMEYA (literally means the beans - mame - shop - ya-) which really took the #SpecialtyCoffee experience to a different level. Not a typical coffee shop but really a seller of a curated selection of beans from different roasters around the world. Can still get a cup of coffee to taste though!

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Oh hi, it’s us. @Maker and moi.

#SecretBearSocietyInJapan

And even more food later in #Jiyugaoka

Yakiimo (whole roasted sweet potatoes) and then vegan tonkotsu dipping noodles.

#SecretBearSocietyInJapan

It’s been a good food day in #ShimoKitazawa, which isn’t always easy as #vegan people

First visited Paris’ Belleville outpost in #Tokyo, and close by the vegan bakery Universal Bakes.

#SecretBearSocietyInJapan

Far from the noise and the crowds but still on Tokyo, this city delivers magic and beauty to the wanderer at each of their steps. #SecretBearSocietyInJapan

Visited a #MechanicalKeyboard shop in Akihabara today, had all sorts of great DIY keyboards and kits available. Even a #Reviung34 which was unfortunately not for sale 😪

Later we took the Sakura tram, the Toden Arakawa line, the last tram in operation in #Tokyo. We’ve always stayed in #Otsuka when in Tokyo and our hotel is right at the tram tracks 🚋

#SecretBearSocietyInJapan

Today we mostly walked around the Kiyosumi Shirakawa and Morishita neighborhoods as part of a #photography project, after getting some delicious caffeine at Blue Bottle’s flagship store #SpecialtyCoffee

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Oh and when in #Ginza, Natural Lawson has you covered for your already cooled bottles of Moët champagne needs. So fancy.

#SecretBearSocietyInJapan

@chdorner hi, what's the #SecretBearSocietyInJapan ?