Aa wakarimashita. Asoko desu ne.

I remember being about six, and how it was that the girls in my neighborhood who were the most friendly and every bit as
adventurous as me were the Japanese girls. Two girls made a lasting impression on me. One was quiet, quite reserved.
All good manners and shiney shoes. She lived across the street from me, and our parents would become lifelong friends.
Her name was Lori. The other was tall, ran like the wind, and smiled with all her heart. Her name was Karen, and I couldn’t
see her enough. On the street, they were American girls. At home, they were almost completely Japanese.

Time goes by, and these girls are just bright flashes in my memory.

I walked into Tokyo a complete stranger, but soon, in everyone’s eyes, I saw these two girls.

This journal is just a collection impressions I’m left with from my two trips to Tokyo in 2002. I didn’t learn nearly enough
to write a book, and I didn’t take anywhere near the pictures I’d need to illustrate one. These were the first of what I hope
will be many visits. Someday, I hope my experiences will allow me to contribute a book half so valuable as Oliver Statler’s
“Japanese Inn” or Edward Seidensticker’s “Low City, High City,” I’m sure it wouldn’t cover the same ground.

The observations are mine, as are the many mistakes that i hope will offend no one. I scoured the internet to supplement
the insufficent number of photos I took, and in the back I have tried to give credit for these. I have added a few audio files
to make this a more interesting experience. Again, I have tried to give credit for my recommendations.

Sincere thanks to Skooka, who offer to host this site, gratis.