"We Are Diamonds!"

---

Hisashiburi, everyone! (Long time no see) and as you probably guessed a whole lot has been going on so I have a bunch of great stuff to tell you about. This note will focus on a few of the best sightseeing and cultural activities that I have been lucky enough to experience in the past month. This includes a trip to the port town of Yokohama, as well as the futuristic city of reclaimed land on Tokyo Bay called Odaiba, and a glimpse of the Japanese J-League soccer match between my squad, the Urawa Reds, and Toyko FC. But first off check out the video of one of the exchanges at the Relay Marathon that we ran last month, and marvel at the athleticism and speed of our team (lol).

So, let’s take you on a trip to one of my favorite places in Japan, Yokohama. Located about an hour south of Tokyo along the west side of Tokyo Bay, it’s the next big city as you travel around on Honshu. I went on a clear but chilly day last month and after a quick research session over breakfast hopped on the easy train ride to the main station close to the water. It had been a while since I got out of the city and it was super nice to get some fresh sea air and see some new sights. Since most of the museums are closed on my Monday days off, I spent the day walking around, attempting some Japanese at some shops and restaurants, and taking in the architecture and layout of the city. I think it was the best combination of nature and technology I have seen so far in Japan, as it combines the natural feel of the ocean and its parks with a really nice waterside skyline and bustling nightlife area, which includes the well known Chinatown district. Looking like a stereotypical tourist with my brochures, guide book, camera and wide eyed stares and slow-strolling attitude, I easily entertained myself for the day and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon after a particularly busy week of work. Jasmine was able to meet me later that day after her work and we spent some time freezing our a#*es off on the giant Ferris wheel before grabbing dinner in Chinatown (see video in the Ferris wheel). Definitely a place I could spend some more time checking out as the weather gets warmer and the water activities sound a little less insane.

After that we have a quick description of my best sporting event experience in Japan. The Urawa Reds, my local and now favorite team, squared off against the Tokyo FC at the home opener at Saitama Stadium in Saitama City. Boasting the biggest and most dedicated fan base, the stadium welcomed over 50000 people and created a sea of red and black, all screaming chants and songs and the usual soccer hooligan activities throughout the whole game. The four of us, Dave, Rob, Nomusu and I, grabbed tickets at the gates for about 2500 yen each and had a few hours to kill before kickoff. Since it was the warmest and most beautiful day of the year we grabbed a few drinks and started up a quick soccer game against a group of rowdy high school guys for about an hour in the park right beside the stadium. We pulled through with the victory, winning two of the three games and after contemplating falling asleep right there in the park, managed to get up and head to our seats in the upper deck of the stadium. The atmosphere was electric and it was definitely the highest level of soccer I have ever seen in person. It was a great game with the Reds going ahead in the first half after a questionable foul in the box that was capitalized on with a penalty goal by the Brazilian powerhouse and leader. They dominated the play and held off a late surge by Tokyo FC to win 1-0 in the end. Of course we joined in for all of the chants and jeers, even though we didn’t really know the words, but I’m sure no one questioned our spirit. Check out the video of the post game victory song, with everyone holding up their team scarves and singing for the Red Diamonds. And since it was Saint Patrick’s day we took our scarves and continued the party at a few Irish bars in Tokyo and relived all the best moments of the game. I’ll get to go back to another home game in a few weeks since they only play a few of them on my days off during the year. Join the Diamonds supporters with me at http://www.urawa-reds.co.jp and remember not to wear any blue colours anymore (Rob)!

Finally, let’s head to the interesting and fairly new city of Odaiba, located in Tokyo Bay on a big portion of reclaimed land. Known as a big tourist focused area, this water city has a little something for everyone, including a man made beach, a giant bridge connecting to the mainland, another huge ferris wheel and many arcade and gaming centers. It also has some of the best museums in Japan, including the maritime museum and my favourite by far, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. Known as MeSci, the museum proves what I grew up thinking, Japanese people are all futuristic genius robots that were sent back in time to show off ridiculously amazing technology and awesome-ify the world. Oh and of course they’re all ninjas too (jk). It’s a place I could spend days at, checking out all the amazing designs for new energy production, space travel, robotics, engineering, food production, etc. If you go to Japan you have to check it out and get your mind blown. Odaiba also has some really cool architecture and strange buildings, like the replica statue of Liberty on the beach, and the new spa complex called the Oedo Onsen Monogatari. A fun place that is still growing slowly after its creation in the 80’s.

So that’s it for this one. Be sure to check back soon for the full blog about the visit from my bro and my Dad a few weeks ago and all the sweet stories and pictures from that week. Hope everyone had a great Easter and is busting the shorts and dresses out from the closet to let mother nature know we’re not scared, we’re ready for some sun. Safe!

---

Photos

We Are Diamonds!!
Nomusu, Rob and Me outside Saitama Stadium before the soccer match.

Get these ropes off me!
They stopped me after just one flip, apparently im too big! Just before i went for the triple too...

Sloan at MeSci
That's a big fat globe

Die Hard Urawa fans
Dave, Rob, Me, Nomusu. In the stadium after the Reds victory!

Pre-Game match
Us and the group of highscool boys after our intense soccer match before the real game

Soccer Shoot out blues
Rob missing the target at the shootout competition

Dave's perfect technique
You could say that Dave missed, but he did manage to hit a target, the innocent bystanders way to the left of the goal lol.

Nomusu is the champ!
With this wild techique from the future, Nomusu managed to hit the top target twice in a row and was never to be beaten that day!

Fans and Stadium
Awesome scene and check out the stadium where they played the final match of the World Cup

Hooligan section
Standing only section behind the home goal

Other side
View from our seats

The 12th man!
flashcard message and song before the game