Taxi's are everywhere in Japan...notice the little heart on top. Jason thought it was a love hotel taxi, but it turns out that's just the company logo.

Our first full day in Japan was focused on one thing: SUMO! We had tickets (thanks James!) to the second-last day of the sumo tournament being held in Osaka. Off we went...

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Jason Dunn > The beginning of our first journey in Japan...we were a bit apprehensive about this day because we had to find our way to a gymnasium in another city using the subway system. We had directions, but they were very basic...off we went!

Jason Dunn > Many of the vendors along the side-streets have dogs. For pets, not eating, you cultural barbarian!

Jason Dunn > This made Ashley's stomach flip, but I thought it was fascinating...380 Yen is about $4 CAD.

Jason Dunn > Cold fried egg anyone over cold noodles anyone?

Jason Dunn > There's not much space for plants in Japan, but there's something green everywhere you look, even if it's small.

Jason Dunn > Japan 2008 - Day 1 > Japan 2008 - Day 1 - 006

Jason Dunn > There are so many amazing buildings in Japan - any architecture student would love it here.

Jason Dunn > Waiting for our first Japanese subway.

Jason Dunn > As amazing as the Japanese vending machines are, they have to be filled by human beings just like the mundane ones elsewhere.

Jason Dunn > Getting off and on the subway trains happens very quickly, but very orderly. And very quietly. In fact, almost everything in Japan is remarkably quiet.

Jason Dunn > We climbed a lot of steps going in and out of subway stations.

Jason Dunn > When we got out of the last subway station, our directions ended - we were going to have to ask a local how to get to the gymnasium. But as we emerged onto the surface, I notifced this sumo wrestler (they look quite distinctive from your average Japanese person: taller, bigger, heavier, and wearing the tradinational kimono and hairstyle). Playing a hunch, we decided to follow him. Along the way he nodded to other sumo wrestlers he passed, so we knew we were on the right track...

Jason Dunn > ...and the next thing we knew, we were at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.

Jason Dunn > Before sitting down for the sumo tournament, we decided to have lunch - and, yeah, we cheated by having some McDonalds. We were both starving and didn't feel like risking ordering a meal we wouldn't eat. So McDonalds it was! We both had chicken - the girl who took our order knew zero English so trying to communicate that we wanted water was a failure.

Taxi's are everywhere in Japan...notice the little heart on top. Jason thought it was a love hotel taxi, but it turns out that's just the company logo.