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...

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.

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...