More rain when I woke up on Tuesday.  It was interesting waking up and seeing how the day unfolded in the States, answer a few emails, and then not get another email until I was done with my day.  That is one advantage of the time difference in Asia over Europe.

 

After the pace of the last couple days, I knew today would have an easier flow.  I started the morning by taking an exterior tour of the Imperial Palace and ended up relaxing with a baseball game. I think all the little things and details really meant a bunch to me throughout Japan.  Something as simple as a beautifully designed bridge shows the care they have for everything. 

 

 

Imperial Tokyo Hotel

 

The outer moat and watchtower of the Imperial Palace. 

 

The current Imperial residence after the earlier one was destroyed in the War.

 

Waiting on the tour, taking the tour and loafing around took up a bunch of the day.  I wasn't sure about the ballgame either and I decided to get there early.  I sat in the bleachers in the outfield.  Yakult Swallows vs the Yokohama Bay Stars.  The Swallows were the Central Champs last year, but both teams were a few games behind this year.  Both teams have a couple players that have played in the Majors in the States including Wladimir Balentien, who broke the single season HR record a couple years back.

 

I realized after buying my ticket that it was general admission.  There didn't seem to be many people around the stadium, then I realized certain gates had lines forming.  It was about 2 hours before game time, but I thought I would wonder around to my gate.  Well, at my gate there was already a line down the street a few blocks.  After a few minutes it moved very quickly and everyone was off to grab their seats.  They all claimed their seats with whatever they had, including purses and wallets.  I thought I was being set up, but the row in front of me left a wallet and a purse there and went off for a smoke.  (As I sidebar, I think the Japanese smoke more than we do now.) 

 

The stadium itself was probably about the size of our AAA team in Charlotte, but it is one 5 teams that play in Tokyo.  They do love their baseball, which was good to see.

 

 

 

As soon as we all got in the stadium, the beer girls, with smaller keg machines on their backs, started selling the beer.  The Busch Stadium beer sellers don't even come close to their persistence and the shear volume of them. 

 

 

Stuff like this still surprises me.  Don't know why now, but I didn't try KFC there or any American restaurant.  I did have to try a dog and a beer though.

 

 

The game itself was a blowout.  11-3, if I am remembering right.  It drizzled off on and on, but it was still a good time.  The fans have a chant or dance for everyone in the lineup, including the visitors.  The drums, clanging bats, singing and everyone really added to the atmosphere.  When the Swallows did hit their a homer, there was a huge celebration with singing and dancing with their umbrellas that I think would have occurred even without the rain.  I have a couple videos that I will post once I reduce the size of the file. 

 

Overall, it was nice balance of a day.