Out of Koji on the train for Tokyo – successfully changed at Hachioji to meet Thomas at Machida. The day still a haze of fever, tiredness, runny nose, more trains and walking a lot in the heat. First stop Enoshima Beach – very popular for surfing (I struggled to see why) and bathing.

Many rusted cruisers with surfboard carriers mounted on the side.

Back to tsunami escape platforms, although this one is pretty short so maybe it’s something else?

Sand bathing anyone? Buried up to one’s neck and left to sit there soaking in the warmth? I did not understand the appeal. Admittedly it made more sense than surfing in those conditions.

Another board carrier, trailer might be picking litter (unlikely in Japan) or grooming the sand (more likely), big corporate function and over to Enoshima Island – we were walking towards it.

By the time we got to the island, I was exhausted so I left Rachel and Thomas to climb through the crowds while I went and tried to nap on some grass in the relative quiet. Eventually we returned to the mainland and caught a small train to Kamakura – a very popular spot, and where Thomas and Keiko were wed.

Another wedding in progress, popular spot – could see a little of what was going on.

Impressive structure and colours.

Also a popular spot to post prayers.

Or fold them up.

With some time before meeting some of Thomas’s immediate and extended family, we trained to the waterside in Kawazaki – enjoying lounging on the grass watching the world go by as it cooled a bit. Most pleasant.

(Rachel’s photo.)

Fortunately, in my impaired state, I didn’t have to come to grips with the Tokyo transportation network – just try to keep up. Apparently it’s very logical and well laid out, but I barely gave it a thought.

We met Keiko and Leila, and Uji (Keiko’s brother) and Kazumi for a fun monjayaki dinner – a more liquid batter version of okonmiyaki, cooked in front of us; plenty of tasty seafood too. My attempts to not be terrible company and not spread whatever I had around were successful enough – only Rachel later caught whatever I had, inevitably but not as badly.

(Rachel’s photo.)

Eventually more walking and trains back to Thomas and Keiko’s home. Thomas had logged 26,000 steps for the day – so not a particularly recuperative time keeping up, but I wasn’t going to miss finally being in Tokyo!