The morning after the baseball game, we departed Chen’s place for a hotel — in the middle of typhoon No. 18.  We encountered a little driving rain and a lot of wind on our walk to the train station. As always, we thank the brave photo journalists would value getting “the good shot” over their own personal safety

Video of Typhoon No. 18

The weather turned beautiful later in the day, and we attended some of the “big” matches during day 2 of the 15 day Sumo Grand Tournament.  These were the best wrestlers (no weight classes exist).  There’s a lot of ritual that went into each match, about 4-10 minutes, while the match usually only lasts about 5-10 seconds.  Here are some highlights:

Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena:

The “pros” circling in a ceremony:

A wrestler bending over to get some chalk: 

Oddly enough, physics did not govern the result of this match:

Physics did govern the results of this match:

After an exhausting afternoon watching the Sumo tournament (eating french fries, ice cream, some cheesy doughy things…), we ventured out to find a Shabu-Shabu restaurant as suggested by a few of our friends who have been: Nicoleo, Emily, Peter, and RDB, and I think John and Shelley?.  It took a while but Kelly found the right stranger to ask on the street for a recommendation, who subsequently guided us over to Nabezo, a 4th floor shabu-shabu gem!  (the locals are so friendly)

Similar to a Fondue restaurant, you cook your own thinly sliced meats in a communal pot of simmering broth (and veggies too).  Then you dip it in soy sauce and consume.  VERY TASTY!  I think a place like this would do well in downtown Austin.

(Note: restaurants are packed into many street front buildings and multiple stories making them difficult to find sometimes.  For this reason, I think, there were lots of people approaching us at the train station pitching their restaurant, and getting us to follow them there.  Creepy.)