DYA717 Japan H I S Tohoku Food & Flowers May 24, 2026

DYA717 Japan H_I_S Tohoku Food & Flowers May 24, 2026 [Hotel Groove Shinjuku, Wagashi making, Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai] Day 11 – 6:45 a.m. breakfast at the Hotel Groove Shinjuku. Google said today will be 52-72 degrees in Tokyo. 11 a.m. checkout of Hotel Groove Shinjuku. 12:30 p.m. departure for our first stop which was Wagashi making DIY class somewhere near Kanda Station. Wagashi are traditional Japanese sweets and are generally considered healthier than Western sweets because they rely on plant-based, whole-food ingredients like beans and rice, contain virtually no animal fats or dairy, and are lower in cholesterol. However, they still contain significant amounts of sugar. We also learned some basics in tea ceremony. Then we spent 2 hours at Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai, a complex which has the fish auction replacing the Tsukiji fish auction. It’s a small mall designed in Edo Period buildings. Then on to Haneda, check in, and fly home on JAL 74 9:05 p.m. Arrived in Honolulu around 9:15 a.m. Great trip! This video is a composite of misc photos I usually share with family and friends. Nothing fancy; you’re welcome to view it.