I’ve been a busy girl ever since we got back here to Tangeashima, going to parties and dinners and a glass-bead making class, learning to cook Japanese dishes, and eating everything within reach. My impending return to the states is making me sort of frantic to squeeze every drop of experience out of this trip. I even agreed to sing at this potter’s (yes, a person who makes pots and has a kiln in his backyard) open mic-night on Saturday. Just everything. I’m the “yes” woman right now.

But really quick let me tell you about Shibuya. Cody and I were only there for a couple of hours, but it made an impression. It’s crowded. There’s good shopping. And I ate some exceptional yakitori while I was there.

This is a much larger and more organized restaurant than I’m used to in Tanegashima. It had that same amazing charred meat smell though.

We’ve decided one of our favorite types of yakitori is this chicken and green onion combo.

And I can’t see a fried potato on any menu and pass it up. Below are some mashed potato croquettes.

Asparagus is good when it’s wrapped in bacon. Put it on a stick and grill it over coal and, well, guess.

Then some chicken meatball sticks with raw egg yolk for dipping. Cody passed. I didn’t.

And our last snack before our flight back to Tanegashima: purple sweet-potato flavored Kit Kats.  Not bad, but chocolate is better.