On the final morning of this latest whirlwind visit, I’m thinking of when I will return and hope that it is no later than June.  Then perhaps it will be time to visit farmers in Hokkaido and Noto Peninsula and friends here in Tokyo and other prefectures.

But before I return for the 16th visit, isn’t it time to improve upon my Japanese?  I can order a meal, negotiate a sale, ask directions, and feel the comfort which precedes listening to a foreign language.  Time to build on these rudiments.

Yesterday I shopped for gifts and an “eki-ben” for the plane ride home.  Settled on yakitori for the latter: Momo negima, tsukene, kawa.

Later that same day met up with Yumi and she was kind enough to be my interpreter for an extremely informative meeting with the managing director of Japan’s Professional Cheese Association.  Wait and see if the Japanese cheese industry doesn’t grow and surpass expectations.

That night the GM of a well known hotel invited me to a private dinner.

Soon it will be back to reality.  But at least I will have the 15 year old Nikka I bought yesterday to help inspire recollections.