Summer in Japan is very HOT and humid. It feels like it gets hotter and hotter every year.
![photo IMG_0830_zpshs1t2tla.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_0830_zpshs1t2tla.jpg)
![photo IMG_0829_zps0cvhcby2.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_0829_zps0cvhcby2.jpg)
![photo IMG_0810_zpsfcavsbd8.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_0810_zpsfcavsbd8.jpg)
![photo IMG_0813_zpsdwdp0tm5.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_0813_zpsdwdp0tm5.jpg)
![photo IMG_0807_zpsjcxibzd2.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_0807_zpsjcxibzd2.jpg)
![photo IMG_0815_zpss5hsat52.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_0815_zpss5hsat52.jpg)
In Urawa, I was there in the weekend of the annual big festival. One night, we had sushi in a local place we go regularly. I enjoyed all the seasonal treats.
![photo IMG_0820_zpsgmdn4txg.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_0820_zpsgmdn4txg.jpg)
![photo IMG_0888_zpsthabuvxz.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_0888_zpsthabuvxz.jpg)
![photo IMG_0901_zpscquafhhm.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_0901_zpscquafhhm.jpg)
![photo IMG_0902_zpst9jrw0fd.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_0902_zpst9jrw0fd.jpg)
![photo IMG_0892_zpsuljzdyvy.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_0892_zpsuljzdyvy.jpg)
Urawa is a fun old town to walk around at night, as there are many izakaya and bars. Tomoko (my sister) and I went to this tiny izakaya on another night. Their entrance has a tiny sliding door which you have to slouch to walk through.
![photo IMG_0844_zpspofnb9el.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_0844_zpspofnb9el.jpg)
![photo IMG_0843_zpszfcylkmd.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_0843_zpszfcylkmd.jpg)
In Shinjuku, I met a friend at a very old school izakaya which has been there since 1972. We started with chunky "butsugiri" octopus, horse sashimi, and grilled duck (photo on top). Their sake list is great, too. I also enjoyed fried lotus root with chicken filling.
Feels like home.