Yo Umeda is in the house!

All the way from NYC, Yo was in town to finish the paperwork on his and his wife's U.S. citizenship, and he graciously pencilled me in for some goofing around in Ikebukuro, my new home as of today. We reminisced in a smoke-filled Mister Donuts, window-shopped for hours, discovered a secret rooftop garden in Seibu, and played one of those taiko-drumming video games that are all the rage these days.

His timing couldn't've been better, as he was available to help me in concluding my transactions with my landlord and getting my electricity turned on. He even found out what time the bento shop across the street from my apartment closes. (Eight-thirty.)

Yo's off to Fukuoka for the next few weeks before he returns to the States, so this was my only chance to hang out with him. So nice to see a familiar face! My new life in Tokyo is starting out great.

Yo ruins the Ikebukuro skyline with his crass advertising.

I've only ever seen jr. high school girls playing this game.