Beer Garden

Our friend Ian's bday is upcoming, so he organized a beer garden party in Kobe. Ah, city life. We drove down with Johanna, who has the scoop on the quick, cheap route. She had errands to run, so we split up for a bit. Aaron n I met with Yukiko for a great Italian lunch. A different Italian place, with better prices and no snotty waiters. Had a great time with Yukiko, and then Aaron n I did some serious shopping. Kobe is a great shopping city. It's probably a good thing we don't live there.

Then we met back up with Johanna and the three of us headed to the rooftop beer garden. Rooftop beer gardens seem to be the height of cool in Japan, where outside seating is very rare. For a flat fee, you gain access to all you can drink/eat. The food was ok [the onion rings were great], the beer was so-so, but the company was great. Lots of people, a good time, a big sing along Happy Birthday. And then it was off for an hour or so of karaoke. I like the karaoke, but my singing isn't so great. And I always pick songs that are too challenging for me. Good thing other, better singers join in! And then it was a drive home to sleep in our own futons.