There are only a very few Japanese series I've ever watched.  Midnight Diner might be the best. Why is a bit puzzling.  Low keyed, with a personal relationship focus in each episode.  Really, nothing much more. Based on the manga by Yaro Abe, Sinya Shokudo . 10 episodes/season. Began in 2009 for three seasons.  Netflix produced seasons 4 to 6, beginning in 2016.  Season 6 just began in October 2026, after a 6-year hiatus.  Master now has white hair. Season one got a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating, while #2-#5 apparently all got 94 scores. Season 6 still unfolding, with the 10th episode to be released on 23December2026. Takes place in a late-night diner in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, featuring a mysterious chef played by Kaoru Kobayashi, only known as "Master."  He has this major scar over his left eye.  Never explained. Seems to be under Yakuza protection, which might be from where he came. Every episode starts with moving camera shot under a br...

During the past half a century I have been on at least a hundred major trips away from Hawaii for pleasure.  We yesterday returned from what surely is in the top ten of them all.  Just over two months, including two cruises.  How do I feel this morning?  Great, actually.  I don't feel jet lagged after eight hours of sleep last night.  That is quite unusual, for I avoid traveling west to east with a passion, and my around the world extravaganzas always go westward. This one  began on November 21 , before Thanksgiving, and ended yesterday, almost a month after Christmas. A few days in Yokohama, then we boarded the Diamond Princess for a 28-night cruise throughout much of Orient along the Pacific Ocean between Japan and Singapore. A month is now too long for me to be on a ship.  We almost went around the world on the Island Princess in 2021, but mercifully for me, as I think about it now, was cancelled by the company because of the ongoing COVID Pand...

 Woke up on our final Tokyo day to a resplendent Mount Fuji. Final breakfast in the Tokyo Westin Hotel. This hotel is a popular place for wedding parties. Took the Airport Limousine Bus to Narita International Airport.  Over Rainbow Bridge. You might wonder why that name when the bridge is all white colored.  At nights, lights change the color to rainbow hues, especially during the holiday seasons. Got to the ANA Business Class Lounge with almost 3 hours to enjoy the food and drinks there.  This is one of the best in the world. Sat so that we could see the 14th day of the Tokyo Sumo Tournament.  Tomorrow is the final day.  Started with curry rice, Suntory AO whiskey, beer and sake. Second course of ramen, chicken and lasagna. On the way out of the lounge, saw these turtles. Asked Google AI what they were. The "turtles" are ANA’s (All Nippon Airways)   "FLYING HONU" Airbus A380s , featuring special liveries of Hawaiian sea turtles (Honu) to symbolize go...