Once the entire program had meet and got everything organized we jumped on a bus for a three day excursion before going to Tokyo. 

A few things immediately stood out after the trip began, first that Japan has a lot more mountains then I expected -

- and second that almost anything you buy at a convenience store has an animated character on it.

Apple Juice

Gum with a chance to win a prize (took over ten minutes of a cashier waving her hands around and pointing at things to get that message across to me. Obviously I didn't win.) 

Here is a look at one of my first meals, Takoyaki, which are basically octopus dumplings.