Slept in until 7:00am which has been a luxury so far… Bought a Barcelona soccer ball (not very Japanese but can’t find a real local soccer ball. The Japanese shops love foreign stuff more than their own which is a bit of a shame really… Looked at getting a Honda (the player) soccer jersey but it was too expensive…
Went to Gotemba premium outlet on bus which is about 90 minutes from our hotel and we actually got glimpses of rice fields and village type life albeit from bus…
Most foreign brands have a presence here as Japanese love buying the latest styles and are very fashion conscious. Of course we visited all the important shops such as Adidas, Nike, Reebok and Puma and bought some boots. Boots here are way cheaper than at home especially if you go for last years stuff. We got 2 pairs of soccer boots, each costing $15.20 Stock and range was a bit limited. Also Nike/Adidas t-shirts about $11.00.
Left shopping outlet for an early dinner at some country retreat (where Coerver hold their Summer soccer camps). Brilliant facilities again where there are 2 full-length synthetic soccer pitches alongside a hotel/function centre building. We can only wish for stuff like this back home... Wish the guys would have had time for a kick around
Buffet type of meals with many types and varities of sushi, miso, beef, etc. These was also a chocolate fountain…. kids loved this... Mmmmm.
Buffet type of meals with many types and varities of sushi, miso, beef, etc. These was also a chocolate fountain…. kids loved this... Mmmmm.
Halloween stuff is everywhere in Japan - they really do love everything foreign... Here is a shot of Nicholas and Noah together in front of typical Halloween celebration...
Highlight was a row of push-button beer taps (all-inclusive). Many parents enjoyed this part immensely.
Left at late dusk and because the sky had finally began to clear we finally got a glimpse of Mt Fuji above the clouds! Couldn’t take a decent picture but at least we did see the icon of Japan…
Boys are as usual at the back of the bus playing soccer on their DS lites, PSPs, etc. If they're not playing the real thing then they're playing the next best thing... Maybe they can invent double-decker buses with synthetic pitch on top level for touring groups... I'm sure the Japanese have thought of this...
Need to figure out a way of fitting in 3 more pairs of soccer boots into luggage now….
Training session with Alf Galustian and Charlie Cooke both founders of Coerver tomorrow. Very rare and special treat for the guys... Then its their last tournament. Where does time go?
