Tokyo Highland Games

They say you can find anything in Tokyo if you look hard enough. Even if what you are looking for is a bit outlandish, say, something like, I don't know, a crowd of people where the European faces outnumber the Asian, you can understand the majority of the conversations you are overhearing, and there are lots of large men wearing kilts. And even though I was not one of the large men wearing kilts, I did feel right at home. For one afternoon at least, I was not a head taller than everyone, and my last name fit nicely with the day's festivities.

There were a group of men who were participating in the "heavies" competition, a combination of events including throwing large stones, heaving iron weights over a bar (pictured) and the caber toss.



There were a few food/beer/scotch booths scattered around the grounds as well as a stage set up for a Scottish fling dancing competition and other traditional music & entertainment. Last but not least, there was a tent with a couple of financial advisers who were giving out balloons. In Robbie's opinion, I think their baloons were what made the trip worthwhile:



Speaking of the trip, it took a bit more than an hour by train, and was a very enjoyable ride. We were on a commuter line paralleling the arc of Tokyo Bay, but from several stories above the ground. We had excellent views out across the bay, as well as back toward central Tokyo. As it turns out, the Ikea and the Costco are on this line, so it is likely we may make it back out that way eventually.