Not much longer now...

I think I took these pictures in Shikamachi in Kyushu, but I'm not sure. I just thought it was pretty. So pretty that we went back twice. Cherry blossoms don't stay out long.

They have Sakura street lights!

Everyone loves a parade!

We went to the small town of Emukae today for Furyuu (浮立). The way it was explained to me was it's a celebration and you eat rice. At least that's the part I understood. Anyone want to hire me as a translator? Yeah, I wouldn't either.
Like the costumes? When I asked about them, the person I asked just started laughing.

Nagushiyama... possibly our new favorite park.

Nagushiyama Park is a really awsome place to spend a nice day! That rollerslide even has a little cave that you go through.

Here's a POV movie of the big rollerslide. I had to stop in the cave and re-adjust the kickboard.
The view from the top of the bigger rollerslide. The building down there is the visitor center.

Don't worry if you forget your cardboard or rollerslide seat, there are kickboards in a crate at the bottom of the bigger rollerslide that you can use.

Yay Spring!!!

Beginning in mid-April this hillside will be alive with pink, red, and white for the Azalea Festival. The bushes are starting to bloom right now. We'll be back!!!

Aaargh.... there's treasure at this here Huis!

I'm told this is a little like geo-caching...

There are around 45 treasure chests at various tourist locations around Kyushu. In each of these treasure chests are a clue. This one is at the anchor in front of Huis ten Bosch.

You copy down this key word, and any others you find at other locations, onto a flyer and send it in for your chance at exciting prizes.

F.Y.I... the coins are glued into the chest.

Rain rain stay away!

I want to go to a park today.

So do Yochien kids everywhere.

Sakura viewing

The Sakura trees are starting to bloom and we trying to catch them in between rain drops.

This time of year many people pack bento lunches and eat them beneath the trees. Ueno in Tokyo is a sight to see, but there isn't a bad seat in the house when you park yourself under one of Japan's beautiful Sakura trees.

There were other things to see at this park :)

Cheese Gratin Doritos

I must say that these Cheese Gratin Doritos are not nearly as disgusting as the Tuna and Mayo Doritos I posted before.

'twas a cold and rainy mornin'

Huis ten Bosch from outside the gates.

It was cold and rainy on this day, but still quite pretty.

It started to pour right after I took this photo.

It's beginning to look a lot like Spring!!!

We went back to Isanoura Park for the third time in the last 10 days and something was different.... Spring seems to have arrived in Kyushu!

There was a sign for these paddle boats that was a little confusing. I am fairly certain they cost 525円 for 30 minutes. What I am not certain about is when they are available for rent.

Mmmm, it's like lemonade.

I stopped by a farmer's market I frequent today. I pointed to those and asked if they were lemons. The woman said no and said what they were. She didn't say they were Yuzu. I went home and typed in what she did call them... I even had her write it down for me in Hirigana. Umm, what came up with my internet search had nothing to do with fruit!

These are yummy, whatever they are called. They taste like lemonade.

Edit: A big thank you to Japanese Snack Reviews for helping me find the name of this fruit! It's a Haruka. This is what the woman at the farmer's market wrote down, but it didn't come up when I googled it.

Ishiharadake Park

Ishiharadake was an artillery battery established in 1899 according to this article. Today, it is a beautiful little park in Saikai.

According to that same article mentioned above, the artillery batteries here were to protect the southern approach to Sasebo.

The view from above. While there are trails in this park, it is quite small. You can see the entire park in 1/2 an hour.

The trail that circles the park is paved.

To get to this park, head toward Saikai. There are signs leading you to Ishiharadake Park (石原岳公園).

Banana Kit kats now in stores... again.

The fine folks over at Nestle here in Japan keep rolling out the banana flavored Kit Kats. I may be remembering this incorrectly, but I seem to remember Banana Kit Kats always available when we lived in Okinawa. Anyhooo... they're back and at a combini (convenience store) near you.

Road opens... let's throw a party!

A new section of road is slated to open next week in central Sasebo. Before they open it, they had a party!

The roads were open for the masses to check out on foot. As with other road openings we've attended here in Japan, this one was very popular.

At another road opening we attended they had vehicles open for the kids (and adults) to climb in. I didn't see that at this one while we were there.

They did have some animals to pet and free compost! We made the mistake of getting our bag of compost before walking the roads. It was heavy.

Part of the festivities and food booths below the roads. They also had bands and dancers.

Isanoura Park

Isanoura Park is a beautiful... BEAUTIFUL park 20 minutes from Huis ten Bosch.

We went last Friday. It was a really nice day and we seemed to have the park to ourselves.

This bridge bounces a bit, so we spent some time jumping on it.

One of the many trails.

Below the dam.
Geese within the only blooming flowers. Made for a good picture!

Ohashi Park

This was a well used park, despite the weather the day we were there. Why wouldn't it be though? There was plenty to do and to keep kids busy.

If nothing else, stay at the top where the parking lot and some benches are and your kids have to do the stairs...

...or this really steep net ladder.