Dollars to Yen

Scented tissue - sniff before you blow!

2011-01-31T11:27:00.003+09:00

I have to thank my friend for turning me on to these. You can't really go anywhere in the larger cities without someone pressing a small pack of tissues into your hand, so I never purchased them. One day my friend took out a package of tissues for her daughter. I think I said something about never having seen printed tissues before. She showed me that they were scented too. How cool!!! I was then told that it is popular for school girls here in Japan to trade packs of the scented and printed packs of tissues.

My friend gave all of the packs on this page to me. The scents above are, 'American Cherry', 'Sweet Strawberry', and 'Petit Pineapple'.

The packs above are strawberry, orange, and pineapple.

I guess this last pack is geared more toward adults. The two packs are slightly larger and are lavender and a sweet smell.

Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu!!! Happy New Year!!!

2011-01-02T10:00:00.000+09:00

It's a New Year and in the stores here in Japan, you'll see these lucky bags (Fukubukuro) everywhere! The value of the items in the bags are supposed to be quite good, though I have never personally bought one.

These bags were at a Jusco near my house. Some of the places selling bags had them roped off with signs warning that they were not available for purchase until the first. On most of the bags I saw, there were sizes posted on the outside of the bags in clothing departments.

A live news broadcast on the first here showed a madhouse scene at some department store. It looked like the day after Thanksgiving in the US. It looked cold.

Happy New Year 2011!!!

2011-01-01T10:00:00.001+09:00

I saw the first sunrise of the new year (Hatsuhinode) here in Japan... on TV. When the sun hit Fuji and made that star pattern, they yelled, "Diamond!!!" They flashed it on the screen in Katakana too. Very fun, and much warmer from my living room.

Keeping the evil spirits away.

2010-12-29T10:00:00.001+09:00

My house is clean, clean, clean! Now we just have to rid it of evil spirits. I'm told I can do this with a Shimekazari. Oosouji is the huge once a year deeeep cleaning of your house, car, etc... I guess it has to be done before the new year begins.

The back room of the farmer's market I so love was filled with an array of these Shimekazari ranging in price from 200-yen for a tiny one in the photo below all the way up to a 5,000-yen more ornate one.

Most of the customers were buying the size above. They are all around 550-yen.

There were also many people purchasing Kadomatsu. These small, pre-made versions were all around 1,800-yen.

This was the scene outside where they were selling the various parts of the Kadomatsu as well as a couple of huge Kadomatsu at the entrance.

Kinkai off the main road.

2010-12-27T10:00:00.003+09:00

This looks like New England to me... at least the New England I saw at the start of the Newhart Show. That church-like building is actually a group home in Kinkai. The traffic was at a dead stop on the main road south to Nagasaki, so we took a drive in country.

This was a little beach area with a pretty big parking lot. The fall foliage was beautiful.

A couple of starfish on the beach.

Kit Kat Coffee Mug

2010-12-26T10:00:00.002+09:00

A pentagon shaped coffee mug, Nescafe and a plain Kit Kat. I wish the package would have included a flavored Kit Kat, but beggars can't be choosers.

Christmas at Huis ten Bosch

2010-12-25T10:00:00.002+09:00

I wouldn't want to pay the electric bill at Huis ten Bosch this month! Seven million lights are on through the end of February.

People were posing with that lighted heart in the midst of this LED carousel.

We didn't even attempt to go up the clock tower that day. It was the Emperor's birthday, so the park was crowded.

The photo above and the one below were taken at the Huis ten Bosch Palace. There is a separate charge to get in. I personally thought that the Light Art Garden in the main part of the park was a better light show, but the Palace light show includes a concert. The lights at the palace are timed with songs by ABBA and Billy Joel amongst others.

Before you buy into Canon's latest "low light" claim for their Powershot camera, take a look at these photos taken in the low light setting. They looked fine in the view finder, but they look horrible once I downloaded them.

The light display this year was different enough to bring us in again, so if you went last year, you may want to return.

It's Christmas in Japan!!!

2010-12-23T20:05:00.004+09:00

This video seemed more appropriate when we lived near Tokyo, but it's still very cute

Forget microwaves... we're cooking geothermally!

2010-12-17T10:00:00.006+09:00

Hot springs have been used to cook food for thousands of years. So, why not take a trip back in time and head to the Obama Onsen Resort with a dozen eggs, veggies and some kind of meat for lunch?

Get a basket, check the time chart listed above the steam ovens and wait.

Out comes a delicious meal prepared by nature. Eggs take 8 to 10 minutes, potatoes 20 to 30. Octopus only takes 7 minutes... in case you were wondering.

Cooking chart above the steam ovens.

Japan's longest foot bath. For people and dogs!

2010-12-16T10:00:00.005+09:00

This foot onsen is 105 meters of pure happiness. There are places to sit and just soak, but there are also reflexology bumps in the walking part of the onsen. You can massage your feet out of the water too. Your choice.

The Obama Onsen is a free foot bath snuggled into the Unzen area of the Nagasaki Prefecture. You can soak your feet while either gazing upon the ocean or the mountains.

It's free to soak your feet. They're open from 10:00 to 18:00 until April when they are open until 19:00.

The pet foot bath is at the end. On the other end is a place where you can steam your lunch.

The pet foot bath.

The other Obama

2010-12-15T10:00:00.002+09:00

Obama town in Unzen City in the Nagasaki Prefecture on the land mass called Kyushu. I think I got that right. It is not the most famous Obama, it's not even the most famous Obama in Japan, but that doesn't mean they can't have a little fun with the name. Welcome to the Obama Onsen.

Would you like to buy a towel?

A close up of the towel.

Change.

Unzen Obama Marathon

2010-12-14T10:00:00.001+09:00

By marathon, they mean 20 kilometers. Don't get me wrong, it still hurts, but only half as much as a full marathon. This past weekend was the 34th annual Unzen Obama Marathon. In addition to the 20k, there were also shorter distances of 5k and 10k. All distances start at the same time. The picture above was as we were waiting for the police to stop traffic for the start of the race.

The race packet included a coupon book. One of the coupons was an entry for a contest to win something. The kanji was above my reading level, so I don't know what it was for. Another one of the coupons was for a bag of potatoes. This area of the Nagasaki Prefecture is well known for their potatoes.

The start, finish, and festival for the marathon all take part in Obama Marine Park... home of the 105 meter foot bath that opened last February. The very left part of the picture are reflexology squares. There are more actually inside the walking part of the foot bath. I took this picture after the race during the awards ceremony. There were more than 1,700 runners.

The festival part near the start line. They were hawking the standard festival fare such as knives, live turtles, and dried fish.

I wonder if the dried fish would be good protein on the run. They were handing out samples, but I didn't dare take a chance.

The 20k turnaround. The 10 and 5k routes were both very flat. Not so for the 20k! Near the turn around there are two massive hills. That means FOUR UPHILLS!!! I hated every minute of that. There is also a lot of traffic with not much room to move. There were times when I had to keep my elbows on my body so as not to hit the semi trucks or buses passing me.

One of the places were there was actually a sidewalk to run on.

The finish line. After you finish, you go to that red and white tent so they can print you out your finish certificate.

This view, while pretty, was near the top of one of those monster hills near the 20k turnaround.

Ritz and Bitter Oreo Bars

2010-12-13T10:00:00.002+09:00

Mozzarella and Basil Ritz sandwiches. I haven't tried them yet.

Bitter Oreo bar. It's really chocolaty! I didn't think anything could ever be too chocolaty, but this may be.

It's Strawberry (Kit Kat) Season again!

2010-12-08T10:00:00.001+09:00

The Cake Kit Kats taste, to me, like every other strawberry flavored Kit Kats. It has thick, strawberry flavored, white chocolate. It seeemed like a thicker coating too. Blech!

I'm starting to see the real Japanese strawberries in the farmers markets now. They are so good!

Mochi Pounding!

2010-12-07T10:00:00.002+09:00

A farmers market in Haiki held a Mochi Pounding over the weekend. I've been to several, and while I like them, I'm more interested in the finished product... Mochi!

As with the other mochi poundings I've been to, this one allowed visitors to come up and try their hand swinging the giant wooden mallets onto the glutinous rice.

When the guys who are doing the real pounding are at work, it's a fast process. One guy adds water and quickly moves out of the way to avoid a lump on the head.

During the break, you could buy the fresh azuki (sweetened red bean paste) filled mochi and mikans.

Still hard at work.

Kinkai Central Park

2010-12-05T10:00:00.003+09:00

This fun little park is very well maintained. It's kind of like Saikai Park but all mushed together. The slides are smaller almost as if it's a training park before you can move on to Saikai.

Such a beautiful view!

The rollerslide wasn't too long, or too fast....

...but it goes under other climbing parts of the park.

Grass slide... maybe? I forgot to walk down there to read the sign.

But wait... there's more! From the park's parking area, there are two ways to get to the playground area. The bridge is fun and bouncy.

At the top of the hill that the park is on, there is this viewing area. The view is very pretty this time of year.

To get there, head south towards Nagasaki past Bio Park. Once you're in Kinkai, pass the Mobile station on the right and look for the sign above on the left side and turn there. You need to turn right to keep the water at your left. Kinkai is written in plants on the right side of the road; turn left and enter the park.

On my honor... stand

2010-11-29T10:00:00.002+09:00

Honor stands abound this time of year! The ones I see the most often are selling mikans. I don't know what this one is selling. Manure maybe?

This stand was in the middle of a vast expanse of farmland. This stand had celery, eggplant, and some kind beans. If I wasn't in the middle of my run, I would have bought some celery. Only 100-yen!

Kinkai Rusty Water Campground

2010-11-28T10:00:00.000+09:00

This park area has a gorgeous view! There is a campground, a small pond and some walking trails. I don't know how one goes about making reservations to camp here, but it is very pretty.

We walked around the pond here. I would guess it it's about a 1/2 mile long path.

View of the path.

This park is close to the Nagasaki Prefectural Forest Park, but we only stumbled upon it taking the wrong road. It's on the same mountain.

Prefectural Forest Park Athletic Course

2010-11-27T10:00:00.003+09:00

As far as Athletic Courses go, this one is nice! Some courses have point systems, but this one doesn't.

The course includes 15 different obstacles that were a bit too cold to try this week. Those metal bars are cold! We did try most of them though.

Above are the monkey bars.

There are a lot of hills in between obstacles.

Climbing ropes followed by a climbing wall.

This athletic course is located in the Nagasaki Prefectural Forest. We found it by driving toward Nagasaki, past Bio Park and then following signs in English to the Prefectural Forest.

Choju Waterfall in Saga

2010-11-25T10:00:00.003+09:00

Behold! The Choju Waterfall in Saga. I wonder if this waterfall is sacred because it's not much of a waterfall... at least not this time of year.

There is a shrine at the bottom of the waterfall.

A couple of waterfalls in Saga

2010-11-24T10:00:00.004+09:00

Still on the hunt for parks, we stumbled upon these two waterfalls. These two pictures were taken in the Obuchi Park.

The two photos below are from the Kannon Waterfall... I think. I followed the signs and the walkway for the Kannon Waterfall, but it was little more than water rushing over the rocks.

The waterfalls aren't much to see, but the drive along 349 this time of year is beautiful!

This resort in Saga caught my eye because I had never seen anything like this. The water slide goes outside the building before dumping into the pool back inside.

One big spiral slide!

2010-11-22T10:00:00.006+09:00

We have been having very mild weather recently. This has prolonged park hunting season for us!

There is a cable car that you can take for 100-yen round trip. If you are over the age of 65, the ride is free.

The well manicured bottom of the spiral slide. It's prettier than my pictures shows.

I think you are supposed to wait until an attendant is up at the top before you go down the slide. When we got to the bottom there were several workers waving their hands at us. The start of the slide is really high up there!

The slide entrance is halfway across this bridge.

Fresh fruit in a vending machine.

2010-11-21T10:00:00.002+09:00

I keep hearing that they want to start putting veggies and fruit in vending machines in American junior high schools. They're way ahead of the trend here in Japan.

For just 100 to 200-yen you can buy a bag of fresh mikans. We had already bought some from a farmer's market up the road when we came across this machine, so I can't vouch for the quality. They looked really good though. There was an honor stand up the road as well.

Our trip to Hokkaido... okay, not really.

2010-11-19T10:00:00.003+09:00

It was actually just a trip into town to a store called Tamaya.

I don't know the frequency of these food extravaganzas, but this was our second. The first time we went to one featuring Kyushu foods. Until the 23rd of November, it's Hokkaido's time to shine.

It looks like an egg, but it's some kind of beef or pork filled ball. I didn't try it.

There were samples of almost everything. If you're hungry, head there!

More samples.

Something called Rusk. These were strawberry and chocolate Rusk. They were just little bread crisps with a taste of strawberry sugar on them. The ones in the photo above weren't very good. On the other side, by another company, there were caramel and chocolate. Those were really good!

A park of dreams and romance

2010-11-18T10:00:00.002+09:00

That slide in the picture above is fun, but it's a workout to walk the stairs to the top! It was cold when we went, but we were warm by the time we went down the slide.

Here's the view from the top in case you don't make it to Saga. Those red roofed buildings below the slide are another part of the park that include an obstacle course and a water park.

The rest of the playground part of this park were just so-so.

This park may, or may not, be called Dreams and Romance Hill Park. I can verify the Hill part!

Chicks, beetles, and bottle caps.

2010-11-17T10:00:00.002+09:00

I've seen beetles at plenty of festivals, and I had heard of chicks being sold as well. This was my first time actually seeing them sold.

I saw a couple of kids walking around with little chicks in their hand. I hope they know how to take care of them.

Who knew those bottle caps could be made into a giant work of art.

Voila! That's an entire wall of only bottle caps! Pretty cool, ne?

Another Scarecrow Festival

2010-11-16T10:00:00.002+09:00

These scarecrows were lined up in Saga.

There were many scarecrows representing a bunch of different nations...

...and the underworld.

Balloon School... the second year.

2010-11-07T10:00:00.001+09:00

It's that time of year again... time for the Saga International Balloon Festival!

The Festival features balloonists from all over the world. It also features visitors from afar. We were grabbed for an interview on a radio station broadcasting live. No hard-hitting questions, only confirming to the hosts what they already know. Yes, Kyushu is very beautiful. Yes, the people are very nice. No, my Japanese is not as good as it should be.

People leaving the field after the Balloon Fantasia. That bumble bee doing a back bend was coming down for the day.

It was very, very crowded!!! This year we went on a Saturday. I really preferred going during the week last year. During the week, they most of the same features, with far shorter lines! Here is my post from the Balloon Festival last year.

In the picture above, the balloons are to the left. The open field was being used for kids on motorbikes. There was also a professional Honda motorbike show farther down the road. There were too many people crowded around, so we only saw bits and pieces. Luckily, they were also had a live broadcast on video screens in the middle of where the tents are in the picture above.

The announcers over the loud speakers said, "Bye-bye! Have a nice flight!" in English to this balloon as it left.

Okay, now leave! You'll be invited onto the field for Balloon School, but you'll also be told when to leave so that they may bring these balloons down. They make announcements in Japanese and English, but you can't miss the mass exodus of people leaving the launch field.

It's pretty easy to find the festival... just look to the sky! Them balloons are racing.

For a different perspective of the balloons, you can take a dragon boat down the canal. It costs 500-yen for adults and 300-yen for kids.

The taste of European Cheese... in a Kit Kat

2010-11-03T10:00:00.002+09:00

I supposed they kind of taste like cheese. Actually they taste just like the soy sauce Kit Kats. That means, they mostly taste like white chocolate. Each little bar is only 25 calories though.
This was my first time seeing these in strawberry.

Kinako... again.

Halloween Parade at Huis ten Bosch

2010-10-29T10:00:00.004+09:00

The brochure for the Halloween parade at Huis ten Bosch shows ghouls and goblins dancing around these floats as they parade throughout the park. The day we were there, there were only the vehicles.

I took these photos near the wine tasting, so maybe they thought people would have had enough to drink to see ghouls and goblins.

Well, at least they have bubbles.

They'll do this through Halloween.

Waiin Tasting at Huis ten Bosch

2010-10-28T10:00:00.004+09:00

I meant to get this posted last week sometime, but I forgot and now the tasting is over. It ended on the 24th. It does seem like they have beer and wine festivals often though so hopefully the information will be similar. This particular one was part of the World Autumn Festival at Huis ten Bosch. They offered a variety of tickets. The one we bought was only good for this St. James tasting. It cost 1000-yen for wine or 500-yen for juice. The photo above is the wine, and below is the juice.

The juice was all fizzy and very sugary. The wine was the standard fare.

We could have bought a more expensive ticket that would have allowed tastings at multiple locations as well as a food voucher.

Aboard the Kanko Maru

2010-10-27T10:00:00.002+09:00

The brochure at Huis ten Bosch states that the Kanko Maru will give riders a first hand taste of sailing on an Edo-era ship. It was fun, but I wasn't exactly transported in time.

For 800-yen (500-yen with the annual pass), you get a 35-minute trip out and back from the Free Zone area at Huis ten Bosch. Shortly after leaving the dock, the boat's crew will open up the bow area for guests 4 and up to scale up and and back down. The first picture on this post is a view from the top.

I would advise flat shoes for this. You have to balance on a rope to get to the top.

Don't worry, there's a net to catch you if you fall. The net won't catch your camera though. I had a death grip on mine.

Coming back in. Below deck there are several displays relating to the original Kanko Maru's history. There's also a coin machine where you can engrave your name and the date you visited.

A couple of parks in Isahaya

2010-10-26T10:00:00.003+09:00

This park is called Nozomi Park.

The park is well maintained, but that thing above doesn't work well.

I supposed this park may be more geared toward younger kids though there is a mini golf course and a roller skating are there too. I didn't go to the mini golf because the maintenance workers were burning a lot of brush down there that day.

That's the roller rink. You can rent skates too.

On the way back, we followed the signs for Hidake park. It doesn't have a playground, but it has a beautiful view and trails that weave through flower bushes. If you're going in late summer, bring a large stick to bat away the spider webs!

A little taste of summer...

2010-10-24T10:00:00.005+09:00

Cafe au lait Nescafe and Kit Kats. The back of the package features a picture of coffee mugs side by side. One of the mugs has a slice of cake next to it and a calorie count of 450 calories. The other has several Kit Kats on a plate and a calorie count of just 155. Breakfast anyone?

Mango Oreo bars. They are the reason for the "Taste of Summer" title of this blog. To me, these taste like coconut oil sunscreen if you accidentally get it in your mouth. It's not terrible, but I don't taste the mango.

Apple Oreo Bars. The "apple" taste reminds me of the apple flavoring used in Bubble Yum types of candy, but not real apple.

A park to entertain ogres.

2010-10-23T10:00:00.000+09:00

If you look up in the town of Taku, don't be surprised if you see a couple of giant red ogres looking back at you.

The ogre with the slide is close to a parking lot, but if you want to visit the Oni with a view, you're going to need to hike up to the top of the hill.

The view from the ogre with the tongue slide.

Here is the view from the ogre at the top of the mountain. I didn't know this ogre was here at first. We were getting ready to leave when a groundskeeper stopped me and told me to take a 12 minute (he was very specific) hike up a steep trail. He was right. It was 12 minutes on the dot to get to the top.

I wouldn't say this was a destination park, but if you're in the Taku area it's a great view and it's well maintained by people who really seem to care about the park.

Saga Shirin Park... Part II

2010-10-20T10:00:00.000+09:00

As promised, the other side of Shirin Park in Saga. This side features tree-house like cement structures, and two really cook zip lines and roller coaster rail like zip lines. My camera really messed up while here, so I only have pictures of about half of this side of the park.

This side of the park has it's own parking area. My camera messed up, but that was the roller coaster like zip line. You can't go all the way around, but it's fun.

The picture above is of yet another play area. This play area is close to the main parking area and a good size athletic stadium.

Saga Shirin Park... Part I

2010-10-19T10:00:00.003+09:00

Shirin Park in Saga is very, very large. I've divided it up into two parts, but there are actually three playgrounds.

This playground was the larger and more interesting, but you could easily spend a full day here and a full day at one of the other playgrounds on the other side.

At the top of a hill at this playground is a complex jungle gym. There are plenty of things to climb on, run across, and slide down.

This obstacle course goes all the way down the back side of the hill.

Climbing wall.

I took this picture on the opposite side of the hill from the first picture. There is a sand box near the bottom of the roller slide.

I've seen this octopus-like concrete slide at other Okinawan parks. The kids seemed to love it!

I don't know what that design is supposed to be above, but it has two concrete slides running down either side.

That mound with holes in it behind the monster is a cave-like hiding area. Plenty of kids were popping in and out of there.

If you're in Saga, just look for the signs for Shirin Park. They're in English and hard to miss.

A park in Takeo

2010-10-13T10:00:00.004+09:00

We love, love, love this park! I'm not sure of the name. I was in Takeo following the road signs for Utagaki Park, but those sign ended and I followed a sign that read Dog Mountain (犬山) in kanji. At the top of the mountain was this park.

The rollerslide at this park is one of the fastest we have been on and it has the added benefit that it swerves in and out of a wooded area. It was really neat! There is also an obstacle course that you can now run through. The first time it was too over-run with weeds.

I forgot to mention the view!!!

The first time we went to this park it seemed abandoned and it was very overgrown. That's the first visit in the four pictures above. This time, it was still desolate, but the grass and weeds were all cut away. Below is the picture I took this week.

That's an overgrown grass slide.

Yummy treats

2010-10-09T18:51:00.003+09:00

I'm not an ice cream fan, and I don't like white chocolate at all, but the treats on this post were all very tasty! My friend told me she really liked the Tahitian Vanilla Caramel Haagen-Dazs and she was right.

The Chiboust aux Pommes is really good too. Once you get past that weird apple jelly-like topping. Beneath is ice cream with apples in it and a cookie bottom.

This is the white chocolate I mentioned above. It was an impulse buy at the convenience store. It had actual syrup that oozed out when you take a bite. It also had a cookie in the middle. I loathe maple, but again, it was good!

Hasami Scarecrow Festival

2010-10-03T10:00:00.002+09:00

We headed to Hasami today for their scarecrow festival.

A Tanuki scarecrow! Tanuki, or raccoon dogs are pretty famous here. They stand outside many businesses to bring luck. More often than not, they are male, as you can see in the picture above and here in a blog post I did last year.

Wait your turn!!! There were beads of sweat painted on that character's face.

I think I saw Tiger Woods twice out here.

Two clowns feeding a kangaroo. At least that's what it looked like to us.

Apparently, she didn't get the memo.

A scarecrow with scary good aim! She was urinating into a little hole while her scarecrow dog (wearing the face mask behind her) looked on.

Excuse me, I'm looking for Oscar.

I looked in the bowl, they didn't appear to be going for realism.

That's a woman and a bull. I don't know what they were supposed to be doing.

Nice Camelback!

Wild boar scarecrows.

Onigiri anyone?

Scaring away the fish.

Karate.... on a bike.

Bitter Chocolate Kit Kats

2010-09-27T10:00:00.002+09:00

These are very good! They taste like they have mashed up cookies in the outer chocolate covering.

Kit Kats - The Autumn Assortment

2010-09-16T10:00:00.000+09:00

This assortment pack has Chocolate, Caramel Pudding (common this time of year), and Maron which I am told is Chestnut.

Tideland Yoka Park

2010-09-06T10:00:00.005+09:00

I have to say that Tideland Yoka Park is one nice park!

If you know a slide enthusiast, bring them here! There is an impressive double drop slide, a coiled snake slide, and a couple other ones.
It was very hot the day we went. Luckily, there is a wading pool that was perfect to cool down in.

These are called free-fall slides here and for good reason. This slide is the first double drop I have seen since Yaejima Park on Okinawa. Yaejima was the start of our park obsession here in Japan!

This slide is a miniature version of the one at Oonoyama Park in Naha, Okinawa.

There were two sides to the pool. One side is 20 centimeters and the other side is 40 centimeters.

They had several interesting pieces of equipment that I had never seen before. That one kind of bounced on either side.

Fukudomi My Land Park

2010-09-05T10:00:00.003+09:00

Welcome to Fukudomi My Land Park in the Saga Prefecture. It featured the playground in the foreground and the 7-story tower in the background.

That's the view looking North if I remember correctly. There were free binoculars on either side of the seventh floor.

Looking down at the playground from the 7th floor.

Kitagata Shikinooka Park

2010-09-04T10:00:00.005+09:00

Back to Kyushu....

Meh... Not much of a park, but if you are in Kitagata and lost, stop by!.

If you really want directions here, just head to the old Kawago's Great Camphor tree and follow signs to Kitagata Shikinooka Park.

It is a well maintained park. There was a team of women working on the grass when we arrived and there were fresh wooden planks in the park.

In case you fall through...

Squid Ink Ice Cream, no? How about Ox Tongue Ice Cream?

2010-08-25T10:00:00.005+09:00

A friend of mine researched and found this place in Ikebukuro after seeing some Food Network Tv show where the host was eating a bizarre ice cream flavor here in Japan. Ice Cream City in Sunshine City is said place.

I do not like ice cream, but when I saw flavors such as Potato and Butter, Miso, I had to give in. I did not try the Ox Tongue in the picture above.

Shark's fin and Noodle on top, strawberry on the bottom.

I didn't try fish sauce, but someone in our party did try the shark fin and noodle. The noodle tasted like caramel, so I'm not sure if there was really shark fin in the ice cream. I wouldn't doubt it though.
In my opinion squid ink and goya were pretty good, eggplant and chicken wing were not.

Garlic, Mocha Coffee, Miso Noodle, and Powdered Pearl.

Viper - didn't try it.

Bring a camera! Just outside the Cup Ice Museum are several additional places to purchase ice cream treats. Those places have more traditional flavors, but they have unique presentations.

Happy Summer!!!

2010-08-24T10:00:00.003+09:00

I took these photos on July 2nd, so pardon me for displaying them a little late. These were in a display of summer cards. I thought they were cool cards though.

Hula Dance Party!

Takoyaki. You know, Octopus Balls! As seen at many a summer festival.

That is takoyaki! We got that at the Tanabata Festival at Shonan Hiratsuka on July 3rd. More on that in a few days.

The Daibutsu in Kamakura

2010-08-21T10:00:00.003+09:00

The Daibutsu statue in Kamakura was originally cast in 1252. It's a very famous icon in Japan, and one of the first places we visited upon our arrival in Japan. This visit was fun because there were several busloads of junior high students visiting from the Chiba Prefecture. Three groups stopped us and pulled out notebooks. They said, "Hello, we are junior high English students. Do you speak English?" We do and we told them we did have time to answer their questions. They asked us our name, where we were from, and what our favorite Japanese food is. They also asked to have their picture taken with us.

For 20-yen, you can go inside the Buddha.

That's looking into the head of the Buddha.

The Buddha's slippers.
The Buddha is about a 10 minute walk from Hase Station. You can also hike to the Buddha from near the Kita-Kamakura station. It's a beautiful hike!

Tokyo Marathon -- Now accepting applications!

2010-08-20T10:00:00.003+09:00

The 2011 Tokyo Marathon will be run on 27 February next year, but the lottery starts now!
Here's the link to the official site to enter for a chance for a spot.

It's not a fun race. I don't know if any marathons are, but it's a flat course with a lot of community support. Oh, and you get to run through several of Tokyo's most famous areas... not that you'll notice them through the pain.

The weather the last couple of years has not been great, neither has the t-shirt, but it's an interesting experience.

Fuji TV

2010-08-19T10:00:00.006+09:00

If you have been to Tokyo, you may have noticed that funny looking building with the gigantic sphere almost suspended in the middle of a building. That's the Fuji-tv building in Odaiba.

I kept meaning to tour it, and finally did on our last visit to Odaiba. For just 500-yen, you too can take the tour of the big ball and the museum a few floors below. That hallway in the photo above has television memorabilia. More interesting, it offers a live peak at some of those wacky Japanese television shows being taped a floor below. You're not allowed to take photos through the windows, taking a photo of the hallway was the best I could do. If you see down that hallway, there are television sets above windows on the left in the hallway. The sets show you what the cameras are on in the studio. The windows offer a live view of the same thing. While we were there we saw some show with spinning tables piled high with donuts. I don't know what the show was about.

There were several mini sets along the hallway as well. There were life-sized cut-outs of television personalities that you could pose with for pictures.

This was the view from the 24th floor.... I think. It's the floor you first go to after visiting the inside of the sphere.

The view from inside the sphere. It's an awesome view of the Tokyo skyline!

When you pay the 500-yen, you'll be given a passport. You take that passport to various spots throughout the sphere, museum, and the shops area to get a variety of stamps. The final stamp makes a multi-colored Fuji-tv logo and blue dog. You then present the completed passport for a prize. We opted for the tape on the left. It rolls out with pictures of the little blue dog on it.

View from the water taxi on the way from Odaiba to Hinode. We always take the Yurikamome from Shimbashi out to Odaiba and the water taxi back to Hinode. The water taxi is an awesome and cheap way to see Tokyo from the water. A one-way ticket is less than 500-yen for an adult!

Heiwa no Mori

2010-08-18T10:00:00.004+09:00

Meanwhile back near Tokyo....

I took a little trip at the end of June, beginning of July back to my old stomping grounds near Tokyo. One of the places we re-visited was Heiwa no Mori. It's a Point Course near the Heiwajima station on the Keikyu Line -- not far from Kawasaki.

There are 45 different obstacles spread out over an impressive-sized park.

This was the second time I had been. They had changed the obstacles up a bit this time. They have added a couple of new water obstacles that are different from last year.

To get to this park, exit out the station toward the bicycle lot and follow the signs to Heiwa no Mori. There is a pretty good size park in addition to the obstacle course.

Prepare to sweat! These obstacles require strength and stamina.

Above is one of my favorites... to watch. Those platforms aren't as stable as they look.
The main obstacle course is for those older than 6. The entrance fee is anywhere from 100-yen to 380-yen. While the younger kids can't climb on the bigger obstacle course, there is a free preschool course just outside the gate. The last picture is part of the preschool course. The preschool course has added diagrams now that makes it look more like the paid course.

One note: We went on a day it had rained in the morning. The course had to dry out two hours before they would open it. They also told us that if it had rained anytime before noon they wouldn't open it at all.

Obon

2010-08-17T10:00:00.003+09:00

This was one of the last photos I took on Sunday night, the last night of Obon.

Some of the lanterns were for pets lost in the past year.

These are candies specifically for Obon. These had azuki bean filling. I saw them for sale everywhere in the weeks leading up to Obon. I thought they were candles or the kind of soap that people put in their bathroom that you're not sure if you're supposed to use or not. One of the first things we were told when we moved to Japan was that we should plan to travel during Obon. Many people use that time to travel to be with their families and the roads are packed.

Walking and dodging the fire crackers.

The group carrying this boat was taking a break so we were able to get a close up.

At first the lanterns started floating up the river and away from the ocean. No one was too concerned as they go out toward the ocean eventually. Our guide told us that there was a team of people waiting around the corner to grab up the lanterns so as not to pollute the ocean.

Hunting for treasure at Huis ten Bosch

2010-08-16T10:00:00.002+09:00

We went to Huis ten Bosch on Saturday. They used to have a treasure hunt that involved a bunch of locations throughout Kyushu, so when we entered the park this time and saw the ads for another treasure hunt, we were all over it. This one was fun... at first. We chose the International Course. For 300-Yen we could complete this course is in English, Chinese, or Korean. There were three courses in Japanese, with the most expensive costing 1,000-Yen.

You follow the clues in the little booklet they give you to five different treasure boxes. The clues aren't hard to find in the daytime, but we arrived just before dusk and that made it difficult.

This treasure box was on a tree off the beaten path, and next to another treasure box for one of the Japanese courses. Make sure you get the right treasure!

It was fun for the adventure, but don't do it for the prize. Our prize was that plastic folder above. We turned in our completed clue sheet and the guy made a big show of us getting all of the clues right. He handed me the folder above and I asked him in Japanese what it was. He took a piece of scrap paper and demonstrated putting a piece of paper in it. He must have thought I was an idiot... I felt like one too. I know how to operate a folder, I was just hoping the prize would have been something more interesting.

Crispy Mint M&M's

2010-08-15T20:50:00.001+09:00

Found these while at our local O-ban celebration tonight. It looks likes they are currently being sold here in Japan and in Australia.

Thriller Fantasy Museum light show

2010-08-15T10:00:00.004+09:00

The Thriller Fantasy Museum is a horror museum with a horror restaurant and the above music and light show. We didn't actually tour the museum, we were on a treasure hunt at the time. We just stumbled upon the light show while following our treasure map.

More about the treasure hunt tomorrow...

Yukinoura Beach

2010-08-04T10:00:00.001+09:00

Above is Yukinoura Beach in Oseto. I had heard from many people that this is a wonderful beach. A great place to snorkel, swim, etc...

It wasn't a great place when we were there. The waves were crashing right on the beach. We went in... once, then spent the rest of the time picking sand out of everything! I have seen pictures of a beautiful and serene cove with families happily playing in the water. It must have just been bad days when we went.

At least he was happy.

Tsugane Waterfall

2010-08-03T19:39:00.001+09:00

We liked Tsugane Waterfall in Oseto so much that we visited it twice last week and we'll likely go back this week.

It's a beautiful waterfall in a beautiful location... not far from Yukinoura Beach. The first picture is from the lower falls and the second photo is what you find when you hike up the trail.

From the parking area, it a short 300 meter hike over a dam and through this tunnel. It is a very easy hike on a paved trail. The hike up to the upper falls is a little more rustic, though there is a bathroom along the way.

Cola and Lemon Squash Kit Kat!

2010-07-28T15:23:00.002+09:00

Lemon Squash is apparently a drink. There are two two-packs in this box. One is the cola flavor and the other the Lemon Squash. Both are white chocolate, so I won't try them. I hope I remember to re-post a taste review when my resident taste-tester gets home.

Riding the bus

2010-07-23T10:00:00.002+09:00

I don't have the chance to ride the bus where we live now in Kyushu, but it's something that's fun to do in that thar' big city up north. I miss it.

Yes, my life is that exciting!

The Jinmuji Trail

2010-07-22T19:36:00.002+09:00

This trail is near the Jinmuji Station on the Keikyu Line in Zushi. We were up visiting the Kanagawa area the first week in July.

I LOVE this trail! Head out of the Jinmuji Station, make a left and keep the tracks on your left as you walk to the second traffic light. Make a right at the light and follow the road past the school and past the senior center. The trail entrance is behind the senior center.

That's one big Buddha! It's hidden on the trail, but if you know where to look, it's a great find!

You can gauge the size of the Buddha if you can see that tiny jar between the Buddha's feet. It's about the size of a soda can.

Take a break while hiking for some rock climbing at Mt. Takatori. This is a very popular place to climb.

That elderly gentleman and another guy were preparing to climb.

Oldies but Goodies

2010-06-15T10:00:00.000+09:00

Plain, strawberry, and blueberry flavored Kit Kats. I found this bag in a Combini store waaaay out in the middle of nowhere. It's been a long time since I last saw blueberry!

Kotohira Sky Park in Omura. Number 9 number 9 number 9

2010-06-14T10:00:00.005+09:00

Kotohira Sky Park in Omura is a really nice park 320 meters above sea level affording you a panoramic view of Omura and the Nagasaki airport. The number 9 reference above is for the rollerslide. That rollerslide is the top of a 99.9 meter long slide. It's one of the better slides we've tried out. There is also a 9 hole mini golf course at the park and 999 steps to get up to the park... don't worry, you can drive up there too.

A rope pull tire slide down below the rollerslide.

This is more of the park below the rollerslide. There is enough stuff to keep kids occupied for an hour or so.

See?

You can rent sleds for 200 yen to slide down the grass slide. It was really hot the day we were there. We had the whole park to ourselves.

This is what it must look like on a cool day.

The view from the "Sky" park.

This park is a welcome change from Nodake Recreation area just a few minutes to the north.

Ryotosen

2010-06-13T10:00:00.004+09:00

There is a fun little hike down in Higashisonogi in the Nagasaki Prefecture where you are rewarded with four or five waterfalls along the way.

One of the neat things about these waterfalls is how deep the pools are below them. I believe the one above was 15 meters.

The waterfall above is the main attraction and that pool beneath is 23 meters. 23 very cold meters! No swimming is allowed and the reason given is the water temperature.

The trail is beautiful and a very easy hike. It takes maybe half an hour from the parking lot to the last waterfall.

View from the parking lot.

To get to the trail head, just head south through Kawatana town and on to Higashisonogi. Look for the signs to Ryotosen. It's a 3.5 kilometer drive up a narrow mountain road to he destination. Take a small car!

A nice walk in Omura.

2010-06-12T10:00:00.003+09:00

I never saw a sign at this park that told me the name, but it's right off the Omura Expressway exit in the Nagasaki Prefecture.

Bird watching. As if on cue, a white crane is right there on the water's edge... and on the sign.

Hydrangeas in bloom on the walking path. I asked a woman walking how big the loop path was. She said it was about one kilometer.

Is this a Native American themed playground?

A sure sign of summer... just behind those swings was a sign warning of snakes! I've seen two already, just not at this park.

Takenokoba Park in Omura

2010-06-11T10:00:00.002+09:00

Takenokoba park is a really nice, if overgrown, park in Omura.

There were trails here, they were working on the trails, but they were still quite overgrown.

Omura Iris Festival

2010-06-10T10:00:00.002+09:00

Though I visited this festival the last week in May, the Iris viewing should continue through this next week. This particular festival is in Omura Park in Kyushu.

This garden is 9,500 square meters and has 171 varieties of Irises.

According to a sign posted, the Iris garden was developed in 1598 at the ancient sites of Nagahori and Minamibori.

Bitter Almond Kit Kats

2010-06-09T10:00:00.003+09:00

I like these new Bitter Almond Kit Kats! It is 44% cocoa content and there are little bits of almond in the chocolate coating.

Takashima Mongolian Village

2010-06-08T10:00:00.003+09:00

More than 700 years ago, there was a Mongolian invasion here in Japan. The Japanese won. Now there is a park commemorating their arrival in Takashima, Japan. Welcome to the Takashima Mongolian Village.

I wonder how the Mongols liked the playground. It's not a very exciting playground, but if you're staying in one of the "Gers", it would be a fun way to wear down the kids.

One recommendation I have is to not bother with the car on the track here. It costs 300-yen per person (including kids) round trip to go out to the point and back. It isn't a far walk.I took this photo from where the rail car track starts. That's an agility course for dogs down there.

There weren't many visitors while we were there, so we had our very own guide. He pointed out that island out there. It's called Lion Island. Another island just beyond the Lion is an island that looks like someone laying on their back sleeping.

You can stay in these Gers (Yurts). They house up to four people. It was extremely windy the day we were there and these didn't seem to suffer at all.

Inside one of the Yurts. They give you the bedding for those wooden beds.

They have costumes you can try on at the front entrance. I think you have to pay to try them on.

Entrance fee for the village is 200-yen for adults.

What do you do when you run out of hamburger buns?

2010-06-07T10:00:00.002+09:00

If you're in Japan, you make them out of rice. At least that's the way they do it at Mos Burger. That venerable fast food joint you'll find all over Japan and several other countries.

I once had a vegetarian pattie in Australia that was sooo good that I've been searching high and low for something similar. I think the Australian ones are sold in grocery store frozen sections.

I ordered the above sandwich from a picture on the menu thinking, perhaps, that the "buns" were made out of the same thing the Australian patties were made from. Umm, no. That one above has deep fried veggies and some kink of seafood. I gave it away.

If you're interested... click here for the Mos Burger Menu.

Kawazubana Park

2010-06-06T10:00:00.003+09:00

Kawazubana Park has potential... potential that I think they are working on. The playground is a small part of this "Fruit and Flower" park, but the grass and weeds have recently been cut there. According to their web site, they are open all year.

This rollercoaster/zip line ball looked like it would be fun, but it had not been oiled in a while when we visited.

The view from the park is gorgeous! The rollerslide moves pretty fast despite the weeds growing through the bottom. I weeded them with my inaugural slide.

There are many flowers here, but it's not groomed... yet. There were people at work there, so maybe in the next week or so it will be beautiful.

I should warn you that the park is straight up behind those shops, past an apple tree grove and some other fields. 80,492 steps... I counted.

The park is on Fukushima. To get there, take the bridge across to the island and follow the signs to Kawazubana (蛙鼻公園).

Hutsuzuki Beach

2010-06-05T10:00:00.005+09:00

We went to Hutsuzuki Beach on Fukishima this week. It's a really pretty beach with a large parking lot. Despite the warm weather, there were a bunch of fishermen and women there, but no beach goers.

At the far end of the beach is a staircase that leads to a really nice trail. If you follow that trail you will be rewarded with sweeping views of the island and the near crystal water.

That light house is about 50 meters off the shore, but that didn't stop one man from fishing from there.

This is the trail entrance.

400 meters into the hike you will come across this little gazebo. There is a pretty view from here as well. Apparently I forgot to take a photo of that view.
Jellyfish stand guard on the beach. There seemed to be hundreds of them!

Park hunting on Fukushima

2010-06-04T10:00:00.002+09:00

This park is down near a fishing boat marina on the grounds of a public building. One man there asked if I was there for a fishing boat.

The park isn't much, but it was good for about 45 minutes of playtime today.

Hutsuzuki Park with the overlook is just down the road from that park in the first two pictures. There is not much there... other than this overlook and a few trails.

These two photos are the view from said overlook.

Terraced Rice fields on Fukushima

2010-06-03T10:00:00.003+09:00

There is an extremely picturesque view of terraced rice fields on Fukushima in the Nagasaki Prefecture.

The picture above is apparently what the rice fields look like at sunset early in the planting season.

Keep an eye out for the camera sign and the rather large parking lot. It's a popular viewpoint.

Shiraito Falls... WOW!!!

2010-06-02T10:00:00.003+09:00

This waterfall is a very worthwhile side trip should you happen to be near Takashima. Right before you cross the bridge over to Takashima. Just look for the signs leading you to Shiraito Falls. Back in September of 2008 - pre-blog, I visited Shiraito Falls near Mt. Fuji. That waterfall is beautiful, but you are always surrounded by tourists, food vendors, and gift shops. This Shiraito Falls is extremely beautiful, but there wasn't another sole around!

It's only a 150 meter walk from the parking area to the falls.

Loved it!!!

Below is a picture I took of the Shiraito Falls near Fuji san. What you can't see in the photo below are all of the people on either side of me.

Shihondo... the other side.

2010-06-01T10:00:00.001+09:00

I've posted about this park before... a couple of times, but I had never been down to the beach part. It's a nice place to visit.
The beach is just below the camping area.

Those fish are apparently known to local fisherman as the rats of the sea. I'm told they are some form of blow fish. There were tons of them!

Part of a trail that runs along the water from the beach to the playground. Very pretty!

A five-lined skink up near the observation castle.

The best directions I can give are head south toward Nagasaki, past BioPark and turn left at the gigantic Dutch girl on your left.

Milk Tea Oreo Bars

2010-05-31T10:00:00.000+09:00

I almost missed these Oreo bars in 7-11 today. They have similar packaging to the other flavors. This one, however is milk tea. I'm not interested in trying them, but I'll have someone in my house test them and see how they compare to the Royal Milk Tea Kit Kats.

Pepsi Baobab

2010-05-29T10:00:00.000+09:00

So this is the newest Pepsi released here. It's apparently named after an African tree. I gave it to someone else to try and they said they prefer it to regular Pepsi. It's not as sweet tasting.

'twas a foggy morning

2010-05-28T10:00:00.003+09:00

I took a friend to see beautiful Saikai Park. Unfortunately, we couldn't see much of anything... but it was pretty cool! I took the picture above of the resort that you can see from the drop slide and the picture below from the walkway below the bridge. It reminded me of the Swiss castles that are photographed in a perpetual fog.

The other... other side of Osaki Park

2010-05-27T10:00:00.002+09:00

A couple of weeks ago I picked up a brochure for an Onsen near Osaki Park. One of the pictures of the park itself featured a Cycling Monorail course, so we went looking for it.

When we got to the park, the part of the map where the cycling monorail was supposed to be was covered over with tape. We hiked up the hill to where it used to be and there was nothing there! I didn't even see remnants of the old track. There is a gorgeous view and places to have a picnic, but don't go for the monorail.

I think that water fountain is on the field where the monorail was.

If you are looking for the field where it used to be... park in the first lot inside the park on your right and hike up the hill. If you want to see the peacocks, don't turn off the road, just follow it to the end.

The other side of Osaki Park (You know, the park with the peacocks.)

2010-05-26T10:00:00.000+09:00

If you go to peacock park, but turn left at the giant cement peacock, you'll enter the campground. Park in the campground parking lot and follow the bike path around toward the water. You'll come across this nifty little cave where you can hang out and wait for the rain to pass. It is rainy season after all.

The path continues beyond the cave and onto a train. It's fun little hike!

Those ruins out there are from torpedo tests by the Japanese Navy years ago.

I'm told that those caves at the water's edge there were created by the torpedo testing as well.
This guy is up by the peacocks.

Lunch at the Brick

2010-05-25T10:00:00.001+09:00

There is a little restaurant near Huis ten Bosch that has a fantastic lunch for 500-yen! You pick your main meal... such as the egg salad sandwich above or a slice of pizza below and then they just pile on the rest of the food. Yummy!

They serve this lunch from 11:30 t0 2:30 most days, but they're closed on Mondays... along with the rest of Japan.

The Hills Park of Koshidake Health

2010-05-19T10:00:00.003+09:00

It's quite overgrown, but the map promises great things if you can find it.

I followed the signs for Pinocchio Park and this is where it took me. This is only a tiny part here... again that is according to the sign. I couldn't see any other parts from the road and the trails were quite overgrown so I wasn't sure where else to go.

Here is the aforementioned map. I don't know how to get back to this park becuase I wasn't impressed enough to pay attention to how I got there.

The bus stops here!

2010-05-18T10:00:00.002+09:00

I need to start paying closer attention to bus stops here. Some of them are quite innovative. I took the picture above in Ureshino. The ones below I took on the island of Sakito.

What's so special about this tree?

2010-05-17T10:00:00.003+09:00

It's 3,000 years old!!!

Behold Kawago's Great Camphor Tree. This tree in the Saga Prefecture is said to be 3,000 years old. It is so big that there is a shrine inside it.

You can read an article about it here.

Miyuki Park in Ureshino

2010-05-16T10:00:00.004+09:00

This park is pretty awesome as far as parks go, though the playground is not anything to write home about.

Next to the playground is an obstacle course. It needs some repair work, but it's still fun.

Next to the track there are a series of workout stations for adults.

That's for adults!

Wisteria creates a nice shade for watching races on the track and soccer fields.

Todoroki Waterfall(s)

2010-05-15T10:00:00.003+09:00

Thunder Falls in Ureshino City.

I had seen photos of this area and there were many, many people enjoying the falls on what must have been a hot day.

It was hot the day we were there too, but we had the falls all to ourselves. The photo above is the river above the falls.

This photo is right above the falls. On the other side (to the right of this photo) was a very tempting cliff above the water. If I knew the depth of the water, I just may have jumped.

There were two unimpressive playgrounds here.

Oh the things you'll see...

2010-05-13T10:00:00.003+09:00

Jesus body at a drugstore. It's a supplement.

Strongurt... tastes like Lassi, mmmmm.

Your very own barf bags!

My addiction

2010-05-11T10:00:00.003+09:00

I'm told the first step is to admit your addiction. I have a problem!

World's best chicken... on a stick!

2010-05-10T10:00:00.004+09:00

On our trip to the Yamaguchi Prefecture south of Hiroshima, we were invited to dinner at a place called Sanzoku, or "The Chicken Shack" by English speakers. Wow! It was good!!!

From what I read before going, the owners would like to be known for their beef, but who orders beef at a place called the "Chicken Shack"?

It tasted like it was braised with a sake, soy sauce, and something else sauce. They then grill it over hot coals. So good!

They also serve a huge Onigiri. It is so big it has four different filling while the ones that you buy in stores typically have only one.

That's the outside of the restaurant... there are three there. Sanzoku is the small building on the right side of this photo.

Despite the small shack appearance from the front, there is plenty of seating inside and out.

The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays, but they open quite early every other day of the week.

Mix Juice Kit Kats

2010-05-09T10:00:00.003+09:00

You can definitely taste the banana in the newest offering from Kit Kat, but they smelled like Bubble Gum.

Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery

2010-05-08T10:00:00.003+09:00

Near the entrance to the expressway in Miyoshi is the Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery.

There is a tasting room on the main floor and a wine cellar in the basement.

I took a tour of a winery near Tokyo last year and I was told that Japanese wines don't have a long shelf life due to the heavy rainfalls we get. Apparently, the grapes have a higher water content and this limits the shelf life to.... I think they said 10 years. I can't remember the exact shelf time.

You can view the wooden barrels through windows on the basement level.

Flowers in the winery's parking lot.

Miyoshi Park near Hiroshima

2010-05-07T10:00:00.004+09:00

I must say that we spent quite a bit of time here at Miyoshi Park. This park is about 45 minutes from Hiroshima and, the day we were there, we had it to ourselves! Those bouncy clouds are just like the ones at Showa and Yoshinogari Parks... FUN!!!

What you can't see in my picture are the climbing nets below the roller slides and the extensive toddler park that's out of the picture to the right. You can see part of it below.

That green rollerslide is the fastest rollerslide I've ever been on. The red slide on the right.... not so much.

This park, like most in Japan, is free.

Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome

2010-05-06T10:00:00.003+09:00

On August 16, 1945 Hiroshima was leveled when an atomic bomb was dropped on the city. The Hiroshima "A-bomb Dome" serves as a memorial to the thousands who died that day and in the years that followed.

Our trip here was a whirlwind, so I didn't have any time to visit the museum or other monuments that are right across the river. The epicenter of the bomb is off to the right of this picture about a block from where this photo was taken.

Toilet humor.... there seems to be an endless supply.

2010-05-05T10:00:00.003+09:00

Gumball machines abound here in Japan selling all kinds of trinkets. I was waiting on someone near this bank of machines when I saw these!

I liked it so much, I bought two! LED light up unflushed toilets. Who doesn't need one of these?

They also see pins from the Hiroshima area. I wish a friend of mine had never got me collecting these. I ended up buying just one of these. It was in the shape of a paddle.

Those rice paddles were for sale everywhere here in the Yamaguchi/Hiroshima area. They have good luck messages on them so you can buy them and send them to someone.

Citrus Golden Blend Flavor Kit Kats

2010-05-04T10:00:00.001+09:00

These are the regional Kit Kats in the Hiroshima area. Sorry to say I haven't tried them. Not a white chocolate fan.

Hamaguri Hunting

2010-05-03T10:00:00.004+09:00

It was a nice day on Miyajima so there seemed to be thousands, or maybe 50, people out hunting clams.

Rinsing their find. The deer in the background were everywhere!

Miyajima, oh deer.

2010-05-02T10:00:00.003+09:00

You have the chance to get up close and personal with the deer that occupy Miyajima within your first steps off the ferry.

There are signs posted that the deer eat paper and you aren't to feed them. That didn't stop this lady.

The deer are not shy! Just ask that woman in the beige coat looking down on the deer. She was enjoying an ice cream cone 30 seconds before I snapped this photo. One of the deer stood up on it's hind legs and batted the cone out of her hands as she was licking it! Poor woman. She seemed shaken by the whole experience.

There are monkeys somewhere on this small island as well. We didn't check out much of the island this day.

The (not so) floating Torii

2010-05-01T10:00:00.000+09:00

This floating Torii is one of the most photographed icons here in Japan. It is in the Hiroshima Prefecture.

When we first arrived, it was low tide and we could walk all the way up to the shrine. I was disappointed because all of the pictures I have ever seen of the famous "Floating Torii" showed the torii.... floating. The water level was rising in the hour we were there, but I grew too impatient to wait for the really pretty photo.

The women in the photo above are throwing rocks onto the shrine for good luck.

Said rocks.
You have your choice of ferries to take you from the mainland to Itsukushima. The ride is only about ten minutes and they run frequently.
Fare prices.

This beach makes it look like a serene environment in which to meditate. What you can't see in these photos are the gazillions of tourists enjoying the serenity and beauty.

Kit Kat Framboise

2010-04-27T10:00:00.002+09:00

Now available at your local combini. I'll try it tomorrow.

Hiyamizudake Park

2010-04-26T10:00:00.003+09:00

This park is just down the road from Nagushiyama Park. Beautiful view and a beautiful well-manicured park.