Tokyo

Nearing the end of a great trip.   We spent last 4 days in Tokyo

…. we visited with friends and enjoyed spring weather.

Time to come home!

Wednesday – first day of spring in Ueno Park  

 

Thursday – Hiro and Miyuki-san at Skytree

 

 

Sunday in Nara Park

Sunday was for vist to Nara.  We visited Nara Park in the morning.  We met up with Hiro’s nieces, Chieko-san and Hiromi-san for sushi lunch.  They gave us a gift of donuts … 10 of them!  They were so beautiful, as you can see.  They did not last too long.  Hiro even helped.

 in Nara Park

Ryan feeding the deer

Todaiji Temple in Nara Park (with a family who loved posing for photos) 

Chieko-san, Hiro, and Hiromi-san

the Gift

… and what WAS inside

Sumo and Kyoto

Hi All,  Our days have been full (not much time to post on blog).  We enjoyed 3 wonderful days in Nagasaki with friends in their traditional japanese home.  Ryan, Hiro, and I shared two tatami rooms.  Our hosts, Kayoko-san and Shozo-san took very good care of us: home cooked meals and personal touring of Nagasaki.   On Tuesday, we visited the Atomic bomb hypo-centre and museum (walking distance from where our hosts live in Urakami).  On Wednesday, we visited the restored Dejima (man made island Nagasaki harbour that housed Dutch traders from 1641 until 1853) and the Nagasaki historical museum.

Thursday, we travelled by train to Kyoto (5 hours).  Friday, we attended Sumo match in Osaka.  Saturday is our free day in Kyoto.  Perfect day to explore Kyoto – it is sunny and spring-like.  Included are pictures of sumo and Nijo Palace (Kyoto).

 sumo souvenirs Hiro and Ryan watching sumo ceremony.  Hiro and Ryan at Nijo Palace.

photos from Kumamoto (Monday)

Hi All,  The family we are staying with did not know they had wifi.  Ryan investigated and found the routers AND the password … so we can access the internet with Hiro’s computer.  Thank you Ryan!  Here are  pictures from our Monday visit to Kumamoto. cherry blossoms and the castle   matcha tea and mochi (yum) View from Kumamoto castle tower.

Ｎａｇａｓａｋｉ

Ｈｅｌｌｏ　Ａｌｌ、Ｎｏ　ｐｈｏｔｏｓ　ｔｏｄａｙ．　　Ｗｅ　are staying in a traditional japanese home with Hiros good friends in Nagasaki．　　Ｗｅ　ａｒｅ　ｅｎｊｏｙing good company and good home cooking.　　Ｗｅ　ａｒｅ　ｕｓｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅｉｒ　ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒ　ｓｏ　ｓｏｍｅ　ｔｅｘｔ　ｍｉｇｈｔ　Ｌｏｏｋ　ｏｄｄ　－　ｃａｎｎｏｔ　ｆｉｇｕｒｅ　ｏｕｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｋｅｙｂｏａｒｄ．　　ＴＨＩＳ　ｍｏｒｎｉｎｇ　（ｓｕｎｎｙ　ａｎｄ　Ｗａｒｍ）、ＷＥ　ｗａｌｋｅｄ　ｔｏ　Atomic bomb memorial park and the Nagaski A Bomb museum．　　Ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｖｅｒｙ　moving　and　Ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｇｏｏｄ　that　we　shared　the　experience　with　people　who　live with these memories every day.

Ｗｅ　ｌｅａｖｅ　Ｎａｇａｓａｋｉ　ｏｎ　Ｍａｒｃｈ　１１　－　ｔｈｅｎ　ｏｎ　to Kyoto.

　

Sunday morning pictures

Plum blossoms

Ryan and I fly to Japan on Thursday.

During the flight, I’ll be counting hours … 14 of them to get to Tokyo.  

Sleeping one night in Tokyo – then fly to Kagoshima on Saturday.

I’ll write next post on Saturday.  See you then!  

Hiro in Kagoshima

I am counting the days before Ryan and I go to Japan.  Three more work days … I like that!       I set up a blog so Ryan and I can share some travel words and photos.  I hope you enjoy.

The main photo was taken by Hiro’s host/friend Ohtsuka-san.   Hiro is standing in front of a misty view of Sakurajima – an active volcanic island in Kagoshima Bay.  (Hiro has been in  Kagoshima since early January)