Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Love Fish...
Tuesday was our last day in Tokyo. My dad and Eric went to Meiji-jingu shrine and Monica and I went shopping in Harajuku. I've been to Meiji-jingu twice so I decided shopping might be more fun. Then we took a train to Hanneda airport and flew to Miyazaki.
Yesterday, we went to one of Eric's schools. I read Green Eggs & Ham to the sixth graders, and Eric translated it into Japanese. It was quite fun to see the kids' reactions. Then we went to Sekino Falls, which I've also been to before. The falls are in Miyakonojo and are absolutely gorgeous.
The first time I went to Sekino Falls, the area had a normal amount of water. The second time, this small bridge below was flooded and we couldn't cross it. Yesterday, it wasn't flooded but we decided to walk further up.
When we walked further up, we saw a small pond with some very large fish. I got excited about the fish and kept saying there were a bunch. Eric said that that was not a bunch and decided we had to go to another place and feed the fish. So we went to a grocery store and bought bread. Eric bought wheat bread to see if the fish liked that better. We walked to this little area and already tons of fish were gathering. This is the area where we stood.
I have a bunch of pictures of the fish, but I think a video is best so you can hear the disgusting noise they made.
They kept opening their mouths and it often looked like they were kissing one another, so Eric called them the love fish. Later, birds and ducks caught on to what we were doing and also tried to get some of the bread action.
Then we drove to Udo Shrine, which is on the Pacific Coast. It used to be the national shrine because it's the location where the sun fled to when she ran away from the sky. The shrine itself is built into the side of the extinct volcano.
Here is the view of the ocean.
Today we are going to an active volcano that actually spewed ash on Monday.
Yesterday, we went to one of Eric's schools. I read Green Eggs & Ham to the sixth graders, and Eric translated it into Japanese. It was quite fun to see the kids' reactions. Then we went to Sekino Falls, which I've also been to before. The falls are in Miyakonojo and are absolutely gorgeous.
The first time I went to Sekino Falls, the area had a normal amount of water. The second time, this small bridge below was flooded and we couldn't cross it. Yesterday, it wasn't flooded but we decided to walk further up.
When we walked further up, we saw a small pond with some very large fish. I got excited about the fish and kept saying there were a bunch. Eric said that that was not a bunch and decided we had to go to another place and feed the fish. So we went to a grocery store and bought bread. Eric bought wheat bread to see if the fish liked that better. We walked to this little area and already tons of fish were gathering. This is the area where we stood.
I have a bunch of pictures of the fish, but I think a video is best so you can hear the disgusting noise they made.
They kept opening their mouths and it often looked like they were kissing one another, so Eric called them the love fish. Later, birds and ducks caught on to what we were doing and also tried to get some of the bread action.
Then we drove to Udo Shrine, which is on the Pacific Coast. It used to be the national shrine because it's the location where the sun fled to when she ran away from the sky. The shrine itself is built into the side of the extinct volcano.
Here is the view of the ocean.
Today we are going to an active volcano that actually spewed ash on Monday.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Squirrels in Japan?!
Today we once again started our day with breakfast at Denny's. In Japan, the juices are always amazing. At Denny's I have been getting kiwi juice each morning. You can drink some of it, but you usually have to use a spoon to finish it. It's made out of shredded kiwis.
After breakfast, we rode the train for about an hour to Kamakura. Kamakura is a quaint little town famous for its statue of Buddha sculpted over 700 years ago. Here's the information about the Buddha.
And here's the buddha.
We kept looking at at from different angles, but this was the most beautiful.
There were so many squirrels in Kamakura. Eric has lived in Japan for three years and these were the first squirrels he's seen. All of the Japanese tourists visiting the Giant Buddha were also very excited to see it. The squirrels had bushier tails than the ones in the US. They kind of looked like raccoon tails. You can't see the tail in this picture but you can see its face.
Finally, here's one more picture of the giant Buddha.
After breakfast, we rode the train for about an hour to Kamakura. Kamakura is a quaint little town famous for its statue of Buddha sculpted over 700 years ago. Here's the information about the Buddha.
And here's the buddha.
We kept looking at at from different angles, but this was the most beautiful.
There were so many squirrels in Kamakura. Eric has lived in Japan for three years and these were the first squirrels he's seen. All of the Japanese tourists visiting the Giant Buddha were also very excited to see it. The squirrels had bushier tails than the ones in the US. They kind of looked like raccoon tails. You can't see the tail in this picture but you can see its face.
Finally, here's one more picture of the giant Buddha.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Pete Wouldn't Fit in Japan
We're waiting to go to breakfast at Denny's again so I'll write a little more. The ryokan we're staying in is very traditional with tatami floors and futons you have to roll up every morning. The ceilings seem slightly lower than what you usually see in the US. The doorways are barely large enough for my dad and Eric. Pete would definitely have to duck!
Food update:
Last night for dinner, we went to a pizza place. I had tuna and corn pizza and my dad had sausage and waffle fry pizza. It was delicious!!
Hello Kitty update:
Hello Kitty is absolutely everywhere in Japan. Here is a photo of me with a my size Hello Kitty.
Food update:
Last night for dinner, we went to a pizza place. I had tuna and corn pizza and my dad had sausage and waffle fry pizza. It was delicious!!
Hello Kitty update:
Hello Kitty is absolutely everywhere in Japan. Here is a photo of me with a my size Hello Kitty.
Tokyo Day Two - Asukusa, Shibuya, Harajuku
Today started with a traditional breakfast at a lovely restaurant. A Cobb salad at Denny's is the Tokyo way. Then we went shopping since our luggage still didn't arrive and I didn't want to wear the same clothes again. We went to Uniqlo, which is one of my favorite Japanese stores. I love the stores here because many will hem your pants for free. We're staying in a more traditional area of Tokyo called Asakusa. Near our ryokan is a very large Buddhist Temple dedicated to the God of Thunder. Here is the entrance to the Temple.
And the pagoda.
Here's Eric and Monica in front of the Thunder God.
There are often women dressed up in beautiful kimono near temples. Here is a picture of Monica and me with four women.
Traditionally, at temples, you buy incense, light it and then waft it towards you to cleanse your spirit. Here's my dad lighting the incense.
And Monica and me wafting.
After visiting the temple, we rested and then went to Shibuya (Tokyo's Time Square). I love seeing all the people on the trains. So many people actually fall asleep on the train, which completely amazes me that they can do that. Of course, after wondering how they do that and whether they miss their stops, I actually fell asleep on the long ride over to Shibuya. Luckily, Eric woke me up and we all got off the train. Shibuya has one of the most popular meeting spots in Japan. There's a well known story that a dog named Hachiko used to wait for his owner every day in Shibuya. Sadly, his owner got sent off to fight in the war and died there. Hachiko waited and waited but his owner never returned. Here I am with the statue of Hachiko.
The intersection that looks like Times Square always has hundreds of people crossing at once. You can't really see the people in the background but here is a picture of it.
Later, we went to Harajuku which is the shopping district. It closed right after we got there, but I managed to go to my favorite store, Kiddyland, and buy a change purse that looks like toast. Tomorrow we will go back to that area and visit the Meiji-Jingu Shrine.
And the pagoda.
Here's Eric and Monica in front of the Thunder God.
There are often women dressed up in beautiful kimono near temples. Here is a picture of Monica and me with four women.
Traditionally, at temples, you buy incense, light it and then waft it towards you to cleanse your spirit. Here's my dad lighting the incense.
And Monica and me wafting.
After visiting the temple, we rested and then went to Shibuya (Tokyo's Time Square). I love seeing all the people on the trains. So many people actually fall asleep on the train, which completely amazes me that they can do that. Of course, after wondering how they do that and whether they miss their stops, I actually fell asleep on the long ride over to Shibuya. Luckily, Eric woke me up and we all got off the train. Shibuya has one of the most popular meeting spots in Japan. There's a well known story that a dog named Hachiko used to wait for his owner every day in Shibuya. Sadly, his owner got sent off to fight in the war and died there. Hachiko waited and waited but his owner never returned. Here I am with the statue of Hachiko.
The intersection that looks like Times Square always has hundreds of people crossing at once. You can't really see the people in the background but here is a picture of it.
Later, we went to Harajuku which is the shopping district. It closed right after we got there, but I managed to go to my favorite store, Kiddyland, and buy a change purse that looks like toast. Tomorrow we will go back to that area and visit the Meiji-Jingu Shrine.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Don't Be a Panda
Even after a delay that almost caused us to miss our flight, we made it to Tokyo! Unfortunately, our luggage did not. :( We had to run to make our connection, but our luggage did not do the same. It's supposed to come tomorrow afternoon. At least we got a good excuse to shop!
Once we met up with Eric and Monica, we took the subway to our ryokan (traditional Japanese-style inn). We went shopping for a little while, then ventured to Tokyo Tower. It was built to look like the Eiffel Tower.
We took a glass elevator to the observation deck. The sight of the city was beautiful. Tokyo Tower is a popular date spot and you can tell because it was almost only couples.
Tomorrow will be a very busy day. More to come...
Once we met up with Eric and Monica, we took the subway to our ryokan (traditional Japanese-style inn). We went shopping for a little while, then ventured to Tokyo Tower. It was built to look like the Eiffel Tower.
We took a glass elevator to the observation deck. The sight of the city was beautiful. Tokyo Tower is a popular date spot and you can tell because it was almost only couples.
Tomorrow will be a very busy day. More to come...
Friday, March 6, 2009
Leaving on a Jet Plane...
So here I am, once again in the airport. I woke up at 3:00am, but I still have some energy. My dad and I are waiting for our flight to Atlanta, where we will catch a plane to Tokyo. Here is a picture of us at Charlotte Douglas.
I love airports. No matter how early you get there in the morning, there's always a ton of people. Some people look excited, but mostly people look tired.
Check back later for an update from Tokyo!
I love airports. No matter how early you get there in the morning, there's always a ton of people. Some people look excited, but mostly people look tired.
Check back later for an update from Tokyo!
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