tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76354171392492292482024-02-20T04:47:53.369-08:00Currently IdleWhat I'm doing with my spare timePhil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-20236968646288522292011-10-07T02:13:00.000-07:002011-10-11T08:16:25.786-07:00Thu Oct 6, Going homeThis was the day to come back to America. We woke up, I had one last time in their nice Japanese style bath, we had a feast of a breakfast, and then we headed to the station. Chika's dad went with us as far as Ueno, and then we took a train from there to Narita. I got a few pictures at take off (when the sun was setting), in the middle of the night (moon and orion) and in the morning as we landed. Now we're home safe and sound, and getting ready to go to work again tomorrow =\<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219431104/" title="IMG_4281 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6060/6219431104_3508d55683_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4281"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6218918879/" title="IMG_4293 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6109/6218918879_aebcba10a2_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4293"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6218923583/" title="IMG_4307 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6216/6218923583_0c9f5b0d65_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4307"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6218924819/" title="IMG_4324 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6234/6218924819_ef1fa473a3_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4324"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219450648/" title="IMG_4329 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6051/6219450648_4711e6f471_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4329" style="vertical-align:top"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6218935981/" title="IMG_4334 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6223/6218935981_46d05298d9_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4334" style="vertical-align:top"></a></center>Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-9380092930280194282011-10-07T02:01:00.000-07:002011-10-11T08:15:14.359-07:00Wed Oct 5, Birthday, Ghibli and UnagiToday's my birthday, and Chika and her mom and I went to Mitaka so I could show them the Ghibli museum. This was the only day it has rained on us since we got to Japan, but it was okay since we were going to be inside most of the time. We took the obligatory photos out front with the giant Totoro in the ticket booth and up stairs with the statue of the robot from Laputa<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219397354/" title="IMG_4259 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6219397354_eba78a4dac_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4259"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219399006/" title="IMG_4260 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6053/6219399006_17642a0ac1_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4260"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219400572/" title="IMG_4261 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6223/6219400572_729ed3d8d6_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4261"></a></center><br /><br />Then we went back home just in time for Chika's dad to pick us up from the station and we all went to a fantastic unagi restaurant (river fish in general, actually) where we had unagi no kimo (guts), unagi, koi no arai. It was all really good, and made for a perfect birthday dinner.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219402030/" title="IMG_4262 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6219402030_c5d93f5448_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4262"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219524316/" title="IMG_2740 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6115/6219524316_137365b41d_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_2740"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219405276/" title="IMG_4264 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6235/6219405276_b5db21d693_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4264"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6218885625/" title="IMG_4265 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6039/6218885625_8d8b3dfa21_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4265"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6218890621/" title="IMG_4268 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6233/6218890621_3e9577ffa0_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4268"></a></center><br /><br />Then we went home and got packed =( But then Chika's dad stayed up late enough for us to have one last evening of drinking together, and Chika and I drew an eye on the daruma that we bought in Ikaho.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6218893487/" title="IMG_4270 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6040/6218893487_3640c684b1_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4270"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219413424/" title="IMG_4269 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6043/6219413424_cca64762d7_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4269"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6218899507/" title="IMG_4274 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6171/6218899507_fd9c0bb6e7_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4274" style="vertical-align:top"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219006529/" title="IMG_2754 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6101/6219006529_0038e3f568_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_2754" style="vertical-align:top"></a></center>Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-14337729061011243582011-10-07T01:36:00.000-07:002011-10-11T08:13:22.367-07:00Tue Oct 4, Kamakura, Yokohama and ChinatownChika's mom went with Chika and I today down to Kanagawa to see the Daibutsu in Kamakura and Chinatown in Yokohama.<br /><br />First we got in to Kamakura and walked down a main shopping street where we tried some Kamakura-yaki (little green baked thing with anko inside), and a really interesting store with lots of little trinkets, toys, puzzles (chie no wa) and made our way to Tsuruhaoka Hachimangu temple.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219169920/" title="IMG_4141 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6169/6219169920_99e6078b26_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4141"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6218989189/" title="IMG_2702 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6156/6218989189_d218d52344_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_2702"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219180480/" title="IMG_4148 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6176/6219180480_49fc8c405c_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4148" style="vertical-align:top"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6218688421/" title="IMG_4162 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6104/6218688421_34b20a9f44_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4162" style="vertical-align:top"></a></center><br /><br />I brought my Goshuinshuu to help document the temples I've visited and to get a little calligraphy collection going. And we stopped to grab some amazake.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219320438/" title="IMG_4212 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6219320438_b5f25c221b_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4212"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6218738985/" title="IMG_4182 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6054/6218738985_24fe6ea6f8_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4182"></a></center><br /><br />Then we rode a train a couple of stations over to get to see the famous Daibutsu statue. And we were able to go inside a bit, and I got one more page in my goshuinshu<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219515494/" title="IMG_2715 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6053/6219515494_1a4dca61c8_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_2715"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6218763293/" title="IMG_4193 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6046/6218763293_9e02feae33_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4193"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219517360/" title="IMG_2720 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6108/6219517360_ffddd04964_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_2720"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219331410/" title="IMG_4219 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6228/6219331410_014c2fd8e4_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4219"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219518648/" title="IMG_2723 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6153/6219518648_bb378fa3dd_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_2723" style="vertical-align:middle"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6218798167/" title="IMG_4211 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6040/6218798167_0d2681cfbb_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4211" style="vertical-align:middle"></a></center><br /><br />Then it was about time for all the temples to start closing, so we went back to the station in Kamakura and then took a train to Yokohama and made our way to Chinatown where we found a place to have some dimsum, shark-fin stew and various other delicious dishes.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219384256/" title="IMG_4251 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6056/6219384256_d5a3af99ae_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4251"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6218866305/" title="IMG_4253 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6218866305_6714d60421_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4253"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219522350/" title="IMG_2734 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6057/6219522350_44ce2943c2_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_2734"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219001147/" title="IMG_2736 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/6219001147_07461fee64_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_2736"></a></center>Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-64391906189251295682011-10-07T01:22:00.000-07:002011-10-11T08:10:14.030-07:00Mon Oct 3, Ueno, Oden and ShibuyaToday was the day that Chika and I were just going to head into Tokyo and wander around. I ended up showing Chika some of the places I liked best in Tokyo.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6208057410/" title="IMG_4106 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6161/6208057410_38170dcd59_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4106"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6207558653/" title="IMG_4109 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6158/6207558653_f3729fcc88_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4109"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6207587087/" title="IMG_4115 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6162/6207587087_c331939a4b_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4115" style="vertical-align:middle"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6208130368/" title="IMG_4120 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6042/6208130368_c2660b7eda_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4120" style="vertical-align:middle"></a></center><br /><br />In the morning we got up, and her mom had crab ready for us, then we headed out to Ueno. After wandering around the park a bit, we wandered over to Ameyoko, and then back to the station, and from there went to Akihabara. After going to Yodobashi camera and seeing the God of War : Origins collection display (out on Oct 6th in Japan), we were getting hungry, so we went to Tokyo station and had dinner in the Marunouchi building at an oden restaurant on the fifth floor.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6207640733/" title="IMG_4124 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6218/6207640733_fa2d18fb69_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4124"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6208200450/" title="IMG_4135 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6208200450_52fe339b8b_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4135"></a></center><br /><br />Then we went to Shibuya, got some starbucks next to the scramble intersection (nice view), and wandered around the attached bookstore for a little while before heading home, where I single-handedly ate most of a bar of youkan that Chika's friend Fuji gave us =\<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6208212970/" title="IMG_4139 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6208212970_67538d9bdf_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4139"></a></center>Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-66699520107086395782011-10-02T19:11:00.000-07:002011-10-11T08:08:50.624-07:00Sun Oct 2, Meeting friends at Yoyogi ParkWe woke up a little early so we could catch an early enough train to get to Yoyogi park before any of the rest of Chika's friends. We got there early enough to walk around across the street from the park where they usually have a flea market every Sunday, but today was a special Hokkaido fair with lots of food stands. We didn't buy anything, but it was interesting to just walk around and see what was there.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6203732069/" title="IMG_4035 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6157/6203732069_29aa31e6b4_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4035"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6203759149/" title="IMG_4040 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6156/6203759149_e562693f46_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4040"></a></center><br /><br />Chika called a place that would deliver a 24 pack of beer to the park for us (somewhere between 11 and 1) and it got there just after noon (when the first people just started showing up). After a few people showed up it was getting a little noisy around the benches where we said to meet, so we went just across the pond and set up a couple of tarps, sat, ate, drank and had a really good time. Maki was a friend of Chika's from preschool, then there was Sato (Abe), Migita, Mizuseda and Otsuka from Chika's middle / high school years, then Fuji and Eri that Chika knew from college, and from her days working at Bell Systems in Japan there was Yamana-san, Yanagawa-san, Hirano, Keiko, Yusuke, Seiji, Hayato, Mune, and Chikako. Yukari-sensei and her husband Ted also showed up and took some pictures with us.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6203844721/" title="IMG_4052 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6203844721_06dca4c8d2_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4052"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6203829483/" title="IMG_4050 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6171/6203829483_41f895d5d2_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4050"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6204026187/" title="IMG_4080 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/6204026187_a2abd36701_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4080"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6204145919/" title="IMG_4097 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6174/6204145919_25244f8dd3_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4097"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6204632294/" title="IMG_4093 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6138/6204632294_eb4cecf729_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4093"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6204624822/" title="IMG_4092 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6204624822_7b8c1663b2_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4092"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6203914941/" title="IMG_4063 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6005/6203914941_1385dc0b97_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4063" style="vertical-align:middle"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6204477290/" title="IMG_4069 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6124/6204477290_b88f62f0d2_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4069" style="vertical-align:middle"></a></center><br /><br />Once it started getting a little dark, everyone was getting a little cold, and various people were getting ready to go, we cleaned up the tarps and walked back toward the station. We said our good-byes to some people, and went with a few to a restaurant in Harajuku to grab a little to eat and talk a little more. We stayed until the restaurant closed and kicked us out, and then we were down to just me, Chika and Eri-chan and we went across the street and spent an hour at a karaoke place.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6204684820/" title="IMG_4100 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6204684820_a71e9327bb_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4100" style="vertical-align:middle"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6204197605/" title="IMG_4105 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6204197605_d7c8b09dec_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4105" style="vertical-align:middle"></a></center><br /><br />Then we headed back to Saitama, where Chika's mom picked us up from the station, and we went back home and talked some more. I think we finally got to sleep around 1am with sore throats from talking all day.Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-7899373361616564062011-10-01T07:55:00.002-07:002011-10-11T07:54:09.151-07:00Sat Oct 1, Visit with Chika's GrandmaWe got up and got ready pretty quickly, and put some of the photo albums in the car and headed for Chika's grandma's house. They got a call from Chika's brother, and he and his wife were able to come out to visit today, too. We got there, and once again there was much more food that any of us were able to eat. There was sekihan, tamago no tempura, norimaki, oinarisan, uzura no tamago (quail egg) and boiled chicken, osuimono (tsuyu) and various tsukemono. We sat around taking pictures, talking and generally laughing way too much.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219500718/" title="IMG_2674 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6051/6219500718_2464907466_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_2674"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219501840/" title="IMG_2677 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6110/6219501840_f8604bd57a_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_2677"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200341539/" title="IMG_4009 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6156/6200341539_17869e5a3e_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_4009" style="vertical-align:middle"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200394137/" title="IMG_4019 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/6200394137_ac50cd149d_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_4019" style="vertical-align:middle"></a></center><br /><br />Around 5:30 we left to head back to Chika's parents house, and stopped by a nearby Lawson store to buy tickets to the Ghibli museum for the 5th (my birthday). Then we can back, and relaxed a bit, and ate a small dinner, and Chika researched where we can buy beer for tomorrow (when we're meeting up with a bunch of people for an afternoon in the park). I finally uploaded all the pictures we took on our Kyuushuu trip, and entered really brief descriptions of what we did over the week we were away from the internet.Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-22092142773337988192011-10-01T07:55:00.001-07:002011-10-11T07:53:01.662-07:00Fri Sept 30, Back to TokyoWoke up at our business hotel in Nagoya and went down for the free breakfast. Then we left and got in line for getting our shinkansen tickets back to Tokyo. There was an old lady just behind us in line that kept standing really close to us and I felt like maybe she was quietly trying to slip past us in line, so I kept making sure to stand in front of her. Chika laughed and said I'm becoming more Japanese, because everyone here pushes into any empty space so you have to be careful not to lose your place in line or a place to sit, etc.<br /><br />Once we got on the train, Chika found a public phone at the end of the train car we were in and took the tickets to tell her parents when we'd be getting in. While she was still on the phone, a guy came around to check tickets, and just before he got to our row, I got up and left =\ I was going to try to find Chika to get our tickets, but by the time I saw her, the guy had left.<br /><br />When we got to Tokyo station, we had to change trains quickly for the shinkansen to Omiya, then we got on a local train for the last bit to Higashi Omiya, where Chika's parents picked us up. We went straight to Hanaichi Ichiba and had various seafood (kaki, ebi, kani). Then we went home and started laundry and uploading pictures, and Chika's mom brought out some old photo albums of Chika and we looked through those a little bit.<br /><br />Chika and her mom and I went to Ikebukuro to wander around a little and go to Tokyu Hands. Tokyu Hands is a really interesting store. They've got a little of everything, but the best part was that they have lots of electronic parts, chemistry equipment, wood for building things, and even a section for how to do melted / blown glass stuff. If we had a store like that in America I'd probably want to do a lot more DIY stuff.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6218974307/" title="IMG_2664 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6046/6218974307_24fba9c0cf_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_2664"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6219499216/" title="IMG_2670 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6219499216_65a3dc2641_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_2670"></a></center><br /><br />Then we went to a Lotteria to have something to drink and sit and watch all the people getting off of work and heading out for a fun Friday night.<br /><br />When we got home again, the souvenirs from Kyuushuu had gotten there and we had ika from Yobuko and satsuma age for dinner, and we looked at more photo albums, watched TV and just generally relaxed.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200233605/" title="IMG_3978 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/6200233605_e2334bcb0e_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_3978"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200209805/" title="IMG_3970 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/6200209805_16e87fe5a0_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3970"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200718692/" title="IMG_3969 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6157/6200718692_6d9ede1854_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3969"></a></center>Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-54418958381304765202011-10-01T07:53:00.000-07:002011-10-11T07:51:50.017-07:00Thu Sept 29, Squid in Yobuko and Okonomiyaki in HiroshimaWoke up in our business hotel in Saga, had continental breakfast and took a train for Karatsu. Once we got there, we asked a lady at the information desk how to get to Yobuko and she looked at the clock and told us that if we ran a block or two, we could catch the next bus, so we ran out the door and she ran after us with a couple of maps for us. It was a half hour bus ride, and when we got there we had some time to walk around the market (ichiba) and we found a good deal on some dried squid to take back with us.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200366148/" title="IMG_3895 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/6200366148_663a33fcba_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3895"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200373192/" title="IMG_3898 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/6200373192_a6c5c30239_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3898"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199858331/" title="IMG_3897 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6199858331_2ca8b7be66_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3897"></a></center><br /><br />When we decided to head over to Kawataro, we got mixed up and walked about 15 minutes up a hill that we didn't need to. But along the way we saw lots of bugs and a snake.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199871549/" title="IMG_3901 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6199871549_4fc8f20853_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3901"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200386218/" title="IMG_3902 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6153/6200386218_5f32c6d7ff_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3902"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199876933/" title="IMG_3903 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6018/6199876933_1148269fd8_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3903"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200395558/" title="IMG_3905 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/6200395558_caa7dc472d_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3905"></a></center><br /><br />After asking for directions at the top of the hill, we walked back down and found our way there. Along the way we saw lots of squid drying on lines and a couple of spinning racks to help dry the squid out faster.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199916865/" title="IMG_3919 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6199916865_3b40707213_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3919"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200407330/" title="IMG_3910 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6156/6200407330_5a77a78252_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3910"></a></center><br /><br />Once we got there, they still weren't open, but we were pretty close to the front of the line. Once we got in, we sat right next to a big pool where they kept a bunch of live squid, and we ordered 2 live squid lunches =) After we ate the mantle and a few of the tentacles, they took the rest away and fried it for us (everything except the eyes and the beak).<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199926641/" title="IMG_3923 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/6199926641_b406985da7_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3923"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200470524/" title="IMG_3935 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/6200470524_6d1c727b77_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3935"></a><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="225" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=3253a1549e&photo_id=6200592476&hd_default=false"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=3253a1549e&photo_id=6200592476&hd_default=false" height="225" width="400"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200473524/" title="IMG_3938 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6171/6200473524_efc9243a3b_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3938"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200650686/" title="IMG_3946 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/6200650686_3dea9ced80_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3946"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200664034/" title="IMG_3952 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6147/6200664034_38406ab6d7_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3952"></a></center><br /><br />Then we walked back to the bus station and saw a huge flock of hawks along the way flying around hunting for food. We took a bus back to Nishi Karatsu, then a train back to Hakata, and then a shinkansen to Hiroshima. We got off there and I took Chika to a building called Okonomimura, where two floors are nothing but lots of little okonomiyaki restaurants. We ate at Momotaro (once of the places I went the first time I was there).<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200681916/" title="IMG_3958 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6020/6200681916_c6f562cf20_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3958"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200688852/" title="IMG_3960 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6200688852_6afc50d908_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3960"></a></center><br /><br />Then we went back to the station and found out that it was too late to make it all the way back to Tokyo, so we decided to go as far as we could, which was Nagoya. Chika has a cousin that lives around Nagoya so we gave her a call, but she was busy and it seems like she lives pretty far from Nagoya station, so we just decided to stay in a business hotel close to the station.Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-44651824795505572802011-10-01T07:50:00.000-07:002011-10-11T07:50:08.577-07:00Wed Sept 28, Kagoshima to SagaWe woke up in Kagoshima and had our free continental breakfast. Then we checked out and left our bags at the front desk to go walk around. First we went into Bic Camera in the station and saw God of War Ghost of Sparta on the shelves =)<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199598711/" title="IMG_3834 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6199598711_e45ee851f2_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3834"></a></center><br /><br />Then we went to the Miyage Yokocho in the station and got lots of free samples of food. After that we went to the mall attached to the station called Amu. We went to Mujirushi Ryouhin and Uniqlo. We went to the bottom floor and looked for some good shouchuu, and the guy working at the store seemed to know a lot about it. We got some samples and decided on one called Minankata, but we'd come back for it after lunch. We found a phone and called Chika's mom, and then headed up to a book store where I bought volume one of Nichijou. After that we went to the top floor where there was a game center, and saw <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4_7goH48i4">Chabudai Gaeshi</a> and I played a drum game called Taiko no Tatsujin<br /><br /><center><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="225" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=661fb817c4&photo_id=6199768875&hd_default=false"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=661fb817c4&photo_id=6199768875&hd_default=false" height="225" width="400"></embed></object></center><br /><br />Then we went back outside to look for lunch, but it had gotten a little late, and the streets in Kagoshima (around the station anyway) are completely covered in dust. We think it's because of its proximity to the beach. Anyway, since most places outside were closed, we went back to Amu and found a kurobuta shabu shabu place called Ichi Ni San (1 2 3), and we shared one big lunch with extra meat.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200288980/" title="IMG_3841 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6122/6200288980_68ea495537_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_3841" style="vertical-align:middle"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199783623/" title="IMG_3845 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/6199783623_12aae76990_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3845" style="vertical-align:middle"></a></center><br /><br />There was one tsukune ... but I ate the whole thing before I realized that Chika didn't get any =( Then she disguised a hint at trying to get me to chew my food better by saying it tastes better when you chew it for a long time.<br /><br />After that we went back to the liquor store and bought a bottle of Minankata (but not before having another couple samples =) And we walked back to Miyage Yokocho. We found some honey vinegar for me, and satsuma age for Chika's parents. The store there offers to ship it where ever you want, which I thought was a nice service. But then the lady told us that we could ship the other souvenirs we had with us since the shipping fee was a flat rate up to a given weight. Then Chika asked if we could put some of our luggage in with it as well (the limit was something like 50 kg). So we ended up leaving our souvenirs and half our luggage with them to ship back to Saitama for us. I felt kind of embarrassed pulling out all my dirty clothes to give to them in the middle of lots of other shoppers =\<br /><br />Then just before we grabbed a train for Saga, we bought murasaki imo man (steamed bun with a purple potato filling) that we ate once we got on the train.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199791259/" title="IMG_3849 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6137/6199791259_38c3533bde_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3849"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199803091/" title="IMG_3855 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/6199803091_75059ea8b4_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3855"></a></center><br /><br />Then we checked into a Toyoko Inn close to the Saga station and then went back to a Family Mart and bought some oden, oinarisan, shiodare buta kalbi musubi, croquette and a weird coffee jelly drink. Then we went back to the room ate and went to sleep.Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-52956813520896730672011-10-01T07:48:00.000-07:002011-10-11T07:48:12.343-07:00Tue Sept 27, Sunaburo in IbusukiSince I stayed up later, Chika woke up a little early and went for another dip in our private bath.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199550419/" title="IMG_3798 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/6199550419_d887ebeb5c_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_3798"></a></center><br /><br />Then we went to breakfast and had things like onsen tamago, Jersey milk, and namekojiru.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199555927/" title="IMG_3801 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/6199555927_2f5dd25c5e_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3801"></a></center><br /><br />Then we went back and took one last bath in our room before we had to check out. We got ready and packed up, checked out and left our bags with the onsen staff. They drove us to noshiyu onsen to use our last onsen pass. It wasn't a konyoku bath, but they had utaseyu (kind of like a waterfall of warm water that you can sit under) and that was great for my sore back. Then we walked back to the information center and found a place selling shave ice. Then a driver from our onsen brought our bags and drove us to the bus stop in time for our bus back to Aso. We went to a rest stop (michi no eki) close to the Aso train station and got some ice cream made from the milk of a nearby farm that was really good.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199574579/" title="IMG_3816 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/6199574579_713e28c0b5_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_3816"></a></center><br /><br />From there we took a train back to Kumamoto where we picked up some lunch before catching a shinkansen to Kagoshima. Chika got a French bread bacon potato sandwich and some mentai cheese bread, and I got 2 curry pan. When we got to Kagoshima, we found a nearby Toyoko Inn and left our bags in the room, and quickly took a train for Ibusuki. Then outside the Ibusuki station we had to wait around a half hour for a late bus to take us to Sunamushi Onsen (sand bath).<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6200102022/" title="IMG_3828 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6200102022_9da4ccb9b8_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_3828" style="vertical-align:middle"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199587719/" title="IMG_3827 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6162/6199587719_ecc9ccd3fe_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3827" style="vertical-align:middle"></a></center><br /><br />When we got there, we changed into a yukata that they gave us and walked down to the beach. There was a long stretch of beach with really coarse sand that stayed a consistently hot temperature. We laid down on the sand and some people shoveled sand onto us with just our heads exposed. We stayed there for about 15 to 20 minutes. It was really interesting.<br /><br />Then we looked around a nearby liquor store for some shouchuu that we could only buy in Kagoshima, but we were running out of time and just went back to our hotel. From there were found a kurobuta shabu shabu place, and had kurobuta kakuni, miso tonkotsu, buta bara aburi, and buta nigiri with some shiso paste. We also tried a couple of local brands of sake / shouchuu to see if we could find something we really liked. Then we went back to the hotel and went to bed.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199592939/" title="IMG_3830 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6199592939_4470d8e1f9_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3830"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199594883/" title="IMG_3831 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/6199594883_ce391c818c_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3831"></a></center>Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-90377939865483818982011-10-01T07:46:00.000-07:002011-10-11T08:18:24.383-07:00Mon Sept 26, KurokawaWe got up early and walked from our hotel to the Kokura station. We took a shinkansen to Hakata and then to Kumamoto. We were going to take a sight-seeing bus from there to Kurokawa, but we saw we could save some money and about an hour of our time by taking another train to Aso, and then intercepting an early one of those buses to Kurokawa. We picked up some horse meat bento lunches to eat on the way to Aso.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199720296/" title="IMG_3603 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/6199720296_567d463938_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3603"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199245503/" title="IMG_3624 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/6199245503_91e4e1cb77_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3624"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199736142/" title="IMG_3612 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6156/6199736142_073a25435e_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_3612" align="middle" style="vertical-align:top"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199260591/" title="IMG_3637 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6199260591_63f7ff80ec_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3637" style="vertical-align:top"></a></center><br /><br />The reason Chika's face is all scrunched up in that last photo, was the lady on the train was telling people "顔を中央に寄せてください" which Chika says sounds more like "bring your face together in the middle", instead of "bring your faces closer together". The lady wasn't amused and told us to take another picture =\<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199776746/" title="IMG_3638 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/6199776746_472a3b7e43_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3638"></a></center><br /><br />Once we got to Kurokawa, a driver from our onsen was there to meet us. He took us to the information center where he suggested we get passes to try some of the other nearby onsens. He took our luggage and left us with some towels to use. We bought three passes each.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199793686/" title="IMG_3648 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/6199793686_37e3b6c00f_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3648"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199286717/" title="IMG_3651 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/6199286717_957e0bdcfe_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3651"></a></center><br /><br />I told Chika I was interested in konyoku (baths that allow both women and men) so we went to two that had them. First was Shinmeikan that had two baths to try. One was in a cave, which was pretty interesting, and then instead of getting dressed to walk 15 feet, we just wrapped towels around us and went to the next one. On the way some other tourist from across the river whistled at Chika =) Then we went to Ikoi Ryoukan that was supposed to have tachiyu (a bath deep enough to stand in) but we found out that was only in the women-only bath. Then we sat outside and had onsen tamago and some homemade cider.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199366359/" title="IMG_3686 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6199366359_914f1cddf1_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_3686" style="vertical-align:middle"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199890856/" title="IMG_3692 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/6199890856_f6c280e0b8_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3692" style="vertical-align:middle"></a></center><br /><br />We saw a tsukemono shop and bought some to bring home. Then we made it back to the information center and called to have our driver come back and pick us up. We finally got up to the place we were staying, called Kiyashiki. We went in and they gave us some tea while we waited for someone to show us to our room.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199408337/" title="IMG_3707 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6137/6199408337_46d1fe246f_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3707"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199922360/" title="IMG_3708 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6005/6199922360_3f0b23ce09_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3708"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199924062/" title="IMG_3709 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6159/6199924062_2d68206d0d_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3709"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6234025911/" title="IMG_3710-IMG_3714 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6234025911_39afc03636.jpg" width="500" height="75" alt="IMG_3710-IMG_3714"></a></center><br /><br />While the guy was showing us around our room and telling us about the onsen, we found out that they have a family bath that you can reserve for 45 minutes that has a long shallow place to lay down in the bath called neyu. All the times to use it were already taken, though, except for the slot that had already started 10 minutes ago, so we took that one and hurried down to have at least 30 minutes to enjoy it.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199421191/" title="IMG_3715 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6161/6199421191_4b734bc82c_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_3715"></a></center><br /><br />Once our time was up, it was time to head to dinner. We had marbled beef yakiniku (the best food I had on the trip) called higogyuu (marbled beef is called shimofuri). We also had sakuraniku no tataki (seared horse meat). I made a bad Japanese pun about how it was delicious with out adding any sauce "何も付けてない、でも熱いよ、気だけ付けてください" ... don't worry about not understanding it ... it's not worth explaining.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199444753/" title="IMG_3728 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6157/6199444753_2d3d537b3e_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3728"></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199463833/" title="IMG_3740 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6199463833_e16fc601b3_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3740"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199968258/" title="IMG_3734 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6140/6199968258_520e18e7d6_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3734"></a></center><br /><br />We also had (what we think is) yamame roasted on a stick<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199952534/" title="IMG_3725 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/6199952534_14270ca672_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="IMG_3725" style="vertical-align:middle"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199471093/" title="IMG_3744 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/6199471093_9575099cb9_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3744" style="vertical-align:middle"></a></center><br /><br />Afterwards we went to the bar and had Moriizou and just relaxed for a bit.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199521509/" title="IMG_3777 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6199521509_a521aa1a16_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3777"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6199527853/" title="IMG_3782 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6180/6199527853_1158823c83_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_3782"></a></center><br /><br />Then we went back to our room and took a bath. Chika left much earlier than I did. I think I stayed out there until around 1am, and by the time I came back in, she had fallen asleep watching TV.Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-26205365297308794282011-10-01T07:43:00.000-07:002011-10-01T07:46:26.208-07:00Sun Sept 25, Matsuri in DazaifuWoke up and left our bags at the front when we checked out, walked around while we waited for ikkousha to open, had ramen and 2 or 3 cloves of garlic, and beer for breakfast, had garlic power for the rest of the day, crying baby next to us, free sample tour and got budou daifuku and yomogi mochi, Aki picked us up, we drove around a little, more ramen, bike shopping, went to game center and saw a lady playing coin sliding / shooting game, dazaifu tenmangu, umegaemochi and tea, walked around, took pictures, omairi, found a spot on the bridge, waited for dance to start, got to light some candles on the bridge, saw miko do two dances, drove back to kokura, had dinner at kingyou, ate tachiuo sanma sawara sashimi nodoguro no nitsuke kokutou shouchuu kyohou chuhai agedashi tamago takowasa chazuke, found love hotel ....Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-74633675034334292632011-10-01T07:42:00.000-07:002011-10-01T07:43:13.440-07:00Sat Sept 24, Hakata and Matsuri in KasugaLeft Nagasaki and arrived in hakata around 1, found hotel, dropped off bags, kushida jinja, wandered around hataka, hataka ningyo hakubutsukan, ate ramen at ichiran, went to kasuga saw matsuri, daimonji, saved lost girl, had two shave ice, karaage, hashimaki, miso horumon, yakisoba, yakitori, tebasaki, saw wadaiko, took the train back, checked in, crashedPhil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-16317470033817210522011-10-01T07:41:00.002-07:002011-10-01T07:42:21.005-07:00Fri Sept 23, Nagasaki and ChanponWoke up to see the sunrise, furo, breakfast, wait for train, bought omiyage and free roll cake, train to tosu and then nagasaki, found hotel, walked to China town, found dejima (Ryan and Rebecca's picture), chanpon at kouzanrou, got lost wandering around, found hotel and watched terminatorPhil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-41284655394785935122011-10-01T07:41:00.001-07:002011-10-01T07:41:35.826-07:00Thu Sept 22, Yufuin onsenWoke up, saw castle, fukushima mono juice, Ham katsu sandwich, mushipan, went to beppu, played in the mud at hoyoulando, Mr donut, lotteria, went to yufuin, late for the van, furo, Pajama dinnerPhil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-60522171150520462602011-10-01T07:36:00.000-07:002011-10-01T07:40:56.125-07:00Wed Sept 21, Leave for KyuushuuEscaped typhoon, Shimonoseki, cup men, ferry from karato to mojo, Retro nantara kantara, 100 yen shop ichigo ramune and kuromame kurocha, train from mojo to kokura, akki picked us up and we had dinner with ikita aji gave omiyage, wine and cheese, darts, hotelPhil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-48207184068062541092011-09-20T06:25:00.000-07:002011-09-20T06:32:45.901-07:00Tue Sept 20th, Leaving Ikaho and visiting more familyThis morning, we got up early and took one more dip in the hot spring and came back in time to have breakfast in the same private room. Again, it was way too much food, but it was all pretty good.<br /><br />Then we checked out and made the 2 or so hour drive to Chika's grandmother's house. We ate fried ika (squid), ohagi (a red bean paste around a ball of rice), kimchee, ochawan and pudding that her grandmother made for all of us (keep in mind she's 97 ... and still cooks for her family). Then two of Chika's cousins came with their kids and the house turned into a zoo. We all had a great time, and it was so nice to be able to talk to Chika's grandmother.<br /><br />Then we left and came back to Chika's parents house and got packed for our trip tomorrow to Kyuushuu. Now it's time to get some sleep, since we have to get up early to beat rush hour into Tokyo to catch our bullet train west.Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-4993178131087609532011-09-20T06:02:00.000-07:002011-09-20T06:25:15.690-07:00Mon Sept 19th, Ikaho OnsenToday we got up a little early and left for a town called Ikaho (in Gunma prefecture). We went to an onsen ryokan called The Fukuichi. When we first got there, we were too early for check-in, but Chika and I changed into our yukatas and then we went into the town to check out the festival that was happening that day. We got to see them carrying what's known as an omikoshi down some really narrow steps. Omikoshi are "little" mobile shrines, and during these festivals, the god of a particular shrine is supposed to come out of the temple and into the omikoshi, and the people of the village carry it through the streets, and then bring it back to the shrine to return the god to its home.<br /><br />After we saw that and visited the shrine at the top of the stairs, we went back to check in and go for our first dip in the hot springs. Chika and I are planning to visit 2 more hot springs in Kyuushuu next week, so it was nice to go with her parents first so her dad could show me around. Basically, you're supposed to wash yourself off first, and then you can get in the hot spring, which I already knew, but there's lots of other little subtleties that I wouldn't have known.<br /><br />After that we had dinner in a private room. The dinner was lots of little things, but the emphasis is more on "lots" than "little".<br /><br />After dinner, we went back outside to see them return the omikoshi to the shrine and then they paraded it around in circles for a while taking turns supporting the 4 beams that ran underneath it.<br /><br />After that (and after we had waited out the alcohol) we went to the hot spring again before going back to our rooms to go to sleep.Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-61185592592130536572011-09-20T05:52:00.000-07:002011-09-20T06:02:05.211-07:00Sun Sept 18th, Udon, Ohakamairi and a movieWhen we woke up, Chika's brother and her dad showed us how to make udon, and then we all ate it for lunch. It was a simpler process than I had anticipated.<br /><br />Then when her brother and his wife needed to leave, Chika and I went with her parents to visit her grandparents' grave. We cleaned off the tombstone and left some flowers and paid our respects.<br /><br />Then her parents dropped us off at a mall to go see the new Ghibli movie that's still in theathers called "Kokurikozaka kara". It wasn't anything spectacular, but it was fun to go see a movie in Japan anyway. Their theaters have pillows and blankets for you (if you want), but I guess other than that it's pretty similar to what a normal theater is in the US.<br /><br />Then we went home again and drank with her parents again =)Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-33814183892313581672011-09-17T16:52:00.000-07:002011-10-11T07:26:49.853-07:00Saturday, Sept 17th, TGS and meeting the familyIt's been a year and a half since my last Japan trip, and I'm at it again.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6156823215/" title="IMG_2803 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6156823215_79a43529e1_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_2803"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnowell/6156820253/" title="IMG_2802 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6156820253_bd653cae9f_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_2802"></a><br /><br />Yesterday I got in around 4:30 and Chika was at the airport to meet me after I got through customs (which went really fast). We got our JRail passes and then took the train from Chiba to Saitama (about an hour and a half). We stayed up a little late drinking some sake and talking. The sake was really smooth and had lots of gold flakes in it. It's a celebratory sake (お祝い), and they got it to welcome their daughter's new husband to Japan.<br /><br />Today we woke up too early (stupid jetlag) and had breakfast with Chika's parents once they got up. Then we left around 10 to go to the Tokyo Game Show. That was a lot of fun, and I've wanted to go ever since I started studying Japanese, so it was nice to finally get a chance. The God of War : Origins Collection that we just finished working on was on display as well, and it's always nice to see people enjoying something you've worked on.<br /><br />Then when we left the show there was an outlet mall nearby that we walked around for a bit, and then decided to head back since we were going to meet Chika's brother and his wife for dinner.<br /><br />We got back around 6 (I think) and had a huge dinner. Her brother loves cooking (so much that he's planning on opening a restaurant someday) and he had some stuff that he'd made. Also they had just gotten back from a trip to Hokkaido, and they had brought back some stuff from there.<br /><br />It was the first time Chika had met her brother's wife and the first time her brother had met me, and it was really nice to find that we all got along _really_ well. Her family has a great sense of humor and they're incredibly warm and inviting.<br /><br />I've got some pictures, but I haven't uploaded them yet, so I'll edit this post once they're uploaded.Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-90013567427424119622010-02-24T06:24:00.000-08:002010-02-24T06:28:04.751-08:00Shinjuku and Akasaka ... again (Wed 2/24)I went to Shinjuku and found another coffee shop and practiced some more shuji, and waited until it was about time for me to leave to meet up with Mina in Akasaka.<br /><br />After we met up, we went to eat in one of the restaurants attached to the station, and then headed over to a jazz club called The B Flat, where a friend of hers was playing jazz saxaphone in a big band gig. It was a great evening. I'm so glad I'm getting to meet all these nice people this trip.<br /><br />Again, sorry, no pictures. Gotta get to sleep now, tomorrow I'm going to finally try to wake up bright and early and get over to Tsukiji fish market.Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-16212974822855852722010-02-24T06:16:00.000-08:002010-02-24T06:24:28.837-08:00Akasaka and Shinjuku and Laundry (Tue 2/23)This morning I went to Akasaka to have lunch with someone I met last week at the dinner with Miho and her friends in Ebisu. We went to a shabu shabu place called Musashi, and it was really good.<br /><br />After I walked her back to her office I went walking around Akasaka, stopped into a coffee place and read for a little while. I eventually went back to Shinjuku and had a bite to eat, and practiced some more shuji (calligraphy). A chinese guy tried to tell me something in Chinese (I think he thought I was studying Chinese, since I was writing Chinese characters). He eventually pointed at the paper and gave a thumbs up. People around here are some complimentary. Great for a guy's ego =)<br /><br />Then I went home and did a bunch of laundry. Now I have enough clean clothes to last until 1 day short of the end of the trip (nice planning).<br /><br />No pictures today, sorry.Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-72000685443498974232010-02-22T16:58:00.000-08:002010-02-22T17:12:54.291-08:00Asakusa and Shinbashi (Mon 2/22)Today I decided to head over to Asakusa. I'd been there last time, but I figured it'd be good to go back. It's a really touristy place ... but I'm a tourist. I stopped at a little place that was selling mitarashi dango (mochi dumplings covered in a sweet soy sauce). Then I walked around the temples a bit.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63895719@N00/4380820514/" title="IMG_0567 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/4380820514_035d952615.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0567" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63895719@N00/4380065751/" title="IMG_0571 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4380065751_f38f0b17e4.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="IMG_0571" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63895719@N00/4380819968/" title="IMG_0576 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4380819968_9d8578cece.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="IMG_0576" /></a><br /><br />After a while I saw a sign that had the English written on it "Keeper of the Red Seal", and it made me think of something my Japanese teacher told me. So I took out my dictionary and looked up the kanji characters from the sign and it said 御朱印所 (ごしゅいんじょ), which is a place where you can use a special little folding paper booklet to get the name of the temple you've visited written in nice caligraphy. So I bought a booklet and had them write the first entry (I need to talk to my teacher before I can say too much about what's written there).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63895719@N00/4380837320/" title="IMG_0438 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4380837320_4886cb78bc.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0438" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63895719@N00/4380837488/" title="IMG_0439 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4380837488_e0ae7d6956.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0439" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63895719@N00/4380837746/" title="IMG_0440 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4380837746_8fd707d25d.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0440" /></a><br /><br />I found the same monjayaki place I went to 2 years ago, and had some curry mix monja. It was delicious.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63895719@N00/4380065089/" title="IMG_0578 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4380065089_2a4eb46873.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0578" /></a><br /><br />Then I set out for Shinbashi and found a bunch of really interesting looking restaurants. I'll have to go back there again for dinner.Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-50178116807853490842010-02-21T16:57:00.000-08:002010-02-21T17:13:59.650-08:00Yoyogi and Shibuya (Sun 2/21)Today I was supposed to meet up with someone I met on Friday, but I waited for a half hour and never saw her. Anyway, I was in Harajuku, so I walked over to my standard Sunday spot of Yoyogi park. There was an acapella group singing in the little amphitheater, and there was a farmer's market called the earth day market. I got to sample some 米あめ (komeame) which looked and tasted exactly like honey but is made from rice. I also stood in line to get some fresh taiyaki (fish shaped bean cake). There were some cheer leaders practising outside; I think there was some sort of cheering competition going on in a little athletic hall nearby. There was also a couple walking around with their pet monkey ... it was really cute.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63895719@N00/4377538852/" title="IMG_0566 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4377538852_1517866959.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0566" /></a><br /><br />Especially since the pet monkey had a stuffed monkey of its own. Then I took a train to Shibuya to walk around some more and try to find some live music. I finally found an area with lots of live music clubs, and decided to pay the cover to get into one. There were 6 or 7 bands that played there. The ones that I remember are The Baddies (a British band) and The Mirraz (seemed to be extremely popular, and their music was pretty good.<br /><br />Also, one of the DJs that played between bands played a bunch of songs that had people singing "Nanananana" somewhere in them, and he kept holding up a sign that had "8-1=" or "4+3=" (nana is seven in Japanese)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63895719@N00/4376789787/" title="IMG_0433 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4376789787_75d4c0f5c3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0433" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63895719@N00/4377539518/" title="IMG_0434 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4377539518_94d4fbb63e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0434" /></a><br /><br />Afterwards I caught a late train back to the apartment and went to sleep with a ringing in my ears =)Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635417139249229248.post-85648071662784008592010-02-20T07:30:00.000-08:002010-02-20T07:37:27.726-08:00Ebisu and Karaoke (Sat 2/20)Today made the entire trip worth it. I started out going to Shinjuku and sitting at a coffee shop reading (or trying to) the Totoro book I bought at the Ghibli museum. That was nice. Then I took a train to Ebisu and sat at another coffee shop and read some more. That was also nice.<br /><br />Then I met up with Mina and her friend Satomi for dinner. We had shabu shabu, and it was delicious.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63895719@N00/4373166502/" title="IMG_0565 by gameprogger, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/4373166502_51b92db748.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0565" /></a><br /><br />They tried speaking Japanese around me, and I did an okay job understanding what they were talking about, I think. Then we went to karaoke for a few hours, and that was the most fun I'd had in a while. Mina and Satomi were so much fun. And Satomi's singing voice is amazing. I seriously would have made this entire trip for only this evening. Thank you guys for keeping a lowly tourist some company =)Phil Nowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06843971969418366289noreply@blogger.com0