At long last! Pics from my trip to Japan!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
It’s only taken me almost a month, but here they are!
This is pretty much gonna be a picture only entry. I hope you enjoy!
I caught a great sunset on my layover in Narita Airport
Yokkaichi is the sister city of Long Beach, CA - a city noted for it’s refineries and industry. Since i was there during new year’s, there were decorations strung up even on the yard gates.
Shrine in the middle of the town - unknown name, unknown location - it’s simply cool looking.
I love the way public transit is a way of life here - i wish Cali had a few more trains that went a few more places.
Okonomiyaki is one of my favorite foods! It’s a savory pancake-like food that’s chock full o’ goodness!
Suffice it to say, Jean, my mom and I all stuffed ourselves silly with Okonomiyaki - and for Jean, it was her first time eating it! Her sign language speaks for itself - “I love you okonomiyaki!” Mine says, “Victory, sucka! I finished all of you!"
My mom and I took a bullet train in to Tokyo, and on the way, we got a really clear view of Mt. Fuji!
When we got to Tokyo, we hung out and had lunch with my mom’s classmates from high school and college. And i didn’t even get to ask them about stories from my mom’s hidden past! D’oh!
The lunch they treated us to was a traditional Japanese style that came in a stacked box with mini compartments with just a *little* bit of each thing. It was so preeeeeetty.
Eating and eating and MORE EATING! That’s all i did this vacation. And i am so happy because of it! ^__^
I haven’t seen my cousin, Tsutomu, in years! The last time I saw him, he was just recently married. And now he’s got such a beautiful family! His kids are sooooo cute! This is the first time i got to meet them.
The oldest child is Akari-chan, the big sis of the family who loves to play a card game called, “Babanuki."
Mo-kun is the middle child who is very gentle and seems to have an attachment to the plastic elephant seen in this picture.
Nagomu-chan is assertive and certainly knows what he wants! And that’s sweets and snacks! And a tissue for his nose - it was running away with him!
For three days, i stayed with Daryl and Yuko, who not only pulled out a futon for me but also fed me! WOW!
This is the ONE time i was allowed to help Yuko with the dishes. She’s such a good, kind host that she never let me touch the dishes except when i threatened to get violent.
Walking on the streets of Kichijoji was such a pleasant experience! That day, everyone was out in the brisk air, enjoying a day of good weather before the impending storm the next day.
One of my “must-visit” places was a ramen shop called Nantsutte (don’t worry, i can’t pronounce it either). I saw it featured on Dotchi Cooking Show and i HAD to go. The innovating chef used to be a motorcycle gang member, so the decor is very reminiscent of that sort of rough neck attitude. This sign says, Standing Peeing Prohibited.
The water kettles at Nantsutte are classic - sadly, they only remind me of Ranma 1/2, an anime that i watched back in the day.
We all hung out at the Numatas house in Yokohama. It had been so long since I’d seen my adopted family! Here we are, in all our “normal” glory. Nao could almost be an ING advertisement!
Once again all we did was (you guessed it!) EAT! Numata-san prepared so much food for us! We could barely walk as we left!
The Numatas have such a cozy living room - warm colors and warm company.
For my last proper meal in Japan, Daryl made us KIMCHI PIZZA! W00t! Doesn’t it just *sound* disgusting? But stangely, it was AWESOME. Yum. I will never forget the kindness shown to me through that pickled napa cabbage!
Right before I left, Mutsumi met up with me at the airport. It was so sweet of her to go out of her way to see me off. She even brought really great pudding from Yokohama. Yum! Thanks Mutchan!
There are more pics from the Hawaii leg of the trip, but i think that’s enough pics for now. I hope you enjoy!
Yay! those were fun!
Posted by laura on 02/05 at 03:17 PMEnjoyed looking at your pictures from Japan. Never been there, but seems like a great place to visit. Did you have to speak Japanese to get around?
Posted by dkim on 02/09 at 07:02 AMgreat pictures. ive yet to go, but i will one day soon. your cousin’s kids are adorable. funny how the kettle reminded you of ranma. i was just actually just looking through old rumiko takahashi stuff. ya ya, im a dorkus, hehe.
anyway, your pics are fun. i love looking at people’s japan trip pictures. i live vicariously through them, hehe.
take care (:
-will
Posted by on 02/09 at 03:51 PMWow, Kat, your pictures are awesome! I [spam word] too many comments, so I’ll say nothing, haha. Awesome pics.
Posted by Ramone on 02/11 at 07:44 PMKathy! I want to go see your cousin’s kids. And eat compartmentalized food. Take MEEEEE!
Posted by on 03/03 at 08:26 PM