Takayama

As our time here in Japan draws to a close we are making the most of it and travelling to see some of the hidden treasures that this little country has to offer. This weekend we decided to head to a small town called Takayama and a side trip to Shirakawa-go. Accompanied by two other kiwis we discovered one of the more interesting places I have been to in Japan. This was a small glimpse into old Japan. The definite highlights of the trip were spending a night in the Shinto temple, Zenkoji, and finding two! climbing walls. Shame Joetsu, shame!

Enjoy!

Big chair, little people and good friends. 

Awwwww, cute. Nyujirando! 

The way life was.

Sumo: Changing diapers and cuddles.

I once had a great conversation with a fat man in diapers, but that story is for another time! This story about fat men in diapers is much greater. For our first anniversary Aimee booked a weekend away in Tokyo to watch one of the six big sumo tournaments in Japan and enjoy the Tokyo night life. In the process of a great weekend several lessons were learnt. After the last bout of a sumo match it is protocol to throw your cushion into the Dohyo, if a bar doesn’t advertise prices don’t drink there, all Japanese men really need is just a good cuddle, never wait until the last train for the night and always charge your iPhone!

Enjoy.

 Big men, with amazing flexibility.

 Getting our cat fix at a cat cafe.

Poor dude just needed a cuddle.

Hanami

They’re pink, white, temperamental, come out for ten days a year and the Japanese people go bonkers over them! That’s right, it’s sakura (cherry blossom) time where our little park resembles Shibuya crossing for two weeks of the year. Packed full with festival food, people and beer. Takada Park lived up to all the hype that had preceded it. I have never cared for flowers but the cherry blossoms are such a strong symbol in Japanese culture. With that being said, what a cool night, sharing drinks, laughing with post winter optimism and enjoying the rare WOW! moments that life serves up.

Enjoy.

 Cherry Blossoms in the foreground, Myoko in the background.

 Takada Castle in Hanami

After beers, sake and wine. Janpanm?

Parents visit The quick and the dead.

5 months of excitement finally ended for our families. They had waited so long to come to Japan and when they were here the waiting was still not over. Due to work constraints they had a couple of days in Tokyo by themselves, but forever scheming I got off work and decided to surprise them. After the shock of being surprised by Aimee and I, we decided to see as much of Japan as we could. Spending a day in Tokyo riding trains, three days in Kyoto riding bikes and two days in Hiroshima holding up umbrellas watching baseball. After the east side we returned back to Takada to show our family our little neck of the woods and to explore what Joetsu has to offer. Our families enjoyed their time experiencing two weeks what we have lived with for the last 9 months, and we really enjoyed having them here, impressing them with our poor Japanese.

Enjoy!

 It took a while for mum to get over the surprise. 

 In honor of the shrine, Graham did his best to wear an outfit that matched the color scheme.

Cute kids wanting to practice their English on us at Hiroshima.