Mt. Fuji in haze
Swan Lake...... Kinda, they have lots of swan boats, as you can see in front of the big swan, but they also had a bunch of others like tea cups, whales, pandas and one giant fish boat.
Fog on Yamanaka Lake with Japanese Alps in background
Yes, we were there, But it still looks like a painting. It was about -8'C.
Full 3.5mp(2240x1680) file availible by request once we have returned. I really should have been using 35mm for this shot.
Sakasa Fuji (upside down Mt. Fuji) This can only be seen in the morning on calm days when the water is cold, and is rarely seen. Miki and I have been really lucky to get this photo.
A good look at the switch backs. There are four common routes to the summit, you can see two in this picture, they merge just after the switch back hell looks a little less than Mt. Whitney and a little less than Walter's Wiggles.
Playing Dragon Quest on the game system with a sword. You can burn about 1000 calories in a game.
There is no good place to be standing.......
Miki working on Osechi. Her mom started cooking the week before the New Year.
An hour before the New Year we sit and eat Toshikoshi Soba (kind of noodle soup).
15 mins before the New Year all the temples and shrines ring the big gong 101 times leading up to midnight. Then we all start walking to the local shrine to give thanks for the upcoming year.
The shrine has a lot of people and different things happening. Here is a bunch of people getting warm around the fire.
The line of people waiting to give thanks, after waiting you get saki that was donated by families that belong to that shrine.
The way down from the shrine is filled with vendors. This is so much fun.
Miki's brother has waited all year to get his soy sauce taste corn
Shimpei and Shintaro waiting for the corn
it's just solid people and vendors
roasted chestnuts are a very good
In the morning we all sit down and eat osechi, and saki. Osechi is small items that are not really eatem all year.
This is a bunch of different ham
Shitaki Mushrooms, Little fish and dryed herring
Seafood
Tarro, Lotus and bambu
Fish cakes, egg cake and beans
Duck ham, gobo w/meat and salomi
Fish eggs, chestnuts and fish flakes (if you don't like fish don't come to Japan)
Rie's and Cheetah's(Shintaro) families. Reunion after the month home stay they did with us durring the summer.
Just push, and go... push and go, it's kind of fun. The point is speed
Fish on a stick
Area leading up to the Fox Shrine (Fushimi Inari). This is known for having a lot of Torii (gates) there are 1,000 on this shrine.
It is a 2 hour hike to walk under all the gates.
Miki and Her Dad in one of the gate tunnels
Miki said it costs $240 per Year to sponcer a gate (corrected)
Next Shrine... Next set of food vendors.
Yasaka shrine area
Off to play with the kids.
Mission Ramen... Goal: ride bullet train from Osaka to Kyushu for a bowl of ramen and back in a day.
A quick stop off in Hiroshima to see Miyajima island
Otorii - Big gate on the water
Itsukushima shrine - known as the shrine on the water, japan landmark from 450AD. Last rebuilt in 1160AD
the deer figured out that they will not be hurt or eaten at the shrines in Japan. Thus, watch your lunch
One might take note, when you goto the shrine on the water.... Make sure it's not low tide , thus we got to see the shrine of the mud
they also have the largest rice spoon in the world (7.7m or 23 feet)
Miki found this Fugu (poison blow fish) and wanted to ride it..