Okayama Green Hotel

... cut a plastic straw into many short bits. This may be a modern version of the traditional pillow filled with buckwheat hulls. Comfort Hotels Japan has its own unique pillow, with a non-rectangular shape, designed to make life easier for those who sleep on their side. I hope I have time to go pillow-shopping at a department store--I think there would be much to see!

NAOSHIMA, THE ART ISLAND

I had a great day--took the ...

... traded food related souveniers as Japanese culture dictates. I got two sembei and a Kompira sweet in exchange for my previous Matsuyama oranges. Oh well, the sweets were delicious. At the hotel, my capsule is actually kinda interesting. However, there's no door, just a bamboo blind. Got my earlugs out ready and am prepared to be leaving for Himeji at 7AM if it all goes to pot like last time. Tomorrow: Himeji castle and Kyoto -mike

... seeing nothing but steps up and up). I was ready to jump for joy when I reached the cable car station, only to realize that there was still another 20 minutes of climbing ahead of me. But I did get to the peak, which offered great views of the foggy islands nearby and the actual Miyajima island itself. That was what was so unexpected in this tourist trap. Beyond the hype, it really was a great view and despite the effort of climbing, you escaped the crowds, wandered ...

... veramente da buttare via , non ho idea al momento di quanti km sono ma so molto bene che ho solo guidato nel traffico di quelli da esodo tutte queste citta` e o paesi che ho nominato sono coesi fra loro non c`e` un pezzo di terra libero che ti fa capire che stai lasciando un posto per un`altro.

... had a collection of toys, kites and masks from Japanese history, before heading back to our ryokan. We were given a very warm welcome by the staff of the ryokan even though some of them could not speak English. As when you enter most Japanese houses, or any sort of establishment, you have to take off your shoes and swap them for slippers. We were shown our room which was quite big with tatami mats on the floor and traditional sliding ...

We stopped off on the way from Kobe to Kurashiki at Imbe in the area of Bizen which is very famous for pottery and ceramics. Daniella had read in the guide book that there was a place where she could try her hand on the pottery wheel. It was a small town and there were not many restauarants open as it was a Sunday so we grabbed a bite to eat from a local supermarket. While Daniella did her stuff on the wheel, Jon took a ...

... vase will will give to Yoku tonight when we go to Hiroshima. The Omiyagai bag is filling up with gifts given to us--good thing we brought the bags! Well, I will have to sign off as the group is waiting for me. (Oh we went to the factory that makes this dried bean --sweet and tastes a bit like dates) alk to you soon amelia

... Airport from various origins--U.S., U.K., and Canada. It is cool having representatives from a variety of places, it makes for very interesting conversations especially when shared over Sake. To be perfectly honest, more often than not, these dialogues turn into Bush-bashing sessions. It is at this point that I conveniently remind my colleagues of my Canadian birthplace. I have adopted these strangers as my ...

... sand too was more like a fine gravel rather than the sand I am used to back home. With that in mind though, it was still a really good day. It was nice to get away from Osaka and spend some time out in the open with the (relatively) fresh air. The skies remained clear all afternoon and both Keiko and I made the trip home having both acquired a slightly healthier looking tan. Keiko also looked really good in her Bikini which was apparently the first time she has worn one ...

... on 3 meals a day, but unlike many other trips (*ahem* California), I do not feel like a walking ball of grease and flub. My father warned me that Japanese home cooking would not be all sushi and tempura. Dad, you were wrong. My first day here, I was taken to a sushi restaurant, where I sampled the Japanese delicacy of Uiina (weener) sushi, which, unsurprisingly, is a mini hot dog on rice. However, I also helped myself to a fair amount of ...