We have made it to Kyoto and the cherry blossoms are about a day or two away from peak blossom. We have rented a little traditional Japanese house in the center of the city and are enjoying the tatami rooms, futons and kotatsu (low japanese table with heater underneath). MANY photos of cherry blossoms to come!
The famous Japanese “fish cake” (bento box lunch in the Shinkansen train).
Most delicious breakfast made by dear friend Kumi. Mini pickled fish, rice balls with seaweed, seafood salad, fresh fruit and her favorite fruit cake recipe from Anne of Green Gables.
Hike up mountain in Kakogawa. Walking sticks are offered at beginning of path.
Mini matcha tea ceremony at top of mountain.
Beautiful views, great friends and delicious Japanese sweets. Perfect day.
Rest time (note to self…talk to kids about posture).
Japanese train station fast food. I think they’re onto something.
Meeting little daughter of friend. They didn’t speak a common language but ended up communicating through the art of origami! Hundreds of paper cranes, balls, frogs, pianos and ninja stars were made.
Jillian In Italy 
pretty good looking bento boxes. 🙂 and how cool inter-cultural art exchange
arghhhh. am dying of envy over here in boring old europe. I love the boxed lunches…were they good? How often do you eat sushi over there? Speaking of sushi, do you remember your birthday party that Tom organized in Quebec and then he had your dad call your new cell that was still wrapped up? He’s a keeper for sure. Tom, I mean. I am sure the cell is dead by now.
and you have a thing with posture, don’t you. Just warning ya, mine is terrible.
The bento boxes are really good and pretty cheap considering how much you get (about 9-11 euro). And yes I do remember that sushi b-day party with the ringing gift. The phone is long dead but I do remember that evening pretty clearly (the surprise party at my apartment). Good times P-Bird.
Hi! Jill, I appreciate that you visited in Kakoga
wa city. The happy times with you gave me so much energies, also Waco too. Then my husband said “How nice persons they are!!”
You brought us a gentle wind. Thank you thousand times.
I regret one thing that I forgot take you to the shop of sewing goods, though it was very close to the station.
I hope you found a nice shop there.
Otherwise I’m always ready to receive you again. !(^^)!
Thank you a thousand times Kumi! We had the most lovely time with you and your family. I can’t wait to welcome you to Italy!
I did find a beautiful material shop in Kyoto. And I bought many beautiful Japanese fabrics and even a pattern to make a traditional Japanese apron.
I hope Waco had a great first day back at school. We’ll be in touch very soon. Jill x
man,man,ma, wat een plezante manier van reizen !
Zijn de kinderen( of de ouders) niet te moe van al dat klimmen??
Geniet ervan en nog véél mooie dingen te zien en te doen,
kissie’s van papanono