Geisha sighting in Gion district in Kyoto.
Thousand paper cranes at Shinto Shrine.
Let’s hope whoever needed it got better.
Designer Japanese shrimp crackers. The packaging of all these products is so beautiful. 
I wanted to buy one of every kind ( but it would have cost a fortune)
Zen version of a sand castle. Very impressive.
Nico disappeared with my camera and came back with this amazing shot of a parasol.
One of Japan’s most famous images. Unfortunately it was closed off to tourists. I was tempted to jump the rope though. Very tempted.
Not just another cherry blossom. But a weeping cherry blossom…
Fortunes tied on temple trees.
First a samurai sword. Now a ninja star. Seriously…we’re usually quite a calm and peaceful family.
Miss Coco contemplating life on the Philosopher’s Path.
Department store melons for the bargain price of 150 euro ($185).
Japan with kids #9
13 AprJapan with kids #8
11 Apr
On bike ride around Kyoto. Many temples/shrines were visited, many kilometres were cycled. And there was only one small accident involving Chloe (surprise) and a pile of garbage bags.
At the entrance to Fushimi Inari Shrine. The colours were so vibrant.
Four kilometer walk up the mountain under thousands of red gates (at Fushimi Inari). 
On the way back down the path.
Cherry blossom bee.
Very old door at Nijo Castle.
A visit to the world famous Zen Garden of Ryonji.
Luckily for once I was actually looking in front of me while biking. This could have had a painful ending.
Classic Play Interview
10 AprPop by one of my favorite blogs Classic Play to read an interview with Jillian In Italy in their Creative Family Series. Pretty neat!
Japan with kids #7
10 Apr
Cherry blossoms are everywhere.
Chioninmae Temple. About 5 minutes after this photo was taken there were thousands of people everywhere.
Near Nishi Otani Mausoleum.
The blossoms actually have no scent.
I really fell in love with this little bird.
This sweet waiter recommended we get the “cow udon”. It was delicious.
How to make a 7 year old boy happy? Buy him a samurai sword.
Thousands of cherry trees to be found all over the entire city.
There were chocolate covered bananas, candy covered mini apples and any other possible fruit. And we tried them all. Sorry teeth.
Chloe said it looked like she was looking at a beautiful Japanese painting.
I warned you there would be lots of cherry blossoms snapshots.
Japan with Kids #6
9 AprWe 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.
Japan with kids #5
7 Apr
Vending machine culture. Everywhere
.
o
Off to Mount Fuji.
Best tofu ever. And this from a girl who is not so keen on tofu.
Eating “Japanese Pizza” with our dear friend Masako.
Trying on a traditional kimono.
So tight.
Mount Fuji and kimonos. 
We saw Fuji from just about every angle and it was absolutely stunning.
Japan with kids #4
4 Apr
Visit to the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Luckily we met a friend of a friend there and she guided us around the entire museum and made the visit so interesting for both us and the kids.
Walking to the train station after a delicious soba noodle lunch (in typhoon winds and rain).
Japanese arcades are the place to be.
Fell in love with this shop.
Visited exhibit by South Korean artist Lee Bull at the Mori Art Museum. Pretty amazing.
Another city, another enormous spider sculpture by Louise Bourgeios.
Harajuku girl.
Busy kids and the Tokyo skyline.
Pack of gum with little papers included (for the wads of chewed gum).
Future photographer?
Japan with Kids #3
2 Apr
Greetings from Tokyo! We made it safe and sound and have even experienced our first earthquake.
We visited the Meiji Jingu Temple located in Yoyogi Park. Nico decided to write a prayer for the prayer wall. I don’t know what he wrote but he did ask me how to spell dream and mother. 
The prayer wall. Most people wrote wishes for loved ones or world peace.
Other people were a bit more specific.
Barrels of sake offerings for the enshrined deities.
Our first kimono sighting in the Harajuku district.
Visit to the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Tower. Great panoramic views of the city and even Mount Fuji in the distance.
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Jillian in Italy Interview by Classic Play!
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