After the bomb

I wonder how many Americans knew about this after the bomb: we hadn’t vaporized alien beings, but Christians, and sacred Catholic churches and artifacts.

Yumihari Observatory above Sasebo

When we were done taking advantage of our hosts’ incredible balcony, they told us there was an observatory at the top of the mountain. Observatory turns out to mean, in Japan, a viewpoint.

The deer are starving at Miyajima

As cool as the sights were, as impressive the shrines, as fun as the ferry rides were, the deer made it depressing. Tara and I didn’t really talk about it, but it was the elephant in the room.

What do you eat at a Cat Cafe?

You eat pizza, it turns out. Or curry, or rice, depending on what you’re craving. There are even more choices for drinks. With many iced choices on the menu, it is a great place to visit on a hot summer afternoon. One can order tea, coffee, soda, or food, or simply forget all that and […]

Tara in Iwakuni and Sanzoku (Chicken Shack)

On Sunday my T was still dealing with jet lag and reluctant to get out into the heat again. We made easy plans to go shopping in downtown Iwakuni and then to watch movies (Best of Monty Python’s Flying Circus) and have some mother-daughter bonding time. Again, we enjoyed finding grocery stores to wander through, […]

My girlie comes to Japan

While waiting for her bag, she walked up to her side and put her hand on the glass, and I put my hand over hers on my side of the glass.

Route to Fujisan

I have wanted to climb Mt. Fuji for many many years. I don’t know how it got into my head.

Sagano Romantic Train and Arashiyama

Nothing says Japan like a row of overweight raccoons in sombreros.

Kyoto temples and city culture

I just can’t get over the perpetual “cuteness” permeating Japan. Street signs are cute, construction barriers are cute, billboards are cute, and middle-school girls are made of pure confectioner’s sugar.

Kintaikyo Bridge and Iwakuni Castle

How did I accidentally get in a tour group? By not understanding Japanese, that’s how.