Return of the Alien!

Uh oh......she's back! No!....that's not what we said (really).

After returning from a trip back to Australia in February, Sarah and Steve were due to arrive a couple of weeks later. On March 11th we had the earthquake! A week after everything was still up in the air (aftershocks, nuclear issues and uncertainty about many things). It didn't seem wise for them to come, particularly when the trains were not running to schedule, so they postponed their trip until May. We weren't even sure whether we would be sent back to Australia until things settled down. As is turns out we weren't but, for a while, there was that uncertainty.

So........it was Marion who was the first to visit us after the upheaval. After a visit in September last year, she was eager to return. Last year she visited many places and enjoyed the pleasures of cycling around our Yokohama area. This year we returned to Asakusa, Kamakura, the Beatles Bar and many other haunts, including the popular retail spots (Uniqlo, Daiso, 100 Yen Shop).

But not everything was a repeat performance. Enoshima, Hayama, the Imperial Gardens, Kofu, Negishi Park, Ito, Minami Osawa and Roppongi were added to her list. There was also belly dancing at a Lebanese Restaurant in Kannai, Why Not? in Motomachi St with its 400 yen cocktails, 'Himself's' Birthday at a Korean BBQ restaurant in Minato Mirai, blossoms and tulips.  M was also on a mission to find Japanese crockery and a dog outfit!! Within an hour she had ticked one thing off her wish list....to experience a tremor. To feel our building swaying around is quite something, it was a good shake but, fortunately, not a serious one!

I love sharing Enoshima with my visitors, so I keep going back! Heading south from Ishikawacho, we spent a day in Enoshima and then another day in Kamakura and Hayama. We also added Ito, on the Izu Peninsula, which is easily reached by train.

Our first trip was to Kamakura. After driving through the weekend before on our way to Zushi and Hayama, I knew the blossoms would be in full bloom. We were not disappointed! It was almost cherry blossom overload. Much to our pleasure, the timing was perfect for seeing the 'botan' displays also. Paying 500 yen to enter, we enjoyed the masses of different peonies as well as getting some gorgeous views of the cherry blossoms around the lake.

Our walk  around Kamakura included visiting the spectacular, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū (鶴岡八幡宮). A Buddhist temple for most of its history, it is now the most important Shinto shrine in Kamakura. At the left of its stairway stands a 1000-year old ginkgo tree, which was apparently uprooted by a storm in the early hours of March 10, 2010.

We then caught the train to Hayama. Walking along backstreets and waterways we made our way to Zushi before heading home.

Today's Mission: 'Alien' to see cherry blossoms....check! Successful!

We made an early start on the day we visited Enoshima. We pottered around the shops before heading across the bridge to the island. We walked out to the lighthouse and wandered along the rocks below the steep cliffs, before heading up to the top of the island. Being enthusiastic 'treasure seekers' we spent a relaxing couple of hours looking for shells and sea critters. I do miss my sailing, diving and underwater photography exploits. The 'find' of the walk was probably a seahare we came across in a rock pool!

What a way to go fishing!!

After a yummy curry lunch, with the normal large naan bread, we then headed off on a walk around the island. We pottered around the shops, took the normal tourist photographs and enjoyed the beautiful flowers which were in full bloom. The island is dotted with gardens, shrines, temples and statues. The little streets are lined with traditional eating venues and, in places, the paths are quite steep. It is very pretty!

A visit to Kofu, west of Yokohama with a population of 200,000, was a highlight of Marion's trip. I had booked a room at the Dormfy Inn in the centre of town and for 700 yen we were able to park the car in its own special accommodation. Walking around town we enjoyed the many sights, Maizuru Castle Park being one. The park contains the ruins of Kofu (Maizuru) Castle. Built in 1583, next to the Edo Castle, it was the strongest castle in the Kanto Region. Sunday was mainly spent driving around the mountain area in search of waterfalls and, of course, no return trip home to Yokohama would be complete without a traffic jam. (refer to 'Cherry Blossoms in Japan' for more about Kofu).

Who knows??

Our journey to Ito, on the Izu Peninsula, was a relatively long one. About 96.5km's from home, it cost 1620 yen one way (about $20) and took one and a half hours each way to do the trip.

One of my lasting memories of Japan will be the beautiful stainless steel sculptures that adorn the towns. Their use of this medium is so interesting and tasteful.

 A common sight in all seaside towns is racks of seafood produce left out to dry.

On days when I had lessons we would do local trips, either on foot or by bike. A visit to Honmoku and Negishi Shinrin Park is always a lovely way to while away a few hours. Like every visit anywhere, there is always something new to see! Negishi Shinrin Park is a stunning area at any time of the year and a very popular place for picnics. It was originally a horseracing complex started in 1866 by the Emperor Meiji. Horse racing was introduced to Japan in 1859, and shortly after an English Architect was commissioned to build the Negishi Grandstands on the land which is currently home to U.S. Navy families. In 1947 the U.S. Army took over the complex and built housing units and other support structures. The U.S. Army occupied this land area until it was given to the U.S. Navy on July 1st, 1951

No 'alien' trip is complete without visits to Tokyo. One Sunday, by making yet another early start,  we combined visits to the Antique Market, Harajuku and the Imperial Palace. The weather was delightful and we covered lots of territory. Harajuku rarely fails to deliver....the crowds were extreme and the crazy outfits were 'out there'!

The Imperial Gardens were gorgeous and noticeably greener than when I visited with Andrea and Jodie in January. In Winter the gardens were stunning but everything was so dry; all the grasses were brown and many trees were devoid of foliage. This time the gardens were far lusher and there were the last remnants of cherry blossom to be seen. We wandered around inside then walked the full circuit outside, keeping the huge moat on our left hand side. It is easy to forget you are in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world when you are in the peaceful gardens. What a place for a house....or better still a palace!!

Winter!!

Spring!!

On a visit to Minami Osawa we went on a long walk through a very large park before hitting the shops at the French Provincial themed, Mitsuii Outlet Park.

A common sight...the 'alien' caught on quickly!!

Tokyo is so big and there are so many places to visit. After a return visit to Asakusa (what again?)....

How cute is this little guy!!

 ........we found our way to Tokyo Midtown/Roppongi where I enjoyed seeing the 'paddock of blue lights', as seen at Christmas on a hash run, transformed back to a normal, grassy park.  

Interesting Sculpture....one of many!

Yamashita-cho had beautiful displays of flowers at the park, the stadium and the Red Brick Buildings. There is never a dull moment here....the scenery changes constantly!

We had two and a half weeks of exploring and covered a lot of territory by car, train, foot and bike. Frustratingly, one never gets to show the guests everything available on the 'Japanese Tour Itinerary' but everything we do is good fun and increases our understanding of the amazing Japanese culture! How wonderful it is for Steve and I to be able to share our experience with so many.  It's hard to believe that Japan has become such a familiar place!

Watashi wa Nihon ga dai suki desu!!!

Arigatou gozaimasu!