While I was in Japan I captured some special moments, unique things, and delicious foods. In the next few posts, I’d like to share some of the pictures that highlight my trip home.
You might wonder why I am sharing my Instagram pictures. Well, that wasn’t my initial plan. I (I meant, my husband) carried my camera to Japan with this cool camera & laptop backpack he bought just for this trip (so that my hands are free to deal with the kids). I was planning on practice taking pictures, especially foods and scenery with the DSLR, away from the familiar photo shoot setup in my living room.
However, to be honest, it was really difficult for me to carry the heavy camera and the lenses around in that dreadful heat. On top of that, we walk everywhere and travel with public transportation. My two children felt very carefree being able to run around compared to our life in California where they are stuck in a car seat everywhere we go.
To make the story short, taking pictures with iPhone was most convenient, and there was either iPhone pictures or no pictures… I received requests from non-Instagram users to share pictures, so I’m more than happy to share some of photos from my Japan trip.
So here we go!
1) Here, my mom was teaching my daughter how to quilt (she’s a quilt teacher). I don’t have patience to sew but my daughter amazed us with her patience and neat sewing skill!
2) My dad took us to Yakiniku (Japanese bbq) dinner that night. My parents were so happy to spend the time with the kids.
1) Both kids went to school for about 10 days in Japan. They enjoyed playing with new friends and I was surprised how easily they can adapt to a new environment.
2) We went to a swimming pool almost every single day. They love swimming and it was a perfect activity on hot days.
3) Here my son was reading to his grandma and sister at the local library.
4) My home is not far from downtown Yokohama or Tokyo, but the neighborhood is surrounded by beautiful nature and greens which were preserved during city planning and development (not typical in Japan).
5) This 3-story log house in my neighborhood was my children’s favorite hangout place. It’s basically a giant play house with nice wooden play structures including an underground tunnel.
6) After the first two weeks of staying in Japan, kids started to complain they were tired of walking everywhere. Then grandma bought each of them a pair of Heelys (shoes with wheels) but they still haven’t quite mastered it yet.
7) Watching Doraemon is a great way to learn Japanese! Right? I still enjoy watching it with the kids.
8) In my home, we have one Japanese style room which floors are made of tatami mattress. The kids loved the texture and smell and liked playing in this room.
We take trains to go places (1) and went to Zoorasia (Yokohama Zoo) (2 and 4), Children’s Land (3), Nogeyama Zoo (5). It’s hard to explain how convenient it is in Japan to go to places without cars, and I thought the transit map below shows well how Tokyo/Yokohama transit (train & subway) looks like [click to enlarge]. Google maps is amazing in Japan for going from A to B.
1) Yokohama’s symbol, Yokohama Landmark Tower.
2) One evening I saw a gorgeous sunset from my house. I had to go out and take this picture!
3) My kids LOVE Japanese hot springs (onsen). We took a trip to Hakone for hot spring last year, but this year we didn’t have enough time so I took them to Super Sento (modern public bath facility). The kids enjoy soaking in all different kinds of baths!
4) Due to city regulation on fireworks, my children never had a chance to play with fireworks before in the U.S. For this trip, I really wanted them to experience (safely) playing with fireworks and they had a great time!
Japan is a small country, therefore there are lots of unique constructions built in a small area. There is a parking structure without ramp (1 and 3) and two story bicycle parking lot (2). And look, we found this very narrow office building (I think) in Osaka (4 and 5)!
Thank you for checking my pictures. Stay tuned for vol. 2 of the Japan Trip 2013! (You will never miss a post if you subscribe to Just One Cookbook. 🙂 )
Hi Namiko,
I am writing to you from our home in Co. Kilkenny, Ireland. Our son Paul recently moved to his new home, which he shares with his Japanese wife of almost 2 years Yuka, in Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, where we visited him to attend their Shinto Marriage ceremony in May 2019. Paul moved to Japan in 1999 and is now resident status.I have travelled to Japan on 4 occasions over the years since my first visit 2002. We hope to visit again in 12 or 13 months time as a party of 8 and hopefully rent a house large enough for a couple of weeks stay. I will never tire of visiting Japan and its people also enjoying the fantastic foods,
Regards, David, Kilkenny
Hi David! How cool! I used to live in Kohoku-ku, too, but my neighborhood area got rezoned to got a brand new ward Tsuzuki-ku. How nice that you get to visit Japan often. It’s a lot more fun to visit a country when you know someone there (and you get to stay for a long period of time)! I may see you in Yokohama one day! 😉
Nogeyama doubutsuen was right up the hill from my obachan and ojiichan’s house where I grew up. My ojiichan took me for walks there a few times a week. It has changed a whole lot since then.
Hi Jacqueline! Yeah it did, I used to go there when I was a kid too! It’s nice that you have a wonderful memory with your grandpa. 🙂
Nami – I agree with you about the heavy camera thing. I recently upgraded my iphone and a so happy with the pics. Carefree is the word!
Your images and description of the trip are precious.
LL
I really enjoyed following your trip on Instagram and the iPhone photos are just perfect- I can’t stand to lug around a heavy camera on a trip!
Love the recap, Nami! I’m running out the door right now so I’ll have to read the part 1 and the hot springs recap later..boo. I know what you mean by carrying around a DSLR. Although I don’t have to walk around everywhere, it’s hot here in Texas and the last thing I want is a heavy camera strapped around my neck or a bulky handbag on my shoulder. Thankfully, our phones do a great job ;). So awesome that your mom is a quilt teacher! I am not very good with my hands (my mom always told me they were made to destroy things..so encouraging), but I had so fun knitting a baby blanket (even though I felt that I may be getting carpel tunnel) for my nephew’s 1st bday last year that I’ve seriously considered taking a quilting class at Jo-Ann.
Looks like your kids had such a wonderful time! I’m very much aware of Doreamon..have you heard of Pororo, the children’s president in Korea? ;).
Several years back, my mom, sister, and I went on a tour visiting the various hot springs in Hokkaido. There were about 30 of us in the group, and my sister and I felt really terrible bc almost everyone on the trip was there bc of their children…and we were there thanks to our mom who graciously opened up her wallet….Both of us are not financially stable just yet but hopefully soon! Anyway, it was one of the most memorable trips and I can’t wait to go back and visit other parts of Japan!
Nami, it is so wonderful to see all your amazing pictures from your trip to Japan – your parents and your children look so very happy – what a post full of adventure and joy, dear Nami!
Very nice photos…from practically my backyard! How funny that you’re from Kanto area. I’m happy to call it “home” for now.