Views from the Window Seat

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/3800 sec, ISO80
“Through the Window” Kansai 2026

I enjoy the window seat since I’m fascinated by clouds and the dynamic views you get from above. I don’t travel enough to ever get tired of these views. I love them. ✈️

Anyway, we’re back in Texas and I’m sad. 😔 Please be patient as I catch up on the blog posts.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/3400 sec, ISO80
“Osaka Bay” Kansai, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 27mm, f/4, 1/2200 sec, ISO250
“Clouds” Arizona 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/1700 sec, ISO125
“Clouds” Arizona 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 27mm, f/3.6, 1/2500 sec, ISO125
“Sun Halo” New Mexico, 2026

Eats and Shopping in Himeji

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO125
“Peach Chuhai and Vino” Himeji, 2026

Today we went to Himeji for lunch, shopping, and a light dinner. We started at a small izakaya for drinks and kushiage, and it was all so yummy. The place was full of people enjoying lunch and drinking quite a bit! There was only one guy running the whole restaurant, and he was busy pouring bubbly for everyone. Amazing.

After that we did some shopping at Loft, Hands, and Junkudo bookstore. I picked up a couple of books, including volume 2 of Hirayasumi. I really love that manga. 📚

Later we had a special Himeji style white miso oden before catching the train back home. What a fun day in the city! We really like visiting Himeji. It’s a medium sized city with lots of the same stores as Tokyo or Osaka, but without the overwhelming crowds. And the food is cheap with fresh seafood. Love it! 🍢

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO160
“Kushiage” Himeji, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO160
“Hirayasumi Section” Himeji, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/100 sec, ISO200
“Hirayasumi Model” Himeji, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 9mm, f/2.8, 1/400 sec, ISO25
“Himeji Castle” Himeji, 2026

Afternoon in Aboshi

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 35mm, f/2, 1/105 sec, ISO500
“Rolled Crepes” Aboshi, 2026

Today we visited some friends in their town of Aboshi. It’s about a 25 minute drive from our home, and this was my second time visiting the town. We enjoyed a delicious crepe and iced coffee at their shop, then took a short walk to an old bookshop. It was fun to spend the afternoon hanging out with new friends! ☕

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 35mm, f/4, 1/240 sec, ISO250
“Coffee Goods” Aboshi, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 35mm, f/3.2, 1/220 sec, ISO125
“School Supplies” Aboshi, 2026

Photos from Tatsuno Bridge

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 27mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec, ISO250
“Ibogawa” Tatsuno, 2026

On our walk to dinner we crossed the Tatsuno Bridge, over the Ibo River (Ibogawa). Then on the way back home, I grabbed a few more photos while there was still just a little light left in the sky. 🌆📷

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 27mm, f/5.6, 1/1100 sec, ISO250
“Shoyu HQ” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/50 sec, ISO12800
“Fading Light” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO8000
“Evening Mountains” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/90 sec, ISO12800
“Ibogawa” Tatsuno, 2026

Curry Lunch in a Renovated Sento

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO5000
“Mixed Curry” Tatsuno, 2026

Today we ate curry for lunch at 温(おん), and it turned out the building used to be a sento, a public bath. The owners kept part of the original baths intact, and there are actually dining tables set up right inside where the tubs used to be. Such a neat idea!

The curry itself was really good too. It wasn’t like typical Japanese curry at all, more like an Indian curry with all kinds of spices layered in. The plate was loaded with different veggies, so every bite had a little surprise waiting. Such a fun lunch! 😋

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/45 sec, ISO1250
“Sento Dining” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/50 sec, ISO1000
“Sento Dining” Tatsuno, 2026

A Slow Walk Around Himeji Castle

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 35mm, f/2, 1/11000 sec, ISO250
“Himeji Castle” Himeji, 2026

Today I went to Himeji and took a leisurely stroll around the castle grounds. Quite literally, since I didn’t actually enter the castle this time. I just walked around the grounds, visited Himeji Shrine, and got my omikuji (fortune) in English. And I got a good one! Yay! 🙌

I skipped going inside because I’d been there before and remember it being a pretty strenuous walk. It’s a huge castle, and getting up to it means climbing a big hill. Add in today’s heat, and I was happy just admiring it from outside.

As an aside, I used my new umbrella, the one with UV protection, and let me tell you, it’s a total game-changer for sunny days. What a difference in comfort. I highly recommend picking one up if you spend any time walking around in the sun. ☀️

Before heading home, I got a Himeji Station stamp for my stamp book. It’s filling up nicely.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/3800 sec, ISO80
“Himeji Shrine” Himeji, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO64
“Himeji Shrine” Himeji, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/125 sec, ISO64
“Omikuji Station” Himeji, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/105 sec, ISO40
“Omikuji” Himeji, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 35mm, f/2, 1/420 sec, ISO125
“Himeji Mascots” Himeji, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/9000 sec, ISO80
“Himeji Moat” Himeji, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/40 sec, ISO250
“Himeji Stamp” Himeji, 2026