Pepper Summer

“Scotch Bonnets” Cedar Park, 2026

This summer’s pepper plants are thriving! A friend recommended watering plenty and fertilizing often, and it’s really paid off. I’ve never harvested so many peppers from our Scotch Bonnet plant before, and the others are doing amazing too. I’ve been enjoying them every day, little by little. They’re super hot, but I love it. Yay! 🔥

Jet-Lag Hosting

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO500
“Desserts” Cedar Park, 2026

We had a few friends over for dinner tonight. I always enjoy having them over, but it felt a little soon since we just got back and I’m not acclimated to Texas yet, physically from the jet lag and mentally from the post-Japan blues. I’m afraid I wasn’t the most lively host, though I tried to stay awake and keep smiling. After 30 to 45 minutes I was pretty much ready to check out. Oh well, that’s just how it goes sometimes.

The food was delicious of course, and I definitely had more than my share of the desserts. 🍮

Last Sushi

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 27mm, f/3.6, 1/160 sec, ISO125
“Eel with Mayo” Tatsuno, 2026

For our last dinner in Japan, we went to Sushiro. This was my third time going this trip, though Mariko insists it was four (I still disagree 😅). Either way, it was satisfying and cheap, exactly what we wanted. Bonus points for spotting a cute Dokinchan in a car in the parking lot. 🍣

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 27mm, f/5.6, 1/600 sec, ISO250
“Dokinchan” Tatsuno, 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

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 Rainy Day in Kōbe

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/30 sec, ISO1250
“Wagyu Omuraisu” Kobe, 2026

I braved the rain and headed over to Kōbe today for some shopping, walking, and lunch. I hit all my favorite spots, Loft, Muji, a walk down Motomachi Shopping Street, and a couple of used camera shops along the way. Such a fun way to spend the day!

I ended up at Harborland, the mall right on the water. I’ve been here twice before, the last time with Mariko and our two kids when they were still little. We ate at Fisherman’s Market with a whole group that day, and being back brought on a wave of natsukashii. This time though, I went with omuraisu at Chapeau Rouge, and the wagyu version did not disappoint. I was a little soaked from the rain by then, so the hot omuraisu hit the spot in more ways than one. 🍚

After lunch I went a bit overboard at the nearby Muji, picking up two bags, a pile of hair products, and another packaged curry. Then it was a short walk to JR Kōbe Station for the ride home. Another wonderful day living the dream. 🌧️

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/120 sec, ISO64
“Port” Kobe, 2026