Category: Traveling

A Slow Walk Around Himeji Castle

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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

A Trip to Yokai Town Fukusaki

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/1900 sec, ISO80
 “Gaming with Kappa” Fukusaki, 2026

Today we visited the town of Fukusaki to check out the yokai scattered about town. It was so fun to see these Japanese monsters, ghosts and demons! The kappa were actually quite terrifying, but it was also fun to see their cute characters, like the ones shown in the stamps I got. If you’re in the area, or you’re a yokai otaku, I definitely recommend finding a few. Take some photos and scan the QR code next to each one to learn more about them. 👹📸

Photo info: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/5000 sec, ISO100
 “Onigiri Yokai Girl” Fukusaki, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/5700 sec, ISO80
 “Stealing Shirikodama” Fukusaki, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/3600 sec, ISO80
 “Triumphant Kappa” Fukusaki, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO125
 “New Stamps” Fukusaki, 2026

Back in Japan, First Bite of Okonomiyaki 🇯🇵

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/1000 sec, ISO80
 “Above Osaka” Japan, 2026

We finally landed at Narita, grabbed our luggage, and made it through customs before catching the bus for the hour ride over to Haneda. From there we hopped a connecting flight to Itami. Once we arrived we checked into the Osaka Airterminal Hotel, which is actually built right into the terminal. Such a cool setup!

I took a quick shower to wash off the travel grime, then we wandered around checking out the restaurant options before landing on Seijuro for okonomiyaki and beer. Honestly the perfect first meal in Japan. So good to be back! 🍻

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO200
 “Osaka Airterminal Hotel” Osaka, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO125
 “Refreshing Beer” Osaka, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO100
 “Okonomiyaki” Osaka, 2026

Travel Day

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/50 sec, ISO320
 “Inflight Movie” Chicago, 2026

We were up way before the sun, out the door at 3:30 am for a 6 am flight to Chicago. From there we boarded our JAL flight and started making our way to Japan for an extended stay. ✈️

I treated myself to a cup of saké and settled in with a movie. Until We Meet Again</em> is a real tear-jerker, but really good. The flight is 12+ hours, but I’ve got an aisle seat, so I’m a happy camper. 😊🍶

The Road Home

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/3000 sec, ISO50
 “Passenger View” New Mexico, 2026

We left around 9 this morning and made a beeline for Dutch Bros in Las Cruces. We left around 9 this morning and made a beeline for Dutch Bros in Las Cruces. We stopped there last time too, and it’s perfect for a drive-thru pick-me-up. I ordered something called a Caramelizer, which is basically a coffee slushie, and it was really good. Koa thought so too. He probably drank half of it. 😄

Koa drove the morning shift and I took over after lunch. We went through baseball podcasts, music, and at some point Koa fell asleep and I switched to an audiobook. Then we caught the Dodger game the rest of the way home. It was a good trip. ⚾

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 9mm, f/2.8, 1/1600 sec, ISO25
 “Approaching Las Cruces” New Mexico, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 9mm, f/2.8, 1/700 sec, ISO25
 “Dust Devil” Texas, 2026

On the Road Again

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/720 sec, ISO80
 “On the Road” Arizona, 2026

Koa and I hit the road today. We’re doing the two-day drive back across California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It’s a route we’ve done before, so we know what we’re in for. Tonight we’ll stop at Lordsburg, New Mexico and finish the second half tomorrow.

We’ve got plenty of podcasts lined up, and a baseball game to tune into later. Honestly, not a bad way to spend a day. 🚗⚾

Dinner at La Capilla

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec, ISO1000
 “Carnitas Enchiladas” Torrance, 2026

La Capilla has been one of our go-to Mexican restaurants for decades. It’s a family favorite, and tonight five of us went out for dinner. Every single one of us ordered something with carnitas. Our waitress noticed and said, “you guys sure love carnitas!” Yes we do. Yes we do. 😄

The second photo is me doing what I always do at the start of a Mexican meal. A chip with beans. It’s a silly tradition I have no plans of breaking. 🌮

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/30 sec, ISO2000
 “Chip and Beans” Torrance, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec, ISO1600
 “Family Dinner” Torrance, 2026