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 a bit sad. Please be patient as I catch up on the blog posts.

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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.

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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.

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I had the afternoon free, so I hopped on the Kishin Line for a solo trip to Himeji. First up was some shopping, then a burger at Brisk Stand. Mariko and I had walked by this place before, and after reading a few reviews about the beef being on the sinewy side, I figured I’d try it for myself. The burger was tasty, though I do prefer my ground beef with fewer chewy bits. The fries were crispy and good, but there weren’t many of them, so overall a solid burger, just a bit pricey for the portion.

After lunch I wandered over to Kōko-en, the garden right next to Himeji Castle, and wow, I was not expecting to love it as much as I did. It’s split into several distinct gardens, each one with its own personality, and I was especially taken with the ponds and streams full of huge koi. Admission was only ¥400, so there’s really no excuse to skip it if you’re already visiting the castle. I’ve seen the castle itself before, so I’m saving that return trip for another day.

After an hour and a half at Kōko-en, I wandered back toward the station and stumbled onto Last One Himeji, a fantastic little craft beer spot. I tried a flight of local brews and ended up chatting with the proprietress and one of the regulars. They were so warm and funny, and it turned into good practice for everyone, my Japanese, their English, and a handy little translator device whenever we got stuck. They also serve taco rice and wild boar tacos, so I already know I’m coming back with Mariko to try those.

What a great day in Himeji. I really do love this city, and Hyogo in general.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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