Tag: Japan

Kobe and Yakitori

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/125 sec, ISO50
 “Ikuta Shrine” Kobé, 2026

Today we traveled from our home in Tatsuno to Kobe using the Kishin Line to Himeji, then switching to the JR Kobe Line to Sannomiya. It took about an hour and 20 minutes and cost ¥1,340 (about $8.40 USD) 🚃. Tomorrow I have a health check-up in Kobe, and after that we’ll be heading to Osaka to meet up with Mariko’s mom.

Walking around Sannomiya Station was a lot of fun. There were so many people compared to Tatsuno, and so many places to shop! 🛍️ I bought a jacket and scarf at Uniqlo, and Bay picked up a new pair of glasses 👓. I also spotted some really cool Seiko watches, but they were way out of my price range! 😅

After shopping, we met up with Mariko and headed to Trattoria Bamboo (トラットリアバンブー) for yakitori 🍢. We ordered the classic negima (green onion and chicken), tsukune (chicken meatball), and kawa (chicken skin), plus tori sashimi — raw chicken. It sounds unusual, but it was actually delicious! Other standout dishes included tofu, risotto, foie gras, and karaage. Everything was incredible 😋.

Since my health check was scheduled for first thing the next morning, I wasn’t supposed to eat anything after 8 pm or drink any alcohol 🙅, so we wrapped up dinner and headed back to the hotel for an early night. What a fun day! 🌟

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1250
 “Tarisashi” Kobé, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 9mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO400
 “Negima” Kobé, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO160
 “Tsukune and Kawa” Kobé, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO200
 “Karaage” Kobé, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1250
 “Soft Drink” Kobé, 2026

Another Afternoon Osanpo

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec, ISO200
 “Ume Blossoms” Tatsuno, 2026

I went for another afternoon osanpo after wrapping up work for the day. There’s just so much here in Japan that catches my eye and makes me want to pull out my camera! 📸

I’ve realized I kind of gauge how much I like a place by how many photos I end up taking. The more shots, the more I’m loving it. ✨

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/3600 sec, ISO80
 “Coffee” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/180 sec, ISO64
 “Torii” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/5, 1/900 sec, ISO800
 “Tombo” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/9, 1/450 sec, ISO800
 “Neighborhood Stroll” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec, ISO800
 “Elder Tree” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/4, 1/850 sec, ISO800
 “Wishes” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/4.5, 1/750 sec, ISO800
 “Through Trees” Tatsuno, 2026

Snowy Osanpo

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/8, 1/60 sec, ISO500
 “Thru The Snow” Tatsuno, 2026

Today I bundled up and went exploring around our new neighborhood ❄️ It was a snowy day that felt magical… for about the first five minutes. After that I was freezing! Still, totally worth it.

We’re living in the historical part of town, which means all the buildings have that beautiful old-world charm, including our own place. Wooden facades, traditional details, narrow streets dusted in snow. It honestly feels like we’ve stepped into another era. I kept expecting a samurai to stroll past the corner. In fact, Tatsuno is known as a samurai town! 😄

That being said, I found the little slice of life scenes to be the most interesting. There’s quite a mix of Meiji and Showa styles going on in this town, in my opinion.

Here’s a link to some videos I took of the snowfall. It was so pretty.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/8, 1/170 sec, ISO400
 “Rooftop” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/4, 1/200 sec, ISO200
 “Bicycle Pumps” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/8, 1/60 sec, ISO500
 “Wanwan” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/8, 1/60 sec, ISO500
 “Mailbox” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/8, 1/80 sec, ISO400
 “Signage” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/8, 1/60 sec, ISO640
 “Bicycles” Tatsuno, 2026

Travel Day Two

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/35 sec, ISO250
 “Olympics in Haneda” Tokyo, 2026

Day two of my journey to Japan was blissfully uneventful compared to day one. My United flight was comfortable, the food kept coming, and yes, there was complimentary wine, which certainly helped set the mood. I read quite a bit, did some journaling in my Hobonichi, and watched a couple episodes of Frieren. Not a bad way to spend a long flight across the Pacific.

Landing at Haneda was a breeze. I made it through immigration quickly and headed off to catch my flight to Kansai International Airport. That flight was delayed about 20 minutes thanks to a snowstorm sweeping across much of the country. Still, I was very happy to arrive today instead of tomorrow, when the weather is supposed to be even wilder. Better or worse depending on how much you love snow, right?

Once in Osaka, I sent my big suitcase ahead to our house in Tatsuno and began the long train journey west. It was a little confusing since Google Maps was not completely accurate with the train line names, but I managed. What I loved most was tapping through the ticket gates with my Apple Wallet. No paper tickets, nor fumbling at the machines with cash! So smooth. I have not been to Japan in ten years, and it is really neat how much has changed.

At Himeji Station, Mariko and Bay picked me up in their rental car, and we made the final drive to our house in Tatsuno. It was past 11 pm by the time we arrived, but I still managed a few pieces of sushi before slipping into the ofuro for a quick soak. Then it was straight to bed.

After two very long days of travel, it felt like the perfect ending. Japan, at last!

All Packed and Ready to Go

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/40 sec, ISO640
 “Packed” Cedar Park, 2026

I’m all packed and ready to go to Japan! ✈️🇯🇵 It’s hard to believe that I’m finally going to visit our house there. If you didn’t know, we bought a home in Hyogo prefecture, and the renovation work has just been completed. It still hasn’t fully sunk in that we actually own a house in Japan. Honestly, it feels like a dream come true ✨

I’m traveling with a full suitcase and a carry-on. The carry-on is carefully packed with dishes and pottery, while the checked bag is filled with tortillas, salsa, Mexican spices, and some Austin beer 🍺🌮 We’re planning a small party at our house for the craftspeople who worked on the renovation, and it feels really special to be able to share a little taste of home with them.

I can’t wait to finally see everything in person and celebrate this moment. It’s going to be such a fun and meaningful trip 💛