After visiting Hiroshima, we desperately needed a happy jump-start type day to bounce back. Luckily, we had purchased tickets to the Studio Ghibli Museum in Tokyo and took the Shinkansen there two days ago. Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio founded by the famous director Hayao Miyazaki and has produced absolutely wonderful animation for … Continue reading Studio Ghibli Museum in Tokyo
In final preparation for going to the Studio Ghibli Museum in Tokyo yesterday, I loaded my iPhone up with these two films to view in the bullet train to/from various points in Japan, hoping to get them viewed in time. And I did! Laputa - Castle in the Sky I'll start this off by … Continue reading Double Review: Laputa – Castle in the Sky and Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind
I've thought a lot before sitting down to write this entry. It's been a few days now and I think I can write about it as objectively as I possibly can. The day started out as so many this last week have: an early rise followed by a lot of time on the Shinkansen. Though … Continue reading Hiroshima
We've added another mode of transportation to our long list of conveyances: Shinkansen. That's 'bullet train' for you Westerners. It's a wonderful experience to be zipping along at 200+ MPH, though it's a little unnerving at first to see the landscape moving so quickly yet not feel the train moving. It took us about three … Continue reading Shinkansen to Tokyo
Indi and I are happy to report that we have been joined for the next week+ by one of our best friends! Nikki and her husband, Brad, took the road trip to California with us back in April and waved goodbye from Long Beach as we set out on the cargo ship to New Zealand...which … Continue reading The Nikki has Landed
Kiki's Delivery Service Another one of Indi's favorites. I sat down prepared for a cute animated film and was not disappointed. I don't think it carried near the heft that Totoro did as far as the story is concerned, as it felt like a more traditional fish-out-of-water coming-of-age story, just in a slightly fantastical reality. … Continue reading Double Review: Kiki’s Delivery Service / Howl’s Moving Castle
You could probably say it's already here, but we do still have some warm days in Osaka. Though money is getting tighter for us, we broke down and bought some winterized clothing, as the ol' shorts and t-shirt routine that sustained us in Southeast Asia won't cut the mustard either here or in Europe … Continue reading Winter is Coming
An experience that is still taking some adjusting to in Japan is eating out. We are staying at a guesthouse that has a supplied kitchen (much like the places we stayed at in New Zealand) so we cook in sometimes, but since we're often out-and-about we typically eat out someplace. Whether it's a nice sit-down … Continue reading Dining in Japan
Well, we've amended our travel plans. Again. But it's a good thing. Indi and I sat down today to really hammer out the details of the next leg of our journey. We looked at the money we have, the money we estimate we'll have when we leave Japan on December 3rd, and how much flights … Continue reading Money Talks
I am very thankful that the short cold snap has relinquished and allowed us some warmer days, as I do not feel I am ready for cold weather yet. Also, it's much easier to get out and go for a walk in a park when it's warm out. Better yet, it's an opportunity to go … Continue reading Osaka Castle and Park
Rhys' Pieces 