While I was in Japan I captured some special moments, unique things, and delicious foods. In the next few posts, I’d like to share some of the pictures that highlight my trip home.
You might wonder why I am sharing my Instagram pictures. Well, that wasn’t my initial plan. I (I meant, my husband) carried my camera to Japan with this cool camera & laptop backpack he bought just for this trip (so that my hands are free to deal with the kids). I was planning on practice taking pictures, especially foods and scenery with the DSLR, away from the familiar photo shoot setup in my living room.
However, to be honest, it was really difficult for me to carry the heavy camera and the lenses around in that dreadful heat. On top of that, we walk everywhere and travel with public transportation. My two children felt very carefree being able to run around compared to our life in California where they are stuck in a car seat everywhere we go.
To make the story short, taking pictures with iPhone was most convenient, and there was either iPhone pictures or no pictures… I received requests from non-Instagram users to share pictures, so I’m more than happy to share some of photos from my Japan trip.
So here we go!
1) Here, my mom was teaching my daughter how to quilt (she’s a quilt teacher). I don’t have patience to sew but my daughter amazed us with her patience and neat sewing skill!
2) My dad took us to Yakiniku (Japanese bbq) dinner that night. My parents were so happy to spend the time with the kids.
1) Both kids went to school for about 10 days in Japan. They enjoyed playing with new friends and I was surprised how easily they can adapt to a new environment.
2) We went to a swimming pool almost every single day. They love swimming and it was a perfect activity on hot days.
3) Here my son was reading to his grandma and sister at the local library.
4) My home is not far from downtown Yokohama or Tokyo, but the neighborhood is surrounded by beautiful nature and greens which were preserved during city planning and development (not typical in Japan).
5) This 3-story log house in my neighborhood was my children’s favorite hangout place. It’s basically a giant play house with nice wooden play structures including an underground tunnel.
6) After the first two weeks of staying in Japan, kids started to complain they were tired of walking everywhere. Then grandma bought each of them a pair of Heelys (shoes with wheels) but they still haven’t quite mastered it yet.
7) Watching Doraemon is a great way to learn Japanese! Right? I still enjoy watching it with the kids.
8) In my home, we have one Japanese style room which floors are made of tatami mattress. The kids loved the texture and smell and liked playing in this room.
We take trains to go places (1) and went to Zoorasia (Yokohama Zoo) (2 and 4), Children’s Land (3), Nogeyama Zoo (5). It’s hard to explain how convenient it is in Japan to go to places without cars, and I thought the transit map below shows well how Tokyo/Yokohama transit (train & subway) looks like [click to enlarge]. Google maps is amazing in Japan for going from A to B.
1) Yokohama’s symbol, Yokohama Landmark Tower.
2) One evening I saw a gorgeous sunset from my house. I had to go out and take this picture!
3) My kids LOVE Japanese hot springs (onsen). We took a trip to Hakone for hot spring last year, but this year we didn’t have enough time so I took them to Super Sento (modern public bath facility). The kids enjoy soaking in all different kinds of baths!
4) Due to city regulation on fireworks, my children never had a chance to play with fireworks before in the U.S. For this trip, I really wanted them to experience (safely) playing with fireworks and they had a great time!
Japan is a small country, therefore there are lots of unique constructions built in a small area. There is a parking structure without ramp (1 and 3) and two story bicycle parking lot (2). And look, we found this very narrow office building (I think) in Osaka (4 and 5)!
Thank you for checking my pictures. Stay tuned for vol. 2 of the Japan Trip 2013! (You will never miss a post if you subscribe to Just One Cookbook. 🙂 )
I am very happy to see the pictures of your trip to Japan. I myself hav went to Japan in the beginnig of July…very hot!!!…to visit my mother. She lives close to Osaka. 🙂
Hi Ranko! Yes… around that time rainy season was over and all the sudden it got really hot. Then it cooled down a bit but over all Japan in summer is just really hot and humid… I was in Osaka for a few days in August! It’s like 2-3 C hotter there than Tokyo area. 🙂
素晴らしい夏休みをすごしたそうですね。iPhoneで良い写真を良い思いでになりますでしょう。
なみさんの子供はとても可愛いです。お母様とお父様とお会いできたことは恵みでしょう。
I loved following your trip via Instagram; and this recap is wonderful. What a great experience for the children to go to school while in Japan and integrate even more into the culture. That’s so important when living away from one’s roots. Thank you for sharing Nami! 😉
I loved following your trip on IG! I felt like I was right there with you as my personal tour guide :).
Thanks for sharing your holiday with us, Nami. My mother used to make beautiful quilts but like you, I just never had any patience for sewing. It looks like your daughter got the patient-gene. I would love to jump into a Japanese hot spring – must get to Japan one day! xx
It looks so fun! Even if you couldn`t take pictures on your DSLR, these are still cute pictures.
Thanks for sharing the pictures of your trip. My mother is from Japan, she met my father when he was in the service there in the late ’40’s. Last year she took me to Japan and we retraced her life. Visiting the places she lived before, during and after the war. It was an incredible trip and wonderful to connect with my relatives there. Your pictures made me wish I was back. I loved Japan, the food, the people, the scenery and did I mention the delicious food (which is why I love your blog – yummy recipes).
Hi Miriam! Wow… it must have been a very emotional trip for her and you. And a lot of things must have been completely changed since the last time. Thank you for sharing your stories. I’m so happy to hear you reconnected with your relatives after a long time! xo
Oh Namiko-san, I have been waiting for you to post your ‘at home’ photos! Have filed them and shall so enjoy again tonight!! Your children look so relaxed: they obviously loved their daily activities. Somehow, in spite of the hustle and bustle, Japan is so kid-friendly. I mean,my daughters were 4 and 6 when we first took them along: blonde little foreigners who felt totally at home and even managed to play with local kids hands-knees-and-bumpsadaisy 🙂 ! Japanese politeness helped!!!
Thank you very much Eha! I hope your children still remember about Japan. 😀
Iphone is definitely convenient. Love the photos and it was so fun following you all on instagram 🙂
Love your pictures. Your kids are so cute and look like they were having such a good time with your family in Japan. Will be going to Japan soon to see my daughter and her family soon. Can’t wait to see them and eat “oishi” Japanese food.
Hi Linda! Thank you so much for your kind words. I hope you will have a great trip to Japan. Great part is that your daughter and her family know where to eat! 😉
I love going home to Japan with you. That log cabin is fantastic!
Thank you for sharing these lovely photos of your trip! It looks like you had such a wonderful time with your family. I have to admit, I’m very jealous that your kids got to play with fireworks! It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, if not for the U.S. ban in some states. And Doraemon — I still love it too! (Sometimes I watch old episodes on Youtube…)
Looking forward to part 2!
Hi Kimmi! I grew up with fireworks in summer so I was so shocked when I learned we cannot play with fireworks. Well California is too dry and it’s dangerous in summer though… Kids had fun! Thank you for your comment! xo
Hi Nami!
Fantastic pictures and commentary! I will definitely hit you up for recommendations if the hubby and I travel to Japan next year!! Thank you for sharing such thoughtful details about your trip!
xx
Hi Vivi! Thank you for your comment and I’m glad you enjoyed this post! xo 😉
Thanks for sharing your family photos. 懐かしい! I lived in Odawara, and we loved going to Yokohama with my husband in our free time. I still miss the freedom of not owning a car and traveling all over Japan on the trains. Some day we hope to go back with our kids. They will love it especially the food. Japanese is their favorite! Thanks for bringing back so many wonderful memories of the country and people that are dear to my heart.
I lived in Odawara too about 25 years ago. Loved it!
Hi Kim! Thank you for your comment. I’m happy to hear you enjoyed this post and reminded you your wonderful time in Japan. Hope you can visit with your children one day! 🙂
Wonderful pictures! The kids looks like they are having so much fun (as well as the grandparents!). Thanks for sharing!