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. 🙂 )
なみさんのご家族本当に温かそうですね。写真から伝わってきます。そして日本の何気ない日常の風景こそ、外国に遠く離れて暮らしている私たちにはじーんときてしまいますね。また帰りたくなってしまった!それとも何年おきに帰るから尚更いとおしくさえも見えてしまうのかなあ?Thank you for sharing, Nami san!!!
Hi Nami! As soon as I saw your newsletter in the mail, I just had to check out your blog right away. I really enjoy your posts about Japan. My hubby and I are saving for a trip to visit some friends hopefully by late next year (fingers crossed!) and we are just eager to get tips and get a preview of the things we may see there. We are so so so excited, it will be a trip to remember I’m sure. Maybe I should start watching Doraemon to learn a few Japanese words,lol! Glad to see your family had a great holiday.Thanks for sharing Nami, waiting impatiently for Part 2.
Hi Ava! Thank you so much for subscribing to my blog. 🙂 I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed my post and hope you get to visit Japan late next year! xo
Great photos, Nami! I think it’s awesome that your kids got to experience school and make some friends! Looking firward to your other vacation posts!
How fun!! The grandparents look way happy! I want a room just like that….
OMG I cannot get over the public transit map! Thank you so much for sharing all these amazing pictures, they are so beautiful and precious. Geez I have not even gotten around to my trip pics yet lol.
I enjoyed following your journey when you were there…looks like a wonderful trip! Great pictures! I want you to be my tour guide when I visit!:)
I miss Yokohama…. The area around the Yokohama Landmark Tower is very nice and modern.
Hi Steven! Yes, that area has changed so much! One of the readers told me that it’s 20th anniversary for Landmark tower this year. I still remember when it was built…Time flies!
Looks like you had a great time, lovely photos! I’ve been to Japan a couple of times (my family’s favourite location), and I always dreaming about the next trip. Your photos didn’t exactly help… 😉
And I totally agree, public transportation in Japan is so convenient, even for a non-japanese speaker.
Wow – these are lovely pictures – even taken thru a iphone 🙂
Through your pictures, I felt I travelled through all thses places!
Wow, what an amazing trip Nami! Sounds like you had a fantastic time with your family. So glad you were able to visit Japan and see your folks. Precious memories.
These are amazing pictures! Thanks for sharing.
What a lovely family trip 🙂 I just love Japan, its my second fave country on the planet (after Australia hehe). Looks like you had some wonderful experiences, looking forward to seeing Volume 2!!
These are totally gorgeous looking! Thanks a lot for sharing your pictures. I just love JAPAN.
You look like you had such a great time with your family! And I hear you about toting around the DSLR and lenses. I once got a migraine from walking around in the heat with it. It was the first migraine I ever got. So I totally think that you made the right decision! 🙂
Wonderful family holidays.. and wonderful places! 🙂
Awesome pictures 🙂