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. 🙂 )
Woah! What a trip. I agree with you that using the phone is so much easier- and your photos are spot on! I love it that you still watch doremon!
Dear Nami-san, arigato goarimasu for the beautiful memories. Oh my goodness that little log cabin was just down the street from where I lived. I used to bring my boys to play there when we used to live in Noblesse Neuve I in Nakaodai. I might have gone for walks and passed right by your home. The world is a really small place. Your mom and dad look fantastic! I am sure this was a much cherished trip home. Ja Mata, BAM
Hi Bam! I think I read somewhere that there are 3 log houses in Yokohama. One of them is near my house, about 7-10 min walk from my home. It’s in Tsuzuki-ku, so this one is not near your home. But seriously, we lived pretty close considering how far we live right now. 🙂 Wish we were in Japan at the same time!!
I really enjoyed your instagram shots while you were in Japan, and I love these as well! One of my good friends is from Japan and she has promised me that someday she will take me. How lucky your kids are to experience such a trip, and I”m sure many more will follow. Keep the pics coming!!
What lovely pictures. Japan is so beautiful and hopefully some day I can visit. It’s always so much fun going back home and spend time with family. That in itself is awesome!
Looks like a fun trip.
Hi Nami, Thank you so much for sharing the photographs. Looking forward to seeing more.
Thank you Caroline! 🙂
Love travel posts like these: full of interesting photos, about interesting experiences. Nice to see the life of a fellow food blogger in pictures other than food. 🙂 Looking forward to volume 2 and volume 3 and more. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing! My boyfriend and I want to go to japan one day and I have to admit even though I am adventurist when it comes to food, crowds scare me and I have imagined Japan to be VERY crowded. But the pictures are beautiful and green! I can’t wait to read more. 🙂
Hi Melissa! Well, in general, it’s crowded. The distance to people around you are much closer (I’m not sure where you’re located, but considering life in California). If you go out during commuting time and to big tourist spots or big event, oh it’ll be crazy crowded…but otherwise, it’s not so bad…or maybe I’m just used to it because I grew up there. =P Hope you will still enjoy if you visit Japan. 🙂
Your children are so cute and your parents look so happy to be able to visit with them!
Very nice pictures and it looks like you guys had a great trip. Looking forward to the others.
Wonderful pictures! My friend and I just chatted about going to Japan next year, and reading your post has made me excited of going there. I still love watching Doraemon, but the one we have on TV has been dubbed. I’m sure it’s better to watch the original version. 🙂
I cannot WAIT for part two, although I’ve seen many of your pics on Instagram. How fun for your children to experience school for two weeks! And all that yummy food…..Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Donna! I thought the kids will complain about going to school, but they were so looking forward to school everyday. It was unexpected! Thank you for checking the post!
Nami, these are great photos. It doesn’t matter what device photos are snapped with, it’s the end result. I can imagine how much fun you and your children had. Thanks for sharing and I’m looking forward to the next installments.:)
Nami, I loved all your Instagram updates on your holiday. It looks like y’all had a great trip and the food looked amazing along with all the gorgeous sites.
im so happy to see these pictures <3
Wonderful photos Nami. Thank you for sharing. Your kids are adorable and sounds like you all had a wonderful time in Japan.