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 just finished reading volume 1 and 2 of your Japan trip…very informative and loved to see what all you and your family did …waiting for vol 3 ..I wish to visit Japan some day of my life 🙂
I can’t wait for my return to Japan next year…….Those were lovely photo’s. Thank you for sharing Nami. I really miss the food in Japan.
Thank you Diana! Hope you have a great trip to Japan next year. Vol. 3 is going to be all about food! 🙂
I loved seeing your trip on IG. I’m sure your parents are missing you guys so much. One day your kids will really appreciate the experience. Hope you guys are over your jet-lag.
-Gina-
I followed most of your trip on Instagram and boy am I itching to go to JAPAN! Truly a beautiful, beautiful country.
You have a lovely family, Nami. I thoroughly enjoy all the pictures you share about your trip home, especially the ones of your kids with their granny and grandpa! So happy to see them having such a grand time together. Thank you for sharing all the precious moments with us. It always makes us want to go back there!
Oh your mother quilts, that’s nice. Kind of an art that is disappearing in the world. I like to do it too but I honestly don’t have the time for these things. =I
Your kids went to school there for 10 days? How did this come to happen. I mean I hadn’t heard of something like this before but I think it’s pretty cool!
Thank you for sharing our pics and it’s understandable that you don’t carry the photo bag all around.
Hi,
It is so nice to read about your trips to Japan… I am so much dreaming to visit your country one day!
Ciao.
I enjoyed every pic you posted on IG n here I’m enjoying them again… I agree with you camera n all heavy gears can be a pain sometime… n smart phones have such nice resolution it is way easier to capture moments..
Glad you had such a lovely summer. .. lovely post.
Glad you decided to go with the iphone pictures – more time to spend having fun with your family! Looks like y’all had a blast. Thanks for sharing them here since I don’t do Instagram. 🙂
What a wonderful experience and beautiful photos, Nami! So glad that you got to spend time with your family. Looks like it was a great time and I can’t wait to see more! Thanks for sharing.
Lovely photos Nami – I guess the city of Yokohama must have changed a lot since I was there 10 years ago… my ex-girlfriend always wanted to make me go to hot-springs. I never did, I regret it now, but they were separate – men in one, women in another – and as a non-native, with no other friend or guy there I found the idea of going to one alone very scary :(.
OMG you totally crack me up! I know, if you didn’t grow up going to bath with other (naked) men, the concept is VERY strange!! 🙂 Maybe one day, with your wife and William!
Lovely pictures! I’ve to visit Japan soon! The Yokohama Landmark Tower looks gorgeous, too! I look forward to checking out your Part 2 Photos! Right now I’m in Spain, traveling (I’m on instagram @veganmiam).
I would love to visit Japan one day and just by looking at these pictures makes me want to go more. I’m so glad you guys had an awesome time and your kids are so cute ^o^
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures with us.
Cheers,
Rosa
It’s such a pleasure to see your Tokyo photos once more! (I have been watching your trip on instagram of course!). Thank you for sharing your trip impressions once again! Your photos are great and I wish I could take at least half as good when on holidays…