Miscellaneous Japan

Doritos without Red 40!

They are serious about their "to go" packing. At McDonald's they even put the drink in its own bag inside the bag.

Finely.

Settings include heated seat, warm water, shower front, shower rear, powerful deodorizer, flushing sound, and probably a few more that I didn't understand.

More toilet instructions, definitely a different kind of toilet.

On an unrelated note, they like green drinks, green soup, green ice cream (all green tea-based, it turns out)...

It seems like all available land is taken up by rice fields. This was a common sight out the train windows.

Also lots of orange trees.

We visit with Orinchan.

Bear-Dog reads his NOOK on the train. He enjoys traveling.

Ninja Village

There are several Ninja Villages in Japan.

And a ninja train station.

Ninjas lived in ninja houses, full of sneaky tricks so they could protect themselves. For instance, there is a hole behind the front door so intruders will stumble and trip.

Cookie Monster warns Bear-Dog but he falls in anyway.

Bear-Dog makes it through and relaxes in one of the rooms on the ground floor. Whew.

Watch out, Bear-Dog... it's a trap! The ninja can climb up to the second floor and cut the rope to drop the ceiling and all the rocks!

Don't worry, Bear-Dog pushes aside the fireplace and escapes safely into the secret tunnel under the house.

Time for some ninja practice:
wall climbing...

...sneaking...

...crawling over rooftops...

...and throwing stars.

(and sometimes cookies).

Kyoto

This is a famous contemporary Japanese garden, in real-life Japan.

Cookie Monster borrowed Bear-Dog's hat, he was chilly. It's a good thing they're pals.

This was another garden in front of a temple. Bear-Dog and Cookie Monster are brave!

Celica! This is only the second one I've seen in two weeks in Japan... Japan Celica rate = 1/week. Less than the USA, surprisingly. Maybe they're not marketed here. Or possibly too old.

This is a famous bridge, the "moon-crossing" bridge, Togetsu-kyo. I don't know why. It looks like a normal wooden bridge to me.

There was a game store in Kyoto with all sorts of games, including N64 games (and GameBoy, Famicom, and Playstation 2 games)! I bought Star Kirby, which hopefully doesn't have a story line that is too involved.

Bamboo forest.

Golden Pavilion. It's made of real gold. I bet it's shiny when the sun is out, but I was there right before sunset on a cloudy day. (It was still gold though.)

It's good luck to toss a yen coin into the bucket... Cookie Monster offers a cookie instead!

Nabe party at Demian's house! Pork and tofu and lots of vegetables cooked in hot broth. Mmm.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa's Kenroku-en Garden is supposedly one of the best gardens in Japan.

Today happened to be Culture Day holiday, so admission to the park was free. Surprisingly though there weren't many people out at the park.

Cookie Monster and Bear-Dog enjoy the park.

I will make my backyard look like this. I will route the water from my moat.

Nearby is Kanazawa Castle. Cookie Monster and Bear-Dog scale the wall to attack the castle.

I went over the bridge and through the doorway instead, it seemed easier.

Cookie Monster and Bear-Dog relax after their hard day.

Christmas in Japan

Christmas starts early here, November 1st. They've been outside putting lights on trees, and I heard a Christmas song at the market this morning. I guess that's what happens when you don't celebrate Thanksgiving.

Nara

This is the world's largest wooden building, Todai-ji Temple.

There is a huge Buddha inside. And a whole bunch of smaller huge Buddhas. These people really like their Buddhas.

This is the gate in front of the Great Buddha Hall. Bear-Dog and Cookie Monster posed in front to show the size.

There are super dangerous deer wandering around Nara.

Don't worry, I survived.

Hiroshima

The A-Bomb Dome is near the hypocenter. There was a debate about whether to preserve it, and now the city leaves it standing as a reminder.

Cookie Monster and BearDog visited the Peace Park across the street.

Every time there is a nuclear weapon test, the Mayor of Hiroshima sends a letter of protest.

There is a ferry that goes to Miyajima Island.

The island has lots of cute roaming deer. This one was resting. Also it is not as cute.

Cookie Monster and BearDog pose in front of the floating torii. It was first built in the 12th century and has been replaced several times.

I went there too.