Wedding Reception 4/110

Finally our wedding reception photos from Japan...

Forgot to mention

I ATE PUFFER FISH...And lived to tell about it...

Kumamoto almost at the end...

Here's a few photos from our day yesterday. We went to Amakusa on the western coast of Japan and took a boat ride around the many islands and 5 bridges there. Amazingly Amakusa was once a stronghold for Christian ministry and remains today one of the most undeveloped and natural parts of Japan. We saw many eagles, some other birds and lots of fishermen. They harvest seaweed, shrimp clams, oysters and other fish there. The area is famous for pearls, so we bought some :)

We also stopped on the way back at a local fishery where we bought yellow tail, sea bass and squid for a wonderful sashimi dinner that night at Takako's uncle's house. We celebrated, from what I am told, a very rare occasion - a formal invite from a Japanese family for dinner. Unlike American dinners, Japanese culture dictates that people are not usually invited to other people's homes as the home is considered sacred and a temple for the family. Especially for an outsider, an invitation to meet the family and relatives is a high honor and we treated it as such. We were also introduced to to Takako's ancient relatives, when we visited their gravesite. I didn't take any photos, out of respect, but the site is in Takako's uncle's village and houses remains from several relatives. We cleaned the site, lit candles and incense and added flowers, saying a brief prayer as we did. It was very nice.

Dinner was wonderful, you can see the photos of the event, sushi everywhere, many relatives and lots of sake and beer (uncle has a penchant for sho-cha, a strong sake that will knock your socks off and clear the sinuses.) Every 10 minutes or so we were greeted to a robust "konpai!" We met too many relatives to count, including a VERY shy two-year-old Hami, who, like another kodomo we know, loves the train "Thomas." We ate too much, drank too much and rolled our way home in a taxi...to be greeted by a huge watermelon at our doorstep. Takako's mom bought a specialty from Kumamoto - local watermelon that was delicious. Takako's aunt came over to tell us the latest about her other uncle in the hospital and soon after we went to be content.

Today we host our reception and get dressed up in kimono's...looking forward to these photos. Flying back tomorrow :( Already booked the tix and now we somehow have to fit 10 suitcases worth of stuff into 5 bags. We'll see how it goes...gotta run. See y'all in a few...

Dave

Only 3 Days Left

and we return to アメリカ(America.) Takako has been rejuvinated, she's been so happy to be back home and visit with her relatives. So far, she's had a chance to visit with her mom, her aunt, her uncle and several others. The vacation all culminates on Sunday when we will celebrate our wedding and have a small traditional Japanese reception. This will include photos with kimonos. We decided, however, to visit the reception wearing suits...as the kimonos are VERY heavy and quite cumbersome. Plus, one kimono may cost upwards of $10,000, so we'd hate to get food on it :)

Tonight we'll be going with Takako's aunt Aiko to a revolving sushi bar...photos to come

Tomorrow, we'll be going to the beaches of kumamoto to try their famous shellfood (although we did have traditional Japanese breakfast that included miso, rice and Kumamoto clams...mmm).

Then Sunday the reception at 3. Looking forward to it. but sad the vacation will be coming to an end soon.

So for now, I hope you enjoy the photos and video, will try getting up to the Internet cafe at least once more...

The Search for Beer

What with the tragic events unfolding in the past days and weeks, we've turned to the more mundane...the search for craft beer in Kummamoto. Unfortunately, we've not had much luck. Kirin and Asahi are typically on tap, Sapporo is available via can, but unlike Kyoto, craft beer does not seem to have caught on here. I'm seeing a chance to bring a new market to the south of Japan...

7.4 Magnitude Quake

Woke up to the news of another large aftershock that hit the Sendai region. Although I did not feel it here in the south of Kumamoto, I've been told that at least 2 people have been killed. I'm sure many at home are wondering how we are, but, as I said, in the southern island of Kyushu we did not feel it. It's amazing that life continues to move on here. We see the damage on TV, and even though we're here when it is happening, we feel very removed from it. I will say, though, that it is on everyone's mind, people are discussing it and wishing the best for those who are suffering...

Have LOTS of video, but need to edit it down a bit. Here's a short 1 minute vid of the crazy vending machines that are all over Japan

Kumamoto so far...

First chance I've had to upload some photos, so here's Kumamoto so far. We've done a lot, went to the Kumamoto castle, visited Mount Aso, an active volcano, stayed at a ryokan and today we were both fit for our kimonos for Sunday. Take a look...

Kyoto to Kumamoto

Heading south today from Kyoto, via bullet train to Takako's home city, Kumamoto. We say goodbye to blooming cherry blossoms and the many temples that dot this city. On our way we'll stop for bento lunch and may even pick up a goodie or two...

News continues to come in daily about the earthquake, the following tsunami and the radiation leak. We've heard several times it's best to avoid Tokyo this time around, not so much for the radiation problem, but the limited resources available there. Stories of limited water, food and even toilet paper continue to reach us. Here in the south though things are largely unchanged. It shows the resilience of the Japanese people and their ability to continue life, despite tragedy and life changing events.

Anyway, not sure about the Internet status of the next few days. Will attempt to at least upload a photo or 100 (we've shot nearly 700 photos so far - gotta love digital cameras!)

Kyoto Day 3

Including visiting Arashiyama, Toroko train ride, hozugawa boat trip, Arashiyama bamboo forest, manga museum, tenuji, shopping in a typical Japanese department store, stopping at a music store, and, of course Sakura

Kyoto Day 2

Kyoto Day Two

We spent the day with a friend of Takako's, Akida (like the comic book.) He was kind enough to spend the day with us while we visited Daigo temple (Daigoji). We had lunch at a famous soba noodle restaurant then went to Kodai temple (Kodaiji) where we saw the tomb of a famous Shogun warrior, Toyotomi Hideoshi. It was amazing. And with it all, the Cherry blossoms (sakura) were opening up, seemingly before our eyes. Was able to get some good video today, too, but I seem to have killed the battery (I think I left it on...) so that's on the way too. We made our way through Gion (central Kyoto) with exclusive restaurants, upscale shopping and LOTS of people. Afterwards Nishikicho market awaited us where we glimpsed the famous Japanese knife maker, Aritsugi. A knife here can set you back hundreds of dollars and they have hundreds upon hundreds of specialty knives...tempting, to be sure. We got to see them engraving a new knife before our eyes.

We finally had diner at a chic restaurant in Shijo where we ate AMAZING food, not typical stuff, but chicken, veggies, pickled contraptions, spicy cabbage and, okay sashimi too. I don't think I've ever had scallops melt in my mouth the way these did. I'll be wanting to go back tomorrow night (and the night after, and the night after...)

Tomorrow is a day trip to Arashiama, a mountainous region where we'll take a train up to the top and take a boat/raft down the white-warer river. Photos to come...

Tonight I'm too tired and jet-lagged to really speak about the tragedy in Japan. We discussed it at length today and I do have some thoughts, but it will have to wait until tomorrow...check out the photos and good night, y'all.

More Kyoto Day One

Kyoto Day One