I can't believe it's been over a year since our last trip to Japan. Derik and I took a small trip over while were on vacation from teaching in Korea because of the Chuseok holiday. I've always meant to post about the gorgeous Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, but I never seemed to find the time. So here I am, over a year later, finally posting about it! Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, founded in the 3rd century. Yes, you read right, 3rd century!!! If you're looking for a little peace and quiet, a breather from the hustle and bustle of busy Osaka, the quick trip via train may be just the thing! We visited the shrine on the most gorgeous day in the middle of the week, and literally only saw 3 or 4 other people ... Read More
Rokuon-ji (the golden temple)
**If you have seen this post three times on your bloglovin' feed I'm so sorry, I've had HORRIBLE technical difficulties with them. Trying to work it out right now! Also to those who have commented, I did see your comments on the previous post of this! Sorry they didn't transfer! Going through our photos from the past couple trips is always a fun thing for me. It also reminds me how much I have yet to blog about! There are certain places that we have visited that I'm still in awe over. I mean, just look at the pictures above! I can guarantee at least a few of you are wondering, "Is that even a real place? How is that real?!" Don't worry, as I go over the pictures myself, I'm asking the same question. Rokuon-ji (also known as Kinkaku-ji) ... Read More
Chuo Ward, Japan
Over Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) my husband and I took a rather impromptu trip to Japan. We booked tickets the day of, which turned out to be one of the best decisions ever as a round trip ticket to Osaka and back was only $150 bucks. I can't even fly across one US State for that. We spent our first two days in Osaka, and found fantastic accommodations within Chuo Ward. If you're unfamiliar with this part of Japan, it's basically where all the magic happens, aka the Vegas of Osaka, aka the part of the city that never sleeps. It was clean, stylish, and fun (yes fun)! The cool thing about this part of the city was Shinsaibashi, a covered shopping district filled with restaurants, shops, casinos, arcades, etc, etc. A person could lose the ... Read More
Geisha Town [Kyoto After Dark]
Kyoto, Japan is known worldwide for it's traditional looks, amazing Japanese culture, and most of all, it's real-life geisha. The first time we visited Japan, I was severely disappointed we never got to skip on over to Kyoto and go geisha hunting, so we made a point to go back on our second trip we took over Chuseok a month ago. I've already posted about the gorgeous Fushimi-inari Shrine (basically the most internationally known trademark landsite of Kyoto), and it's about time I let you take a little trip with me around downtown Kyoto. And get this. We didn't even have to hunt very long for geisha. They were EVERYWHERE (we aren't counting the vast crowds of people who paid a ton of money to donn a traditional kimono for the ... Read More
[Japan] Fushimi Inari Shrine
I know I have yet to finish Borneo posts, but I couldn't help but put up a post or two about our recent travel to Japan over Chuseok. This is actually our second trip, but the first one we took where we could actually do anything. The first trip Derik was out due to a terrible ankle sprain/partial ligament rupture. On of our favorite parts of our recent trip was a visit to Kyoto. I've never been to a city as peaceful as Kyoto, and honestly I could totally see myself living there someday!! Nothing like riding an electric bike around for the day along the river, and watching the sunset go down (can't forget sucking down a few cardboard cartons of sweet tea either). Our second day in Kyoto, Derik and I rented electric bikes and headed ... Read More
Saturday Takeover: Misadventures in Japan
Well, I'm officially back from an 'almost' week in Japan. You may have noticed the lack of my presence around these parts, but our trip was rather sudden! It was a fantastic way to relax over the Korean holiday. While I wade through emails, design requests, and comments, it only seemed fitting that I'd have a guest poster! Mrs. B purchased my Saturday Takeover spot a couple weeks ago, and she was scheduled to write today. I received her email while hanging out in Osaka, and wouldn't you know it but her guest post was about Japan!!! Perfect. Fitting. Lovely. I'll let her introduce herself, but please enjoy! I'll be writing my own Japan posts as soon as I finish Borneo. The life of a ... Read More
I’m attracted to attractions
After a crazy amount of delay and procrastination, it's here. I've finally blogged the last and final post from our Japan trip in February. I don't know why it's taken me so long, after looking at the pictures I realized how much I actually loved our last 'mini-adventure' in Osaka. First of all, I have to admit, I'm a tourist at heart. I LOVE looking at brochures and pamphlets about events, attractions, and landmarks in any given area. You never know what's around until you start digging a little. I've found some rather interesting things to see because of my strange hobby, and the SPAM museum in Minnesota was one of them. I've been to that museum three times and I don't even like SPAM. Anyway, right before our trip to Osaka, Japan I ... Read More
Osaka aquarium kaiyukan (part two)
If you don't know this by now...I just thought I should make a PSA: I'm a procrastinator. A big one. It's already been how long since Japan, and I still have blogs to write? Not to mention I'm a little bit behind in current events. I've probably confused you all so much with my spastic and disorganized posts. Sorry, I really am! I honestly thought my life would slow down with my new work schedule, but instead it seems to be busier (makes no sense). I finally finished part two of my series of two posts on the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. If you haven't read part one yet, you should do so immediately! It involves a little history on the aquarium as well as some pretty sweet jellyfish. This part of the series is literally almost ... Read More
Japan: land of the rising sun
Derik was hired on at DSME Shipbuilding last fall, so this meant he would be transitioning legally from the private school to the government company...DSME would be in charge of his visa and paperwork. Unfortunately his paperwork was shoved aside...and before we knew it, Derik's visa expired. It was quite frustrating finding out (even after asking multiple times) that the people in charge of his paperwork let it fall through the cracks. Worst of all, neither the school or DSME were claiming fault for it. So that meant Derik and I would be 100% financially responsible for getting a new visa...even though we did everything right. One thing we have learned about living in South Korea is that: without flexibility and an open mind...you're ... Read More
