Week 61: December 26 -30, 2022
Day 420: December 26, 2022
Monday – Hiroshima Road Trip Day 2
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| Good morning from the Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima on Ujina Island |
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| Enjoying the view from our room |
Good morning everyone. I woke up early today to explore the area around Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima.
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| Motoujina Beach and Ujina Island Lighthouse |
Our hotel is located on the eastern side of Ujina Island (宇品島). I followed the scenic walking path around the island but only went halfway around it. I got to see several info boards posted by the Earth Museum Motoujina Hiroshima along the way like the following:
花崗岩 (granite)
岩脈 (dike)
正断層 (a normal fault)
断層 (fault)
節理 (joint)
海食崖 (sea cliff)
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| Earth Museum Motoujina Hiroshima |
I also got to see Motoujina Beach and the Ujina Lighthouse.
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| Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima |
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| Top of Hiroshima Sky Lounge |
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| Itadakemasu! |
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| Check out the view |
As I was walking back to the hotel, my wife called me and told me to head back to the hotel and go to the Top of Hiroshima Sky Lounge on the 23rd floor for breakfast. The restaurant offers a delectable selection of Western and Japanese meals. Aside from that, it also offers an amazing view of the island and Hiroshima City.
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| Off to Hatsukaichi City |
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| JR West Miyajima Ferry fare |
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| JR West Miyajima Ferry |
After breakfast, we headed out and drove to the nearby Hatsukaichi City (廿日市市). We rode the JR West Miyajima Ferry from Miyajimaguchi Matsudai Kisen Ferry Terminal to Miyajima Matsudai Kisen Ferry Terminal.
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| Boarding the ferry from Miyajimaguchi Matsudai Kisen Ferry Terminal |
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| Enjoying the sun with our Japanese family |
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| See you later Hatsukaichi City. |
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| Hello, Miyajima / Itsukashima! |
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| Miyajima Matsudai Kisen Ferry Terminal |
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| We were welcomed by a herd of deer relaxing near the ferry terminal. |
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| Ella and I got the golden deer from the UFO catcher game. |
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| Starbucks Miyajima |
⛩ Starbucks Miyajima
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| Itsukushima Shrine World Heritage Monument |
⛩ Itsukushima Shrine World Heritage Monument
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| The Statue of Kiyomori Taira |
⛩ The Statue of Kiyomori Taira
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| Time to ride the ferry back to Miyajimaguchi Matsudai Kisen Ferry Terminal |
There were a lot more places to visit on the island but we were short of time and energy to do so. We rode the ferry back to Miyajimaguchi Matsudai Kisen Ferry Terminal and then drove back to Hiroshima City (広島市).
Our day didn’t end yet though. We visited the following places in Hiroshima City:
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| Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph |
💜 Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph
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| Flame of Peace |
💜 Flame of Peace
💜 Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome |
| Driving around Hiroshima City looking for a restaurant to eat food |
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| Dinner at Royal Host Sendamachi |
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| I ordered the hamburger steak |
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| Time to head back to Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima |
It was already dark when we finished exploring the city. For our last stop of the day, we drove to Royal Host Sendamachi to eat dinner before driving back to Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima and wrapping up the day.Day 421: December 27, 2022
Tuesday – Hiroshima Road Trip Day 3
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| Good morning from Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima |
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| Boats docked near Akatsukibashi |
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| A tram at Moto-Ujinaguchi Station |
It’s the last day of our 3-day Hiroshima Road Trip. Like yesterday, I didn’t miss the opportunity to stroll early in the morning. This time I crossed Akatsukibashi to explore the Ujinikaigan District.
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| I got back to Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima just in time for breakfast |
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| The view from Mr. Toshi and his family's room |
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| Time to say goodbye to Hiroshima City |
I got back to Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima just in time for breakfast. Unlike yesterday, we ate at Main Banquet Hall Setouchi on the 2nd floor. We checked out of the hotel at around 9:30 AM.
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| Next stop - Ehime Prefecture |
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| Hakata-Ōshima Bridge |
Our next stop is Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture to pick up Mr. Toshi’s grandson Ryo. To go there from Hiroshima, we took the Nishiseto Expressway which is more popularly called Shimanami Kaido. This place has been on my wish list for the longest time. Although I plan to cross it by bike, I’m contented to simply drive through it and in a way do an ocular for plans.
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| Roadside Station Hakata S-C Park |
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| Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge |
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| We had a brief stop at Mr. Toshi's grandson's place to pick him up before going on the next leg of our trip. |
We made a brief toilet break at Roadside Station Hakata S-C Park on Hakata Island, one of the islands along the route. From there we reached Imabari City proper in about an hour. We unloaded Ryo’s things and also helped him pack up his stuff to bring back home.
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| Todo Takatora Statue |
From his apartment, we drove to Imabari Castle. It was everyone’s first time visiting the castle. However, since it requires a lot of climbing up the stairs it was only me, Ella, Ms. Sawa, Ryo, and Karin who went in and explored the castle keep. Mr. Toshi, Ms. Taeko, and my wife decided to explore the castle grounds instead. Sadly, taking photos inside the castle is prohibited. Visitors are only allowed to take photos from the observation deck at the top of the castle.
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| This is actually made from rolled towels |
After exploring Imabari Castle, we drove to the Towel Museum which is also in the city. As its name suggests it is a unique museum about towels combined with art. It gave me a different perspective on towels as after visiting the museum, I now see beauty in them.
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| Yoshinogawa Service Area Eastbound |
It was already afternoon when we left and we were still quite far from home. On our long drive home, we made a brief toilet break at Yoshinogawa Service Area Eastbound in Higashimoyoshi Town in Tokushima Prefecture.
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| Awaji Service Area Ferris Wheel |
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| Dinner at Royal |
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| Here's one of the foods that we ordered |
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| Thank you, Mr. Toshi and Ms. Taeko for this memorable trip |
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| Wataru-kun overlooking Akashi-kaikyo Bridge |
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| Team Nicerio at Awaji Service Area |
We then made one more stop at Awaji Service Area for Sumoto in Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture. It was here that we had our dinner. We ate at Royal which surprisingly has a robot staff that serves as a waiter. Before leaving, the kids and I went to the open area near Starbucks called Lover’s Sanctuary. This area offers an amazing view of Akashikaikyo Bridge, the world’s longest suspension bridge.
From there, we got home at around 11 PM. Surprisingly, we still had the energy to unload our baggage and then take turns using the shower before calling it a day.
Day 422: December 28, 2022
Wednesday – Special Day in Osaka
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| It's a beautiful day here in Kumatori |
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| Waiting for the doctor to call us at Mimura Ladies Care Clinic |
Today is a special day for me and my wife because it is going to be my wife’s first check-up after we found out that she is pregnant. After breakfast, Mr. Toshi and Ms. Sawa accompanied us to Mimura Ladies Care Clinic in the town of Kumatori (熊取町).
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| Thank you Mr. Toshi for coming with us |
When the doctor called our number, Mr. Toshi accompanied my wife to help her with the translations and I was asked to wait outside due to COVID restrictions. After several minutes, I was asked to go inside.
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| Our baby has a heartbeat! Thank you, Lord! |
It was a magical moment. The doctor made us hear the sound of the baby’s heartbeat. It resonated inside the whole room. My wife and I were so relieved that the baby was safe. We also found out that the baby was 2 months old already.
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| Super Center Trial Rinku Town |
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| We bought ingredients for the coming New Year's celebration |
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| Carrots and daikon... What an interesting combination |
From there, we headed back home to share the good news with Ella. That afternoon, we headed to Super Center Trial Rinku Town to buy some groceries and ingredients for the upcoming New Year’s celebration.
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| I cooked dinner for the family |
For dinner, I cooked for our Japanese family. In a way, it's a simple way of thanking them for everything they did for me and my family.
Day 423: December 29, 2022
Thursday – Solo Walk in Kaizuka City
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| It's a beautiful morning here in the Kumatori |
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| I passed through Tsubasagaoka 7 Go Park on my way to Mizumadera |
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| 7-Eleven Kumatori Odaniminami |
On the way, I passed by 7-Eleven Kumatori Odaniminami and bought breakfast. The roads here are so narrow and dangerous that I had to time when walking on the road.
There was a part along Highway 170 near Kogi River where I needed to follow the sharp right turn but the vehicles passing there were quite fast and frequent I almost turned back. However, there was a small path near the man-made pond that reminded me of the Arashiyama Bamboo Path but with no people. I followed it and found myself in Mizuma Park. |
| The stairs leading back to National Route 170 near Mizumadera |
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| Crossing the Kibitani River |
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| Korin no Taki (降臨の瀧) |
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| Korin no Taki in English means Waterfall of Advent |
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| Aizendo |
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| Aizendo's Ema (絵馬) |
When I got to Mizumadera, many people were preparing their stalls for the upcoming hatsumode. Some people were there to offer prayers and buy charms. In short, the temple grounds were quite busy. Regardless, I explored the temple grounds and got a goshuin before leaving.
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| On my way home, I crossed the same red bridge that I crossed earlier. |
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| This time I checked out Aizen Bridge (愛染橋) which is also called Lover's Bridge |
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| A small shrine along the sidewalk of 2 Chome Odaniminami |
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| The view from the footbridge in 4 Chome Tsubasagaokakita |
After visiting Mizumadera, I retraced my steps home along the same route I had taken to the temple. Despite the noonday heat, I savored the scenery along the journey and reached home safely.
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| Mr. Toshi, helping Ella with her homework |
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| Ella and Karin watched some YouTube videos after Ella finished her homework |
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| Dinner for tonight |
That night, Ms. Akiko and her family arrived to celebrate the holidays with us. My wife and I helped Mr. Toshi prepare our dinner. Overall, it was a fun experience being with friends.
Day 424: December 30, 2022
Friday – Shopping at Izumi City
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| It's a beautiful morning here in Kumatori |
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| Bonding with Ella (and Karin) |
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| Lalaport in Izumi City |
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| Inside Lalaport in Izumi City |
That afternoon, the whole family headed to Lalaport in Izumi City in Osaka Prefecture. Ella went bowling with Akiko’s family while my wife and I accompanied Mr. Toshi and his wife Ms. Taeko to the nearby Costco Wholesale Izumi.
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| Next stop: Costco Izumi |
There were a lot of things that we wanted to buy but our budget and baggage wouldn’t allow us. Regardless, my wife and I decided to apply for membership once we get back to Rumoi City as there is a Costco in Ishikari City which is about an hour’s drive away from our house.
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| We bought some food for the New Year celebration |
We only bought some food for New Year’s Eve and also some ingredients for the dishes that we plan to cook for the Kameyama family in the future.
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| Road Station Aisai Land |
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| Mr. Toshi and Ms. Taeko go on a walk with Yomo |
We drove back home at around 6 PM. Before reaching home, we made a stopover at Road Station Aisai Land in Kishiwada City so that Yomo could go out for a walk. I didn't explore the roadside station though. We arrived home about an hour later.Overall, we had a lot of adventures and bonding moments with our Japanese family in the past few days. In a few days, it would already be 2023. We can’t wait for what next year will offer.Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 61
Japan Diaries 4: Day 420
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