Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 69

Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 69

Weekend 69: February 25 – 26, 2023

Day 481: February 25, 2023

Saturday – Rumoi

It’s a beautiful, clear, sunny Saturday morning. I took this opportunity to go out for a solo walk in Rumoi City and also look for a place to get a haircut.

Walking around the city looking for a barbershop
Walking around the city looking for a barbershop

Asahi Barber Shop (アサヒ理容院)
Asahi Barber Shop

It took me time before I settled for the Asahi Barber Shop (アサヒ理容院) along Route 231. It’s because I wanted to try a new place and see if it’s the one for me.

Asahi Barber Shop Rumoi
The owner and barber was a very nice lady

The barber, the shop owner, was a very nice lady. We discussed my life and experience here as an ALT in Rumoi City. As for the haircut, it was good as she managed to copy the haircut from the photo that I showed her.

Rumoi City Library
Next stop: Rumoi City Library

Inside Rumoi City Library
Inside Rumoi City Library

I spent time updating my blog
I spent time updating my blog

From there, I headed back home only to find out that my wife and daughter had left and gone on a walk too. So, I decided to head out once again. This time, I went to the Rumoi City Library. In a way, my family and I consider this place a haven this winter as it is quiet, warm, and has free internet. I stayed there until its closing time.

Movie for the night: Mission Impossible: Fallout
Movie for the night: Mission Impossible: Fallout

When I got home, I watched the action-packed 2018 action/thriller film Mission Impossible: Fallout on Netflix before calling it a day. Gotta love a good old action movie before going to Slumberland.

Day 482: February 26, 2023

Sunday – Rumoi

Today was supposed to be a family day. We were thinking of either driving to Chairumo so that Ella could play or heading to the town of Mashike to explore the town and see what it looks like in winter. However, the weather was not on our side. There was a blizzard and at some point, you won't be able to see anything 10 feet away from you.

Plans cancelled, thanks to today's blizzard
Plans canceled, thanks to today's blizzard


We decided to cancel our plan, spend the day at home, and do what we like. I spent it playing Duolingo and writing articles for my blog, my daughter did her diaries, and my wife watched tons of videos on the phone.


It was a very productive day for me as I finished 3 articles and scheduled them to be published. I was also able to write 6 more article drafts for future publication. 

My wife and I headed out when the blizzard stopped
My wife and I headed out when the blizzard stopped

We went to Seicomart in Motokawacho to buy some snacks
We went to Seicomart in Motokawacho to buy some snacks

When the snow cleared a bit, my wife took the opportunity to walk to the nearby Seicomart in Motokawacho to buy some snacks.

Although we weren’t able to travel and visit new places today, I believe that it was still a productive weekend as I got to rest and bond with my family. Aside from that, I was also able to reduce the backlog for my blog. Hopefully, the weather next week will be favorable for us so that we can go somewhere.

Read more:

Japan Diaries 4: Week 69

Comments

Post a Comment

Book your hotel thru KLOOK

Klook.com
Subscribe and get updated with the latest travel articles of The Backpack Adventures

Popular posts from this blog

Munting Buhangin Beach Camp - Batangas

Image
Located in the municipality of Nasugbu in the province of Batangas, Munting Buhangin Beach Camp is one of the few privately owned resorts in the area that doesn't really require memberships for visitors to enjoy. Munting Buhangin Beach Camp Munting Buhangin Beach Camp Details Although Munting Buhangin Beach Camp doesn't have white sand to boast, it's quite an isolated place which makes the resort stand out. Its light brown sand, sprinkled with different kinds of shells, is cleaned daily by the dedicated staff of the resort. Sadly, during my visit, a broken piece of glass buried in the sand gave one of my toes a deep cut but I know that it's just a rare case (no one needs to be fired) and nobody wanted that to happen. Munting Buhangin Beach - Nasugbu, Batangas  One of the best places to go camping...  ...or rent nipa huts and treehouse You might want to try kayaking here too Going up: parking / Going down: beach Munting Buhangin Beach Camp is ide...
Keep reading

Hiking Mt. Gulugod Baboy

Image
Our adventure today takes us to a mountain south of Metro Manila. Mt. Gulugod Baboy  (other variations Mt. Gulugod-Baboy ) is located in Anilao, Mabini in the province of Batangas. Gulugod-baboy is a Filipino phrase that means "pig's spine." The mountain got its name from the contours of the peaks which resemble a pig's back as seen from Janao Bay. Mt. Gulugod Baboy Mt. Gulugod Baboy details Mt. Gulugod Baboy - Mabini, Batangas Mt. Gulugod Baboy , despite being called a mountain, may also be referred to as a hill. This is because of the fact that the distinction between a hill and a mountain remains subjective and unclear. (As you may know, the maximum height of a hill is still being contested.) I'm taking a picture of my friend Raine doing a Teletubby jump Mt. Gulugod Baboy fun moments Other Teletubby moments... So what's the big deal? Mt. Gulugod Baboy stands 525 meters above sea level. Typically, landforms reaching 500 feet (152 ...
Keep reading

List of Festivals in the Philippines: April

Image
Do you want to witness and be part of the exciting and colorful cultural activities in the Philippines in this month of  April ?   Please check out the list of popular fiestas or festivals happening this April . Rodeo Masbateno Festival Location:  Masbate City, Province of Masbate Details:  The festival is celebrated every 9th to 14th of April. Its highlights are the bull riding competition, lassoing, 2-4 carambola, and bulldogging. This festival showcases the "cowboy skills" of the Masbatenos. Kangayedan Festival Location:  Pagudpod, Province of Ilocos Norte Details:  The festival is celebrated every 22nd to the 26th of April. Its highlight is the parade of cultural dances. This festival's objective is to safeguard the ecological beauty from destruction and also to renew the vow of the townspeople to replenish and protect the environment.  Butanding Festival Location:  Donsol, Province of Sorsogon Details:  The festival is celeb...
Keep reading

Kamay ni Hesus Shrine - Quezon

Image
Kamay ni Hesus Shrine,  or simply Kamay ni Hesus   is a famous religious shrine and grotto. It is l ocated in Barangay Tinamnan, Lucban in the province of Quezon. Kamay ni Hesus Shrine Kamay ni Hesus Shrine History Also known as  Via Dolorosa Grotto , Kamay ni Hesus Shrine was built under the initiative of Fr. Joseph "Joey" Faller in 2003. He is known as a gifted healing priest. Due to Fr. Faller's healing masses, Kamay ni Hesus Shrine became one of the country's most visited healing centers. Kamay ni Hesus Shrine - Lucban, Quezon Statues of saints can be seen in different areas of Kamay ni Hesus Shrine A replica of Pieta by Michelangelo Pilgrims look like ants from a distance. Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church Inside the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church One of the highlights of Kamay ni Hesus Shrine is the 50-foot statue of Christ with his arm wide open found on the top of a hill. This statue is often referred to as the Risen Christ or Ascending ...
Keep reading

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge - Hyogo

Image
Connecting the island of Awaji and Kobe City which are both in Hyogo Prefecture, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge  ( 明石海峡大橋 )  is the longest bridge in Japan to date.  Akashi Kaikyo Bridge History Prior to the construction of the  Akashi Kaikyo Bridge , ferries carried passengers across the Akashi Strait. However, the strait is known to be a dangerous waterway that already took countless lives. The most famous of which was in 1955 when two ferries sank in the strait during a storm. This tragedy claimed 168 lives and was said to be what convinced the Japanese government to develop plans to construct a bridge. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge as seen from Awajishima Crossing Akashi Kaikyo Bridge from Kobe City Akashi Kaikyo Bridge  ( 明石海峡大橋 ) However, it took almost 30 years for the plans to come to reality. Construction of the bridge started in 1988 it involved 100 contractors and hundreds of laborers. The bridge finally opened to the public 10 years later on April 5,...
Keep reading

Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Cavite

Image
Located in Rosario in the province of Cavite, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros is famously known as the location of the historic Tejeros Convention of 1897. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros Casa Hacienda de Tejeros history Casa Hacienda de Tejeros was originally built in the 17th century. The hacienda and its surrounding lands were formerly owned by the Augustinian Recollects. The estate was once the largest and grandest estate in the country. It once covered as much as 1,125 hectares with the casa occupying 4 hectares of it. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Rosario, Cavite The NHI Marker of the Casa Hacienda de Tejeros The name tejeros came from the Spanish name tejer , which means "to weave". It's due to the fact that the weaving industry is one of the major industries of the municipality of Rosario. Going back to its historical importance, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros played an important role in 1897 when it hosted the assembly that the new leaders of the revolution were elected. ...
Keep reading

Senjojiki - Wakayama

Image
Located in Nishimuro District in the town of Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture, Senjojiki ( 千畳敷 ) is the name given to the multi-tiered rock formations in the southwestern coast of the town. Senjojiki  ( 千畳敷 ) Senjojiki Details The name  Senjojiki   literally translates to " thousand tatami mats ", a name that probably tries to describe the picturesque rock formations on the coast which to an imaginative mind really does look like thousands of interwoven tatami mats. Senjojiki - Shirahama , Wakayama Prefecture Welcome to Senjojiki (Rock Formations)... ...which is part of Yoshi-Kumano National Park Here's what you should know... Senjojiki is a great alternative destination if Shirarahama Beach turns out to be crowded. Although not as popular and well-promoted as Shirahama Beach , Senjojiki offers visitors Instagram-worthy spots, and best of all, a quiet escape from the noise of the crowd. The most popular of which is the plateau-like rock formati...
Keep reading

Tenryuji - Kyoto

Image
Located in 68 Susukinobaba-cho, Saga-Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City in Kyoto Prefecture, Tenryuji ( 天龍寺 )  is one of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kyoto City. Tenryuji  ( 天龍寺 ) Tenryuji History Tenryuji was built under the instructions of shogun Ashikaga Takauji in 1339 in memory of Emperor Go-Daigo who had passed away that year. The temple's name tenryu  literally translates to the "dragon of the sky". The name came from a dream of Ashikaga Takauji's younger brother Tadayoshi. The temple was completed at around 1345 and the eminent Rinzai Zen master Muso Soseki was appointed as its founding abbot after which the temple prospered as the most important Rinzai temple in Kyoto. With that, the temple's land grew to as big as 33 hectares.  Muso Soseki Now going back to Muso Soseki ... He was known as the most famous monk of his time. Aside from being a Rinzai Zen Buddhist, he was also a teacher, calligraphist, poet, and garden designer. Although he has ...
Keep reading

Visita Iglesia Cavite Loop

Image
Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition of visiting churches during Holy Week. It is one of the traditions followed by my family that I cherish the most because it gives our family a chance to reunite and go on road trips together.  2018 Visita Iglesia: Cavite Loop 2018 Visita Iglesia: Cavite Loop For our 2018 Visita Iglesia , my family and I decided to follow what is dubbed the Cavite Loop . This refers to the route around the towns in the province of Cavite where Spanish Colonial Era churches are located.  Bacoor Church  - Bacoor City, Cavite Bacoor Church interior Since we live somewhere in Bacoor City, our first destination is, of course, our very own St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church which is simply referred to as Bacoor Church . Despite living in the same municipality, I have to admit that this was only my third time visiting Bacoor Church. The reason behind it is simple, we have our own parish in our subdivision, and Bacoor Church is quite ...
Keep reading

Kamikochi - Nagano

Image
Located deep in the Hida Mountain Range in the western regions of Nagano Prefecture, Kamikochi  ( 上高地 ) is a popular remote tourist destination that offers one of the most spectacular views of what is dubbed as Japan 's Northern Alps.   Kamikochi  ( 上高地 ) Kamikochi Details The name Kamikochi could be translated to " upper highland " due to its topographic characteristics. To be more exact, Kamikochi is a 15-kilometer long plateau in the Azusa River Valley. It is surrounded by four of Japan's highest peaks namely Yakedake (2455m), Nishihotakadake (2909), Maehotakadake (3090m), and Okuhotakadake (3190m).  Kamikochi - Nagano Prefecture The male and female kappa... Kamikochi's mascot In the past, Kamikochi was one of the main sources of logs in the region. However, due to the sudden interest in recreational mountaineering in Japan brought by the writings of Reverend Walter Weston , a lot of locals lobbied to preserve the Kamikochi area and the Norther...
Keep reading