Japan Seventeen

Last week I jumped on a few Shinkansen trains and took myself off to see my friend and her family in Nagasaki.

If you get a chance to visit Japan I highly recommend picking up a JR rail pass. I didn’t get one for Maureen as we were sticking to one area and it wouldn’t have been worth it. But once I started traipsing longer distances…it made sense.

The leg and bag room is more than generous and you can reserve seats for no extra cost using the pass. There are unreserved carriages too.

Me getting ready to crochet my way through the day. No sleeping as I had about four train changes.

I costed the trips I was making this week via the Shinkansen and if I paid for them each while I was here… the cost would have been over $700. The one week ticket was about $320 so no prizes for figuring out what was more economical.

Some countryside whizzing by.

Rice is well on its way up this end of Japan! They were only just prepping the fields around Kyoto.

Brand spanking new train!!

Fun as it was screeching through the countryside (smooth rides tho!) It was nice to reach my destination and friends.

Above, Tetsu and daughter Maruno. Below, Nozomi with daughters Maruno and Tsukino.

Nozomi stayed with us in Tasmania a few times and we really hit it off! She’s like my little Japanese Sister!

We saw them last visit but since then they’ve had a second daughter and now live on a mountain in a beautiful home!

Tetsu now owns and runs a ramen restaurant (more on that in a future post) but they’ve also just started taking on Work Away people to stay with them who help around the property in exchange for accommodation and food.

The steps into the terraced hills was one project done by guests

The view is pretty spectacular!

Even on a gloomy day!

I got fed so well!!

Home made okonomiyaki on the first night…

Sooooo good!! And edamame… one of Jeff’s favourites!

On the second night Noz made me karage! My favourite!! She makes it so well… marinated chicken that is then coated and fried along with some salads

Yummo!!

The girls loved their rabbits! (Hand made from the Arty Duck of course!)

Their scary but cool driveway!

Beautiful!

View from upstairs into the lounge room.

They haven’t established a lot of gardens yet but have a great herb garden and some excellent broccoli!

There are also a lot of established fruit trees on the property which is a bonus!

We did a bit of wandering around when the day was nice

Lots of bracken!

Sunny day views

And below green tea bushes!!

It was a wonderful three days in the country!! Really enjoyed catching up with my friends and experiencing a little of their life!

Xxx