We had tons of fun. Lots of good food.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Oriase Gorge
...is really beautiful.
We were on our way to the Fireworks Festival at Lake Towada yesterday and we stopped at one of the rest areas for Oriase Gorge to take a small hike.
It was just amazing. It has to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
We're planning to go back to hike the whole trail. I'm so glad we stopped.
As always, if you're here in Misawa, don't be afraid to travel on your own! You never know what you'll find.
Happy travels!
We were on our way to the Fireworks Festival at Lake Towada yesterday and we stopped at one of the rest areas for Oriase Gorge to take a small hike.
It was just amazing. It has to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
We're planning to go back to hike the whole trail. I'm so glad we stopped.
As always, if you're here in Misawa, don't be afraid to travel on your own! You never know what you'll find.
Happy travels!
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Getting around Misawa!
I just wanted to add a short post today about how to get around in Misawa, in case anyone was wondering.
The thing that no one tells you before you get here (if you're military) is that before you PCS, you should try to have at least $3000 in pocket saved to buy a car.
The way it works is that most families, as they leave, sell the ones they bought to new families, or you could buy one off-base in a normal payment plan. Of course the easiest, fastest, and most beneficial way to do this for you and another family would be to buy from someone leaving. So that's where the chunk of change comes in.
You can find some cars as low as $500-1000, but those are few, far between, and older. So, if you're headed here, budget on having to shell out a couple grand for at least a down payment. There's no widespread bus route, and taxis are pricey.
There you have it folks, just a small word of warning if you're new to all this. Once you get here, use that car to explore!
Happy travels!
The thing that no one tells you before you get here (if you're military) is that before you PCS, you should try to have at least $3000 in pocket saved to buy a car.
The way it works is that most families, as they leave, sell the ones they bought to new families, or you could buy one off-base in a normal payment plan. Of course the easiest, fastest, and most beneficial way to do this for you and another family would be to buy from someone leaving. So that's where the chunk of change comes in.
You can find some cars as low as $500-1000, but those are few, far between, and older. So, if you're headed here, budget on having to shell out a couple grand for at least a down payment. There's no widespread bus route, and taxis are pricey.
There you have it folks, just a small word of warning if you're new to all this. Once you get here, use that car to explore!
Happy travels!
Saturday, July 6, 2013
A day in Aomori Part 2: The aquarium!
When we got to Aomori, our first stop was the aquarium.
Aquarium Asamushi is pretty darn cool.
It was $10.00 admission for each adult, and let me tell you, we all agreed it was worth every penny of $10.
We went on a weekday so it wasn't crowded at all. I highly recommend doing that if you decide to go.
I'll start with my favorite part of the aquarium.
The dolphins. The really cute dolphins.
There was a small room where you can watch feeding time and get super close to these happy guys. This was included in admission, which we all thought was pretty cool. I mean, look how excited I am.
There were also sea lions.
Not gonna lie. This was kind of awkward. Totally not into me.
The aquarium also has a restaurant, and gift shop. The gift shop is full of really neat things.
For example.
There were a few photo booths and I got Bear to go in one with me! Super kawaii!
Aquarium Asamushi is pretty darn cool.
It was $10.00 admission for each adult, and let me tell you, we all agreed it was worth every penny of $10.
We went on a weekday so it wasn't crowded at all. I highly recommend doing that if you decide to go.
I'll start with my favorite part of the aquarium.
The dolphins. The really cute dolphins.
There was a small room where you can watch feeding time and get super close to these happy guys. This was included in admission, which we all thought was pretty cool. I mean, look how excited I am.
The trainers went around the circle to each group in the audience for everyone to get a closer look.We were so close we could probably reach out and touch them. (Though absolutely no one, and no child tried to. This is a very respectful culture.) The trainers also had them do tricks and spoke to the crowd. I'm sure they said a lot of fascinating dolphin stuff/facts. But we don't understand Japanese. Either way, it was really, really special.
After the show was finished, we walked downstairs where you could see the dolphins underwater. There was a mother with a baby and one of the dolphins just stayed close to them and entertained the kid. It was amazing to see. It must've liked children. They're such beautiful animals.
I really should have gotten better pictures, but we were having too much fun. I just forgot to take them at good moments!
There were so many other really interesting animals there. As soon as you walk into the aquarium, there is a large tank full of giant sea turtles. I had never seen any in person. They are so majestic. And really, really huge.
There were also sea lions.
Not gonna lie. This was kind of awkward. Totally not into me.
The cuttle fish was awesome. It flashed colors at us. I thought I took a wicked video, but it turns out I didn't. So that sucks. But, heres a really mediocre picture.
There was plenty more. Like I said, definitely worth $10.00.
The aquarium also has a restaurant, and gift shop. The gift shop is full of really neat things.
For example.
There were a few photo booths and I got Bear to go in one with me! Super kawaii!
And, I will leave you with this gem.
Happy travels!
Friday, July 5, 2013
Aomori in a day. Part 1:The Drive.
I had a super fun 4th of July holiday.
Bear, his friends, and I took a little road trip to Aomori the city. (Aomori is also the prefecture.)
It took us about 2 hours going the scenic route. If you were to take the toll road it's about $30.00 and it's quite a bit faster.
We decided to take it easy and go through the mountains.
It was beautiful. By far, it was the most peaceful, beautiful landscape I have ever seen.
If you want to travel from Misawa to Aomori, definitely do it. It's not a long drive and it would have been worth it just to take pictures and take in the country side. Japan is beautiful, and if you are here to en extended period of time, be adventurous and explore!
We had such an eventful day, and there is way too much for this one post, so next post will be Part 2: The Aquarium!
Happy travels.
Bear, his friends, and I took a little road trip to Aomori the city. (Aomori is also the prefecture.)
It took us about 2 hours going the scenic route. If you were to take the toll road it's about $30.00 and it's quite a bit faster.
We decided to take it easy and go through the mountains.
If you want to travel from Misawa to Aomori, definitely do it. It's not a long drive and it would have been worth it just to take pictures and take in the country side. Japan is beautiful, and if you are here to en extended period of time, be adventurous and explore!
We had such an eventful day, and there is way too much for this one post, so next post will be Part 2: The Aquarium!
Happy travels.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
I was trying to gather the dragon balls for a friend.
But I failed you Carlito.
So do the vending machines.
Found these gems last night.
Oh yes, my friends. Those are tighty-whities for your phone. And I have a pair. (Thats actually Bear's phone.) 200 yen in the vending machine.
This shitty picture is of a tiny, tiny mini mobile suit. It turns into...
Also 200 yen.
Squees all around. Sleeping Pikachu is my favorite.
And, I got a whole new crap-ton of magazines. And a catalog.
Another one of my favorite things about Japan are catalogs. Lots of brands put out seasonal catalogs right next to the magazines. Theres something satisfying and fun about a catalog to flip through, rather than shopping online. (Or even in a store.)
Tonight I'm going after some Paul & Joe cosmetics I've had my little eye on.
Happy travels.
Arcades in Japan continue to kick ass.
So do the vending machines.
Found these gems last night.
Oh yes, my friends. Those are tighty-whities for your phone. And I have a pair. (Thats actually Bear's phone.) 200 yen in the vending machine.
This shitty picture is of a tiny, tiny mini mobile suit. It turns into...
 |
| !!! |
As usual, we went to the toy section upstairs by the arcade.
Squees all around. Sleeping Pikachu is my favorite.
And, I got a whole new crap-ton of magazines. And a catalog.
Another one of my favorite things about Japan are catalogs. Lots of brands put out seasonal catalogs right next to the magazines. Theres something satisfying and fun about a catalog to flip through, rather than shopping online. (Or even in a store.)
Tonight I'm going after some Paul & Joe cosmetics I've had my little eye on.
Happy travels.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)