Kawagoe

Last Saturday Emi and I visited Kawagoe City in Saitama Prefecture. It takes about 2 hours by train to get there from Yokosuka. Once we arrived we went to the Old Town section of the city to enjoy the nice atmosphere and to sample some of the local treats.

Sweet potatoes are very popular here.

Local Buddhist Temple scenes

Back out on the street, Rickshaw ride, anyone?

One shop had some very nice lanterns in their entrance way.

Need chop sticks? No problem!

This charming lady was selling steamed sweet potato dumplings. We tried them and they were delicious!

We also tried the local Coedo beer, it was fantastic.

This is a very clean town.

Yuyu Land, a place where one can take a hot bath and see a play.

I think it's lunch time.

After lunch we returned to the train station to go home.

Here comes our train.

We're safe inside and on our way home.

As always, thank you for stopping by.
Mike

Street Scenes & Other Delights

The title says it all. Starting last Friday and then on to Saturday and Sunday, these are the scenes I captured while wondering around.

Hey, there's Emi on the train with her Mom and an old family friend.

Great timing, it's a Matsuri Festival.

And, another Matsuri Festival inside the Yokohama-bashi covered shopping street.

Hey, Mike, good job.

The after party!

I think I'll pop into this place for my own after party.

It was a heck of a great weekend!

All the best,
Mike

Hemi, Yakitori & More!

Yesterday after work Emi and I met my sister-inlaw [Maiyumi-chan] at the train station in the town of Hemi. The purpose of this get together was to visit our friend, Kobyashi-san, at his corner grocery store to make arrangements for him to deliver some sake and sashimi to Maiyumi-chan's house for an upcoming event.

Kobayashi-san's grocery store.

And, this is Kobayashi-san standing by his excellent selection of sake

Kobayashi-san also has a delicatessen section in his store. Emi's checking it out.

All the food is prepared by Maruyama-san in this kitchen.

Here's Maiyumi-chan discussing details with Kobayashi-san.

With all the arrangements complete, we decide to check out the Yakatori stand near the train station.
It doesn't look like much from the outside.

But, the inside is quite cozy. It's run by two charming ladies who were kind enough to let me take these pictures.

Well, we were having such a good time we decided to move the party back to downtown Yokosuka.

Started with a Chu-Hi, now it's time to switch to a green tea Ocha-hi. Waitress can I have a drink please?

It's tough being popular.



Saying good night to Maiyumi-chan at the train station

Time to call it a night, tomorrow is a work day.

All the best,
Mike