Osaka Day 3 ~ Shopping & meeting my friend Tomomi

Today we were happy to sleep a bit more than the last days XD

Because it was our last day in Osaka this time, we wanted to do our usual shopping tour in the OPA again before meeting my friend Tomomi for dinner.

Kiki wanted to visit the shop of DaTuRa so badly and really found a onepiece she was looking for^^

This time I was unlucky and didn't buy anything^^;

For a friend we also visited the Kera shop nearby but didn't found the T-Shirt she wanted U.U

So we head back to the OPA and visited our favourite café there for coffee and cake X3

Unfortunately they changed the menu and didn't have pancakes anymore >.<

So Kiki chose a baked cheesecake while I had the gateau chocolat^.^

Just perfect!

Café Mocha with gateau chocolat and cream^.^

Afterwards we strolled a bit around the shinsaibashi-suji and visited Cecil McBee and Adidas but found anything here either.

And what to do now? It was too late to go elsewhere and to early for the meeting^^;

So we had back to our hotel and relax. Kiki also was happy about her get from DaTuRa which she had to try on immediately XD

Around 6 o'clock we met my friend Tomomi at Namba Station^^

We decided to visited an okonomiyaki restaurant from last year. Kiki and I had okonomiyaki with pork and black pepper, totally tasty ^o^

Kiki & me with food and drinks

pizza & okonomiyaki

We talked a lot and reported her from the Golden Bomber Fanclub Event. She also gave us summer gifts *_*

It is tradition in Japan to gave summer gifts (sweets) to friends, we were very surprised but also very thankful!

little gift bag^.^

It was such a nice evening. At 9 pm Tomomi had to leave >.<

So we took her to the station and then had back to our hotel. I was very happy to meet her again^.^

Tomorrow we will take the shinkansen to Tokyo then!!

Osaka Day 5 ~ Hep5 (Umeda) & Okonomiyaki eating

This day we were pretty unmotivated because here in Osaka we haven't slept very well so far...

Originally we planed to visit Arashiyama (Kyoto) but it would took one hour by train and in the evening we wanted to meet my friend Tomomi for dinner, so because it was already almost noon we made some other plans. Because our shopping plans didn't work out till now we decided to go to the Hep5 (we gladly visited in 2011 and 2012) for a change. And that was a pretty good idea. They was still a Cecil McBee store and we bought a lot! Also the staff member was pretty cool. She was friendly and funny and could even speak a bit English. It was totally fun to hang out in the shop^^

I bought to sets (cardigan and shirt) while Kiki bought shoes, a handbag, a dress and a fitting checked shirt. That raised our mood.

Kiki and me with our shop girl^^

We also shopped little thins at 3coins. I wanted white pants for wearing under skrits and black tights. I also found a cute camouflage hair tie^.^

At another shop Kiki also saw camouflage socks, so I had to buy two pairs as well X3

entrance of Hep5

After this successful shopping we decided to head back to our hotel and put down our shopping bags. Because our room was under cleaning when we arrived, we went to our breakfast café and made a coffee break^^

In the afternoon many cafés offer special set prices, so I had a piece of Matcha cake with my cafe latte X3

Matcha Cake

Back at our room Kiki felt so tired that she had to take a nap. Unfortunately it was pretty late afterwards so that it wasn't enough time left to go somewhere else before our meeting with Tomomi^^;

So we just relaxed a bit more and finally went slowly down Shinsaibashi- and Ebisubashi-suji till we arrived at Namba Station where we would fetch Tomomi. We wanted to go to an Okonomiyaki restaurant, so Tomomi lead the way for a restaurant nearby. It was really comfortable and we ordered two different kinds of okonomiyaki^^

our teppanyaki with okonomiyaki

Kiki also wanted Yakisoba and Tomomi ordered fried Gyouza as well for us. Though they were a bit strange because these Gyouza weren't closed^^; but very delicious nevertheless, they were quite spicy X3

open Gyouza

me & Kiki

We talked a lot but around 11 pm Tomomi had to leave. So now I have to wait a couple of month till I will see her again T^T
But it was a great evening, especially for our last day in Osaka. Tomorrow we will leave for Shizuoka^^

At Tomomi's place Day 5 ~ relaxing shopping day

On Wednesday Tomomi had to work again and the weather was also not so good, so her mother asked if I wanted to accompany her for her daily shopping. Of course I wanted^^

But first we drove to the station to buy me a bus ticket for tomorrow to get to the airport and fetch Kiki. When that was done we drove the hospital because she wanted to buy medicine for grandfather. I was surprised because the hospital was very small and doesn't look very typical. When you enter you have take off your shoes as well. But the waiting area was very comfortable because they had even sofas to sit on. While we were waiting we looked at some food magazines XD

Afterwards we went shopping at 'Chambre'. It is a kind of allround store where you find clothes, accessory, bath care, stationary, kitchenware and so on. There I bought a cute bento box for my collection X3

my new bento box^.^

Then it was time for lunch. Tomomi's mother suggested to have an all-you-can-eat buffet. And it was amazing they really served many dishes. They had Japanese food but also Italian like pizza and spaghetti. I liked the curry and the pumpkin soup very much^.^

But the desserts were also great *_*

And you could also drink as much as you like, so I had my first coke here and could also drink a coffee with the desserts.

my first plate with mango, fried rice, pumpkin, meat ball, chicken roast, potatoes, salad, tamagoyaki, tempura

my dessert collection: pancakes and soft icecream with chocolate sauce, Matcha cake & two cake pieces

The buffet was limited for 90 minutes but that was absolutely sufficent. We were so full...

Because the weather was getting nice again, she drove with me through the area and we watched the beautiful rice fields. Nara prefecture is really wonderful^.^

But so we were back home in the afternoon and there was nothing much to do. I took a little nap till dinner and waited for Tomomi while watching a volleyball game on TV again.

But such a relaxing day was very nice for a change. I like how they live there and it's sad that I have to leave tomorrow T^T

At Tomomi's place Day 4 ~ Uji & Bowling

Next day Tomomi and I took a trip to Uji (Kyoto area). I wanted to go there because this is the city of Matcha. Uji is famous for its Matcha tea and products. We could also go there by train. With JR lines and a change in Nara we arrived there after one and a half hour. First we visited Byoudoin temple. It's a world herritage and it is the temple you see on the 10 Yen coin^^

It is very beautiful and also the park sorounding it was very nice. There was also a little temple museum. Entrance fee for park, temple and museum was 600 Yen. For entering the temple you needed to pay another 300 Yen but we didn't enter.

byoudoin temple

Before we went for shopping Matcha stuff (oh my God, I already saw that I would spend plenty of money here... XD) we searched for a restaurant for having lunch. On the way to the temple I saw a nice Matcha Café, so I suggested to go there. Tomomi didn't mind, so we waited in line to be seated. It was small and very crowded and normally I didn't want to wait but because of the many people it had to be very good and I really longed for the offered Matcha pancakes^.^

Tomomi chose the Udon soup made of Matcha noodles and we were happy to get our lunch. And it was really amazing!!! It was worth waiting!

the small Matcha Café

Matcha pancakes with Matcha icecream, cream and anko *_*

Then I was totally motivated to check out all the Matcha shops X3
The whole street from the train station to the temple was full with Matcha shops. First we went to the river to start our shopping trip there. At the riverside is also a beautful stone pagoda^^

stone pagoda

Then we went in almost every shop which sells Matcha *muahahaha*
And I really bought much stuff: Matcha powder for cooking and baking, Matcha Curry (!), Matcha cookies, buns and Yatsuhashi X3

my Matcha stuff X3

After this successful trip we returned back home and had an hour to relax before we would meet Tomomi's colleagues and go bowling.

~*~

The bowling was totally fun! It was the same as in Germany and although I haven't played for two yours now or so I was quite good XD We made three teams with two members each (in the first round we decided based on the points who plays together), that was really cool. Tanaka-san and I won^o^

everyone at the bowling alley^^

Afterwards we went for dinner. They chose a Yakiniku restaurant (kind of Korean bbq) near the bowling center. It was delicious but I wouldn't recommend it. Even the bibimbab we also ordered wasn't like I know it from Korea.

making yakiniku

group picture^^v

The evening was totally funny, I really like her colleagues and I'm already looking forward to meet them again^.^

At Tomomi's place Day 3 ~ Ise & Toba Bay

This day we went to Ise by train (Kintestsu Line). It took us about one and half an hour from Sakurai. It's very near to Nagoya. Ise Shrine is very popular Shinto shrine because it is the sanctuary of the goddess Amaterasu (goddess of sun and soul). It is sorounded by a beautiful park. You have to wash yourself before entering the holy grounds. In front of the shrine everyone praise for good fortune^^

Unfortunately we only could see the shrine from afar and it isn't possible to enter. Just the emperor is allowed to enter the shrine. It wasn't even allowed to take a picture from afar. That was quite disappointing >.<

behind this gate starts the shrine

Tomomi and me in front of the park gate

Afterwards we went a little shopping on Okageyokoshou - an old street where you can buy souvenirs from Ise. Ise is very popular for Aka fuku mochi (mochi sorounded by anko) and for Matcha aka fuku gori. So we ate this specialities for lunch and it was really good *_*

okageyokoshou

Matcha aka fuku gori & aka fuku mochi with green tea

Tomomi bought some souvenirs for her family but I found nothing I wanted to spend money.

Finally she suggested to take the bus to Toba Bay because she likes the sea and wanted to take a boat trip there. I liked the idea so we visited Toba Bay. We had perfect timing because the bus arrived at once and when we got to Toba Bay Terminal the ferry was about to depart in five minutes^^

The boat drove to Iruka Island (dolphin Island). There we watched a dolphin and a seal show. It was amazing and I haven't seen such shows for years now.

the dolphins Hinata & Kairi

To get to the seal show we had to take a lift. It was bit scary because it was just a seat floating over the ground^^;

At the top of the Island we had also a good view over the sea and the sorounding Islands.

view over the sea

the bay where the next boat arrives

the lift

Finally started the seal show. The seal was also named Hinata and she was really cute and funny. She was always looking to the fish box and clapping for herself XD The show was pretty amazing and we had much fun.

Hinata and her keeper

Then we returned to the bay and took the next boat back to the coast. But the boat didn't take the direct raot but drove around the Island. It was a comfortable cruise and we had a nice view arround the area.

But afterwards we were glad to take the train back home. It was a long day but really fun^^

 

 

 

Ise Shrine
Okageyokoshou
Toba Bay
Iruka Island (Dolphin Island)

At Tomomi's place Day 2 ~ Totsukawa

This day my friend Tomomi wanted to show a bit of her area and suggested to drive to Totsukawa where there is a hanging bridge to walk over the valley.It's called Tanize no Tsuribashi, it is 297,7 m long and 54 m above the ground. You walk on wooden boards and when more people are walking over it, it even starts so shake. It was pretty scary but we walked over it and return. I survived it *yatta*
It was really cool though it was raining all the time. And I am proud of myself that I really managed to do it^^v

bridge in the misty mountains

me in the middle of the bridge (on return)

For lunch we drove the back to town and Tomomi took me to a little market place where there is a restaurant which sells special Hamburger. She likes the fish burger there named Sakura ayu burger (Sakura ayu is the name of the fish). Of course it can't be compared to American burgers! It was really delicious and you get lovely messages with your meal^.^
We shared one burger. As main dish she chose kinokodon while I enjoyed my first katsudon here again. Super delicious!

fish burger

katsudon with miso soup

Afterwards we went a bit shopping. I wanted to have a hair straightener because German devices don't work here. In the first shop the one I wanted was sold out >.< (how can such a thing be sold out?!) But the second try was a success and it was even cheaper than in the first shop!
Then we also went to supermarket because I liked to buy some things I want to take back to Germany. In Germany everything costs double or more!

Finally we returned home and watched the next volleyball game together X3
Thoug it was almost raining all day we really made the best out of it!
Tomorrow we want to go the Ise. I want to visit that place for a long time now and I am happy that I finally get there^.^

At Tomomi's place Day 1 ~ Ninja House in Ida

Hello again!

On Saturday my friend Tomomi had to work unfortunately but her parents took good care of me. They decided to drive to Ida by car and show me a Ninja House. In Ueno Park in Ida you can visit a Ninja House where they introduces a Ninja's life. How the house is contructed, what weapons and techniques they used and how their daily life was supposed to be. It was really interesting! After visiting the house we also watched the Ninja show on stage where they showed and explained Ninjas' fighting techniques. That was amazing and they also put many sound effects into it, so it was like in the movies and really funny!

It was also very nice for chuldren. Tomomi's mother and I also made a picture as a 'Ninja family' *lol* (Tomomi's father made the photo and printed it for me^.^)

Ninja familiy picture XD

In the park is also Ida Castle so we visited it as well. While walking to the castle we passed by a Kendo contest in the park. We watched a little bit because I never saw it like this and it was pretty amazing. Though I didn't understand when they got a point^^'

Ida Castle is just a small one but very beautiful. From the top floor you have a good view over the area. 

The entrance fee also included the visit of a little museum which shows tradional feast wagons. I love that, it also reminded me of the festival in Takayama visited last year^^ 

Finally we had lunch (thoug ist was already 3 pm). Tomomi's mother thought as a funny idea to go to a running sushi restaurant. I didn't mind and it was really interesting. It is very different from the ones I know from Germany. You order via computer or can take plates from the belt. Ordered dishes are on special plates and the computer gives an alarm when your plate is about to arrive. Evetything was very hightech.

The menue consists of many kinds of nigiri sushi (from fish to meat, some were also kind of american style) but also sidedishes like edamame and karaage, also ramen and udon could be ordered and of course desserts like purin (japanese pudding) and cakes. Finally everything is paid by the number and colour of plates.

It was very delicicous but because I prefer vegetarian maki sushi I didn't eat many sushi^^'

It was a really nice trip!

Back home we just relaxed and because of jetlag I was also pretty tired. The next three days I can spend with Tomomi because she got free days! *yippie*

[sorry that I can't show any photos. I made them with my camera without sd cart and I didn't take the connecting cable with me, so I can show the photos only when I get back home U.U]

At Tomomis' place Day 0 ~ sleeping and shopping

On Thursday my next Japan journey started. This time I departed from Frankfurt International Airport directly to Kansai Airport (Osaka). I will spend three weeks in Japan again^.^

But the flight was quite exhausting. This time I went by Lufthansa again. Flying alone is quite boring and I felt a little sick again. So I just watched movies and TV series, sleeping was not an option. But the food was pretty good this time. I got a nice Japanese dish (beef with vegetable and rice, green tea noddles and salad) and afterwards a cup of Bailey's^.^

Lufthansa Terminal at Frankfurt

flights' dish

I was really glad when I arrived though I felt kind of dead.

The first week I will spend at my friends' Tomomi's house in Sakurai (Nara prefecture). But because I arrived so early in the morning they couldn't fetch me this time. So I had to take the bus to Yamato Yagi Station which is an hour drive from Kansai airport. After an 12 hour flight that was quite exhausting but I was glad to see Tomomi's mother at the station to fetch me up.

view out of the bus at the airport (sitting first row^^v)

I was so dizzy, so I had to sleep at once I arrived. I am so happy to be here again! I also got the same room like last time. So I took a necessary two hour sleep and when I came back downstairs, mother had just lunch ready^.^

Afterwards I felt much better. Then I helped her with the shopping, we had to buy things for dinner, cat food and ice cream. She also remembered my faible for Matcha so she also bought me some Matcha sweets and ice cream X3

Matcha chocolates, cookies & Baumkuchen^.^

My friend Tomomi had to work so she arrived late in the evening. 

The family spend the evening watching TV (I saw a volleyball game of the Japanese national women team X3 and even a report about Germany) and chatting. I also gave my gifts from Germany to them. Everyone felt really happy^.^

 

Tomorrow I will spend the day with her parents because she has to work on Saturday, too. But I am sure I will a nice day again^-^