Mini roadtrip
Last week Ellen and I had a lovely little roadtrip around the western side of the ken. We both had time off on thursday and friday, and therefore set off on our journey on wednesday night. Our first stop was Shimonoseki, where we had arranged to stay the night with the lovely Becky. After a great meal, and very loud conversation at Jolly Pasta with Becky, Laura, Louise and Selena, we enjoyed a nice stroll along the wharf, before turning in for night. We spent Thursday exploring Shimonoseki, and our first stop in the morning was the famous Karato fish market.
As it was a thursday morning, and we didn't arrive there until about 8.30am, the market was not at its busiest, and so we didn't quite get the hustle and bustle we were hoping for. But, it was still interesting to wander around and see all the weird stuff they had on offer.....whale bacon anyone?
After breakfast at Starbucks (cinammon bun...yum!), we had a lovely walk along the wharf. We watched the dolphins through the aquarium window for a while, looked in the cute little shops, and tried to keep as cool as possible in the baking heat. I really like this photo that Ellen took of me on the wharf. I like to think it makes me look contemplative, and deep in the day's thoughts!
Next, it was time for lunch, and what else could we possibly eat when we're in Shimono, but fish...and blowfish to be precise. I braved the threat of death by poisonous fish (!!), and enjoyed a scrummy piece of fried fugu (blowfish/pufferfish).
As you can tell, I was really enjoying that bit of fugu! After that quick snack, we had our proper lunch at the kaiten sushi restaurant on the 2nd floor of the fish market. Now, I am definitely not a sushi fan, but I felt I should give it another go in a city famed for its fresh fish and sushi. I am pleased to say that I had a truly delicious lunch, and now really want to go back there! To be honest, I didn't really eat any 'proper' sushi, and I stuck with things that I hoped I would like ; salmon-cheese sushi (amazing!), rare beef sushi, karage, and......fried fugu again!
I love fried fugu!
After lunch, we visited the lovely Akama Shrine, and thanks to a beautiful blue-sky day, we were able to get some great photos of the stunning red buildings.
Our next stop was Chofu Gardens, just outside of Shimonoseki. The gardens were beautiful, but we did not stay very long...it was hot, humid, and Ellen kept being bitten by mozzies! A pretty place nonetheless...
We then set off on our drive up to Takibe, to Tom Smith's lovely house. The drive along the coast was stunning, especially as it was early evening, and the sun was starting to go down.
Tom was a perfect host, and his house is lovely. The weather over the next 2 days was not great, and so our plans were scuppered a little...but we didn't really mind, as we felt so relaxed at Tom's, and were made to feel so welcome! Thanks Tom! We met some of his friends and work colleagues, and even enjoyed a party with them on the friday night...there was more sushi to be had, and of course some non-Japanese dishes provided by us! We did, however, make it to Tsunoshima, an island about a 10 minutes drive from Tom's. This island has become quite famous recently in Japan, as a movie was filmed there, and so the places they used in the film (a lighthouse for example), are now big tourist draws. Unfortunately the weather was pants, and the sky was grey, but we still enjoyed a brief drive around. I could tell that in fine weather, the island would be very beautiful, and even through the rain, the sea was a beautiful combination of blue and lilac colours. Oh, FYI, we had fugu again for lunch, and it was great!
On Saturday, after a lazy breakfast and long chat at Tom's, we set off through the mountains of Nagato. We were trying to find the famed 'penis temple' that has been visited by many an ALT, but unfortunately just couldn't work out where it was. Ah well, maybe next time. We did, however, have a lovely drive, through stunning scenery, and even stopped at a charming little temple just off the side of the road.
Our final journey was to Yamaguchi-shi, where the yukata party was being held that evening. We had time for one final stop, however, as Ellen very kindly took me to Akiyoshidai (I had never been before) to see the 'largest limestone plateau in Japan.'
It was very strange to turn a corner and be confronted by a landcape that looks so different to what I am used to seeing here in Japan. It just looked very 'unjapanese'! In fact, it actually reminded me a lot of England! The gentle slopes, and vast expanse of green...it kind of reminded me of a drive through the North Yorkshire Moors or something! Weird!
It was a great couple of days, and nice to feel that I have seen so much of my region of Japan. I feel like I have 'done' Yamaguchi-ken now! Thanks heaps Ellen for a great trip..another nice heap of memories and photos to add to the pile!
As it was a thursday morning, and we didn't arrive there until about 8.30am, the market was not at its busiest, and so we didn't quite get the hustle and bustle we were hoping for. But, it was still interesting to wander around and see all the weird stuff they had on offer.....whale bacon anyone?
After breakfast at Starbucks (cinammon bun...yum!), we had a lovely walk along the wharf. We watched the dolphins through the aquarium window for a while, looked in the cute little shops, and tried to keep as cool as possible in the baking heat. I really like this photo that Ellen took of me on the wharf. I like to think it makes me look contemplative, and deep in the day's thoughts!
Next, it was time for lunch, and what else could we possibly eat when we're in Shimono, but fish...and blowfish to be precise. I braved the threat of death by poisonous fish (!!), and enjoyed a scrummy piece of fried fugu (blowfish/pufferfish).
As you can tell, I was really enjoying that bit of fugu! After that quick snack, we had our proper lunch at the kaiten sushi restaurant on the 2nd floor of the fish market. Now, I am definitely not a sushi fan, but I felt I should give it another go in a city famed for its fresh fish and sushi. I am pleased to say that I had a truly delicious lunch, and now really want to go back there! To be honest, I didn't really eat any 'proper' sushi, and I stuck with things that I hoped I would like ; salmon-cheese sushi (amazing!), rare beef sushi, karage, and......fried fugu again!
I love fried fugu!
After lunch, we visited the lovely Akama Shrine, and thanks to a beautiful blue-sky day, we were able to get some great photos of the stunning red buildings.
Our next stop was Chofu Gardens, just outside of Shimonoseki. The gardens were beautiful, but we did not stay very long...it was hot, humid, and Ellen kept being bitten by mozzies! A pretty place nonetheless...
We then set off on our drive up to Takibe, to Tom Smith's lovely house. The drive along the coast was stunning, especially as it was early evening, and the sun was starting to go down.
Tom was a perfect host, and his house is lovely. The weather over the next 2 days was not great, and so our plans were scuppered a little...but we didn't really mind, as we felt so relaxed at Tom's, and were made to feel so welcome! Thanks Tom! We met some of his friends and work colleagues, and even enjoyed a party with them on the friday night...there was more sushi to be had, and of course some non-Japanese dishes provided by us! We did, however, make it to Tsunoshima, an island about a 10 minutes drive from Tom's. This island has become quite famous recently in Japan, as a movie was filmed there, and so the places they used in the film (a lighthouse for example), are now big tourist draws. Unfortunately the weather was pants, and the sky was grey, but we still enjoyed a brief drive around. I could tell that in fine weather, the island would be very beautiful, and even through the rain, the sea was a beautiful combination of blue and lilac colours. Oh, FYI, we had fugu again for lunch, and it was great!
On Saturday, after a lazy breakfast and long chat at Tom's, we set off through the mountains of Nagato. We were trying to find the famed 'penis temple' that has been visited by many an ALT, but unfortunately just couldn't work out where it was. Ah well, maybe next time. We did, however, have a lovely drive, through stunning scenery, and even stopped at a charming little temple just off the side of the road.
Our final journey was to Yamaguchi-shi, where the yukata party was being held that evening. We had time for one final stop, however, as Ellen very kindly took me to Akiyoshidai (I had never been before) to see the 'largest limestone plateau in Japan.'
It was very strange to turn a corner and be confronted by a landcape that looks so different to what I am used to seeing here in Japan. It just looked very 'unjapanese'! In fact, it actually reminded me a lot of England! The gentle slopes, and vast expanse of green...it kind of reminded me of a drive through the North Yorkshire Moors or something! Weird!
It was a great couple of days, and nice to feel that I have seen so much of my region of Japan. I feel like I have 'done' Yamaguchi-ken now! Thanks heaps Ellen for a great trip..another nice heap of memories and photos to add to the pile!
posted by Lauren @ 2:33 am
3 Comments:
At 7:20 am,
Turning Japanese said…
doitashimashite
At 9:44 am,
Turning Japanese said…
Oh and please email me a full size copy of that photo I took of you. Did I only take one? I want to include it on my flickr page. I like how it turned out.
At 8:21 pm,
Paul Campy said…
Great entry... looks like you've done the guch proud.
Post a Comment
<< Home