Sleepy Taiga

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I am sorry people of the inter-web. (But not really). Because I have been completely enjoying myself and Japan, and been totally MIA on the good 'ol potato. I also...dun dun duuuh! Have a new website in the works! It is almost finished and I thought I would hold off posting until its up. But I am having a little anxiety not having these photos in one consecutive place. So on that note, I am posting a few blogs tonight of the last few weeks! 

Starting with, Yamaguchi. It took us about 4 or 5 hours to get there by train, because it is not a super popular tourist destination. In my opinion, greatly overlooked. It's jam packed with things to do. Many Japanese people travel to Yamaguchi, because its a popular spot to try your luck eating Fugu! Blowfish, that is specially prepared by a chef who has learned how to serve it properly. Because its entestines has a poison that is deadly to humans. (Don't worry grandma we didn't spend an arm and a leg to try it.) We also got the best of Yamaguchi prefecture,  thanks to our friend Akihiro, and his amazing family! I hadn't seen Akihiro since I was maybe 10 years old,. As he was studying, and living in the suite in my house growing up in Saskatoon. So it was sort of serendipitous to come to Japan and meet him again and to get to meet his family. He and his son "sleepy Taiga" spent the whole day sightseeing with us. All the way until dusk, he then took us to pick up his wife Kaori, and older son Kota, and of course to introduce us to his crazy shiba, Gon. We all went out for dinner to a very special italian/ Japanese meal. Thank-you again Akihiro and family, as I think It still remains Yoshi's and mine favourite day in Japan, and such a special, unique experience. We hope one day we get to repay the generosity and kindness in Canada







Our First stop was Akiyoshido caves. Which was Akihiro and Yoshi's name put together. It is said to be 300 million years in the making, and is Japan's longest and biggest cave. The drive in was amazing with limestone covering the rolling hills. The caves were beautiful and I am surprised at how well my camera picked up the natural colours of the limestone.











 Our lunch was green tea noodles, with ginger and beef.... served on a roof tile!! It was THE BEST.
 Next we went to a famous grove by the ocean, with a little fish market near it. Thankfully I was already full and didn't have to try the squid jerky (tried a dried fish... guts and bones still intact!)



 "Sleepy Taiga" was given the nickname because each location was quite far from each other. He fell asleep each drive, and a little grumpier each time he had to wake up. Keep sleeping Taiga! The grove should have been filled with these flowers, but we just missed it and instead it was a nice, lush forest.
 For my grandma.
 A shot from the smallest volcano in Japan! So now we have seen the smallest, and biggest volcanos in Japan! 
 Taigas favourite part of the day- was when we were feeding fish to the fish in the pond. These Kites were also swooping and snatching the bread mid throw, it was incredible actually. Until one swooped us fast and hard.  was passing a piece of bread to Akihiro, I thought id almost lost a finger!

 Motonosumi, a famous shrine that leads onto a cliff. Each Torii (the red gates) costs $3000, and were donated. It was a gorgeous shrine, and was amazing at sunset hour.







 Our last stop was this famous, long, bridge that leads to an island. We cranked some Japanese heavy metal and sped along in the mini van!
:) 

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