Victoria In Japan Land

Kurobe Dam

2013-05-19T07:00:00.000+09:00

An Angled Cable Car

2013-05-16T07:00:00.000+09:00

These are a few more views from the Ropeway. The sun helped cast great shadows on the snow.

After the ropeway we rode a cable car that was angled. It was a little disorienting when I got on the cable car at first. You kind of feel like you are about to fall forward even though you are standing straight up.

Of course, after riding one earlier to go up the mountain this wasn't a big deal. Especially, since this one was all tunnel and no view. I didn't have a chance for photographs in the first one, because there were so many people and I was on the side facing the rock wall. (Just my luck)

The people who work here constantly tell people not to run. People tend to hurry to get to the next transportation as quickly as possible. It's to get on the first available car or wait in line for 20 minutes. But, when the stairs are steep and you are carrying packs like in the photo above, people can hurt themselves. So, even if you don't like lines no matter how fast you move you will have to wait in line. (In other words just take it easy and enjoy the experience, how often do you ride something like this?)

Tateyama Ropeway

2013-05-14T07:00:00.000+09:00

After the bus ride we rode the ropeway. We weren't at the peak yet, but already the views were breathtaking. Everyone in the ropeway car was pressing their faces against the glass or trying to get close to the glass. Hikers, skiers, photographers, everyone had the same reaction when our ropeway car left the station, "Wow!"

A view of the ropeway station. Our travels were not done with this ride either. We still had other transportation to use.

For now, I will just leave you with these images.

Again, our fun on Tateyama wasn't over yet.

May = Snow

2013-05-12T07:00:00.000+09:00

You probably noticed that the trees are blurred. That would be because I was on a bus going up a mountain to play in snow. The city below already felt so far away.

This bus ride took only 20 minutes, but this was just the beginning.

The mountains are so far away compared to where we ended up.

I promise the photographs will get more interesting in the following posts to come! As I mentioned, this was only the beginning.

Penguins

2013-05-10T07:00:00.000+09:00

"What's going on here?"

"Got any fish?"

From Under the Water

2013-05-08T07:00:00.000+09:00

That is a huge fish...It's almost bigger than a 2 year old.

Baby Sea Turtles

2013-05-06T07:00:00.000+09:00

At Nagoya Port Aquarium there were some baby sea turtles. They were in a separate tank from the adults.

It's amazing how something this small becomes....

...this big!

Bright Colors of Marine Life

2013-05-04T07:00:00.000+09:00

The Jellyfish tanks were lit up beautifully to show Jellyfish in a beautiful light.

How can you not be happy when looking at bright colors of coral like this?

Leopard-spotted Eel.

I will be fine as long as the glass between me and it stays put.

I had a strong feeling that this sea turtle did not like me taking it's photograph. Why did I have that feeling? Mainly because it moved not long after I took a few photos. My lens probably looked like a giant eye or something.

Giant Clams and Rock Fish

2013-05-02T07:00:00.000+09:00

Looking at views like this it makes me want to learn how to scuba dive. I would like to experience this in their natural settings.

How old is this giant clam? I have a feeling there are others that are even bigger than this one.

A small sea snail (or Horned Turban) chilling out...or trying to find a way to escape.

So, this is a Rock Fish. There is only one in this photograph.

But, there are two in this one. Can you spot them?

They really don't move except for their eyes do move around...maybe looking for food?

"Hello!"

Small Marine Life

2013-04-30T07:00:00.000+09:00

They are the smaller living things in the marine world, but that doesn't mean that they are any less interesting or beautiful to see. Don't forget to check out the many little tanks set up in the Aquarium.

This little guy was struggling to move his home uphill.

He was on the move! He must have found something good to eat or he just had a lot of excess energy to use.

Doing a loop in the tank.

Sharks, Sunfish and others

2013-04-28T07:00:00.000+09:00

Dolphin Show

2013-04-25T07:00:00.000+09:00

Welcome to the Dolphin Show!
Where the dolphins show their natural speed and power.

Everybody at the ready for the show to start.

A view from the second floor of the dolphin show. The weather wasn't the best on this day. It was a little cold and sprinkled at times, but otherwise not too bad for spring!

Training at Nagoya Port Aquarium

2013-04-23T07:00:00.000+09:00

Above this area is where you can watch the Dolphin show. But, down here you can see all the twists and turns the dolphins maneuver at very high speeds.

I don't know why, but most of the time the dolphins were swimming upside down. Maybe it makes it easier for them to jump out of the water?

See, all upside down....

The lone ranger

I know these are Beluga Whales, but the baby was cute. You know it's spring when babies have been born recently at the aquarium or zoo.

Hey, mom! Wait for me!

Baby Orca and Child

2013-04-21T07:00:00.000+09:00

This is my friend's daughter and the baby Orca was very interested in her. The baby kept coming up to her and it seemed like he/she wanted to play with her.

I swear they are making eye contact in this photo.

I wonder what the baby Orca thinks when he/she sees all of us people staring at them with our mouths open.

Look A-chan!

Say hello!

Swimming with mom and dad.

Baby Orca at the Aquarium

2013-04-19T11:14:00.000+09:00

I went to the Nagoya Port Aquarium with a friend of mine who has a 2 year old daughter. We thought it would be fun for her, but it turned out to be more fun for us. I guess having a child gives adults an excuse to go the aquarium!

A baby Orca had been born to the Pod at this aquarium.

So cute! Although, I do feel a little bad that he or she will be living at this aquarium for the rest of his/her life. Hmmm, I wonder if there is a better way to teach kids about marine life without taking them away from their home or destroying their environment.....Unfortunately, I have no answers. All I can do is share the joy this Orca pod brought to the families visiting.

This baby Orca liked to spin in the water. Such a playful Orca!

Feeding time!

Unexpected Cherry Blossom Locations

2013-04-16T07:00:00.000+09:00

I didn't know there were so many Cherry Blossom trees around Moriyama and Seto ward. These photos were taken near Kinjyou University. There is a whole street lined with Cherry Blossom Trees. Unfortunately, I hadn't noticed until after they crested their peak blooming point, but I will try next year!

Even after their peak blooming point this view made my day.

Good-bye Cherry Blossoms

2013-04-14T07:00:00.000+09:00

Cherry Blossoms
We enjoyed having you
It was a pleasant surprise
You arrived earlier than usual
Your visit was so short
But we know you will be back
Before we even know it

I was pleasantly surprised when I was walking to the grocery store to find the petals of the Cherry Blossoms being blown away by the spring wind. It was like showers of petals at a time. The street was just covered in petals.

I'm sad to see the Cherry Blossoms go, but even when they are leaving they are graceful.

Under the Cover of Cherry Blossoms

2013-04-12T07:00:00.000+09:00

So many people make plans to meet up with their friends to eat and drink under the Cherry Blossoms, day and night.

In some locations like at Tsuruma Park the trees are beautifully lit up.

It can be very difficult to get a good seat, so make sure you come early! Some people come in the morning and stay here until after dark to keep their good spots. Don't worry plastic tarps are set out so everyone has a place to sit other than the ground.

The only down side I can't imagine stepping on the roots of the trees is a good thing, so if possible please step over the exposed roots. It will help to prolong the life of these beautiful trees for generations to come.

In places that light up the Cherry Blossoms you can be sure there will be food stalls selling all the usual good stuff!

If you want to see Cherry Blossoms it's still possible! You just have to go North. Maybe the Cherry Blossoms in Hokkaido will blossom this month (April) some time. Good luck!

Tsuruma Park: Night Cherry Blossoms

2013-04-10T07:00:00.000+09:00

I wanted to give you a feel for the panorama of the park. This was my first visit here and I never knew it was so beautifully made! The fountain in the middle was very unexpected.

A GoPro look at Night Cherry Blossoms. I kept these first two photos small just to give you a feel of the atmosphere (the photo wasn't as sharp as I would have liked, first time using the GoPro at night).

The fountain with the Cherry Blossom trees surrounding the area was amazing to see.

This was the area everyone wanted to have their couple shot taken. How cute are these two?

I liked how she was covered in polka dots that were in opposite colors of her surroundings.

Another wonderful view I experienced while at the park. I have a few more and I will share them with you next time!

Yozakura: Cherry Blossoms at night

2013-04-08T07:00:00.000+09:00

Hanami is a big part of spring tradition in Japan, but so is Yozakura. Yozakura is Hanami at night. People come after dark to sit under the lit up Cherry Blossoms and drink and eat with friends and family. Basically, celebrating the arrival of spring. Spring this year has arrived very early! I'm a little afraid of what this means for summer. If you don't know what I am talking about then try visiting Nagoya in the summer and you will understand the moment you step outside of the airport. Actually, the air around the open door of the airplane should tell you a lot.

Until then I have these wonderful memories of Cherry Blossoms. This photo and the next one were taken with my cellphone, so it's not very sharp. I still wanted to share it with you though.

These were all taken in Tsuruma Park in Nagoya if you would like to visit next spring for your own Hanami!

Girl's Day Celebration: All That Food

2013-04-06T07:00:00.000+09:00

This was dessert, but I put it first. I love Annindofu! It's made from almond milk and it makes for a great dessert anytime.

How do you say no to Shrimp and Squid when you love seafood?

Here is the Chirashizushi that I mentioned last time. Sorry about the plastic wrap, but we needed to keep it from drying out before we ate it. It is sushi rice with salmon, egg strips, salmon eggs and snap peas.

I had to show another picture of the bowl, because this bowl was made during the Meiji Period! There is an engraving on the bottom (in Kanji so my friend had to read for me) that says when it was made. I couldn't believe it. They definitely don't make them like they used to!

The plates we got to use to celebrate Girl's Day was so simple, but beautiful. Traditional musical instruments were painted on the plates. A different instrument for each plate.

I think the koto is my favorite traditional Japanese musical instrument. I'm not really sure why since I've never played one. There's just something about it.

Spot the Ohina Sama: Girl's Day Celebration

2013-04-04T10:00:00.000+09:00

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened this packet of rice crackers! How cute are these? In Mitsukoshi (at least the one in Nagoya) there is a rice cracker shop that makes a variety of cute rice crackers like this. They have ones with sumo wrestlers, animals from the Higashiyama Zoo, samurai rice crackers and many more! If you are in the area visit the basement floor where all of the rice crackers are sold. This counter is in front of the elevators and you can find the selection of fun rice crackers on the other side of that counter. (I hope that makes sense, if not try walking around the counters near the elevator.)

This was just a piece of paper under my chopsticks, but it was such a nice touch! It felt like such a waste to spill anything on it or throw it away!

A Ohina sama wall hanging.

Of course, Ohina sama plates!

Next time I will show you some of the delicious food that we ate. Apparently, Chirashizushi is the food most people eat to celebrate Girl's Day.

Ohina Sama: Girl's Day Celebration

2013-04-02T10:00:00.000+09:00

The beginning of March is when people celebrate Girl's Day in Japan. Only families with unmarried daughters celebrate this day. Supposedly, if parents don't put out the Ohina sama dolls a week before Girl's Day and put them away by the end of the next week the daughter won't get married. It's an old wives tale, but I'm sure no one wants to test it so they follow it.

No matter, the dolls are beautiful so they should be put out on display! All of these dolls were at the home of one of my friends. I'm not sure why they had so many, but it was fun to see the different faces, clothing and decorations each set had.

Some families will choose to buy just the main set, but some people will buy the whole entourage of dancers, musicians, singers and maids. It was a lot of fun playing spot the Ohina sama, because I found them in unexpected places. I will show you next time!

Nagoya, Japan: Cherry Blossoms In Bloom

2013-03-31T10:00:00.000+09:00

Cherry Blossoms are hard not to appreciate, what with their short blooming period, elegance and soft petals.

Surrounded by Cherry Blossoms under the grey sky. If the sky had been clear I think these Cherry Blossoms would have been really beautiful. If you can get up close to the Cherry Blossoms you can appreciate their beauty. Enjoy them while they last!

Nakatsugawa, Japan: With the Last of Light

2013-03-27T10:00:00.000+09:00

The sun was setting and the light reflected off the snow capped mountains beautifully. In this sleepy little town where the main occupation is farming they have the opportunity to enjoy a magnificent sunset almost everyday.

How often do we miss things that are right in front of us, because we see it everyday?

Yes, this photo isn't much of anything, but I have a good reason behind taking it. It's a blah photo, but this photograph will forever help me to remember just how enormous the sun was right before it slipped over the horizon. We couldn't find a good spot to stop the car to take a picture, but I couldn't stop thinking how huge the sun was. The only time I have seen it that huge was in a movie and I didn't think it was possible to be that big. I felt like I was staring at a planet as I approached it. I don't know what caused the sun to be so big, but I have a feeling I won't have a chance to see it that big again.

Have you ever taken a photograph right after it disappeared, but kept the photograph anyway because of the memory?