Kyoto - November 28 2014

Kyoto station.

And a piece of home all the way in Japan at Kyoto station. 

We had to jam in to fit on this train

But Masame is still all smiles. 

Walking through the famous bamboo forest. It was quite a spectacular sight to see. 

Our good friends and guides through Kyoto - Kouhei and Masame. 

The beautiful fall colors of Japan. 

Hayden is interviewed by young Japanese students. 

More fall colors. 

Lunchtime.

Some of the many snacks you can buy at Nishiki Market in Kyoto.

Leaving Kyoto

Osaka - November 27 2014

We started our day in Osaka at the aquarium. Next to the aquarium was a huge ferris wheel which we rode later.

Hayden is taking a few minutes playing and talking to Amber back at home. 

The aquarium was incredible. It was huge and also featured a whale shark. 

Beautiful tropical fish

Spider crabs. They were huge

Jellyfish

Another merry go round sushi restaurant. But this one was different. You order what you want from a kiosk by the table and it is sent to you.  The sushi next to my beer is whale.

Here is the view from the ferris wheel. 

That night we went to the famous Dotonbori area. 

Grilled sliced chicken heart for dinner...for Hayden and myself

Very cool wash basin. 

We ordered some cuttlefish from a street vendor. 

And some takoyaki. 

Kobe - November 26 2014

Final morning at the Ryokan in Matsue.  Ali gets some lessons in writing kanji.

 Our ryokan hosts and the kids

This a couple of pictures of our train ride from Matsue to Okayama and then to Kobe. Very cloudy and misty but still a beautiful ride.

 

Shinkobe station in Kobe. To the left of the station is Nunobiki Herb Garden. 

Ropeway to top. 

Incredible views from top of Nunobiki Herb Garden. Fantastic buffet at Herb Garden. 

More koi

Amazing fall colors

Manabu and Chiaka, our friends we met in Kobe and our guides for the day. They drove 3 hours to meet us. 

Nunobiki  falls

Shabu shabu for dinner. Vegetables and meats are cooked in bowl on either side. Anything cooked in light side is dipped in sesame sauce or ponzu sauce before it is eaten. Anything cooked in darker side is dipped in egg before eaten.