osaka-kochi-nahari

From Osaka, it is about a 4 and a half hour bus ride to Kochi.

Kochi is one of four prefectures of Shikoku.

We were lucky to get a bus that only had 30 seats, so this seemed similar to business class in an airplane.

Each person had their own foot rests, slippers, and outlets to charge your phone, the seat could recline quite far back too.

There was free wifi on board, even in the tunnels, it was a treat!

After reaching Kochi, we took the local train to Nahari, which is located on the east side of the prefecture.

The train runs through the town and then alongside the ocean.

Too bad the weather was cloudy, the views of the ocean would have been beautiful.

After reaching Nahari, we caught a bus to the Kitagawa Village Monet Garden, a replica of Monet's garden and home in Giverny, France.

Too bad it was late in the day, most of the flowers were starting to close.

All though I did find a piece of "home".

Our main purpose for visiting Nahari, was to see Satoshi's friend, N's exhibit.

N is an architect as well as an architectural photographer.

It was nice to see N's photos of Le Corbusier's works.

I loved seeing all the different flowers around the grounds. This wall vase was so cute!

Afterwards, we had dinner together at Kuimonoya Ai, probably the only place serving food in the area.

Their food was good and everything fresh.

And the portions huge!

My favorite dish was this thick sliced toro futomaki. Enough wasabi to blow out your sinuses, but the pieces of toro were fresh and delicious!

It was nice catching up with N.

The hotel we stayed at, Hotel Nahari was kinda bad, the television worked when it wanted.

But, at least there was wifi and they had just renovated the furo (bath) area.

It was a long day, it was only the start of this adventure but our next day would be even longer...

Hotel Nahari
593-1 Otsu, Nahari-cho,
Aki-gun, Kochi
Shikoku
Phone:0887.38.5111

Kuimonoya Ai
No address or phone number online

we're back

We came back last night from Shikoku.

It was a rather short trip, but we got to see and eat a lot.

If you keep up with us on other SNS sites, you kind of know what we were up to...

Will update as soon as possible.

so...

So, the library called to say that the book I requested was in.

I went to pick it up the other day.

It is a self-serve system.

Scan your library card, get the number for the area that they are holding all the books on request.

Then scan your requested book and your library card.

Out pops a receipt which tells you when you need to bring the book back.

No talking to anyone, just scan, and go.

I would think as a librarian you would be interested in seeing what others are reading.

As a person borrowing a book, I would've hoped there was more interaction with the librarian.

Was kinda sad that this is how they run the library here.

energy dust

The other day, as I waited for typhoon #16 (they don't give them names in Japan), to pass. I made half a batch of energy bars.

This was a new recipe that I was trying and the photo of the finished product was WAY different from what mine looked like.

The most depressing part was that when I tried to cut it after cooling, it just poof fell apart...dust!

Instead of throwing it out, I scooped everything into a container and "dusted" our oatmeal with it.

I'm thinking I will use it on yogurt too.

Reasons why I think this recipe may have failed...a)I over-blitzed everything in the food processor, b) there wasn't enough "glue" (honey) to hold everything together, c) the baking time (2 or 3 minutes) might have been a typo, d)all of the above...

Debating as to whether to try this again...will decide after the long weekend.

Since today is a national holiday, Autumn Equinox, we're off to Shikoku.

Talk to you when I get back!

library card

Do you borrow books from the library?

I rarely do.

This past weekend was a 3-day weekend but we ended up not really going anywhere because of the rain/typhoon.

We did, go to the library for "research".

Satoshi was looking up info for a trip we are thinking of taking to Tohoku.

Me, I was interested in looking at a book I saw featured in another book.

When I checked on the computer, the book I was interested in was at another library, so I requested it to be brought to one closer to us.

I put in my request and the clerk told me that my library card was expired.

Geez, I didn't even realize there was an expiration date on it!

Apparently, my card was REALLY expired, like 3 years past the expiration....oops!

Thirteen years ago, I had requested the card so that I could take information out on kamon (family crests).

Can't believe it has been that long since I was researching that...

On another subject, did you know that most people go to the library in Japan to read manga? I was shocked when I first saw this 13 years ago.

When I was going to college, the only time I stepped into a library was to use their resources, like encyclopedias (do people even use those now?! maybe not with the internet now, yeah?!).

Satoshi said he never went to the library for research during college...

Have you borrowed anything from or gone to the library recently?

nurukan sato

Saturday, we had some errands to run, so we headed to Umeda.

We had actually thought we could try Ice Monster, the Taiwanese shave ice place, but the lines were still krazy. Guess we'll need to wait until winter...

Lunch was at Nurukan Sato, a place specializing in different sake (rice wine).

I ordered their wagyu hitsumabushi...1800 yen (plus tax).

When I think of hitsumabushi I usually of unagi (eel), but these days, they use the term loosely to mean that they give you some dashi (soup) to enjoy it something similar to "ochazuke".

I don't know if the way the meat was cut made it tough or the way they cooked it, but I've had way more tender wagyu before.

Satoshi went with the shrimp and crab tempura donburi...1500 yen (plus tax).

He enjoyed this, lots of shrimp, lots of crab legs and some veggie tempura.

They also gave us mini beers to enjoy with our meal.

My set came with a dish of yuzu sorbet. Great palate cleanser and I also gave half to Satoshi.

It was a great lunch. We'll be back to try other items on their menu.

Nurukan Sato
Grand Front Osaka South 7F
Umeda, Osaka
Phone: 06.6131.8948
Lunch: 11:00-15:00
Dinner: 17:00-23:00
Closed when Grand Front Osaka is

keiro no hi

Today is a national holiday, Keiro no hi (Respect for the Aged Day).

It is a day to thank the elderly for their contributions to society over the years and to celebrate their longevity.

I think in America they have a day around this time of year called Grandparents Day.

While I don't have grandparents anymore, I still appreciate all that they have done for me.

Love and miss you guys!