Last Wednesday, Satoshi was supposed to have the day off, but ended up having to meet a client in the morning.After his meeting, we planned to meet and maybe see some sakura (cherry blossoms).
The weather was windy and cold, kinda cloudy, a few drops here and there.
I had been wanting to try Freundlieb, a cafe in Kobe, but unfortunately they were closed. So, we walked down to Comme Chinois, but they were closed too.
Not knowing where to go to eat, we ended up having a quick lunch at Kamakura Pasta, under the Sannomiya station.
Since the weather was quite cold and cloudy, we decided to give up going to check out the blossoms.But still wanting to go somewhere, Satoshi suggested we go to Koshien.
They just started giving "behind the scenes" tours (for a fee) and we figured we could join in on one of them.
Well, you need to make reservations, and apparently they are booked 2 months in advance!
Since that was out, we decided to check out the Historical Museum of Koshien (which just opened also), located on the ground floor of the stadium, near right field.
For 500 yen (about US$5), you can see all sorts of Japanese baseball memorabilia from Koshien, like the big boards they used for their manual scoreboard. Manga (comics) written about baseball. And if you go in the morning or before a game, you can check out the back screen area (the area in outfield). (WARNING: If you go to the museum right before a game, they will not allow you in the back drop area.)
I whizzed through the place because while I like baseball, I don't think I'm as big a fanatic as Satoshi is. While he oohed and aahed at everything, I ran across the street to check out Kaldi coffee for some imported foods as well as some window shopping.
Two hours later, he came out of that place. And since the sun came out also, we headed to Minoo, to see the last of the cherry blossoms.
There was still some blossoms on the trees, and the wind was strong, blowing "flurries" of petals.It really looked like it had just snowed! With all the work Satoshi's been doing lately, he hasn't really had much time to enjoy Spring.
I'm glad he was able to see some blossoms even if it was towards the end of the season.
Koshien Rekishi-kan (Historical Museum of Koshien)
1-82 Koshien-cho
Nishinomiya, Hyogo
Phone: 0798.49.4509
Hours: 10:00-18:00
Closed Mondays
Admission: 500 yen (adults)/300 yen (children up to age 12)
Looks like you had a fun day. I am with you--I would have opted for shopping and coffee too. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe cherry blossom photos are so pretty.
I think I did the same thing when we went to Cooperstown in NY, Debinhawaii, though there weren't many places to shop then ;)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
Neat how you still had a fun day despite the initial set backs. I love the sakura in hand picture.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jalna, we tried to get as much out of the day as possible :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
I never got into baseball so I would have been thrilled to run across the street to shop. The cherry trees are just beginning to bloom in our neck of the woods (finally!).
ReplyDeleteRowena, we're gonna have a cold snap within the next two days, not looking forward to it. Am looking forward to your pics of your cherry trees :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
We went into a cold snap on Sunday [insert angry face!] My young cherry tomato plant died, but since I've got dozens more in the house...heh heh. I wish spring would make up its mind - we went from a beautiful 20°C down to 7°! Argh!
ReplyDeleteRowena,
ReplyDeleteI heard that with El Nino (I think) this year, the weather is gonna be weird!
Hope your garden doesn't suffer, a lot of our farmers are already starting to feel it.
Take care.
Kat
Glad you found some things to see and do even though some places were closed. Funny that Sat spent TWO hours in the place. ;-) Must have been lots of good stuff for him to ohhh and ahhh about. Cool ;-)
ReplyDeleteI think he went back to look at different displays several times Paz, that's how he is :0
ReplyDeleteTake care!
Kat