So the reason we stayed in Hakone where we did was go to the once a month Geisha Event show. We stayed at the Hakone Tenyu Kowaiken hotel and they had a special dinner and show. It was fantastic. We had a great time. Got to interact and play games with the Geisha. I'm not sure the kids got it. Perhaps one day we'll head to Kyoto and do Gion.
From Kyoto to Nara we took a special sightseeing train called the aoniyoshi train. It was good but I'm not sure it was worth getting up early to do. But it was comfortable and ride was pretty.
We stopped in Nara to see the Deer Park and visit the Buddha's Nose at the Todaiji Temple. 10 years ago DH went through the nose and 20 years ago we both did. This time I dare not and DH was going to do it but got scared off. Honeslty he'd have fit.
The buddha's nose. Go through it for enlightenment. yeah I fit 20 years ago and he fit less than 10. Since DH hasn't gained weight like I have I'm pretty sure he'd have fit but it's a lot harder. Kiddos refused to be so undignified and our DK1 had short skirt on or I'd have made her. She'd definitely fit.
The deer in Nara you feed them at the temple ground. Those pesky things always bite me. yep every single time. The kids love it. We have to stop though we've been multiple times.
this is a specific type of sushi from the Kansai Region. it's sushi preserved in a persimmon leaf. Delicious.
That's the salmon unwrapped.
Kushikatsu again a kansai area speciality. It's deep fried food on a stick.
Another Osaka Kansai speciality Takoyaki. Michelin level street food from Dontonbori area of Osaka.
Osaka Kansai traditional Japanese Okonomiyaki. We were eating our way through Japan as my mom said. We mostly did places where they didn't speak english and everyone was a local. My kids thought it hilarious that we walked into random joints that were packed but no tourist and no lines.
The one expensive dinner was Kobe Beef. Wagyu Kobe beef. World famous need I say more? I will admit we dropped 4 figures on this one meal and it cost more than all the rest of our meals combined including all the sushi.
Tomorrow I'll try to do the Osaka Expo and USJ nintendo world. The posting now of photos appears to be so much easier than before.
October 21st, 2025 at 12:03 am 1761001424
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