Duck House

On it's block this house stands out because of the color and shape. I am especially intrigued by the ducks sticking off the front.

Neighborhood Church

What are the odds that I move to Japan, a country where most people are Buddhist or Shinto, and end up living next to a Church?

Video Tour Part 1

So I got board driving home from work and decided I could make a video tour of my life in Japan. This part is about driving to and from the office. Excuse the bugs on the window and the shakiness of the videos, I was concentrating more on my driving than on holding the camera steady.

Clip 1: Listening to War and Peace on the way to work as I enter the toll road, Sanage Green Road.
Clip 2: On the way home from work driving through the nearly 2km tunnel along Sanage Green Road.
Clip 3: Entering a more urban area about 4km from my apartment
Clip 4: Passing through Kamiyoshiro Interchange
Clip 5: My neighborhood

Entryway Tree Sculptures

A selection photos of the of the sculptured trees that people in my neighborhood have created. These things are popular and look like a pretty long term commitment.

Meito-Ku Historic Walking Tour

On Wednesday Rebecca and I went on the Meito-ku historic walking tour, which came highly recommended by my Mom. Who knew all this was so accessible in my ward of the city?

Drop Cafe

Last Saturday night M, L and I met up with a friend, that we met in Japan, at The Drop Cafe (Just north of Issha station, 1min walking, on the west side of the street). The place has a fun atmosphere, cool droplet shaped light fixtures and light furniture make the place brighter than I had expected. The crowd was mix of young Japanese hipsters and older couples. The cocktail menu was extensive, however the drinks were half the size of what I am accustomed to, I tried the margarita and found it sadly watered down. With three of us being vegetarian or pescetarian we asked a server for recommendations of meals that did not contain meat, we ended up ordering margarita pizza, and cheese risotto, both of which had been recommended as vegetarian. The pizza was delicious, but small and the cheese risotto contained ham. My meal of a margarita and mini pizza cost approximately 1400yen, a bit pricey for my taste, but I'm still adjusting the cost of things here. If I return I'm likely to skip the alcoholic drinks and meals instead I'd try a smoothie or one of the deserts that prominently displayed in the entryway.