FINALLY! an intelligently designed eyeliner brush

Found at Merle Norman.  What a great idea, so easy to use

Summer Handbag from Japan

During my recent trip to Japan, I kept seeing these furoshiki-scarf-handbags.  From Tokyo to Kyoto to finally Hiroshima; I had to get one.  It is a very clever idea and practical too.  Took me a few days to catch on that this bag is perfect for travelling, it is flat and both the fabric and the handle are reversible.  It is a single layer of cloth, not two pieces sewn together.  The handle is a nice firm/stiff band and is very secure in hand.
Now I wish I had purchased the larger size too.

Found a source for the handles on Etsy.com.  Did a search for "furoshiki handbag" and there was one seller.  Their scarves seemed too lightweight for my purposes.  But the handles are leather and in solid white, tan and red.  Am anxiously awaiting the handle's arrival.  I have the perfect "nobori" banner to make into this bag. 

Day 10: Kurashiki and Aloha Hiroshima

We really made good use of our JR Pass by taking the Shinkansen everywhere we could go.  A short ride got us to Kurashiki, a town that was formerly used as a film set for old samurai movies.

However it's been gentrified with paved sidewalks and modern restaurants and shops.  Susan was disappointed that the old town with narrow streets and alleys, full of tiny shops was not as she remembered five years ago. 

The lovely river that flowed down the center was lined with willow trees and wisteria which was probably in bloom last month.  The side street was very cute and quaint and we found clothes that fit us! This was quite an accomplishment as Japanese clothes do not fit typical American bodies, yes, even us.

Our soba lunch was delicious; in a small family restaurant.  We both had thoughts of getting back to reality and home.  From this experience I can honestly say that Japan is not expensive if you eat local-style and travel by train and subway. 

The furoshiki bag/purse idea has been growing on me since Tokyo; got a small one to use for evenings and it also packs flat too.

Wayne made reservations at a tempura restaurant and pre-ordered our dinner.  Wow!  How special and there were only eight seats.  He bought out the restaurant just for us four.  A sweet young couple own the place and do all the work.

After dinner we joined Cheryl at a street fair "Yukata Matsuri".  It was crazy busy with food and toy vendors lining the shopping areas.  People were walking all over the place because the roads were closed.  Lots of fun.

The walk back to the hotel was not as long as I anticipated and being Friday night, there were lots of young people out enjoying the evening.

Back to Hawaii tomorrow--we are prolonging the vacation by traveling from Hiroshima to Narita by Shinkansen; should take us about 4 hours with one transfer.



Day 9: VIP tour of Hiroshima Prefecture Art Museum

The entire delegation from Hawaii was treated to a VIP tour of the Hiroshima Art Museum current exhibit of Taira no Kiyomori.  The staff even translated the entire audio tour into written format just for us!  Again, with bus tours, there is never enough time to really enjoy the presentation.  The exhibit was well done and educational but since I haven't been following the Taiga drama, I am familiar with only a little of his story.

On to Miyajima Island and Istukushima Shrine.  A bus tour day but still lots of walking.  The short ferry ride to Miyajima Island reminded me of going to San Juan Islands in Puget Sound.  Oysters are farmed here and were part of our special lunch.  Anago bento and deep fried oysters (kaki) were delicious.  From there we were escorted to the Momiji Manju shop.

It is a nice walk along the island shoreline to Istukushima Shrine.  This shrine is famous for it's 'floating torii" and shrine building that appear to be floating in the bay.  It is even more stunning in person.  Unfortunately the tide was out so the ocean bottom was exposed.  The little town is lined on both sides of the street with tourist traps.  The shrine was spare and stark but zen-beautiful.

We were warned about the wild deer that inhabit this island and how they are scavengers because they are a protected species.  Well, Susan was holding our package of Momiji Manju when the deer attacks it and rips it apart, causing a package to fall to the ground.  Screaming at it didn't seem to help so I hit it on the head with my water bottle.  He dropped the bag long enough for us to scramble away to relative safety! 

A short break at the hotel then we were escorted to the Hiroshima Carps vs Seibu Lions baseball game.  This was my first baseball game and it was a blast!  VIP indeed!  Special passes to a "luxury floor" stocked with American sandwiches and cold cuts, beer and soft drinks in pitchers and seats in a nice sky-box!  What a view!  the Governor stopped by to see Brian throw out the first pitch.  We all were issued red baseball caps and Y1500 to spend courtesy of the prefectural government.  What a way to see a game!

Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium

Wayne, Richard Lim, Gov. Yuzaki, Brian, Mark, Norman

After the game, Cheryl, Susan and I walked with the crowd to an izakaya because the American food was not satisfying.  Fun girl talk and we all had to run to catch the last train to our homes and hotel.

Day 8: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

A leisurely morning breakfast, Japanese at last.  Norman Mizuguchi joined us so we talked politics!  Lots of fun and interesting insights and gossip.

A little later Lloyd Kawakami and his friend Mike Onouye arrived for breakfast too.  Tonight Manoa DNA  perform at the banquet so had a sound check to do.

We walked through the underground  again to the Peace Memorial Museum, A-Bomb Dome and Peace Park.  The energy was quiet and reverent as soon as we entered the park.  I felt introspective as we walked closer and around the remains of the Dome.  It is a sobering and humbling experience to actually be where this horrific tragedy took place.  Many foreign tourists were there and we all spoke in hushed, low voices.  It is awe-inspiring and beautiful at the same time.  In the park also sits the children's memorial where thousands of origami tsuru are brought to honor Sachiko.  Today there were many school classes visiting the memorial and walking the museum.

I was not apprehensive entering the museum despite the warnings I received.  Yes, it is somewhat graphic and unbelievable that humans can do this to each other.  The museum is well laid-out, beginning with the events of the war in Asia, leading up to America's decision to bomb Japan.

Written letters, drawings , videos and photos document the plan by the U.S. president.  It is terrible to read; no one could anticipate the effect of the atomic bomb on human life.

So much information is available here and some of it is very cruel and disgusting.  This is something every person living today should see.  It has changed my perception of the world powers.  I hope this never happens again.

I don't believe anyone cannot be affected by the documented horror of living through the bombing.  There are still some survivors living today.

Believe it or not, we had lunch after that!  Hiroshima style okonomiyaki!  Yum!  Must try to make it at home for the family.

Shopped a little downtown but had to be back to rest and change for the banquet--15th year celebration of Hiroshima/Hawaii sister cities. This is the business part of the trip.   Award certificates by Wayne.  Speeches by Brian, Gov. Yuzaki, Consul General of the U.S. and musical performance by Taiko Group and Manoa DNA.

Packing tonight to send large suitcase to Narita so we can travel light on the Shinkansen on Saturday. (This must be done two days ahead to ensure arrival in Narita airport for our departure to Honolulu.)

Day 7: Hiroshima, at last

This morning we breakfasted with Wayne and Norman Sakamoto.  Beginning to see all the other tour participants from Hawaii.  Everyone arrived on different flights and many are jet-lagged.

I think Susan and I did the smart thing by going to Tokyo first and becoming acclimated before the meetings and events in Hiroshima. 

Today's bus tour was courtesy of the Hiroshima Prefectual government.  A wonderful ride into the country (approx. 1 hour) brought us to Kumano Fude (brush).  Not enough time to explore and learn about the art and craft of hand made brushes, because we had to listen to welcome speeches by dignitaries from both cities!  Watched a master craftsman partially assemble the bristles--not enough time! to fully appreciate the art, as the tour guide had to keep us on schedule and didn't allow us to wander.  Was able to purchase hand made cosmetic brushes!  What a treasure!

Another hour later we arrive in the town of Saijo, a major sake producing center.  The pure mountain water and specially grown rice are the reasons this sake is so prized. So one yen of every liter sold goes into the watershed initiative.  This yen goes back into the industry to maintain the mountains, forests and water table so it continues to provide water for the brewing of sake.  High rises have gone up circling the town and the cement piles driven into the ground contaminate the water so it appears that the sake breweries have their own water piping system. 

Walking this little town is going back to a time of wooden factories and homes.  Traditional Japanese homes of the brewery owners were immaculate, though generations old.  This home is over 100 years old.  The gardens within the compound is truly healing and relaxing.  Our host was Kamotsuru Brewery.

The second brewery, Kamoizumi, is  owned by 'sake maverick'

Mr. Maizaki. He is known for his creative sake marketing. Mrs Maizaki is an indigo artist.  She showed Susan and me her vats and there were some pieces of her work for sale.  Again, not enough time to talk and absorb from a true artist.  Her English is excellent so I was able to ask a few questions.  Purchased a small apron with the brewery's logo and skin care made of sake lees!  the group (not me) needed to be back in town for a dinner hosted by Governor Yuzaki. 

The late afternoon was still ahead of us so Susan and I went underground.  Shareo is a shopping area laid out like spokes around a center core.  It also is a crossroads/transfer point for subways underground and buses upstairs.  What a concept-a transportation hub.  Many, many shops and restaurants radiate out from the center.  Dinner was at a pasta cafe similar to Pietro.  Delicious!  Have not had a bad meal in Japan!

Because the layout is a circle, shops are open to walk through, I had to keep my bearings.  Not!  Susan knew her way around. 

Back above ground, we stopped for coffee in a sidewalk cafe just like in Paris!  It was a pleasant, breezy summer night and many people were out even though it was 9:00 pm.  This city has lots of bike riders using bikes to commute or just get around the city.  Wish I could take one of the small, short bikes home with me.

Day 6: Kyoto to Hiroshima on the Shinkansen

Got up early and walked through Nishiki Market.  This is another covered arcade but with food shops galore!  Wish I could have brought back everything I saw.  We also hit Loft and Takashimaya after lunch and actually got lost walking back to the hotel.  It was like a twilight zone episode--when the familiar become strange--it seemed like the hotel disappeared.  I had never been to Kyoto and did not get my bearings well enough.

Still, we made it back to the hotel, did a quick check out and got a taxi to the train station.  Kyoto station is so large that you must tell the taxi driver if you are taking a "train" or the Shinkansen.  Entrances are different.  So specialized and yet convenient.  Another short two hour ride with one transfer brought us to our final destination, Hiroshima. 
This route went through the countryside, hilly with green bamboo forests, cedar and other conifers.
The Rhiga Royal Hotel is first class!  Nice single room tonight.  My suitcase sent from Tokyo, was waiting in my room. 
Met Wayne's friend, Mr. Nakaiki who graciously and generously hosted our dinner and karaoke after dinner .

Tomorrow, Tuesday, begins the 'package-tour' segment, in which we join the others traveling from Honolulu.