Travelog for: Hypno-dog

Hi Maria!
A typical Japanese house in the city is small and made of wood.
Inside the house they don't have shoes on.
The floor of Japanese styled room is covered with "Tatami".
A electric heating carpet called "Hot Carpet" is a very popular item in winter.
The heating wires are put in it, so that the carpet can be warm.
It's very comfortable. 

Maria, I tried Japanese sweets today!
"Matcha" is a powdered green tea, mainly served in traditional tea ceremony.
Today in Japan, we can also enjoy Matcha with sweets at Japanese Cafe.

Hi Maria! How are you? I'm fine!
Sakaide is a neighbor city of Takamatsu.
Only 20 minutes drive.
On the way I found some plum trees in bloom. sooooo cute!
Maria, we came to Sakaide to see the Seto Ohashi Bridge.
It is the longest Combined Road and Rail Bridge in the World!!
Unfortunately it's not clear today. The view is not so good.  

Google "seto ohashi bridge"!! You can get lots of information about this bridge. It's wonder!
hanachan told me that we would go across the bridge another day soon!

Hello, Maria!
Welcome to the marine city Takamatsu!!
hanachan took me to the sea in front of Takamatsu.
Where is the sea? hehe, over the buildings! 
Today, we will go to Sakaide by train again and get on the bus there.
The destination of the bus is Yoshima island, located midway of the sea between Shikoku and Honshu.
Of course the bus can't swim across the water. 
We go on the Seto Ohashi Bridge!! 

The Seto Ohashi Bridge is an expressway, so that cars can't stop on the bridge.
Yoshima island has a parking area, and many tourists stop at Yoshima to take pictures of the bridge. 
The bridge has a different shape in north/south side of the island. They're both wonderful! 

P.S.
Maria, I saw a beautiful sunset on the bridge.

March 3rd is celebrated as the Girls' Day in Japan. It's called Hina Matsuri (the Doll Festival).
hanachan displays graceful dolls in ancient court costumes.
These dolls represent Emperor and Empress.
This is the tradition that parents pray for their girls' growth and happiness.
Hey, Maria! You girls are lucky!

Hi, Maria!
How are you? I'm happy to hear that you enjoy a great trip.
hanachan and I also enjoy your wonderful photos from many places in Europe. Take care, Maria! 
We have much rain this week. It's warm and soft rain.
We know spring has come.
We walked to the small park near hanachan's house.
The plum trees are in full bloom in the night.
In a week cherry blossom will start to bloom. 
Tomorrow will be fine. We will go out after some rainy days.
Say hello to kikuchan! Someday I'll meet her.
Oyasumi, Maria! Good night!

Hi, Maria!
I'm in Naruto city, Tokushima prefecture.
In 1917-1920, there was a WWI POW camp.
And about 1000 German soldiers captured in Tsingtao which Germany leased at that time were sent here Bando in Naruto.
People in community called German POWs "Doitsu-san" (Mr. German) and they had good friendship soon.
POWs were able to live freely as much as possible. Many of them were good performers of music.
Bando is the place where Beethoven's 9th Symphony was performed on Christmas day for the first time in Japan, by German POW orchestra.
That's the reason why the statue of Beethoven stands here.
The German House was built as the memorial for the friendship with German POW and people in Bando.
People have a good concert here on Christmas day every year just like on that day. 
Mata ne!

Hi, Maria!
Here we are in a Chinese restaurant.
A farewell party for hanachan's co-worker. He will move to the office in Osaka next month.
Maria, March is the month that people say good bye to friends or co- workers here. Japanese schools have graduation ceremonies all over in March. And from April a new business year or a new school year starts.
Anyway, this Chinese food is yum yum yum...

Dear Maria!
We came across the sea to Kurashiki-city, Okayama pref.
This area is kept the old city view of Tokugawa Shogunate period. (17th - 19th century)
There are many historical houses beside the canal.
These were once used as warehouse of cotton. 
Today some of them are traditional craft shops.

Look! Sakura - cherry blossom has just started to bloom.

Maria, Sanrio shop is also cherry blossom blooming.

Hi, Maria!
I hope you are fine. I'm thinking of you always. That's true.

I wish you were here. I'm in "Ritsurin Garden", hanachan's favorite place in Takamatsu.
It's the another world among the modern buildings outside.

Hi Maria!
This is a small shrine near hanachan's house.
Komainu protects the area of shrine. It looks like a lion.
I like this old one. 

Hi Maria!
Takamatsu has the longest shopping arcade in Japan.
Now I'm standing the center of shopping area.

Look!
It's very interesting! Sushi Boat is going around!!!
You can pick up Sushi you want from the boat.
Maria, I know you like salmon. 
I do try octopus!! wow!!
Yeah, I'm really in Japan now!

Hi Maria!
Before my leaving Japan, I introduce my host hanachan!
Kyoko is her owner and family.
And don't forget this great man(?) --- here's Godzilla the king of monster from Japan!

Maria, I'm leaving here soon. I enjoyed very much. Thank you, Maria!
I hope you also enjoyed Japan as if you were here with me.
I'll see you again soon. Maybe from Hong Kong!
Mata ne!

Mom! I arrived Hong Kong!
Here is the postcard from Kyoko to Vivian,
it's nice and has a strong smell of Japan~
And here I meet new friends, they are Ferda, Miegalyte & snakey,
but snake is not in the photo.... she's sleeping! 

I was welcomed by some local street snacks,
these two are very well-known,
the first is fish dumpling, but when you have it in chinese restaurant or tea house,
they will be stuffed/ made with pork,
the second one is fishball, the surface is very slightly fried to make it a bit brownish-yellow.

The two are served in a bamboo stick,
you can have sesame sauce, chilli sauce or what ever you like too!