Here we are in beautiful Aizu-Wakamatsu City!  It’s easy to get around on their bus which stops at the tourist spots.

We got off at our bus stop and walked a few minutes to the castle.

There it is!  It is called Tsuruga-jyo.   This is a replica of the the original castle.  The original one was constructed in the 1300’s and was torn down in the 1800’s.  Many samurai lived here, but the greatest was probably Date Masamune.

There is a museum of the castle’s history inside.  At the top of the castle, we can see Aizu-Wakamatsu City below us and the surrounding mountains.

This is Japan, so of course there is a gift shop.  Samurai cookies, anyone?

Tohoku crafts.

Aizu-Wakamatsu is famous for lacquerware.

We walked back to the restaurant.

Yum, lunch!  Aizu-Wakamatsu is famous for Sauce Katsudon.

Recently I had a wonderful Mother’s Day.  It was extra special for me because it was my birthday.  So it was my day double!

In celebration we went by train to Aizu-Wakamatsu City in western Fukushima Prefecture.   First we took a train to Koriyama City and then transfered to another train heading out west.  These photos are from that second journey.

Japan is so beautiful in the spring!  It’s a great time to look around.

That’s Mt. Bandai.  It’s a famous mountain, and it is also a volcano.  It had a major eruption in 1888, one of the worst in recent Japanese history.

Do you think these flowers were planted just for us?

Here we are at the train station.  Little decorations are around.  Aizu-Wakamatsu and its surrounding area is a sightseeing spot–probably the most well-known and visited in Fukushima Prefecture.

It’s an akabeko!

Next week let’s explore Aizu-Wakamatsu City.  Stay tuned!

Recently I went to Sendai City to help out a friend.   Sendai City is not in Fukushima Prefecture.  It is in the prefecture north of us–Miyagi Prefecture.  Sendai City is a major city in Japan, so during the 3/11 earthquake, Sendai was the biggest city to most significantly feel effects from the earthquake.  (Of course, Tokyo was also shaken up…but not nearly as much as Sendai, which was very close to the epicenter.)

So while I was there, I took the opportunity to look around.  I walked from the train station to the wonderful park.  It’s called Kotodai Park.

This is the great sumo wrestler, Tanikaze.  He was from Sendai.

Beautiful flowers!

Fun in the fountain.

Let’s practice our Japanese.

This sign says:

Onegai

hato ni esa o ataenaide!

hato no toraburu ga okiteimasu.

Please

Do not give food to the pigeons!

The pigeons can cause trouble.

The Loople bus is a tourist bus you can use to get around the city to the main attractions.

Here I am, walking down the street!  La la la Tra la la la la

Did you enjoy seeing a bit of Sendai City?  Maybe some day……we will be back!

This past spring I went to “Hanamiyama” in Fukushima City.  In English, that is “Flower Blossom Viewing Mountain.”

It’s a wonderful place to hike.

Lots of flowers!

Like most mountains in Japan, it has a shrine.

I didn’t go during the peak cherry blossom season.  But still, lots of lovely flowers!

And no matter what time of year, it’s nice to go hiking.

When you hike, do you wear a colorful hat?

This is the pool of water my son fell in when he was three years old.   Oops!

Tulip Season

Carpe diem!

This sign says “Hanamiyama Kouen.” (Hanamiyama Park)

I took the purple path…..whew!

Yes.  It’s not a proper hike without fish on a stick.

Gosh darnit, I forgot my water.  Silly me!  I’ll have to buy some.

Dogs are the best part of hiking.  Don’t you agree?

A map of Fukushima Prefecture.  Fukushima City (and therefore Hanamiyama Park) are located in the top light green portion.

One lip….Two lips….Three lips….

Ah!  Time to relax!

Time to head home on the bus…….

On the side of the bus, it says, “Fuku.”  福

We love Fukushima!