After a beautiful day of sunshine yesterday, today was back to overcast and rainy. A few days ago I started a fitness challenge with a daily outdoor exercise component, so as soon as I got home from work, I changed and set out on my walk. I don’t typically choose to walk in the rain,… Continue reading A Rainy Day Walk, Coffee, and a New Friend
Known for it’s onsens and tea, Ureshino is a quaint little town in a valley surrounded by mountains in the southwest part of Saga Prefecture. Throughout the area, you will see tiered fields that look like rows and rows of manicured shrubs. These are tea fields! Tea fields can be seen throughout Japan and different… Continue reading Ureshino Tea, Saga Prefecture
Popote is sweet little bistro up on a hill on the edge of town with great views of the ocean. They use fresh ingredients in all of the dishes they prepare. The Building The building is an old house in a very natural setting. There are flowers placed around the yard area along with cute… Continue reading Popote Bistro in Karatsu
A Falcon Experience? After visiting Karatsu Castle, I walked along the Matsura River heading towards Ichibankan (a pottery store). The walk along the riverfront was lined with Sakura in full bloom. As I walked along, I saw this bird (that looks like a peregrine falcon) circling and dipping down towards the water. He would fly… Continue reading Karatsu-shi… Cherry Blossoms, a Falcon, and Random Sights
The Castle and Grounds Karatsu Castle sits on a hill overlooking the bay in the city of Karatsu in Saga prefecture. I visited Karatsu City near the end of March during my trip around Kyushu Island, which is the third largest island in mainland Japan. I stayed a few days in Imari and took day… Continue reading Karatsu Castle – A Castle With Bay Views
Kikko Park is a beautiful park located in Iwakuni. Within the immediate area there are many tourist attractions, with the main one being the Kintaikyo Bridge. Visitors come from all over Japan the see the curved arches of the bridge. Also in the area are the Iwakuni Castle, former samurai residences, museums, a shrine, and… Continue reading An Evening Stroll Amidst the Flowers of Kikko Park, Iwakuni