Japan - Day 8 - Hotel Metropolitan Morioka, Breakfast Buffet

October 20, 2016  Morioka

Breakfast was at 6:45 am this morning, after which a relaxing boat tour through the Geibi-kei Gorge was scheduled. 

























I still need to look through my pictures from the gorge yet, but here's a preview for you. Sweetie took this with her iPhone.

Japan - Day 7 - Morioka Tezukuri Mura (Handiworks Square)

Wednesday, October 19, 2016   Morioka

After lunch we headed to the Morioka Tezukuri Mura. On the way I noticed these "Christmas trees" on the mountain, and I liked the contrasting shadows so I put my camera on its black and white setting and took some shots.  

This one turned out to be my favorite. 


The Morioka Handiworks Square featured "workshops where you can see, touch and create various craftworks and foods of Morioka. Woodwork, pottery, metalwork, ironwork and tie-dye workshops are set up where you can observe experienced craftsmen at work." 












Other than the above workmen, there were no other craftspeople to observe. There really was not much activity going on. It seemed like most of the workshops were already closed  for the day. Too bad because I was looking forward to seeing the tie-dye workshop.

As promised though, we did get to experience senbei making. 




Sweetie and I shared a mochi (we were still full from lunch).







After we were done, we headed to our hotel, Hotel Metropolitan Morioka. This is the lobby.


Dinner was on our own so Reiko gave us this map with restaurant suggestions.


Sweetie and I both had a tempura don from a nearby restaurant.  I had trouble taking photos in the low light of the restaurant, but I didn't realize then just how crappy my pictures came out. You can't tell, but the tendon was good. 



It came with a tasty soup.


We did a little shopping after dinner. These Cold Stone pops caught my eye. 

Happy Thanksgiving 2016!!

To you readers who're still reading my blog . . . THANK YOU!!

Leslie and I had been wanting to visit the sunflower fields in Waialua for awhile but had never been successful . .  that is until two days ago. Les signed us up to an Artists and Photographers Event, and although it looked as if it might be canceled due to rain like it was last year, the weather held up and we finally got to go. 

You can find out more about the fields in a Hawaii Magazine article that just came out yesterday here. 




The sunflower fields are actually on private property adjacent to Waialua High and Intermediate School, but there are free tours available if you're interested in checking it out. According to the Hawaii Magazine article, if you'd like to schedule a visit you can call (808) 637-0100 ext. 149, or email waialuasunflowers@pioneer.com.  







Thank you Les, for making me get off my lazy butt and go on these photo excursions with you. As always, I had a blast.


You can check out Leslie's pics here. 

Omiyage Review

Here's a sorta review of some of the omiyage that I've tried.  I wish I had prices for you, but sorry, I don't remember anymore. 

This is Royce's newest flavor, Nama Chocolate.  It's a "velvety smooth 'fresh' ganache chocolate, containing at least double the amount of cream usually found in conventional chocolates".


It is melt-in-your-mouth ono. 


This Baton Cookies is also by Royce'.


It's a good one to bring back for the office because they're 25 individually packed cookies in it. 






Yummmm!


This is Hokkaido butter.


Neat yah!


I ate it on this toast that I made from a loaf that my friend N gave to me. Oishiii!


She got it from Nagoya Ramen and Bakery in Mililani. Thanks N!!


I bought this from a store at the Aomori station.  It's called Kamome no Tamago.  It's a specialty of the Iwate Prefecture.


There were nine of these individual packs in the box. 


It's supposed to resemble a seagull egg. 


It has a manju-like white bean paste filling and a white chocolate coating. I liked the taste, but the glaze left a sweet film in mouth that lingered for awhile. I kinda didn't like that.


This is called Hagi no Tsuki and is from the Miyagi Prefecture. 


I think there were eight of these in the box.




It had a custard-like filling and a spongy cake outside. It was very refreshing right out of the fridge. I would so buy this again.


I got this from a store in Odaiba, Tokyo.


There were four of these in the box. It had a very dense cheesy filling that seemed over baked. It was not one of my favorites. 


I got this da-bomb eyeliner from a Lawson store for around $9. 


It looks to be an offshoot of Shiseido. 


It has a brush that draws a fine line really well. I looooove it. I tried looking for more at other Lawson stores in Japan, but most were out of them. I even looked in the Lawson store here in Waikiki, but no luck there either.