October 18th

My workmate, Hiroko went to [Brumen Hugel Farm] in Shiga Prefecture on Sunday. The flowers of the photo were in full bloom. If you travel with kids, they might like to visit there. It is not a fancy amusement park, but it’s worth visiting for a change. The admission fees are cheap enough too – 800yen/adult, 400yen/child (peak season), 400yen/adult, free/child (shoulder season) Here is the information; http://www.blumenooka.jp/top.html (Risa)

October 17th

If you get sick of Japanese food, how about this restaurant [Gaspard Zin Zin] on Rokkaku Street? It’s a very popular restaurant, so I recommend you to make a reservation in advance…but you may have a chance if you go there at lunch time on weekdays. Look at the photo below. How much do you think it is? It is called Kid’s Meal for Grown-ups. It looks very neat, doesn’t it? The lunch including beautiful dessert is only 1,000 yen!!! Would you like to try? I definitely would!!! (Risa)

Oct. 11th

I can’t wait for the foliage season. Leaf colours are expected to change later than usual around Japan this year since the average temperature for September was relatively high. I think there are lots of people who look forward to seeing the autumn colours of Kyoto, right? If you are one of them, I recommend you to come to Kyoto in early December. Have you made your reservation at a hotel/ryokan for late November yet? If so, how about visiting the temples or shrines in the mountains? (Risa)

Oct. 10th

I love the scent of orange osmanthus. The blossoms are at their best in Kyoto now, so we can fully enjoy the fragrance here and there. I don’t know why I like the blossom so much, but I guess that’s because I can feel the coming of autumn… Kyoto is still quite warm for October…but autumn is definitely there. What’s your favourite season?(Risa)

October 9th

Did you have a nice weekend? We had 3-day weekend here in Japan. It was National Sports Day yesterday, so sporting events/festivals were held here and there during the weekend. On Saturday, I went to see a friend living in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. It was the 1st time for me to visit Himeji, so my friend showed me around. Thank you, Nathan! You are a great tour guide! (Risa)

Oct 1st

How was your weekend? I went to Kobe for my birthday dinner…Thank you, Ayano & Kanako! It was a fun night eh? Look at the photo below. What do you think it is for? My workmate, Hiroko enjoyed a BBQ inside the house last night. You usually have a BBQ outside, right? So, that seems strange to you? Looks too smoky??? Anyway, it’s pretty normal here. There are lots of BBQ places here in Japan, so it would be one optionyou’re your dinner when you come to Japan. (Risa)