Japan Day 13 April 2011

Today we had “Japan Day.”  I don’t know why we called it that, especially because everyday is Japan day since we live in Japan.  Anyway, it was a special day because it was our first day trip this year (not including accidental day trips like the one last week where I mistakenly went south on the expressway and didn’t realize it until I saw the sign welcoming me to Iwate prefecture).  We love day trips (even when Tato gets lost).

First up: Asamushi Aquarium, near Aomori (about 1.5 hours from our house – half that if you live off base and leave on time).   We’ve been there before (April 2010), but it’s so much fun for the kids.  Plus, we were meeting some of their friends there, which of course is sooooo awesome because who really wants to hang out with just your own family.

This time the rule was all photos must feature a member of our family.  I guess Lyana didn’t like all my blurry sea creature shots from last time.  I stuck to the rule . . . mostly.  

Today we timed it just right – breakfast time!!  Here’s the deal.  If you want to make the most of your time at the aquarium, get there by 10AM for the first dolphin show (we missed that one, but we got the one at 11:30).  When that’s done, you’ll have just enough time to stroll through the main floor displays on your way to the sea otter feeding at 10:40.  As soon as that’s done, you can watch the sea lions get fed and do a show (just down the hall).  Mosey on upstairs for some interactive playtime at the kids’ hands-on display.

Then, head over to the dolphin aquarium for their feeding at 11:05.  (this is where I broke the photo rule . . . but in my defense, that dolphin was just about to go SeaWorld on that trainer)

The aquarium really is a neat place to go, but since it’s not very big, it doesn’t take long to see everything.

After a quick lunch break, we piled back into the car and headed to the west side of Aomori city to visit Sannai-Maruyama.  According to tripadvisor.com, it’s #1 of 37 attractions in Aomori.  It’s an archeological site that was discovered in 1992 during construction of a baseball stadium.  The museum and reconstructed Jomon era village were opened in 2000.  An art museum is adjacent to it (though I think that part was closed today).  Admission is free (always a plus). 

When you first walk in, beware of the tunics.

There are more than a dozen small wood and straw huts that you can just crawl on into.  Do not worry – no big bad wolves around.

I don’t know what happened today, but everytime I tried to get a picture of just Katya, I’d end up with something like this.

“Oh Robert, I love our new house.  It’s so rustic looking.”

Mark’s face is just priceless.  (click picture to enlarge)

See what I mean about Katya’s pictures.  She looks like a green ghost in this one.

Just chillin’ in the longhouse.

I’ve never had so much fun at an archeological site.  I see why it’s rated so high (seriously, take the kids and let ‘em run).

Continuing with the “Japan Day” theme, we decided it was time for the kids to experience an onsen.  I mean that:  you don’t go to an onsen – you experience an onsen.  We went to Tohoku onsen by the Circle K, just past the turn to go to the Michinoku toll road (through the tunnels) to Aomori.  If you want to go, ask Lyana for directions.  Ask me, and you’ll end up in Iwate prefecture.

If you’ve never experienced an onsen before, there are a few things you should know.  (Click on the picture)  Let me sum them up for you:

1. be naked
2. don’t be bald and covered in mud
3. don’t use a towel while in the water or your neighbor who is uncomfortably close to you in the same tub and is following rule number 1 will look at you like you’re crazy
4. don’t do your laundry at the onsen, especially if you’re following rule number 1
5. the towel may be small, but you’d better dry off with it before you go back to the changing room and that guy is staring at your back end

The kids loved the onsen and I know they want to  go back, despite the near boiling temperature of the water.  Speaking of that, the water was actually black!  I’m still not sure what kind of “natural minerals” are in the water, but you couldn’t see through it at all.  Good thing too, because while Alex and I were soaking in the pool outside, the cleaning lady (yes, lady) personally brought me some soap, shampoo and conditioner, and a little white towel, and handed them to me while I was sitting in the water (following rule number 1).  Then she took the time to explain to me what the items were to be use for (obviously I’ve never used shampoo and conditioner before).  Then she left us and went right back out the way she came – through the men’s bath!  I love Japan.

And now the Kodak moment of the day:  Alex, Katya and Mark right after their first onsen experience.  Chalk this one up in the record books.

We finished off the day at Cheese Roll, where we feasted on beef curry with rice and yakisoba with chicken.  Oh, and some cheese rolls.

Syonara,

Robert