Japan!

[Docsgirl]

I've been promising I'd post pictures, so I finally took the time today to upload *some* to photobucket. They're all uploaded on my facebook account, so if these spark your curiosity, just let me know and I'll add ya. And then you can see the 100+ pictures I've managed to take in less than 2 weeks!

The first pictures are just randoms from Yokosuka City, our new place of "home" for the next 3 years.
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0106.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0102.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0098.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0103.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0220.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0223.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0090.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0092.jpg

[Docsgirl]

The next set is from my day trip to Kamakura last week. We visited the Hachimangu Shrine and the Great Buddha!

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0112.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0134.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0145.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0146.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0163.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0183.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0188.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0195.jpg

[Docsgirl]

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0190.jpg
My first encounter with an "old" Japanese toilet:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0209.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0211.jpg
And the birds here are fearless...they'll fly and land right next to you:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0178.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0168.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0174.jpg
Our new friend, Erich, took a picture of me while I was taking a picture:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Metakingpicture.jpg

[gwenshack]

Great pics Tara! Thanks so much for sharing them! I hope you'll continue to post them as you explore. I love seeing other cultures. :)

[Dani]

Cool pictures! You sure will have lasting memories while there! My dad grew up over there when he was a kid, its neat to see the pictures.

[Danielle9608]

Wow what an experience you are having! I love looking at the pictures!

[savepaws]

Wow it looks like an amazing place to visit! I couldn't imagine getting to call it home! Different cultures are so interesting! I love all the pics.

The old toilet pic really intrigues me! LOL

[Goin2thechapel]

My husband LOVES Japan. He jsut recently came back last week. He's warned me about those toilets. LOL.

You're going to love living there from what I hear. Good Luck hun!

[Nekochanpurr]

Ahahha, i completely forgot about the old toilets. XD The best part is when you go somewhere that has both.. If the Japanese see you, they will go RUNNING for the western ones.. XD

[FFC]

Thanks for posting! I can't wait to see more as you experience the culture over the next few years!!!! It seems sooo interesting!

[f77g4]

What a beautiful spot Tara! Thanks for sharing the pictures!

[NOTKT]

Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing!

[Docsgirl]

I'll be sure to keep posting them as we explore. One of DH's friends here is leaving after this weekend to go back to the states and the plan is to spend the night out in Tokyo, so I should have more to share after this weekend!

The toilets...ah, yes. Haha. One of my teachers in the intercultural class told us that doing squats nightly will help when we run into traditional japanese toilets. I don't think she was kidding! :laugh2:

I absolutely love it here. I told DH I don't know if I'll want to leave when 3 years is up. It's so different here. And I'm convinced that Japanese people as a whole are the nicest people on the planet. Don't get me wrong, there are awesome people in the US. But here....even the small common courtesies are habits for them. Strangers hold doors open for you, guys give up their seats on trains to women and elderly, an off-duty bus driver offered to drive DH and I all the way across base even though he was done with work...it's awesome. I love it.

[Nekochanpurr]

I hear you on that. When we got off the train in Tokyo some some nice business man INSISTED he carry my luggage down the stairs. He physical took it from me and walked it down for me. LOL!

[Docsgirl]

Walked around Yokosuka and Yokohama yesterday. Which means more pictures!


I'll start with the pictures from Yokosuka, since it's where we live:

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0260.jpg

I didn't realize this was a clock until after I took the picture. Very Alice in Wonderland:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0261.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0262.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0264.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0265.jpg

Found an old shrine on top of a really large hill. Proceeded to get chased by a monk after snapping a few pictures. Ooops! Apparently I wasn't supposed to be there!
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0271.jpg

The cityscape:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0276.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0277.jpg

[gwenshack]

Oooh yay for more pictures! :jphappy: That clock is awesome!

[dodgercpkl]

I love the clock! It's VERY Alice in Wonderlandy! :)

I've always wanted to go to Japan... but I probably have a very unusual reason for WHY! lol I really want to see a baseball game there! I think it would be amazing and so different. If you ever go to one, take lots of pics for me ok? :laugh2::flower4u:

[Docsgirl]

I'd like to add that I climbed up to a really high altitude yesterday. So high, that I could see the top of Mt. Fuji!
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0290.jpg

My original reason for climbing up to the high altitude park:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0288.jpg

Cherry Blossoms!
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0291.jpg



On to the pictures from Yokohama. Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan, right behind Tokyo. I only wandered through a fraction of it yesterday and can't wait to go back. (It's a 20 min train ride from Yokosuka.)

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0296.jpg

Almost did a backbend to get this skyscraper in frame:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0302.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0306.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0310.jpg

This is an old dry dock that they built a mall around.:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0322.jpg

[dodgercpkl]

oooo! I love the cherry blossoms and the pic of that ship!

[Docsgirl]

One thing that Yokohama is known for is its large ferris wheel, which is also a clock:

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0361.jpg

Carnival rides!
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0352.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0358.jpg

A cool metal thing:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0341.jpg

I thought these buildings were pretty awesome:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0363.jpg

Fountain outside of the Yokohama Museum of Art:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0366.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0368.jpg

And a weird flower blooming tree:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0369.jpg

[gwenshack]

That ferris wheel is huge!

[Docsgirl]

Oooh yay for more pictures! :jphappy: That clock is awesome!

I love the clock too. I told DH I want one! Haha.

I love the clock! It's VERY Alice in Wonderlandy! :)

I've always wanted to go to Japan... but I probably have a very unusual reason for WHY! lol I really want to see a baseball game there! I think it would be amazing and so different. If you ever go to one, take lots of pics for me ok? :laugh2::flower4u:

You got it! I've actually already picked out my baseball team here. The Nippon Ham Fighters. Story has it that they're not the best in the major leagues here, but one of the players (Tsuyoshi Shinjo) dresses up in masks/costumes to earn fans. That gets my vote! DH promised we'll go to a game at least once while we're here.

Tsuyoshi Shinjo in a mask:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/TsuyoshiShinjo.jpg

and as Darth Vader:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/TsuyoshiShinjo2.jpg

[Docsgirl]

That ferris wheel is huge!

It's the second largest in the world! It was the largest until Singapore built the Singapore Flyer.

I'm waiting until DH is with me before I ride it. I figured he'd be a little sad if I rode it without him.

[Nekochanpurr]

Awesome pictures! OMG that mask with all the faces is SO scary!!!!!! D:

oh oh, if you get the chance to go to Tokyo Tower.. Its REALLY ghetto (heh) but there is a studio Ghibli shop in there.. :) And a super yummy crepe stand. Yes.. I'm obsessed with those **** crepes.

[dodgercpkl]

I love the clock too. I told DH I want one! Haha.



You got it! I've actually already picked out my baseball team here. The Nippon Ham Fighters. Story has it that they're not the best in the major leagues here, but one of the players (Tsuyoshi Shinjo) dresses up in masks/costumes to earn fans. That gets my vote! DH promised we'll go to a game at least once while we're here.

Tsuyoshi Shinjo in a mask:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/TsuyoshiShinjo.jpg

and as Darth Vader:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/TsuyoshiShinjo2.jpg

ROFL! That's awesome! I'd go with that choice too! :)

[Docsgirl]

I'd like to add that I plan on riding the ferris wheel at night. ;) Check out this lighting clip on it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY0EVH6IhFU

[Danielle9608]

Awesome pictures Tara! That clock was really cool!

[FFC]

I don't know if I'd even want to ride that ferris wheel. I think we'd be on there an hour just loading people up then another hour unloading! :blink:

[f77g4]

Beautiful pics Tara!

[Docsgirl]

I don't know if I'd even want to ride that ferris wheel. I think we'd be on there an hour just loading people up then another hour unloading! :blink:


It's actually a 60 minute ride total. You only go around once and the wheel never completely stops people just load and unload as it's still moving because it moves pretty slow. It's $10 a ride but apparently the view from the top is phenomenal! Haha.

[FFC]

It's actually a 60 minute ride total. You only go around once and the wheel never completely stops people just load and unload as it's still moving because it moves pretty slow. It's $10 a ride but apparently the view from the top is phenomenal! Haha.

Wow! I guess if it never stops it wouldn't be so bad lol.

[CaseyK37]

I love your pictures! I am completely jealous - I am glad you are having a good time. I know you said in your journal but I can't remember - how long are you there for?

[Docsgirl]

I love your pictures! I am completely jealous - I am glad you are having a good time. I know you said in your journal but I can't remember - how long are you there for?

Thank you! We're here for 3 years, will be heading back to the states in Feb 2013.

[KMS]

I thought that I already posted on this thread, but I guess somehow I forgot to last time I was looking at the pictures! They're so awesome. I can't imagine what a great time you must be having!

[melissa1031]

Great pics!I don't think I'd ride the ferris wheel.60 minutes is a long time for me. Especially since I have to pee every 20 minutes.By the time I got off I'd have to go home to change my clothes.

[Docsgirl]

Thanks everyone!

We really love it here and I just can't stop exploring! Which is a good thing, because I doubt I'm going to get to see everything within the 3 years that we're here, but you can bet I'm going to try!

And....more pictures!

At McDonald's here...this is a medium size drink aka an American child size.
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0396.jpg

Seventeen Magazine Japanese style! I got it for free from a vintage store that was featured in it....super nice people:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0514.jpg

The chopsticks I picked up for DH while shopping in Yokohama:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0513.jpg

Took this from the train. Note the sides they're driving on:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0510.jpg

We went to the Harajuku district of Tokyo last weekend. It's the trendy area for the cool kids and they all dress up. I told DH I'm totally dressing up this summer! Haha!

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0412.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0413.jpg

This guy had the most interesting outfit of the day...yes, guy. Haha.
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0416.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0468.jpg

[NOTKT]

Cool pictures!

[Nekochanpurr]

Neat! :) Lolita style can either be really pretty/neat looking or.. Er. LOL. Nice pics!

[f77g4]

Awesome pictures Tara!

[Docsgirl]

Found a gang of men dressed like Elvis dancing around:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0438.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0446.jpg

Yep, he was attempting to pick my nose:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0428.jpg

Japanese fashion. I love it and can't wait to start shopping!
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0458.jpg

They also take designer brands way more seriously than we do. This Dior store was 7 stories! I could not afford a scarf even if I wanted to. Much more expensive than in the states!
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0466.jpg

Green Tea ice cream!
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0474.jpg

DH found the Easter Bunny:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0451.jpg

We went to a cherry blossom viewing party in Ueno Park in Tokyo as well this past weekend.
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0404.jpg

[Docsgirl]

And while we were in Harajuku we stopped by the Meiji Shrine.

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0489.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0490.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0496.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0502.jpg

And just as we were leaving, we caught a Japanese wedding recessional!
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0506.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0507.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0508.jpg

That's all for now. :D

[gwenshack]

What a beautiful wedding. :soppy: I love looking at your Japan pics Tara!

[dodgercpkl]

That must have been so neat to see!!

[Kaven Drew]

fascinating place! I wish I could be there someday!

[Docsgirl]

Haven't updated this thread in awhile...so here goes nothing!

View of Yokohama at night:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0592.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0597.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0628.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0635.jpg

Two more Japanese weddings we've witnessed at shrines:

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0644.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0646.jpg
I loved her red wedding kimono. I want one, just to have!

[Danielle9608]

The night shots are beautiful! I really liked seeing those wedding pictures too!

[Docsgirl]

Our wedding anniversary at Tokyo Disney Sea:

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Monorail.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DisneySea.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/MinnieMickey.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Arch.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Cathedral2.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DisneySea2.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Ruins.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Volcano.jpg

[Docsgirl]

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Fountain.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/TowerofTerror.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Venetian.jpg

Waiting for our Gondola ride:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Gondola.jpg

And then on the Gondola:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Gondola2.jpg

We've also discovered that Takatori Mountain is right behind our neighborhood. So we went exploring:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/TakatoriMountain3.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Takatori8.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Takatori2.jpg

[Danielle9608]

What a beautiful place Tara!

[Docsgirl]

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Takatori3.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Takatori.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Takatori11.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Wall.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Takatori5.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Takatori4.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Buddha.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Buddha2.jpg

[Docsgirl]

The night shots are beautiful! I really liked seeing those wedding pictures too!

Thanks! I'm still trying to decide on a DSLR package and then hopefully my night shots will be a little bit clearer and less grainy. Their weddings are just beautiful from what I've seen!

[The Proper Wedding]

All your pictures are so neat to look at! My FH would give anything to go to Japan! At one point he tried to convince me we should move there lol. He loves it! :)

[Docsgirl]

All your pictures are so neat to look at! My FH would give anything to go to Japan! At one point he tried to convince me we should move there lol. He loves it! :)

Thanks! Are the pictures helping with the convincing at all? ;)

[FFC]

OMG those greens are just stunning. I'd love to see that mountain in person - how gorgeous!

[The Proper Wedding]

Thanks! Are the pictures helping with the convincing at all? ;)

Well, I don't think I could move that far away from my family. But I wouldn't mind vacationing in Japan sometime. lol

[Docsgirl]

OMG those greens are just stunning. I'd love to see that mountain in person - how gorgeous!

Japan is super green, all variations of the color! You can come on over anytime, it's right behind my house! ;)

Well, I don't think I could move that far away from my family. But I wouldn't mind vacationing in Japan sometime. lol

Yeah, I miss my mom a lot, so I hear you on moving away. I love living here, but I do get homesick from time to time. Skype is treating us well though. Casa de Montoya is open for reservations for vacationing. :laugh2:

[Nekochanpurr]

Beautiful pictures!! Some of these look like post cards! :D

And i really <3 Japanese weddings. :)

[Docsgirl]

Beautiful pictures!! Some of these look like post cards! :D

And i really <3 Japanese weddings. :)

Thanks Stacy! I just got a new photo editor, so I made a few of them a little extra snazzy. :)

The weddings are so pretty. The one thing I find a little different is that they still don't hold hands, kiss, etc on their wedding day from what we've seen. I know they're not big on public displays of affection, but you're vowing to spend the rest of your life with someone....you'd think some sort of affection would be okay. lol

[Nekochanpurr]

lol no, specially when they are doing a Japanese (shinto) wedding, its ALL tradition. I'm sure they don't even think about it. XD Its funny.

[f77g4]

So beautiful there!

[Smurfette]

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DSCF0446.jpg
Best pic ever! :laugh2: Loves it.