The park gift shop had alpacas.
Emily being silly.
Many cities in Japan have these outdoor malls where they put a windowed roof over the street. I quite like them, though it is hard to arrange a photo of the architecture without crowds of people.
I really like how Japan does fire hydrants compared to the US. They are buried, and then covered. As with the manholes, each city has its own cover design.
We took the kids to Kurashiki and wandered around in the Bikan historic area.
Both kids wanted a picture on the street in this spot for reasons that yet elude me.
Another part of the mall.
This outdoor mall actually has a name: えびす.
Each city has their own manhole cover design. This is Kurashiki's.
Now we're out of the mall and into the real Bikan district. This little bakery had excellent breads.
I quite like walking around in the more historic areas. And can quite recommend Kurashiki. Everyone knows Kyōto as a historic place, and Kyōto is quite nice. But Kyōto is always swarming with tourists, many of them foreigners. Kurashiki is a bit more laid back. It is where Japanese people go when they want to visit a historic area, and there are not nearly as many foreigners in the way.
The Kurashiki canals.
Emily trying to do plank exercises with me.
Another rare in-focus shot of the pet rabbit.
And a somewhat less-focused shot of the rabbit exploring the camera.
This right here is an amazingly tasty combination. Best "Irish" coffee i've ever had.
I hid plastic eggs for Easter.
Fresh ice cream at Kasaoka Bay Farm.
Also at the farm. I don't remember what this vegetable is called, but when it blooms it is pretty. The leaves make a nice stir-fry.
I like this bed. It is a single tatami, in a frame. On top of it you'd put a futon and then sleep. I presume this is for people who have Western houses but still want to sleep traditional style.
The legs are not missing. This chair is complete as intended. Chairs like this are moderately common and are used at traditional low tables.
Sittin' on a post.
