Taking Mum and Dad around Sendai

I will do a post about our hikes around Fuji Five Lakes, but the photos are on John's computer and I haven't got round to getting them off yet! So, for the time being, here is a selection of photos from when Mum and Dad came to Sendai. I'll do some individual posts too of the new things we did, but for the time being, here is a selection of photos of repeat trips to some of our favourite places! 

Mum enjoying the sunshine at Rinnoji Temple

Dad tying his fortune with all the others at Osaki Hachimangu Shrine

Walking towards Yamadera

Whale Rock

Mum and Dad relaxing on a stone

Paths cut into the rock, alongside crystal clear water, with gorgeous greenery on every side. It's not surprising that this was Mum and Dad's favourite day trip from Sendai.

Dad pretending to be the Little Mermaid. Like everything with my Dad, it's probably best not to ask! 

So so lovely! 

At the top of Yamadera

Apparently it is (just about) possible to feed 4 people in a tiny 1K apartment! 

They must have drained Ayashi Reservoir recently, it's a lot emptier than last time I was there!

A Kokeshi doll statue in Sendai's Nishi Park

Mum and Dad having their first ever paddle in the Pacific! 

Matsushima Bay from on high! 

Mum, like many other visitors to Japan, was a little obsessed with taking photos of all the pretty drain covers! These frogs in Yamoto were some of her favourites! 

It's finally time for the rice harvest. But hasn't it been a gorgeous summer?!

Bike Ride in the Sun

For the last couple of weeks, for the most part the weather has been gorgeous. Hot and sunny and lovely. We've been out and about in it quite a bit (largely because it's turned our apartment into a sauna). Last week, one day was so especially gorgeous that despite the fact I had work in the evening, we decided to make the most of it. Photos below ^-^

PS - British people, just so you don't hate me, the weather has now turned and is cold and there's rain forecast. You've apparently stolen our sun. And you should all read this, because it's hilarious.

Biking out of our town towards Sendai, view along the river

I'd passed this intriguing staircase before, but never had time to go up it, but I'm glad we did this time.

At the top is a lovely temple, surrounded by buddha statues and trees.

There is apparently a rabbit theme to this temple. There was only Japanese info, so I have no idea why, but the only info I can find about Buddhist rabbits is to do with the rabbit in the moon, so perhaps it has something to do with that?

Rabbits on the roof

One of the many lovely statues. 

From Buddhism to Shinto...we stopped off at Osaki Hachimangu Shrine

And tanabata had already started. Doesn't the paper look lovely?

Everyone's wishes for the next year. I haven't written mine yet, but I will.

Our bikes, with the Sendai skyline.

I would love to live on the top floor on the apartment block in the centre of this photo.

After some shopping, we headed to Tsutsujigaoka part for some sunbathing, reading and people (and dog) watching.

I had to go to work then for a few hours, so I surrendered the camera to John, who took this photo of a ridiculous car park...

...but also this lovely photo of his bike ride home.

We wanted to go for sushi for dinner, but by the time I'd biked the 15km back from school it was 10pm and the restaurant was closed. So we bought half price sashimi and pizza, and curled up in bed, and ate and watched Once Upon a Time, our current TV show obsession! 

It was a lovely, lovely day, and as soon as the sun comes back out, we're planning to have many many more!

My Week: Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off outside we go

SPRING IS HERE!! Well, it has been. It's now raining again, and that is forecast to continue most of this week. Right when I want to be enjoying my first Sakura (Cherry Blossom) season in Japan. Urgh.

But, we have had a week of gorgeous weather, which we've been enjoying wholeheartedly.

I love daffodils! 

I hate the overhead wires that are everywhere in Japan :( But this river is such a lovely colour!

I found and used a bee venom face mask. Random.

On Saturday, a friend took us to an awesome park. We ate, walked, played badminton, acted like children and enjoyed the sunshine.

Freaky-deaky dogs.

We subtly ignored the (bilingual) signs that said children only. Who wouldn't want to play on a massive bouncy mound?!

Sendai near sunset

Smiles may blossom, or they may not. That all depends on the weather. 

Osaki Hachimangu Shrine

Rurousha, I think this one of your dream eating Baku!

Trees are starting to look a little pink around the edges, but no Sakura yet! I'll be back later in the week!

The Plum blossoms are still lovely though, and smell gorgeous.

Dressed in pink to encourage the sakura on!

A really rather effeminate photo!

Last week, on Friday 13th, a child from school gave me a four leaf clover. There's a luck conundrum for you! 

I hope everyone else is enjoying the spring weather too!

Calming Temple Trips

Two pretty trips to temples. Japanese temples (I think these are both Buddhist but I don't trust myself so I'll stick with Japanese!) are so peaceful and calming. I just wish I had my brother Andrew as a constant photographer on my shoulder. My little camera and pitiful photography skills just don't do justice to the prettiness of Japan.

One was up a long, snowy path on the top of a hill near our apartment.

Gorgeous views of Sendai

Simple and beautiful.

The way back down was stressful, but やった!

Trip number two, this one was bigger and a lot easier to get to. In between our house and central Sendai, a short train ride away.

Lots of lovely lanterns everywhere

Back down the lantern lit path

I like this photo the best :)