Japan.It's Bloomin marvellous.

[drron]

Now Mrsdrron's castle pics-

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[drron]

Whilst mrsdrron walked around the castle I climbed the viewing platform.Really didn't make much difference with the view of the castle but there were different perspectives in the other directions-

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Here is where the castle was-

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[drron]

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Up on the castle level was the best view of Mt.Iwake.but now late afternoon and light a problem.probably worth going to the castle first thing.

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[drron]

At this stage we sat on a seat for a while as we had walked quite a distance.An older woman sat down beside us and began an English conservation.she was a retired teacher and her English was pretty good.then it was time to head for the exit-

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Blossom on the inner moat-

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In the grounds is the oldest Yoshino cherry in Japan it is claimed-

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[drron]

More of this tree said to be over a hundred years old-

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[drron]

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[love_the_life]

Beautiful stone wall there and also the 100+yr old tree - just gorgeous.

 

[drron]

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[drron]

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Back at the entrance there were a few stalls selling pottery and gifts.Mrsdrron managed to find another piece to buy.We were also interviewed by a young woman from the tourist office.She was also a university student as well.She also spoke very good English.She found it hard to get her head around the fact that this was our 30th visit to Japan and that we were spending a month in Japan on this trip.She asked where we had been and after listing the places she said-"wow.You have been to more places than most Japanese."
So the last pictures as we leave the castle-

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[drron]

We caught the loop bus back to Hirosaki station,picked up some snacks there and then some yoghurt for brekkie in the 7/11 in the hotel building.One of the stores had obviously just opened and had this lovely orchid outside-

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As we had spent more cash than budget I went to change $US100 at the front desk-they only cash US dollars but the rate was just above the XE rate so not a bad deal.However trying to make myself understood that I wanted to change that $100 bill to yen was very hard.Finally got a woman from the back office to do it.They wrote it up in a book.I noticed the last transaction was 2 months previously.

Up to the room and it was time for the sunset-

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And so a great day ends.

 

[love_the_life]

Wow, thirty visits to Japan. That's amazing especially on top of everywhere else you've been.

 

[Pushka]

Wow, thirty visits to Japan. That's amazing especially on top of everywhere else you've been.

Exactly. How did you fit everything in? Is it mostly in the later years?

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Exactly. How did you fit everything in? Is it mostly in the later years?

Ahhhhh .... that first trip to Japan ! 30 years ago, we took my mother and son, our son was 10. We used Hong Kong as a base, also went to China - Beijing and Xian - they had not long opened up Xian to tourists to see the entombed warriors ! Oh if only we did trip reports then - we had some hilarious times. I remember Japan was very expensive then, we stayed at Mikimoto Pearl Island and dinner in the coffee shop was going to cost us $A1000 ! :shock: We also went to Tokyo Disneyland - it had not long been open too. We loved Japan. And when our son lived in NYC for 7 years we flew BNE-NRT-JFK and on the return would stay a week in Japan to "get over" the time difference - we went to NYC at least twice a year during the time he lived there. We both love travelling in Japan !

 

[Pushka]

Ahhhhh .... that first trip to Japan ! 30 years ago, we took my mother and son, our son was 10. We used Hong Kong as a base, also went to China - Beijing and Xian - they had not long opened up Xian to tourists to see the entombed warriors ! Oh if only we did trip reports then - we had some hilarious times. I remember Japan was very expensive then, we stayed at Mikimoto Pearl Island and dinner in the coffee shop was going to cost us $A1000 ! :shock: We also went to Tokyo Disneyland - it had not long been open too. We loved Japan. And when our son lived in NYC for 7 years we flew BNE-NRT-JFK and on the return would stay a week in Japan to "get over" the time difference - we went to NYC at least twice a year during the time he lived there. We both love travelling in Japan !

Well thanks to you, we are dipping the toes in 2018.

 

[drron]

Some housekeeping.I forgot the pics from my little camera.So a couple as we left Hirosaki castle.

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And a little fellow who I was talking to and you can see he is answering-

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At the station this fellow was making peanut cookies-

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Plus they had these there-

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[drron]

Also on the little camera the first night's sunset.More clouds so different colours and the snow is more visible-

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[GarrettM]

Well thanks to you, we are dipping the toes in 2018.

2017 here!

If all goes to plan that is.

 

[drron]

So to our last day in Hirosaki.We planned 2 days here in case of bad weather.well the first day was beautiful but the second overcast and cold.When we got to Akita we learnt of a road on the lower slopes of Mt.Iwake that had 29km of cherry trees lining it.On arrival at hirosaki we were told they were at 70% opened.We thought we might hire a car as the bus service was seasonal and not operating until May.However as we had not planned this before departure we could not get a car.Japan is one place where you need an international driving permit.
So we just went the full distance of the loop bus.really not much.Took a few photos of the blossom on the far side of the castle so here they are.The last blossoms.

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Evidence that the peak season doesn't last long-

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Outside the local museum opposite the castle-

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[drron]

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We then went to the second department store.in the basement a 100 yen shop-yes she found more things to buy.Some sushi and sashimi for lunch followed by sakura icecream.Then in the Department store mrsdrron found a nice pair of shoes in her size-very unusual in Japan but also Missoni towels on special.She was very happy.
Whilst she was shopping I accumulated some positive karma.A woman who looked old but probably wasn't had her wheelchair bound son with her.He seemed to have a severe form of cerebral palsy.he didn't have any speech.But a Beatles song came on the stores muysak and I started singing along.the fellow became animated.his arm movements became more rhythmic following the music.he was smiling broadly.So I kept singing.Saw the pair later leaving the store and he started beaming again and I got an arigato from mum.My day was made.
As is typical the day was then made complete with the sunset.As it is the last prepare to be bored.

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[drron]

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