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My Guests In Wakayama

Over the past six months, two wonderful friends from Canada have visited me in Wakayama. While on business in Tokyo, Yen found her way to Wakayama via the Shinkansen (bullet train) and Robin flew out from Canada in January. Imagine coming all the way to Wakayama just to visit me - I feel quite honored! I also flew to Tokyo in November where I hung out with Yen in the big city for five days! Nothing beats spending time with old friends!



Yen came for a short visit to Wakayama in October 1998 and we ventured north to Kyoto. Renowned for it's beautiful temples, and "beautiful natures," we visited the Silver Pavilion and various other famous temples. We walked for miles before unwinding for Italian food in the city center.








Imagine finding a Starbucks in Tokyo, Japan! After months hidden away in the "inaka" (countryside), I was thrilled to find such a familiar and comforting sight. In fact, I had a latte at least once a day while in Tokyo.










Thanks to Yen, we stayed at the classy ANA Hotel in Tokyo. It was quite a change from the hostelling scene I am used to!






With over three weeks in Japan, Robin and I had plenty of time to explore Wakayama. Here we are on top of Mount Wakakusa in Nara which is east of Wakayama Prefecture.





If you've been to Nara, you will undoubtedly recognize this. For the rest of you, it is the Great Buddha in the Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden structure in the world!















The approach to Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara is lined with hundreds of lanterns.





Over 1200 deer roam freely in Nara Koen Park, a famous tourist destination. Needless to say, the deer are completely spoiled with biscuits and wander from tourist to tourist getting fatter and fatter. But they sure are cute and willing to be photographed!








My friends at the local Wakayama City bike shop were thrilled to give Robin a three hour personal bike tour of the city while I was at school!










What would a trip to Japan be without sushi dinner?







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