X-mas in Japan: Part 10 - Mitaki Dera, Ko Arrives!

There are quite a lot of sights to see in Hiroshima.  Mitaki Dera is another great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.  We decided to check out Mitaki Shrine while Becca was working and while we waited for Ko's fam to arrive along with my folks.  

Here's the rest thus far... 

Part 1 - Getting to Kawagoe

Part 2 - Minakami

Part 3 - To Jigokudani

Part 4 - Snow Monkeys!

Part 5 - Railway Museum, cousins

Part 6 - Tobu Zoo

Part 7 - Osaka Kid Zone

Part 8 - Xmas Eve party

Part 9 - Rabbit Island

scenes from the morning run.  Probably the most disorderly scene I saw in Japan.  Granted I was trespassing in some backyards... 

Beautiful scenes... Hiroshima sure is a great place to run.  

https://www.strava.com/activities/1327187490

Glorious

Hey!  Another runner!  

Hiroshima Castle

meanwhile, the kids were busy opening presents.  

Love the Japanese playgrounds... 

On the way to Mitaki Dera... we stopped by some sights.  

Peace memorial

more playgrounds!

Roller slides

A-bomb dome from origami

Check out this amazing haircut station... 

Tahdah!

they love maps in Japan...

and buddhas... 

After Mitaki we met up with everyone at the promenade where the Xmas lights were on display.  

Japanese Xmas lights are awesome.  

After checking out the lights, we went to dinner at Bam-san's place... which wasn't the most kid friendly.  

Ekiden!  I was in the middle of reading "The Way of the Runner"... highly recommended book about the running culture in Japan.  

X-mas in Japan: Part 8 - X-mas in Hiroshima

OK, gotta go through these pics.  It's been 4 month.  Ayee.  But it really is fun going through these pics recalling these fun times.  

Here's the rest thus far... 

Part 1 - Getting to Kawagoe

Part 2 - Minakami

Part 3 - To Jigokudani

Part 4 - Snow Monkeys!

Part 5 - Railway Museum, cousins

Part 6 - Tobu Zoo

Part 7 - Osaka Kid Zone

Went on a quick morning run. The mountains surrounding Hiroshima have tons of trails.  Some end up in folk's backyards... so be warned.  

Nice, hazy view of Hiroshima awaits you on every turn.

and there are many "rest areas" on the hike.  With clocks, statues of buddha, brooms, thermostats, benches, etc... 

And lots of maps.

Check out this "street" I ended up on.  Would be tough to fit a RadWagon through this...

The path leading up to the temple.  On a side note, the owner of this car must be a former race car driver.  

Back at the house.  Kai was playing cards... and getting ready for Xmas eve party.

Japanese playgrounds are great.  

After Kimbo and Becca finally got ready we made it to her friend's Xmas eve party.  There were tons of kids there, which was great for Kai and Nikko to interact.  

Kai learning Sushi-Go!

Night night... gotta rest up for another busy day tomorrow...