Back to Kawagoe

May 31, 2016

Back to Kawagoe

30 May '16

The delicious buffet breakfast at our hotel in Nikko. Yummy french toast that tasted like cake, vegatable stir fry with lotus root (something I haven't had since I was in China a few years ago), and my favorite... tofu skins (a Nikko speciality)!

Some of the group members went on a hike but others stayed back and explored the town some more. On the end of the main street, there is a national park! We found some funny signs too (due to the Japanese to English translations).

More shrines and more stairs...

The view from the top of the stairs:

More amazing details...

Behind the Koka-mon "gate is the shrine of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the 3rd shogun of Tokugawa Shogunate. The design is influenced by Chinese Ming Dynasty architecture called Ryugu Zukuri" (credit to the sign next to the gate).

From the "Cheese Egg" store. We went in because one of our friends LOVES eggs, but it turns out these treats are just mini cheese cakes in an egg-like shape.

In the Cheese Egg store I also found the pickled wild herbs that were in my soup at lunch the day before.

Some pretty and interesting shots from our walk back to the hotel. Look at the store front which doesn't have a back wall and is built right up against the hillside:

Hello Kitty store. Was only in there for about 45 seconds just so I could say I went.

Last meal in Nikko was Indian food. Mutton curry and a ginourmous nan! Oh and I can't forget the mango lassi!

Katie the egg lover and my lunch buddy!

31 May '16

Chai milk tea from the konbini on campus (TIU). I had another three classes today: two sessions of Japanese and one session of sustainability.

A small walkway and park later down the street, between Crea Mall and old Kawagoe.

I got some washi at a store on Crea Mall, on my way to old Kawagoe to get some furoshika. I got three pieces of paper (looks like they were screenprinted or something of the sort). Not quite sure what I am going to do with them yet but they are large pieces so I could utilize them for multiple things! My initial idea was just to frame them.

Here is some of the furoshiki I found! Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese wrapping clothe than can be used in a variety of ways. I am not going to post pictures of any of the ones I bought because I know the people I bought them for are reading my posts but here are some on display!