All my ancestors are from Japan. Read about my father's father,  Kenjiro , who I was named after:  I did not learn much about him until I started my roots search after I retired.   That colored symbol says a lot, and  is explained in a 2019 posting about my visit to Utashinai , located north of Sapporo on Hokkaido, from where he left in around 1890 to the USA.  On his way back to Japan, he got married on Kauai, had a son and daughter.  This is why I grew up in Hawaii. About Utashinai, JR does not today have a station there anymore because this once coal town has dwindled into a skiing and wine spot.  Once up to 46,000, it is now down to 3000.  It was Japan's smallest city when I visited four years ago when the population was 3500. It is possible that I've landed in Japan more times than any non-airline employee in Hawaii.  At least a hundred times, and maybe 150, or more.  One reason why is that I've gone around the world so many ti...

Our stay in Nara was, well, nearly perfect.  Yesterday, we did not see a cloud, so the sunlight enhanced the oranges and reds.  Today, it was cloudy all day, on our train rides from Nara to Kyoto to Shin-Yokohama to Yokohama Station.  But about Nara, we did not expect much, but it was the highlight of our Fall Colors visit.  While the cruise was fine, Hokkaido was a disappointment, which largely carried through in Tokyo and Nagoya.  Then everything got better and better. Need to show a couple more photos I missed enclosing yesterday.  First, we saw a persimmon tree where you couldn't count the number of fruits.  What is your estimate? That was in Nara Park.  Secondly, Nara has all that history and religiosity, but is today mostly a sprawling city.  While Nara Park is truly a national treasure, the city itself is nicely symbolized with this photo. You say, why?  See the middle of the above photo?  Then target that religious middle. I...

After the cruise, we spent two nights at the Sheraton Yokohama Bay.  A pattern is forming: Breakfast comes free with the room, and the buffet is grand and wonderful.  We eat so much that lunch is mostly unnecessary, Then there is the cocktail hour with appetizers.   We thus in four days including the first day of our train trip have yet to eat in a restaurant. There are variations to the above, but the following photos showcase cuisine more than travel scenes.  Our room was not ready when we checked into the Sheraton Yokohama Bay, so had a snack in the executive lounge.  No alcohol served until 5PM. A large underground shopping area is located below our hotel.  We went for a walk and saw the typical $131/pound wagyu beef.  We bought some o-toro and hamachi sashimi, onigiri and potato salad, plus beer and sake to have a light lunch in our room. We returned to the Executive Club at 5PM for cocktails and appetizers. Breakfast the following morning, f...