For weeks now we've been studying the radar then guessing where the least amount of rain will hit Japan and heading there. This weekend, our guesstimation didn't pan out, or from a different perspective, basically most of Japan was inundated with rain. But we still got to explore a new to us town!
Morioka- a town even further north than Ichinoseki! What would have taken us 9 hours in a car was only 2 hours by train!
And according to Jesse's GPS tracker, we got up to 200 mph- super duper fast!!!
And according to Jesse's GPS tracker, we got up to 200 mph- super duper fast!!!
Calling for rain most of the day Saturday, we rented a car to drive out West towards Lake Tazawa. A lake so deep that it doesn't freeze over in the frigid winter, water with the most interesting blue hue that cameras don't due justice!
A slow drive around the lake, stopping for every scenic view! Enjoying lunch scratch cooked from the old ladies at the road side stand. An early lunch, part of Jesse's food strategy for the day. Declared as we left the hotel, "we need to make sure not to eat a late lunch, I have a plan!"
Why does one need a food intake strategy for the day? Aside from the usual attempts to avoid the Hangry stage. We have big plans for the night! In researching what do to in Morioka, we learn that it's famous for the 3 Noodles of Morioka! And tonight we're gonna enjoy some Wanko Soba.
Wanko soba isn't just about the food, it's about the experience, a demonstration of the famous hospitality of Morioka. Your table is filled with a smattering of toppings as the waitress stands by with a tray full of little bowls. Each bowl containing a bite or two of noodles waiting to be dressed in your topping of choice.
She stands by as we slurp up our bite of noodles, then as we lift our empty bowl of noodles, she promptly pours in another bite. Slightly awkward having dinner with an extra person standing by, encouraging us to eat and eat and eat. The record for the restaurant is over 500 bowls.
Check out the stack of the couple behind us, it's hard to tell but there are stacks upon stacks of bowls all lined up. They stack them 15 high, designated a typical portion of Soba. So each stack is a typical portion. The couple behind us had at least 10 full stacks plus some!
She stands by as we slurp up our bite of noodles, then as we lift our empty bowl of noodles, she promptly pours in another bite. Slightly awkward having dinner with an extra person standing by, encouraging us to eat and eat and eat. The record for the restaurant is over 500 bowls.
Check out the stack of the couple behind us, it's hard to tell but there are stacks upon stacks of bowls all lined up. They stack them 15 high, designated a typical portion of Soba. So each stack is a typical portion. The couple behind us had at least 10 full stacks plus some!
You signal a full (or overfully full) belly by placing the lid on your bowl. We announced, "Oh ne ga ee pi" (I'm so so full!) and anxiously awaited our final tally. Jesse slurped 39 bowls of noodles and I followed closely behind with 36. Please note the aprons they provide, necessary to contain the drips and splatters from slurped noodles!
Catching a break in the rain we stroll through a market of handmade goods. Beautiful cast iron pieces, dyed yarn and hand woven fabrics! Plus these tasty treats. First step, pouring a good layer of nuts onto the cast iron, then add the dough and press over the open flame. Rotate every 30 seconds for the minutes and this hot from the fire cookie is ready! Definitely will improve our campfire nights!
We only made it through 2 of the 3 Famous noodles of Morioka, but this Reimen was such a delight. A super light broth with a dollop of kimchi, all served cold to combat the ridiculously hot weather.
And we often wonder when we seek out Non Japanese food during our travels if the staff judges us silly Americans for not being able to go on vacation without familiar foods. Maybe less so right now that the borders are still shut. But Utsunomiya has very little in terms of American Style breakfasts, so when Google suggested a place called Brunch (letters that I can read!) of course it was on our list. Run by a lovely Canadian who was on his second stint of living in Morioka. The food was exactly what our taste buds wanted!
And we often wonder when we seek out Non Japanese food during our travels if the staff judges us silly Americans for not being able to go on vacation without familiar foods. Maybe less so right now that the borders are still shut. But Utsunomiya has very little in terms of American Style breakfasts, so when Google suggested a place called Brunch (letters that I can read!) of course it was on our list. Run by a lovely Canadian who was on his second stint of living in Morioka. The food was exactly what our taste buds wanted!
While we love the convenience, speed and ease of trains, sometimes it's nice to have a car to get to the more out of the way places. Driving through tunnels and mountains, stopping at gorges and rivers, admiring the way the clouds roll around and over the mountains. Perfect way to spend a weekend in the rain.
Sunday morning was looking much better rain wise. Skies were clearing, percentages down to 15%, radar looked nice and empty. So we stash our bags at the hotel and wander through the city. Aiming to see all the beautiful shrines and parks of Morioka. We catch a bus (and a second bus after getting on one heading the wrong direction) to the furthest away point with the idea to slowly wander our way back through town admiring all the spots along the way.
And this is when the rain comes back and Carri officially gets fired as a radar reader. Our umbrellas and raincoats? All cleverly stashed back at our hotel. Not our wisest move. A quick dash to 7/11 and we're better equipped for city wandering.
And this is when the rain comes back and Carri officially gets fired as a radar reader. Our umbrellas and raincoats? All cleverly stashed back at our hotel. Not our wisest move. A quick dash to 7/11 and we're better equipped for city wandering.
We see Shrines and Temples in each city we visit. Each one a bit unique. Proudly we were not the most touristy people at this shrine. Just after collecting my Goshuin stamp from the Shrine a tourist bus drops off a whole group of folks, wearing matching ties all herded by a leader with a flag. We know we must be at a special place if a tour bus stops here.
We continue wandering among the raindrops, admiring architecture and botanical beauties when something suddenly happens. "At first I thought it was a raindrop. A really warm raindrop. Like maybe it had been collecting on the electrical wires and they made the water hot and that's why it was warm on my hand." Second time in a month we've been the target of some birdie love.
This time it was Jesse who washed his arm in a nearby puddle. After a good rinsing and a good hand sanitizer scrub we continued about our way. Note, it's much funnier when it happens to someone else.
The famous rock splitting cherry tree! Amazing how such a big beautiful tree grows from the tiny crack! We wondered how long it's been growing? What it would have looked like when it first started? Why they decided to let it continue growing in a sub optimal area?
The famous rock splitting cherry tree! Amazing how such a big beautiful tree grows from the tiny crack! We wondered how long it's been growing? What it would have looked like when it first started? Why they decided to let it continue growing in a sub optimal area?
This is a footbath, fed with water from the hot springs deep below the surface. A place one can sit and relax and soothe their tired feet from a long day of wandering around town. We were very much looking forward to a nice break, but the Coronavirus foiled our plans. It makes sense, of course they would drain it, there's no way to encourage social distancing if you're huddled around a footbath. But still, my feet were definitely disappointed.
It's interesting to see the range of how cities respond to the Coronavirus and the precautions taken. What we've noticed is that folks in smaller towns are less likely to wear masks. But even in small towns, the restaurants and tourist attractions take this seriously. Sometimes our temperatures are taken, hand sanitizer use is always required and we wear masks out of respect. We don't want to pass along any germs we may be carrying!
It's interesting to see the range of how cities respond to the Coronavirus and the precautions taken. What we've noticed is that folks in smaller towns are less likely to wear masks. But even in small towns, the restaurants and tourist attractions take this seriously. Sometimes our temperatures are taken, hand sanitizer use is always required and we wear masks out of respect. We don't want to pass along any germs we may be carrying!
We're just glad we're able to explore and see all these beautiful places! And gather inspiration for our gardens!!!