Leaving Nagano, and waking up in the little town of Shingu!

This is where we were docked in Nagano, beside a few very interesting buildings.  

The town of Nagano as the sun sets.

Looking out from the apartment on the ship towards the town of Nagano.  It had rained, and there was quite a wind, so we were waiting to push off at about 6:30 pm.

As the sun set on the dock, there were some interesting shadows, or at least as you can see, I thought so!

Bye Bye Nagano!  Yet another whirly-gig all lit up.  Who pays the light bill?

One of the other buildings at the dock.  Cool design

Some of the locals came out to see us off, and it was very very windy!

We woke up to the town of Shinju, which is quite small and just at the southern tip of Japan.  I think we were the first cruise ship to dock here.  The dock is quite commercial, and the whole police force turned out to check us out.  We took the shuttle into town, which was small and neat.

A train runs through it...make that a train every 15 minutes runs through it.  Right in the middle of town.  Plan for a stop or two if you are going to drive through town.

Nice little touch.  People are so friendly here.  Shy, but friendly, and of course, I am faking Japanese, so I do get a few smiles.

This was the local shopping street.  Covered and for both bikes and pedestrians.  Lots of bikes here as it is flat.

One of the little local stores in the shopping street.

All the shops are so small and well marked.

This was a tailoring shop for kimono's.  

Check out the "paw covers" on the bike.  You put your hands inside while riding to keep them dry.

Kimono fabrics.

A little ladies boutique.  

Typically Japanese, this was a beautiful little bakery. 

A wheely stool!  Very clever.

This was the restaurant we had lunch in.  Really good food, and we were the only "foreigners" there so a few looks, but they are very polite and don't stare (like we do!)

After school, ice cream on the way home....

Make a garden anywhere.....

Shingu is charming, rural, authentic and old.  Loved it.

Nagoya

Sake, the wine of Japan.  It is served both hot and cold and as you can see is available in many brands.  I love the graphics on the bottles.  This is typical of all things Japanese.  They are unfailingly polite, and things are very well presented.  The cities are very clean as well.

It was raining in Nagano, the first rain I have had this trip.  The shuttle from the ship took us into the center of town to a train station.  We went underground, and pretty much stayed there for the duration of our trip into town.  Great little shops and restaurants, so plenty to amuse us.  

The Japanese are so efficient.  These bike racks are set up everywhere, and are set up so that the key is in when the bike locks in, and then is returned when the person comes to take the bike out.  Slick.

The shops and restaurants are very neat.  The little displays of food are done up in plastic, so the meal is displayed as it is.  Easy to choose from what is in the window.  There are little stools outside, so when the restaurant is full, someone comes out and bows, and then takes your order, and so when you come in, the food is already ordered and almost ready.  How cool is that!

Nagoya is very modern and has some very modern architecture.  It is the fourth largest city, and is the home of all the auto industry giants.  There is a big Toyota museum and factory here.

There is a trend in Japan that they have large buildings that are dedicated to one product.  This is a four story drug store, but there are electronic shops and sports stores that are huge, and have a variety of that one product.

Instead of parking meters, the cars just back into, or drive over this little rig in green, which then locks and again, is released when the money is paid.

Everything is so well-organized, and there is no horn honking, and no swearing.  I have not seen anyone cutting in or being rude, and not a lot of speeding.  The drivers are polite, and obey the rules, so things run like clockwork.  What happened to us?

We are in Nagoya again tomorrow and leaving at 8pm in the evening for Shingu which is a small island.  If the weather clears up we will go off and get the shuttle to  twon again to explore.    Otherwise it might be laundry and catch up day.  Ciao for now!!

Dale

Yokohama - Cool city.

Yokohama is an interesting city, and very walkable.  After docking we took a stroll in the town, and just walked into some local areas.  The two back-packs are Alison and Stephanie strolling up ahead.  I am always bringing up the rear taking pictures.

We walked and walked in Yokohama, and found this lovely river/canal to walk beside.  We stopped for lunch at a small local restaurant, and then kept on following the river back to the ship.

In Yokohama the manholes and some tiles on buildings had lovely designs on them, like this.  Yokohama is just 30 minutes by train from Tokyo but is completely different.  Population is 3.5 million.  There is a very American influence on some of the buildings, as there was a treaty negotiated in 1858 by the first envoy to Japan.  It became an international seaport, and you can see that influence in the city, which is very laid back and charming.

One of the old buildings that reflect the charm of the city.

Alison leading the charge, Stephanie and Peter bringing up the rear.

This was the view of the city from the ship.  The odd shaped building is a hotel.

The pace of Yokohama compared to Tokyo is completely different.  Yokohama felt so relaxed and liveable, as compared to the frenetic pace of Tokyo.

There was a sail past of police boats, with all kinds of people waving.  Of course we waved back!

Stephanie in the market, checking out the locals.

These trees along the canal are all cherry blossom trees and must be spectacular when they are all out in blossom.

Ali B, Stephanie and I out for a stroll.

Cutie patootie.....

The World at the dock in Yokohama....

The area that the ship was docked in was an old mill, and lots of people were just out for a stroll as the sun set.  Wonder what this little girl is telling her Dad.

Love the Japanese design.  Shogun!

This building has a distinctly Moorish influence, which was evident in a few other buildings.  There were also signs of some European influence with some wonderful treelined avenues and unique architecture.