Week 62: January 2 – 6, 2023
Day 427: January 2, 2023
Monday – Hatsunode in Wakayama
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| It's a cloudy morning here in Kumatori. |
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| We prepared breakfast today. Can you guess what we're cooking? 😄 |
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| I registered my Philippine SIM as required by my country's new law. |
It`s a cloudy morning and according to the weather forecast, there would be a small chance that it would rain. We were a bit anxious as we will do another Japanese New Year tradition today and it`s mostly outdoor. It`s called hatsumode or the first temple or shrine visit for the year. While waiting for everyone to prepare I managed to register my Philippine SIM Card as required by the new law in the Philippines.
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| We drove along Route 62 going to Wakayama Prefecture |
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| Nearing our destination for today - Kokawadera |
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| First things first, we purified ourselves at the temple's chozuya |
After everyone was ready, we drove to Kinokawa City (紀の川市) in Wakayama Prefecture to visit Kokawadera. This is the second time for my family to join the Kameyama family in their annual hatsumode in this historic temple. Thankfully it didn`t rain despite the looming dark clouds.
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| Kokawadera |
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| We visited for the annual hatsumode of the Kameyama family. |
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| I made a brief visit to Kokawa Ubusuna Shrine |
Inside Kokawadera, we did the anzan kigan for my pregnant wife and the go-kita for the Kameyama family. Afterward, we rang the bell and I had my goshuin.
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| I tried the unique-looking takosenbei |
Before heading home, we bought Dorayaki and takosenbei for snacks since it is a bit of a drive before we head back home.
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| Mr. Toshi cooked ramen for dinner |
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| It's "Yomo Time"! |
That night, Mr. Toshi cooked ramen, and being a fan of whatever Mr. Toshi makes, it became the best ramen for me. It was the perfect food to end the day.
Day 428: January 3, 2023
Tuesday – Rest Day
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| It's a beautiful sunny day here in Kumatori |
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| The view from Mr. Toshi's house is one of the things that I really love. You can see as far as Hyogo Prefecture from his place. |
It`s a very beautiful morning. The sky was so clear that you could see Awaji Island and Mt. Rokko in Hyogo Prefecture from the window.
To break the monotony, my wife and I decided to go for a stroll around the neighborhood of Tsubasagaoka. We visited the newly built Lawson in the neighborhood to buy some snacks.
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| It's another day-ender bonding with Yomo |
That night before calling it a day, I discussed my plan to go on a backpacking trip with Ella around Sakai City (堺市) and Osaka City (大阪市) with Mr. Toshi. He said that he would drive us to the train station so that we wouldn't have to worry about the bus schedules. It was really thoughtful of him.
Day 430: January 5, 2023
Thursday – Daddy and Ella’s Date in Osaka
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| Hineno Station |
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| On the train to our next destination |
As we planned last night, Mr. Toshi drove Ella and me to Hineno Station and dropped us off.
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| Mozu Station |
We then rode the train to Mozu Station in Sakai City (堺市) for the first leg of our father-and-daughter adventure.
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| Mozu Mounded Tombs Visitor Center |
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| Inside the Mozu Mounded Tombs Visitor Center |
Our first stop is the Daisen Park Information Center where we learned about the Mozu-Furuichi Tombs which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just a few meters away from the information center is the Restoration Model of Nintoku`s Mausoleum.
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| This is the closest you can get when visiting the Daisen-ryo Kofun. |
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| We met a friendly local volunteer who explained the history of the Mozu Tombs to us. |
It is prohibited to go near the tombs but there is an area where visitors can see the torii gate and some sort of zen garden near the Daisen-Ryo Kofun. Local guides were also in the area to explain to visitors about the tombs.
Daisen Park
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| Daisen Park |
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| Inside the Japanese Garden in Daisen Park |
From there, we walked to the nearby Daisen Park and visited the beautiful Daisen Park Japanese Garden.
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| Back to Mozu Station |
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| Off to our next destination |
We then walked back to Mozu Station and then rode the train to Tennoji Station which was the next leg of our trip.
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| Saw these pufferfishes in a restaurant in Tennoji Station, we wanted to try them but were afraid to do so |
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| We bought a meal at Subway instead |
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| Itadakimasu! |
Before leaving the station, my daughter and I ate lunch at Subway as requested by Ella.
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| The first manhole that we saw outside Tennoji Station |
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| 😶😶😶 |
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| Tennoji Zoo |
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| 500 yen for adults and 200 yen for kids |
Exploring Tennoji Zoo
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| Time to say goodbye to Tennoji Zoo for now... Off to our next destination |
We then walked to Tennoji Zoo and learned about the animals there. We also enjoyed the animal shows and the petting zoo area.
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| Shinsekai |
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| Check out the beautiful store facade of Shinsekai |
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| Off to our next destination: Tsutenkaku |
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| Tsutenkaku |
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| Ella enjoying the panoramic view from the observatory of Tsutenkaku |
From there, my daughter and I walked towards Shinsekai going to Tsutenkaku to see Osaka City from a different vantage point.
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| We are in Shin-Imamiya Station going to Osaka Station |
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| Osaka Station |
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| Inside Daimaru Umeda Building going to the 13th floor |
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| There is a Tomica Shop on the 13th floor |
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| As well as a Doraemon Future Department Store |
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| Our main destination here is the Pokemon Center Osaka |
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| Pokemon Scarlet and Violet starters: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly |
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| Koraidon |
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| Monster Hunter promotional display |
For the last leg of our adventure, we walked to Shin-Imamiya Station and then rode the train to Osaka Station where we headed to the 13th floor of the station to visit Pokemon Center Osaka. It was the highlight of our trip. I promised Ella that I would buy her the Osaka exclusive Pikachu as a Christmas and New Year gift but was saddened to see that there were none. Regardless, I bought the special edition Bride Pikachu instead.
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| We bought donuts at Mister Donut in Osaka Station before boarding the train to Kumatori Station |
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| Kumatori Station |
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| It's almost 8 PM |
Before going home, we bought some donuts from Mr. Donuts on the Basement Floor 1 of Osaka Station as an omiyage. We then rode the train to Kumatori Station and then transferred to the Nankai Wing Bus #790 to Tsubasagaoka.
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| We bought some food at the Lawson in Tsubasagaoka |
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| Itadakimasu! |
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| Ella showing her Bride Pikachu plushie |
We stopped by Lawson to buy some snacks before walking home and wrapping up our Father and Daughter Osaka Adventure.
Day 431: January 6, 2023
Friday – Bonding in Izumisano City
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| It's another beautiful day |
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| Breakfast time! |
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| Ella completing some of her tasks from school |
Ella and I had a blast from our trip yesterday but being out the whole day means that she missed doing some of her homework so we spent the whole morning doing it. In her free time, we watched Coraline on Netflix and found out that it was surprisingly a good film.AEON Hineno trip
That afternoon, we drove to AEON Hineno in Izumisano City (泉佐野市) so that Karin and Ella could have their playtime.
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| Kameyama Sukiyaki for dinner 😃 |
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| After dinner, I helped my wife make her special buko pandan |
When we returned home, Mr. Toshi cooked his famed Kameyama Sukiyaki for dinner. After this, I helped my wife make her special buko pandan, which Mr. Toshi and his family requested.
Overall, it was a week well spent. We had enough rest to prepare for our big Team Nicerio adventure next week, but before that, we still had the weekend trips to do. See you guys!
Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 62Japan Diaries 4: Day 430
Kokawadera
Daisen-ryo Kofun (Tomb of Emperor Nintoku)
Daisen Park
Tennoji Zoo
Shinsekai
Tsutenkaku
Pokemon Center Osaka
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