The Backpack Adventures

Day 22 June 7, 2018 Farewell Japan Ohayou ! This is it! Our final day in Japan . Cold and foggy morning at Tsubasagaoka! I woke up early and was amazed to see the neighborhood of Tsubasagaoka blanketed by thick fog. What's more amazing was the fact that it was still very foggy until 8:30AM.  All our bags are packed... but we don't want to go... Off to the mall for our last lunch in Japan . Aside from being chilly outside, I decided to remain indoors because of the fact that my mind kept on playing scenes from Stephen King's The Mist . Thankfully the fog lifted at around noon and it turned out to be quite sunny. for the first time, Japan 's weather forecast didn't hit the mark. AEON Mall in Wakayama Ella with Montbell's mascot Looking for a place to eat... Lunch at Shabusai Ella with Ms. Taeko We went to AEON Mall in Wakayama for lunch and also to look for ingredients for some dishes requested by our Japanese family. Sadl...

Located at 5-5 Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe Port Tower   ( 神戸ポートタワー ) is probably the most famous landmark of the port city.  Kobe Port Tower    ( 神戸ポートタワー ) Kobe Port Tower History Probably the most photographed as well, Kobe Port Tower was designed by the Nikken Sekkei Company and was constructed in 1963. The tower stands 354 feet and 3.97 inches.  Its hyperboloid design is said to be patterned from the Tsuzumi which is a Japanese drum. It is famous for its red color which stands out from the blue skies and white and grey buildings around it.  Kobe Port Tower ( 神戸ポートタワー ) - Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture Kobe Port Tower Finally, we reached the entrance! My family and I first visited Kobe Port Tower way back on January 11, 2015 . During our first visit, we were only able to visit its ground floor level where souvenirs are sold. Sadly, since we were pressed for time then, we did not head up to the s...

Located at 2-2 Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture, Kawasaki Good Times World  ( カワサキワールド ) is a corporate museum that introduces the main products and history of Kawasaki Heavy Industries.  Kawasaki Good Times World  ( カワサキワールド ) Kawasaki Good Times World History Opened in 2006, the Kawasaki Good Times World is sponsored by Kawasaki Heavy Industries , a company that has played an important part in the advancement of Kobe since its ports opened to the world in 1868. The museum is attached to the Kobe Maritime Museum but is considered as a different museum from the former although the entrance fee covers both museums.  Kawasaki Good Times World - Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture Kawasaki Good Times World is a great place to see, hear, and experience the technology from Kawasaki. The museum exhibits a real Kawasaki-Vertol KV 107II helicopter, Series 0 Shinkansen, and numerous Kawasaki motorcycles.  Meet the founders... Shozo Kawasa...