Kobe Luminarie

Following the Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, Italy donated beautiful lights to Kobe to commemorate the tragedy. Now an annual event, the Kobe Luminarie attracts three to five million people a year. Before our visit home in December, we bustled through the crowded streets of Sannomiya with a couple of friends to see the illumination. (It was definitely on a different scale than Nabana no Sato!)

The first display was a tunnel of lights.

After walking through and seeing all of the lights, there were the usual yatai, or food stalls. Among yakitori and takoyaki stands was a stand with candied apples and mandarin oranges. I've never tried the candied fruits, but I've always thought they looked pretty!



Below is an okonomiyaki stand. It might be difficult to see, but I really like the smile on the man's face.


Going to see the Luminarie was a nice time, but unless you have friends to keep you company and patience for long lines, you might not be interested if you're in Kobe December next year.

Santa Has a Secret...

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But first! Some cool pictures of the light show on display outside of Nagoya station on the JR side.

Spring:

Summer:

Fall:

Winter:

I only wish the pictures were as good as the real thing! The winter scene was really stunning.

Speaking of stunning things in Japan, I want to tell you some reasons I love FEELZ gym in Yokkaichi:

1. They have great classes for an exceptional price. (I take boxercise, hot boxing, yoga, hot yoga and zumba each week!)

2. The atmosphere is very friendly, and the employees speak to me in both English and Japanese (depending on how much English they know). Both the instructors and the staff are kind to me. Everyone--including other members--is very patient with me when I speak Japanese, and vice-versa. It creates a nice atmosphere, because we're all learning.

3. Most importantly, I feel that FEELZ has a great way of bringing Western holiday spirit to the gym. Halloween was celebrated with decorations, a BBQ, magic tricks and boxing. Christmas, too, is being celebrated with decorations and a party. To top it off, FEELZ has even let me in on a little secret!

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Santa Claus is not who you think he is!

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....!

HE IS A BOXING DARTH VADER IN DISGUISE!

Me, Darth Claus, and my boxercise/hot boxing instructor

For more information on the secrets which have been revealed to me via FEELZ gym and Japan, please see Chad and I next week in America!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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Nabana no Sato

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After our trip to Gozaisho, we headed to Nabana no Sato, a huge flower garden in Kuwana, Mie. People come year round to enjoy the beautiful gardens, but the winter is especially famous for the Winter Illumination display. We arrived around 4:30 and strolled through the gardens while it was still light out.

Beautiful fall colors!

It costs 2000 yen at the door (or about $20.00 USD), but part of that includes a 1000 yen voucher to use on food. After we walked around the gardens, we decided to get a bite to eat while we waited for it to get darker. We tried spicy gyoza soup, yakisoba, Matsusaka beef nikuman, and little waffles stuffed with whipped cream and strawberries. What a little feast!

Matsusaka Beef Nikuman

After dinner, it was time to see the real show.

The Christmas trees were beautiful; our camera just can't do them justice.

The amazing tunnel of light pictured above had little flower lights hanging down. It felt like we were in some kind of fantasy scene in a movie (just with too many people to make it as romantic as it has the potential to be!). The end of the tunnel led out to "aurora" lights (pictured below).

This spectacle led us to another tunnel of light that was purple.

We spent a few hours at Nabana no Sato, and although it was a little pricey, it was definitely worth the warm feelings of Christmas that fill you when surrounded by so much magical light. Only a week and a half away from coming home, we're about to burst with excitement. Happy holidays!

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