Soon it will be Spring....

As my days in Kyoto are coming to a close, I've started to reflect on the incredible times I've had, the different things I've come to ponder and most importantly the people I've met. A piece of my heart will always remain here, that's for sure. Today I had an awesome day which started at the movies then a scrumptious Italian buffet with my fantastic colleagues. This was followed by a wander round the Kyoto Botanical Gardens with my Japanese teacher, where we both admired the spring flowers simply bursting with colour! The Ume blossoms have also started to bloom and they are such a delicate beauty to witness.
We ended the night at my favourite Sushi Train, Kappa Zushi and departed with plates stacked high, bellies content and wide smiles.
Kyoto, you have moved me in so many ways but thankfully we don't have to say goodbye just yet!

We heart Hokkaido

I can now officially say after five (yes FIVE) trips to Japan, I have finally ventured off the Island of Honshu. The destination....snowy Sapporo, situated on the Island of Hokkaido!
Bright and early last Monday, my friends and I boarded our flight to Sapporo and arrived to a scene of white serenity. Riding the train from the airport into the city of Sapporo, I was taken by the silent beauty of snow, the stillness of the bare trees, the clumps of white dangling precariously on branches. To be put simply...stunning.
Our first day was spent wandering in streets near our hotel in search of Hokkaido food which reputation proceeds it. After some wrong turns we caught sight of a giant crab suspended on the side of a building. It was a sign! MUST EAT CRAB! I chose to sit with my friends sipping on warm Umeshu whilst they dug into their crab delicacies! Never fear, my belly was preparing itself for the epic Ramen feast to come.
We hit up Ramen Alley every day which I think was the smartest move of the trip.
We all reached the general consensus that the Hokkaido Special ramen (choc full of Seafood) took out the prize for the most delicious with the Buttered Corn ramen coming a close second. Check out this goodness....drools.

 Although the ramen was smashingly good, my personal highlight of the Yuki Matsuri (aka the snow festival and reason for our trip) was the super cool snowboarders who showcased their tricks daily. I never tired of watching these guys flip, somersault, half pipe, whatever you call it. And now I REALLY want to try snowboarding! We snuck in a bit of ice skating and a couple of laps skiing but snowboarding is where it's at me thinks!

Over the week, we wandered around the 3 main sites of the snow festival, happily snapping away and trying local delicacies. Everything just tasted so amazing, coupled with the fresh air....I really felt alive and kicking! We even experienced a snow storm, I got covered whilst gazing at the snowboarders but you couldn't wipe the grin from my face.

On our last night, we experienced all you can eat Genghis Khan BBQ....boy did my belly hurt after. But again, completely worth it!

There were so many highlights of this trip, even the nights sipping hot Umeshu and laughing away to MXC have a special place in my heart.

Hokkaido - we heart you! 

Reliving my childhood!

It's been far too long between posts, purely because I've been trying to squash in as much as possible in my last couple of months here! Well that's my excuse anyway! As my time in Japan comes to a close, I look back on all the amazing times, the wonderful new friendships I've made, the way of thinking I've come to appreciate here and most importantly, the mouth watering food of the last 7 months! But anyway, back on track....this post is just about some good old fashioned fun in the form of loads of rockin rides at USJ (aka Universal Studios Japan)

Last month I ventured to this theme park situated in Osaka....and boy was I happy! It felt like I was a kid again at Australia's Wonderland in Sydney, running around trying as many rides as possible!
We started with the Spiderman ride which was a 3D experience complete with hot flames, cool sprays of water and a lot of laughs! Next up....a ride very close to my heart. Back To The Future!!! We bumped our way to the future and back in no other than the Dolorian!
My big achievement of the day was riding the rollercoaster (or Jetcoaster as they are known in Japan). I was about to talk myself out of it but figured....when in Japan! You could select the soundtrack for your ride that would stream out of your headrest. I couldn't figure the system out and before I knew it, Eminem "Lose Yourself" was pumping in my ears....lucky me! But the rollercoaster made up for it with lots of dips and twists, I had a ball!
The Jaws ride was also a lot of fun....mostly due to the actor playing the part of the driver of our boat. He was super convincing and ridiculously funny. Full credit to him as he has to play the same part over and over all day! Another crazy character was the host of the Terminator ride. She was bordering crazy with all her over the top gestures! I found it hysterical, the best part of the attraction to be honest!
For lunch we munched on overpriced hamburgers at the 50's diner but it was all part of the fun!

We ended the day wandering around the MANY souvenir shops....you name a souvenir, USJ had it!