Went to Nakanoshima in Ōsaka yesterday to see the roses.

Hiked up to Kōbe Nunobiki Herb Garden. Entrance is free if you hike up. The cable car is £2,600 return. The soft cream is lavender.

It’s Children’s Day. Went shopping at Nishinomiya Gardens. Took some photos on the roof. On the way home, encountered some mikoshi. The first one is outside Hankyū Okamoto, the second one, outside nearby JR Settsu-Motoyama.

Went back to Sōrakuen today to enjoy the azaleas in bloom.

Went to Daitoku-ji to one of the gardens with my cousin.

We took the cable car up to Nunobiki Herb Garden and hiked down. Admission to the herb garden is free, so hike up to the herb garden if you are watching your budget or if you enjoy a good hike.

Took my cousin up the ropeway to Kōbe’s Nunobiki Herb Garden. I normally avoid photos of people to protect their privacy, but I think I can safely make an exception here.

Took my cousin to Kōbe’s Sōrakuen. Perhaps two weeks too early for the azaleas, but you go when you can go.

Took my cousin to Nara today. VERY crowded! The weather was perfect.

Got a cousin visiting. Took him to Himeji Castle. A few cherry trees were blooming, but most looked maybe five to seven days away. We missed the blossoms, but also the crowds.

Went up to Hakone on the weekend to see a friend. Fantastic views.

Went to Minō Park today. I lived in Minō over thirty years ago. Used to go up to the falls all the time - especially on hot summer evenings.

A not-quite-average Sunday in the neighbourhood yesterday.

The formerly traffic-choked Midosuji-dori is now a wide pedestrian-friendly boulevard lined with tony shops.

Went downtown Ōsaka to celebrate a birthday. We went walkabout after dinner. Ten years ago, Ōsaka had next to no tourists. Now, the Dotonbori area is packed with tourists.

Went to Peacock Alley, in the recently opened Waldorf Astoria Osaka tonight. At ¥2,000 for a lemonade, let’s just say I won’t be a regular, but for a very special occasion, it’s definitely the place to be.

Various shots of #Kobe Port Tower that I’ve taken recently.

It was Bon Odori down at Meriken Park last night.

It’s just 73.4 km from Kobe’s Sannomiya Station to Kyoto Station, but we booked a hotel for a two-night, three day visit to Kyoto last weekend. After dumping our bags, the first stop was Mt. Hiei. Underground to train to one-carriage train to cable car to ropeway to the top.

Very different stroll location Wednesday evening. This time, the Sumiyoshi River.

Out for a walk at Kobe Harbour Tuesday evening.

Out at Grand Front in Umeda, Osaka this evening.

A friend came down from Yokohama for Osaka Expo. We went to Shinsekai for kushikatsu. I played tourist, taking a photo or three.

Mt. Shosha.

It’s Children’s Day today. A friend and I went to Mt. Shosha, north of Himeji.

It’s Golden Week. Went out to #Osaka Castle Park with friends Sunday.

Still more #photography of the azaleas at #Kobe #Sorakuen

More #photography today at #Kobe #Sorakuen

Went to #Kobe #Sorakuen for a bit of #photography while the azaleas are in bloom. It was glorious!

Got the wrong cruise ship. Turns out 2 cruise ships were in #Kobe My friend’s friends were on the other ship, the Oceana Riviera, next to the Meriken Park Oriental Hotel. It departed 84 minutes prior to when I snapped the above pictures of the Celebrity Millennium, walking back from Port Island.

Friends of a friend are in #Kobe today. They arrived on this. Photographed from the Portliner on my way over to Port Island.

The azaleas are out in #Kobe

4th April was the opening day of the new GLION Stadium at #Kobe Port.

On #Kobe Port Island today, some cherries were at their peak, some past, some not quite there yet.

Crossing over to #Kobe Port Island today, this was moored at the dock.

Went to Shukugawa Monday after work to see the cherry blossoms. It’ll be a few more days until they reach their peak. It’s been quite chilly, so they should last a little longer.

Came across this recently on Photos on my phone while deleting unwanted pics. Looking at it on my laptop, I realised it was one of mine, so here it is. Plum blossoms in #Kobe

Was over on #Kobe Port Island again today. The Holland America cruise ship Noordam was berthed at the international port terminal. The fuzzy blob in the centre of the second shot is a🐦‍⬛💩.😒

Today, a colossal cruise liner, SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS was in Kobe Port when I went by on the train over to Port Island. I walked back over the bridge, intent on taking pictures, but the ship was GONE three hours later. Here’s early dinner in a downtown restaurant.

After two particularly exhausting days, I went to Nishinomiya Gardens and had this kaiseki for dinner. An explanation of the menu was included.

Went downtown after Myoshin-ji, puttering about in the usual spots. Went to the Ganko branch in the old samurai house by the Kamo river. Fourth pic is the view from the restaurant window. Took an hour to get back home to Kobe.

Myoshin-ji, holiday Monday afternoon.

It snowed in Kyoto Sunday. We went to Kitano-Tenmangu.

Not exactly Japanese kaiseki tonight, but it went down. Waddled out of the restaurant like a stuffed penguin. The others are blossoms at work.

Three very different meals in Kobe.

Pomegranate blossoms and hydrangea bushes at work, spring 2021.

Waterlilies in Kobe, June 2021.

Going down memory lane. In August, 2021 while Japanese borders were closed, we went for an overnight in Kyoto. The streets were largely deserted.

Meanwhile in #BritishColumbia, here are some photos my sister sent, shot either by my sister or her partner. Here in Kobe, kids are excited to see a few flakes fall that land on their jackets and last for a few seconds before melting.