onsen weekend.

last weekend i went with my friend, sandy to a wonderful beach/hot spring resort, shirahama. it was the most relaxing weekend - all we did was go to onsen, eat, relax on the beach & enjoy beautiful japan. sadly, it was my last vacation in japan but a perfect way to say sayonara!

2 hilarious strangers who helped us find our hotel.

the view from our hotel.

an onsen on the beach.

sakinoyu - an awesome onsen, which overlooked the ocean.

ramen for dinner (of course).

our beach spot... amazing!

sandy & i.

the sunset in front of engetsu-to.

相撲

so, i went to sumo last weekend. it was bazaar. it was confusing. it was loud.

& i loved it!

road trip.

a few weekends ago, one of my favorite families took me on a road trip to magome & tsumago.these towns are located in the kiso valley (which runs along the japanese alps) & were major road connections between tokyo & kyoto in the edo period. the area is absolutely beautiful & so well restored. it was awesome walking down the cobble stone streets, passing by the ancient homes & shops.

the otani family.

an old cafe.

go (my student) & i in a crazy chair.

missy (my friend) & i with our favorite hats.

buying senbei (japanese rice snack - which is amazing!).

a gorgeous view of the japanese alps & the old roofs.

this lady was 92 & still working! she was the cutest.

okinawa.

i just returned from the most amazing vacation with my two gorgeous friends, branda & anthea. we went to the beautiful island of okinawa where everything is perfect: the weather, the food, the people, the ocean, the sun, etc... it was an awesome vacation filled with snorkeling, swimming, dancing, eating, shopping & tanning. it was absolutely beautiful & i want to go back tomorrow.

little birds.

my lovely friends took me to a bird park the other day. i just uploaded these photos & decided i must share.

... have a wonderful weekend!

自転車

more tokyo bike spotting.

side note: bicycles in tokyo are hot...& so are their owners.

美味しい.

i ate this today. are you jealous? because you should be.

thomas crown affair?

last weekend i hit up an amazing art museum in tokyo called the national art center, tokyo. not only were the exhibitions unbelievable but the building in itself is a work of art. i spent a lot of time meandering around the amateur artists section - i couldn't believe how great their work was. i wanted to pull a thomas crown affair move & steal several paintings right off the wall.

...oh, & i'll be in the states in t minus 40 days! eeek!

neckwear.

how gorgeous is this neckwear from urban legend's shop at etsy? i'm drooling over here!