Japan part 10

 August 6-7, 2026

Since Yamanashi is Japan's grape-growing and wine region, you can see grape vines hanging on the ceiling of Kofu's train station. There's also a piano inside. 

I went on an early morning walk to 7-11 and passed these vending machines singularly kinda in the middle of nowhere on a side road.

Thursday was our last day together so Wing and I went back to Shōsenkyō, Kōfu to tour a shadow art museum. I'm amazed at this kind of beautiful artwork. 

Afterwards we perused the little shop connected with the museum. This area is also famous for honey, so we drank honey-lemon soda. Calming for the throat and refreshing. 

On the way down the mountain, we hopped into another little honey shop, saw beehives outside, and sampled different kinds of local honey.

The skies I got to stare at in Japan are beyond words. 

Later we ate at restaurant Yumean. I ordered zaru-soba - cold buckwheat noodles.

I didn't try noodle bread, but this snack is very popular at the 7-11s. 

Had amazing dinners with Wing's family almost every day. Also watched alot of baseball and some volleyball which was really fun. 🙂

Aug. 7th super early morning walk views

Wing and sister drove me to a bus stop, and I rode for a couple hours to the airport to catch a flight back to China.

Wow, Japan trip recap is finished but these great memories will live forever in my head. :)

Japan part 9

 August 5, 2026

A view of Mt. Fuji in the very early morning. 

I loved listening to Wing's dad play piano. This day we took to relax and went out in the afternoon. 

The day before, when we were eating at the restaurant at Lake Shojiko, Wing saw an advertisement for a 10,000 firework show at Lake Kawaguchi. 🎆 This was the Kawaguchiko Kojosai, which is the final and largest of the traditional five-night Fuji Five Lakes fireworks sequence. So cool we got to see it! 

We arrived a few hours early to get a seat. Then we took turns walking around looking at the food and drink trucks.

Very delicious fries

 Octopus takoyaki  

Nikumaki onigiri (meat-wrapped rice ball)

Fireworks are my favorite thing to watch, and I'm so grateful we got to experience this in Japan. :)