Wuhan, China part 1

 August 8, 2026 - Saturday

I left Japan and flew to Wuhan, China to visit my sister for 3 days who I've met once before.

We had the loveliest time together, talking, learning new things, and strolling around the city. 💜 I think our time could be classified with this verse: Proverbs 27:17- "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

Those were some of the best I've spent in China so far. Got to visit something very special, watched God answer a prayer, shared passions and discussed plans, explored a new city, and enjoyed the best hot pot experience because of the fellowship. :) 

Hot dry noodles are Wuhan's specialty. 

We looked at Yellow Crane Tower in Wuchang district - Wuhan's most famous landmark. It's most popular because of poetry. Chinese poets throughout history wrote about the tower, the Yangtze River, surrounding scenery, and the feeling of saying goodbye to friends there. Then we took a walk down Hubu Alley.

New ice cream flavors

Yangtze River Bridge is the first highway-railway bridge built across the river in 1957. It connects Snake Hill in Wuchang and Tortise Hill in Hanyang. Before this bridge, people could only cross by ferry.

Rode the ferry across the river and continued wandering through the streets.

In this river, they host a swimming competition to swim across.   

This is a popular walking street with so many shops. 

Russian store

Back at sister's house - her dog Penny. 

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. :)