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Private room in dogo onsen for reflecting on all the faux pas we committed in the bath.

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Traditional lunch at Kagura no Yakata in Iwato, Takachiho. The bamboo is filled with chicken, mushrooms, and other veggies in a broth of soy sauce and sake.

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Four days in Nagasaki Prefecture

View from our hostel bedroom after a long drive from Miyazaki. We stayed at Nagasaki House BuraBura in Mogi, Nagasaki. A cute hostel with cafe and great views less than half an hour drive from the city. 

December 28 - Obama, Nagasaki and a drive around Mount Unzen

My husband in his element at a rooftop onset. 

Unzen jigoku (hells). The historic site of the opening scene in the film Silence. Recommended viewing if you decide to explore Nagasaki. 

December 29 - Huis Ten Bosch

Spend the day at this theme park reproduction of a Dutch town! The attractions are perhaps not worth the entry fee, but it’s not a bad place to spend the day walking, eating, and drinking. 

The Christmas illuminations are incredible. 

December 30 - Nagasaki City

Suwa shrine

Fukusai-ji

Site of the 26 Christian Martyrs

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Fertility shrine in Kumamoto

We took a day trip to Kumamoto to watch Blade Runner 2049, but before the movie date we visited these nearby fertility shrines. Fair warning, the pictures are of large wooden penises. 

  Wooden penis stuffed with Omikuji.

For luck in childbearing you’re supposed to straddle this surprisingly detailed giant penis. 

Don’t forget to purify at the temizuya.

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Photos from Shonenji Obon camp (August 2017).

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Every week we join other ALTs and community members for informal English conversation in nearby Hinokage.

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The view from our apartment.

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Walking home from work.

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Rainy day laundry.

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Just a normal evening view during the rainy season.

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Yakushima Island, Sunset Beach

It only takes three hours to drive the full loop around Yakushima Island, but we found ourselves racing to get to the beach we were told has the best sunset views. The incoming storm following us made for a breathtaking evening. 

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Enjoying house made ginger ale with candied ginger and lemon. Obi Castle Town in Miyazaki Prefecture. 

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Waiting for the train.

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Tea Picking Day

My rural Kyushu high school has its own farm for the agricultural students, complete with cute baby cows and tea fields. Each year, first-year students visit the farm to learn how to pick tea by hand. As this is my first year at the school, my husband and I were invited to join. We both got gnarly sunburns, but otherwise had a lovely day! 

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Driving Yakushima.

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I love this retro NHK logo in Kagoshima.