Takayama

We recently spent two nights in Takayama after my book promotion tour. Takayama town has a lovely traditional and retro feel to it which makes for wonderful photo taking afternoons.




















During the evenings you could walk along side the river and listen to yukata clad couples clip clopping along in traditional Japanese timber shoes. You could peek into busy izakayas through front doors which were left open in attempt to cool down.










We rented bikes one afternoon and rode around the local parks and headed over to a local famous French bakery. We wondered around the traditional part of town and stopped in a local cafe and drank sake on a log table. Takayama is a lovely little town and worth spending a night there if you are heading on to Shirakawago.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

Hakone 2011

It's that time of year again in Tokyo where people take the Odakyu sen Romance Car and flock to Hakone to view the autumn leaves. We went yesterday and it was just beautiful! The colours of the leaves are just breathtaking!





This year we took the Hakone Ropeway to Ashinoko.









We could clearly see Fuji-san from the ropeway.



Everyone made an 'oooooooooo!!!' when we spotted Fuji san and the sound of all the cameras clicking was so Japan.











It was so tempting to take a ride on the Swan Boats, but do you know the legend? Some say that if you ride on these boats with your boyfriend of girlfriend you will break up.





Lunch time beers and Nabe yaki udon with an incredible view of the lake.







We stopped off Hakone Museum to wonder around the museums gardens. The mix of the fresh air, the cool weather and the beautiful leaves was just lovely.

On the way back down to Hakone we felt heat coming up from our feet. When we glanced down we saw we were standing over a drain with hot onsen water flowing through. Along the road side the hot water trickled down the hill and we stood watching the steam rising. I enjoyed putting my hand in the water to feel its natural heat which is really quite incredible.

If you're in Tokyo during Autumn one day, I recommend a day trip to Hakone. Or better still, stay overnight in a local Ryokan and enjoy an onsen.

Last year I made a movie of our trip to Hakone. You can see it here.

Love Love

Hello Sandwich

xoxo

みどりの日 (Greenery Day)

A lovely picnic on みどりの日 (Greenery Day) in beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen. Sandwiches, hot green tea, reading books in the sunshine, watching kawaii kids throw balls and roll down grass hills, so many colourful leisure sheets, people taking photos of flowers, afternoon naps on the grass relaxing with sounds of chatter and laughter. This is one of the prettiest parks ever.

Hakone in Autumn

Hello Sandwiches, I took a little day trip to Hakone and visited the open air museum on Sunday. Oooo Hakone is so beautiful, especially in autumn. If you have the chance I can highly recommend visiting. It's well worth the short two hour Odakyu line Romance car train ride from Shinjuku. Another weekend highlight was making my very first imovie. ha ha.



If you're in need of a bit of a screen break / work break / procrastination please have a little peek at the Hello Sandwich Hakone video. It's about 4:30 minutes long and has some lovely music from Make it Easy blog.



P.S. How cute is this font I spied at the open air museum (Gem!)

xoxo

A Lovely Little Beach Side Holiday

Hello Sandwiches! Happy Holidays! Mr Y and I just returned from a lovely little beach side holiday down on the South Coast. Dear Plastic came to visit too.





Our little private beach access track.







Eeeep! Some cute little bunnies!





On our way to Long Beach North.



This sweet roadside stall near Nowra sells the most gorgeous home grown Dahlia's! Sadly it was sold out on the day we drove past.





Vintage linen purchased at a local Culburra Garage Sale.





Owww I desperately wanted to steal this super cute memory game, or at least make drawings of every card. But, good karma to me, I did the right thing and left it in it's little holiday home for other guests to enjoy. sob sob. Dear Plastic and I had such a lovely time playing this one night.



I just loved this garden gnome installation I spied in a local window.



Oh! And sankaku triangle homes! How adorable! I want to live in a triangle house please!



Preferably a Tiffany blue beach side sankaku house please. What more could you ask for?



Perhaps a Tiffany blue mamachari bike to match! This one was spotted at the Berry Wood-fired Sourdough Bakery on the way back to Sydney. Such a great little cafe.Worth a stop over if you are in the area.

Bye bye beach side holiday. Miss you already.

Happy holidays sandwiches.
Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xxx

Hello Langkawi

Hello Sandwiches!
Ohisashiburi desu ne! Gomen!
I've been in Langkawi on a little holiday. I hope you will forgive me for not posting for so long. (>_<)
Now I'm in Kuala Lumpur - shopping, eating, swimming and watching NHK trying to soak up some Nihon-go! eeep! I'll post some new pics soon.
Hope you are all well.
Bye bye Sandwiches.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xxx