Roving Japan

Before heading out to the house in the country, we stopped by Yousuke’s family grave to pay our respects to his late wife who past away several years ago. We cleaned up the dead flowers, and poured water over the grave stone. It was a hot day, so you should offer some cold water to the spirits to cool them down.

On our way to the country house, we stopped by a grocery store where we bought ingredients for tomorrows revenge American breakfast. I wanted to make pancakes, but the store didn’t have syrup, so we settled on eggs, bacon and hashbrowns.

Yousuke, not content to be on the defensive, picked out something for dinner that he thought I wouldn’t be able to eat. It’s called “Tako no Shiokara”, and it’s basically octopus kimchee. Much to Yousuke’s dismay, I actually liked the stuff. Spicy octopus goes well with beer! Ha!

The house is really awesome. Before retiring and entering politics, Yousuke was an architect. He designed this house for his sister to use as a country retreat and to get away from city life while she paints. There is a large garden with lots of flowers, blueberries, wasabi and even an area where they grow their own shiitake mushrooms.

It’s really relaxing and quiet out here. Risa and I are in the tatami room with two walls open to the outside. It’s the perfect temperature and there is a clear sky out. Pretty cool to be able to sleep inside and under the stars at the same time.