Wakayama Weekend

Time for the family’s first Shinkansen trip! The occasion is my birthday - The location is Wakayama. Wakayama is still in the same general area as Osaka, where we. Live, but it’s much more country.

The First day we arrived early and decided to do a short walk and a day at the Park. Minori park, near Wakayama station, is about a five minute walk and was covered in Ginko trees from one corner to the other. In this time of ear the leaves of the Ginko tree turn to a beautiful gold and they fell softly to the earth in the daily breeze. The park’s centerpiece was a cement airplane that the boys could climb up the wing and slide down the nose.

Upon arrival at the park three girls in their junior high school uniform were skipping class and filming tik tok dances. They immediately noticed the boys, and after building up the courage to practice their English approached Maxi to play with him. The five of them took turns making piles of golden Ginko leaves, diving in them, and picking them up to throw at each other. It didn’t end until a strange man showed up and ushered them back to class - turns out he was their teacher!

Saturday was Porto Europe. Billed as an “European city in Japan” it was a theme park in European dress. The kids spent most of their time at the fair part of the park, but there was another interesting “Kid’s Zone” that had all sorts of different toys and experience. It made us realize Maxi needs a wooden train for Hanukkah, for sure.

To be honest, I expected more “Europe” out of “Porto Europe”. It was a great experience, but I think we may have been off season.

That night, though, was birthday buffet night! I can’t say enough wonderful things about the Buffet. Wakayama is famous for Tangerines, and the tangerine juice was awesome. They had teppanyaki and roast beef and, as my dad says, “you just can’t eat it all!”

It ended with a beautiful personalized plate of desert saying “Happy Birth Day”.

The last day was Wakayama Castle day! While this is not a day I expected the most out of, the castle views were stunning. The castle itself was amazing, Maxi toured the whole castle by going in the out door, but the panoramic view of Wakayama City from the top floor on a clear day was amazing. It ended with a traditional Japanese falcon and then it was time to go home.

We had an Amazing birthday weekend in Wakayama with the family. If you find yourself in Okayama this year please come through! We’re probably going to switch annual hannukkah cards to Email only, so If you have subscribed to our newsletter you’re on our email list for the cards. But this may be the first year we can’t send individual cards to everyone’s home USPOST address.

Miss you guys, with much aloha!