Sunflower Ville

An impromptu day trip to Yamanashi prefecture. We left early in the morning and drove. After some konbini stops, car sleeping, and conversation, we arrived at the flower park.

The seven of us who went are here in their own unique poses.

There I am.

There James is.

There Subaru is.

There's crazy Chizuru.

There's Riya, who dug in the flower and found a sunflower seed.

There's Emi and Michael.

There's a bee having some lunch.

And now we're having some lunch. (Mmmmm, nasu pasta and free soup and salad bar!!!)

James and Emi in the "JUST MARRIED" pose.

Don't forget the Sunflower flavored soft cream! (like i did)

Now, for some videos of playing in the park.





TAKING OVER THE PLAY YARD

Chizuru Ride


Emi's Ride


James' Ride


Subaru's Ride


Michael's Ride


Toby's Ride



THE FISH VIDEO BELOW


THE DEETS

There's a bus from Nirasaki Station, which is only 2 stations from Kofu, the capital of Yamanashi Prefecture.

Here is the exact location of the park.

OPEN HOURS:
9:00am – 6:00pm (April 1st – July 20th / September 1st – November 20th), 9:00am – 9:00pm (July 21st – August 31st / November 21st – December 27th ), 9:00am – 5:00pm (January 2nd – March 31st)

For more details, consult the information website here.

While you're in Yamanashi, check out some of its famous foods. ほうとう, or hottou, is a delicious soup with the fattest noodle available, the hottou noodle. It's made with mountain vegetables and a miso broth. It's really delicious!

Yamanashi ken is also famous for a variety of fruits. If you happen to be there during peach or pear season, then you're lucky. Eat some of that.

Also, basashi, or raw horse meat, is popular in this area around Yamanashi's capital.

Ja no michi wa hebi

I like sharing wavelengths. I like people who try new things. Even sick things, like eating raw horsemeat. Basashi is what they call it here. Horse Sashimi. This restaurant we went to was on TV because of its tasty basashi and Houtou. "Hoto" is how you say faggot in Spanish. My dad said it once when he declared the reason why he waits by the dryers while his laundry finishes is because he doesn't want those "hotos down the hall touching them." However, Houtou is also a delicious soup that may just be vegetarian. There was my favorite lil pumpkin, kabocha, floating above the noodles when the hot pot was placed in the middle of the table. The noodles are flat and wider than linguine but not as slippery as udon. There were strange roots and veggies that i hadn't recognized from any other soups I've had in Japan, so I suggest you eat it if you ever wander through the groves of Yamanashi-shi.

One highlight of the excursion was when I stood at the window wearing a horse's head, peering into the restaurant. I felt bad minutes later when he said that we probably ruined everybody's dinner. I didn't mean to do that. Minna-san, gomen.


And in the midst of troubles and distractions, a time will come when everything is still and perfect. Similar to the phenomenon that one is rarely conscious of the passing of consistencies, like breathing, blinking, thinking. Until suddenly, the temperature drops or sand blows in your face, or you see something that makes you stop and stare, and completely forget the last thirty thoughts that rushed their way through your head. And they never return.