https://www.morganmessing.com/happenings daily 0.75 2025-12-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/0cacfdb7-8009-4213-8466-fe83de1b3e4c/IMG_5227.JPEG https://www.morganmessing.com/happenings/osaka monthly 0.5 2025-12-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/523b001b-cd2f-4779-86c0-577c757c8749/IMG_5557.JPG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Thankfully all our ordering was done via kiosk, so we didn’t have to look a server in the face while we ordered enough food for 5 people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/686fc0d8-31f9-4655-b901-27ab1e87002d/IMG_5594.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out You can tell they’ve about had it with their castles burning down and needing to be reconstructed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/f2ba9bb2-e240-42a4-b3a5-a6111e237c8a/cloud+pattern+1.png Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/fe1b123f-1760-4cee-b432-2c83e14a0f54/IMG_5632.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/ea91e870-2b5a-4750-9301-fa9930eae558/IMG_5546.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Fun fact: Japan is actually ranked third in worldwide coffee consumption. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/cb1c43a4-d937-404e-a2ee-0b2cfa722673/IMG_5582.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Japan has some absolutely massive crane game arcades. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/502cd506-bb81-480d-87b1-3bb3d2d6050b/IMG_5650.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/bbcc3940-b434-415c-9af6-3210098f2030/IMG_5586.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out A lot of hotels have overly soft bacon, but Japanese hotels seem to cook it to a medium rare. I still ate it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/e60367ed-b959-4f14-8046-995a866fd80b/IMG_5630.jpg Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/5e3cec47-be17-4c03-b16f-6ff94287d331/IMG_5629.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/76424de3-1544-45cc-8c8e-875fc533214e/20250516_142919.jpg Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/31be3070-0921-4cda-9e1b-af80a47890e8/20250515_192031.jpg Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out My opinion? Stick with sake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/ed77f76c-53f5-4ead-ac58-71e3dd04bab1/IMG_5631.jpg Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/9d814e3a-3fdc-4866-ad76-58dc4c697956/IMG_5554.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out That’s so crazy, Bikkuri Donkey. I love cheese, too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/23090497-bc96-4623-b6fc-04dd760dae0e/IMG_5580.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out I’m always entertained by the use of quotes for emphasis because my brain interprets them as sarcastic finger quotes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/c765a475-3740-404f-afa8-447a38d8f75c/20250516_142844.jpg Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out There’s a lot of really nice park areas and running/biking trails along the outer moat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/6c0e754d-8430-44bd-ad1b-3449f5f4cc95/IMG_5610.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Really big rocks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/85b6d2fe-8101-4cfd-b569-9287f44716cd/IMG_5562.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Hamburger steaks, rice, fries, and cherry beer. Note the license plates and car decor in the background. We found it super charming. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/1e9fb7c8-e79c-47a1-9b36-233800e81c64/IMG_5643.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/6b0c1441-435c-4e71-b05b-c9e6826c8ae3/20250516_094202.jpg Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Furikake is a dry condiment (basically a seasoning mix often made of bonito, powdered miso, or other flavorful ingredients) often sprinkled over rice. Jeff was a big fan of all their options. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/aeef1dfb-dba6-448b-afe8-d475a01cd891/IMG_5661.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Womp womp. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/6e9bb13e-8829-4346-a833-36ac721a5e37/IMG_5622.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/59bdef2c-2cc5-42d3-92a8-bfe420808905/IMG_5566.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Dragonfruit, mango, and soft serve. Dragonfruit is originally from Mexico/Central America but it’s super popular in a lot of Asian countries. I’m also a fan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/32f43f06-faf4-4b62-814f-1665b3ccac68/IMG_5577.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Magikarp hat? You can find it at a Donki. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/123363f5-3122-4db0-8e5c-3c5e7b9400c4/IMG_5635.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/0cc93a8b-1eb9-4252-9fe5-5d0dfdde1ea5/IMG_5578.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out The Great Wave off Kanagawa playing cards, featuring Hatsune Miku. I absolutely bought these. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/17db74b6-d8d2-4823-b747-3deb3a464f36/20250516_133501.jpg Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Imagine if there was a 500 year-old castle in the middle of Chicago. That’s Osaka. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/04cabb8b-3209-40a2-86e1-d5cef09fd6c6/IMG_5568.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Frisk is a brand of mints that were originally sold in Belgium but became SUPER popular in Japan. When I saw this in the Donki I knew I had to try it (even though I knew it probably wouldn’t be good, and it wasn’t). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/ec747dc9-a91f-4cde-aa47-21d413f15652/IMG_5628.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/aeceba51-04dc-4732-90a6-91d3878a6a8a/IMG_5648.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/36087f00-5205-4724-9ad0-0577ee4c98ed/IMG_5637.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/4600c30e-c8f0-467e-a719-5ccef1d33539/IMG_5565.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Of course we had dessert! You can get away with eating like this when you walk 12 miles a day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b54b671d-6e8c-450a-8a0f-640ca73756cc/IMG_5604.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out These are called Shikoku stones and are highly prized for use in garden ornamentation (for obvious reasons). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/f80a6762-c775-491a-a459-20602052c635/IMG_5570.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out We were absolutely losing it at this brand of ‘performance enhancing’ candy tablets called Cheat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/e7bb8b02-642f-4001-8163-de4a01916ba9/20250516_135748.jpg Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out This is the Octopus Stone, the biggest single stone used in any castle in Japan. Me for scale. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/791be30b-7b0f-4e7f-a0da-77b7b24061a6/IMG_5634.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/1a6d77b0-93f2-4de2-8451-102a75627807/IMG_5627.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/8ec4c2e1-44be-404f-bb90-1f621d9d6a39/IMG_5551.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out A typical Dotonbori storefront. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/f90a9ac2-9518-4617-a1ec-16068fbc6c2c/IMG_5540.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out An ad on the train. Listen, I’d buy this guy’s book. Look at that collar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/d7776bdf-cad2-4023-afab-7e8963425cf5/IMG_5623.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/6fd2da43-2a51-42f7-9218-98043fd3fccf/IMG_5626.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/82d7a819-0653-4fd4-8e03-8e497da13016/IMG_5620.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/8f2a8295-564d-413c-99f4-80d28af0ce54/royal+park+canvas.JPG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out The style of room we stayed in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/05e86aa8-7b8c-44af-ae85-6b3a310e6c61/IMG_5587.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Very solid breakfast spread from the Royal Park Canvas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/be5b84f7-29fd-4ab9-9621-79ca5e10db68/IMG_5567.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out The vibe of the decor was kind of vaguely Texas/spaghetti western. We were into it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/9a63227d-0ad6-4f09-80a0-3308753f1f1d/IMG_5588.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Another wild translation where I have to assume no one knew ‘substandard’ has a universally negative connotation in English. I’m 90% sure they meant they use overripe fruits for their smoothies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/55500b0b-de0c-408c-8f5b-f6c62f56e1b0/IMG_5621.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/be2215f9-3cad-4963-9b95-08ad7f8b37ce/IMG_5598.JPEG Blog - Locale 4: Osaka - Make it stand out We started goofing off and trying to emulate ‘gen z’ style photography here. https://www.morganmessing.com/happenings/kyoto-gs8y6 monthly 0.5 2025-09-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/8b512f1c-3051-4698-90c7-ac9cbdd78215/IMG_5538.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Art pieces for chemistry enthusiasts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/5cb14c7f-e0a0-4c78-aa55-fa78ebc49abc/IMG_5491.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Wow! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/1e42ce23-a295-4fb7-9c3f-86c97ae02dd6/IMG_5413.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Outside one of the main halls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/842c6974-907c-4f5b-aa28-2b765b606e14/IMG_5456.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Great spot for a weird pano. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/744bcdb6-1bf7-49bf-a69b-ac13dc2b4e50/IMG_5520.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The paths behind Honmaru. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/eff140fa-03fd-4782-a452-772685bf5d9d/20250515_134559.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The view from one of the outer fortification walls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b6da5142-7342-461e-be84-d0bca8f2450f/IMG_5459.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out You always know you’re in for a good time when there’s warning signs posted everywhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/382c5f94-bd65-4610-bc1f-e91729174db0/20250515_124316.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out There was a cafe and gift shop where you could get novelty treats like matcha beer and floats. Solid 6/10. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/3a2b4f9e-1800-492b-a86c-c06b86b061fd/20250514_192921.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out This restaurant was genuinely smaller than my living room at home, which is crazy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/0d9ffb2c-b7ac-4fd0-9a03-a954a93616e4/IMG_5534.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out I loved this installation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/90be8270-8d5a-4833-947e-d9c04b476f01/20250515_142115.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Japanese landscaping goes real hard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/f2ba9bb2-e240-42a4-b3a5-a6111e237c8a/cloud+pattern+1.png Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/9fe2f409-d3dd-4706-8b51-1344cebd9aac/20250515_122711.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The entrance to the castle grounds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/76e99389-a9fd-4276-94e0-8d1e0fec69d4/IMG_5472.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The best part was that you could go in this little hut and feed monkeys peanuts and apple slices through the bars. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/3128a1ba-fc4c-4892-ad82-82e4d97143c0/20250515_142039.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Cheesin’ in front of a building we weren’t allowed to see. I think it was a private tea house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/5b4f2443-d560-40f8-87eb-863f4459cff7/IMG_5416.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The temple is still used, so there’s lots of areas that are off-limits to visitors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/68e67301-a12f-41d3-98e3-89d69b0df88d/IMG_5445.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The world’s cutest parfait. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/ddd89823-f6ab-4a69-9859-a9e8c6a7d3e6/20250515_122716.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The outer moat and entrance area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/a9c131a1-4204-469c-ae2f-21d41d2e3376/20250514_092557.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out We started a little later this morning and the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest was already packed with people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/bd21872b-65ae-4555-a234-39ada82b7bd6/IMG_5508.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Bonus photo: this coffee shop that shares the same name as my thyroid disease. “It’s my coffee,” indeed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/1a74350e-2472-4980-b124-2984ae2ef6aa/20250515_134939.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The entrance to Homnaru. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/09eb778a-2092-476a-9326-5e2d23a30810/IMG_5476.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out DEEPLY unserious wheelchair ramp. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/aa11519e-fe3f-4ca5-b323-83678141510f/20250515_142602.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Exactly as peaceful as it looks. I could’ve sat by this pond all day if I didn’t have so many places to be. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/2b6e2aa7-c859-48cd-a1c4-18d1489cf2d2/IMG_5465.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Monkeying around. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/71870b01-4bab-4bdb-9bad-07bf8085dbf7/IMG_5531.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out A close-up of one of the canvases. Fabulous texture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b0b4653e-8694-46a2-9c59-56417cf805b2/20250515_141940.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Japan is flush with really nice-looking rocks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/3359eb7b-11e8-4c17-82e0-e5e815ee6bcc/20250515_114552.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Hilariously there’s like two sweets shops selling these desserts right across from each other. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b8b10d68-5041-4741-bd80-1bfa7dab2c0a/IMG_5517.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The back garden paths of Ninomaru. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/4310d3be-d212-489e-9a21-0b60c0826131/IMG_5490.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out We dodged like three groups of school tours for this photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/99594c83-4bc5-40e9-ba23-430d57c799ec/20250515_141004.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Cherry blossom season was over, which meant season for actual cherries. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/fb71de34-c9d8-405d-80d1-194092d3b850/20250514_092643.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Bamboo makes for great shade, and boy, did we need it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/6d004887-1637-4698-85be-ff77683b740c/IMG_5478.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out I got duck ramen, and Jeff got a dish with a thicker, savory broth mean to dip noodles and meat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/38814695-396e-4f47-a0e2-16011e3b6a8c/IMG_5433.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out This was one of the first places where I noticed the classic painted screen walls we associate with Japan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/c884d623-b49a-45cb-b39d-cf8d6ef6f39e/IMG_5451.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The world’s cutest omelet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/4cd429a2-b392-45e7-9ce2-5f5f01882d28/20250515_141259.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out A close-up of the cranes, plums, and pine ornamenting the gate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/5aa14e61-b0c0-4159-9037-48e9119e2e54/20250515_143004.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/3f206df9-54f3-4491-9b94-133410a60e38/20250514_122641.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The Katsura River. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/fb802c30-84cc-47ab-9f77-44c5693c784e/20250514_134825.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Up top, the monkeys walk around freely, with nothing separating them from you. They kinda just chill. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/23d2a569-b507-444f-a5c9-02c3178c1672/IMG_5424.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The temple has a famous painting of a dragon and clouds on the ceiling, but it’s not always available for visitors to view. There’s another cloud dragon painting on a screen wall if you miss out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/91df1093-b6f4-4d3c-abf6-2a6ba4f06478/20250514_122634.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The river from the opposite side—you can see the boats in the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/cf7500c4-8629-41a5-aa78-50481a4dd21a/IMG_5527.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out A really cool location for an art exhibit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/33ff1d04-ada4-4261-8054-2af98e1cf5c7/IMG_5421.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out There was an outdoor area where you could walk around and a separate area where you had to remove your shoes and walk around in socks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/44ccfb50-5ced-497a-a9e5-66e5e827ac57/20250515_141945.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out It’s not a boulder, it’s a rock (that I can’t read). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/c65aa0a7-3fed-43d6-ad54-e9637f04eb49/IMG_5436.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The display that caused a small sidewalk incident. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/2dd53e60-f7c2-4b5f-b88d-93069c4f1d9d/IMG_5434.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out An area for students to practice their brushwork. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/5b41711b-c5cf-402e-be5e-3286e1f4662e/IMG_5415.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Jeff identified strongly with this art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/7ec44ac8-74f8-4c44-b95f-47b52ffa63af/20250514_104703.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out One of the beautifully landscaped ponds on the temple grounds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/72d1a978-4d4f-477d-a4d9-f1c3b5db8e00/IMG_5506.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out I’m looking at this photo so longingly. You have no idea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/cbfd8f97-94ae-45fe-9d86-9df448497066/20250514_135433.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Nice views from the top. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/ed241394-0462-4d6b-bbf7-a5a4874b1fee/IMG_5455.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out No one can ever accuse me of being a Real Adult™. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/cc9d40b0-4463-4fec-b687-b29b785dd0fa/IMG_5441.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Everything was cute. Everything. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b48890f5-5ea2-4af5-a897-743c4ef17665/IMG_5435.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Overlooking the main pond on the grounds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/a5ede666-e8e9-4c6a-99e7-ef0e647ce012/IMG_5537.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Jeff for scale. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b83cc791-32a2-4c0e-8a74-dda0a2efad44/IMG_5409.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out I loved that offerings were everything from waffles to fried shrimp to soup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/34cc098b-147d-4442-8108-9a7b5d62f114/20250515_141309.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The famous Kara-mon gate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/9026d0d6-c427-41b8-bf54-c80ed8834cee/20250514_192919.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Very instagrammable tea servers in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/d8823643-b630-44fd-b002-100274817b55/IMG_5443.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out The world's cutest cake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/2a246310-494f-4d99-90ec-374279c45a76/20250515_112841.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Tea and dessert in a traditional setting. Nothing better. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/7a8ce57c-a553-4327-a7fa-2420e624ad14/IMG_5496.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out I think the sun had finally started to come out! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/be61db86-f013-4671-a8fe-be4e41a11844/IMG_5463.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Great photo op spot tbh. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b96670b2-d106-4a71-be4f-67966315c1eb/IMG_5539.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out These are called furoshiki - traditional carrying cloths. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/72ac911e-944a-4548-93b0-aaea286c2119/IMG_5428.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out Another place where Jeff had to consistently duck to not give himself a concussion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/0a27000a-a24c-41ce-ac2a-61d3e0bd727c/IMG_5521.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 2) - Make it stand out I loved the little crutches placed to help the tree grow in this horizontal shape. https://www.morganmessing.com/happenings/kyoto monthly 0.5 2025-08-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/6d65f749-d40a-414a-af61-68e5069d1cd3/20250513_123538.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out The temple hall used to be even larger, but the original burned down in the 1600s and they rebuilt it about 30% smaller due to cost. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/bde9597f-96a5-47ec-a1ae-438632ee6392/20250513_130030.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Tamonten of the North (in Japan, represents winter, the colors white/black, and wealth and the spread of Buddhist teachings) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/da22ae61-2984-4ff4-b0df-7443d54452bb/IMG_5344.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Ready to hike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/66656a65-850b-4fb6-8ca4-ed88ece3ea15/IMG_5349.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out The paths are SO awesome at night—the light intersects through the gates and makes all these cool little patterns on the ground. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/f7d69b1b-66b3-491b-b43d-06a41adcb4da/IMG_5378.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out “Look at me! And feed me!” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/4ed23f93-3f56-486f-a14a-756139fe6e25/20250512_194943.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Pro Traveler Tip #6: If you can’t beat the crowds in the morning, you can always try at night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/38447dd4-6562-4a85-9fd0-ead930529756/IMG_5275.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out One of my favorite things about this little photoshoot is that we independently picked matching purple belts. :) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b0feb561-f6ea-40fb-b8b5-bf33fc7e41f8/20250513_121908.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Two giant wooden sculptures guard the gate to Todai-ji. It’s said they were completed in only 69 days, probably because an entire team of people worked on them instead of using the, “One guy does this for 15 years” method used in medieval Europe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/5e6627ee-8538-4145-a169-f1076080c2ce/20250513_103411.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out The buildings in this area are on the grounds of Nara’s former imperial palace. The capital moved from Nara to Kyoto in 794. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/e035238e-b5d8-468a-97c1-0eb066230299/IMG_5391.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Imagine trying to get a photo in front of a historical site and just being accosted by deer the entire time. That’s Nara, baby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/d09d9455-64b6-4a07-9327-5b18e716ae41/IMG_5338.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out I got so many compliments on my hair :) (even though the humidity was doing a NUMBER on me). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/f5466d96-81c2-408b-9ff3-8ccc9ddef891/d92686739d4fc3ed38f07cdf942e5f96e733c369.47.9.26.3.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Very importantly, that pink window panel can be slid over to plunge the room into total darkness and block sound. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/26eed9cf-d062-4c58-a4b0-0a6b05c6d895/20250512_203448.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out About halfway up the mountain, you’ll arrive at the Yotsutsuji intersection and be rewarded with some fantastic panoramic views of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/5f1c7d57-ff48-45d7-9b1b-2c81390c67f4/20250513_125216.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out A copy of one of the fish tails on the roof (the ones that apparently do not work at all to prevent fires). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/5001d384-66da-4554-87b1-4d378fc5b01f/IMG_5343.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out The sacred grounds feature many statues of foxes—Inari’s spiritual messengers—but this cat seemed to think she was just as important. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/93e77519-63c9-4f7c-acec-243d9d1a67c6/20250513_121706.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Nandaimon Gate, the entrance to Todai-ji Temple, is one of the largest temple gates in Japan. It was originally built in 752, destroyed by a typhoon in 962 (not a fire! plot twist!) and rebuilt in 1203. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/799c1e3a-58c3-4f73-a94b-77f17362c8d9/Screenshot+2025-07-21+102141.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Shamelessly stolen photos of things I couldn’t take pictures of. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/d49fc1ed-35d4-47fc-a7f6-015c6133c3b3/IMG_5272.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out We’re both bad at taking pictures, but we gave it our best shot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/32a8de47-5e73-4caf-894e-ec61338e0a38/IMG_5309.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Hanging scrolls play a central role in the ceremony. They are selected for the occasion and will be displayed with other seasonal decoration. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b671b44a-fa63-4823-aeed-e00ea4bb21ae/IMG_5347.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out We stopped seeing vending machines with English labels about 1/3 of the way up to the summit. I love Japan, honestly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/695e5b7b-7a56-4b4d-a0e1-bb99aab31aa1/IMG_5406.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out We also went to a tiki bar that had like 8 chairs and really fantastic drinks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/9e4f3987-b1d2-40c4-bda7-0e0b555a2962/Screenshot+2025-07-21+102107.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out This hot spring was in a two-story atrium. The stairs led up to another level of baths. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/e4566f8c-866f-4161-a76d-6ae1c3f74ae5/IMG_5404.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out One of the things I wanted to try in Japan was umi, or sea urchin roe sushi. I didn’t realize until I ordered it that it’s not ‘roe’ like tobiko eggs but the reproductive organs of the sea urchin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/38308739-bad3-4c57-9c16-58c0bed09032/IMG_5279.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out At all angles, even. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/db35aa02-2fa9-4564-992b-bcfc265b02d0/IMG_5324.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out In the gardens outside the tea house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/2afb259d-d4fc-4eda-9af0-12306947ea5a/IMG_5292.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out My only regret is that we didn’t goof around and do a bunch of prom poses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/2e1c5842-171e-433a-a64b-4607a911197e/IMG_5402.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Jeff got pork tonkatsu curry; I got a dish with egg topping. Lots of dishes in Japan are served up with scrambly eggs on top, and I love it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b81de466-47f9-47cd-b0dd-fea9d74cd82d/IMG_5302.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Sitting in seiza. Kimonos are meant for cooler temperatures, not summer weather, so we were a bit dewy by the time we got to our ceremony. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/f2ba9bb2-e240-42a4-b3a5-a6111e237c8a/cloud+pattern+1.png Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/91e0bfd8-0cef-4262-9515-9a8a16547cf6/IMG_5290.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Leaving room for spirits. Just to be polite. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/9aad01e4-7710-4345-bfa2-26ae5017c1fb/IMG_5339.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out If you’re a person who can’t get just one flavor of ice cream, you’ll love dining in Japan. It’s all about trying a little bit of everything. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/25b3d91e-ff10-48d1-a2f5-ed6040faac5c/IMG_5350.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Buddies!!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/22e7691b-a41f-4131-a1e4-d26b8abfd422/IMG_5341.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out What does this crab lamp signify? A closed food stand, I think—but everything looks cooler at night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/70c06219-7488-4ee1-9089-0faa04e34fe3/Screenshot+2025-07-21+100538.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out The front walk. When you enter, you have to roll your luggage over a cleaning pad and remove your shoes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/93982cf0-b478-4021-b963-00f05b925190/IMG_5362.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and pretending that our feet don’t hurt after yesterday. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/c81f15a7-3dbb-4e45-ba28-999f386df405/IMG_5374.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out The park has a few vendors that sell barley crackers for the deer. You can’t feed them just anything! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/c9c7fbe2-cd99-4c3b-99f0-bf8a86e1c750/20250513_125449.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Two Bodhisattvas (enlightened beings who have chosen to delay their own entry into nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment) flank the Buddha statue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/1f8354e0-61b2-4739-98c8-4bf747043d9b/20250513_124646.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out The giant statue of the Buddha is the original, as it survived the fire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b4ea886f-e81f-4b04-bd50-c80221e594ac/IMG_5380.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out The deer with antlers are really the ones you need to watch out for. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/42b9ef4c-4f2e-443d-9d36-914f7045df8d/20250513_104153.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Our guide explained the golden ‘horns’ on a lot of buildings in Japan are actually fish tails, and they’re said to help prevent fires. Naturally, this building burned down like twice, and the fences are up because it’s still being reconstructed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/e3ba5448-19d2-4cce-b084-f12945d657e7/IMG_5399.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Deeply unserious place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/0ae774d2-03ef-4d2c-9e13-7959135ac2c6/20250513_125611.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out Komokuten of the West (in Japan, represents autumn, the color white, and the ability to see through evil). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/1661bd03-ae91-42c2-a014-f0696358cff2/Screenshot+2025-07-21+101249.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out The lounge outside the onsen where the massage chairs and ice cream were. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/3f804844-988b-44b4-9d4e-6b2f7f7c1e4d/20250513_124410.jpg Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out An original lantern from the 8th century. It depicts celestial musicians playing in the heavens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/5cd39d36-afd2-40bd-b8bc-9c37935e659a/IMG_5408.JPEG Blog - Locale 3: Kyoto (Part 1) - Make it stand out I trusted this nice old man with my life. His sushi was fantastic. https://www.morganmessing.com/happenings/izu monthly 0.5 2025-08-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/cc493af3-b351-48c4-b042-e85885c7025d/IMG_5208.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Cherry blossom potato chips. Jeff really hated them; they grew on me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/8b099f08-5a5a-4f30-b94e-7b668784140c/IMG_5235.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Our dinner menu. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/a4fc6047-49ad-446b-b22f-57ccf13f2147/IMG_5203.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out These were good but they were extra good when you put them in between two spicy chips to make a little sandwich. >:) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/a5bb0ab0-cccb-4287-9d5c-6e92bd0d89b8/IMG_5212.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out About what I expected for a 500 year-old building in Japan. Sorry Jeff! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/fc6919e2-d6e1-4cb1-af22-23b58d9011e3/IMG_5248.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Enjoying tea as breakfast begins. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/2864d4dc-95fb-48e6-8a4b-cb0d34c70f69/IMG_5244.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out The next morning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/0cacfdb7-8009-4213-8466-fe83de1b3e4c/IMG_5227.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Still pretty jet-lagged at this point. A great place to relax, though. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/a229fbf7-b026-4b41-9c02-1b6a7c95fa3f/IMG_5249.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out All the little dishes were so cute! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/3fcc961e-d54f-46ca-bcf4-144c88ad5bb4/IMG_5195.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Another thing that took me out: the aggressive photoshopping of dogs’ eyes in advertising. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/897c880b-bf63-4230-92be-7dd425f633b7/exterior.jpg Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Here’s a picture of the outdoor onsen that I shamelessly stole from a travel website, since you can’t take your phone in with you (for obvious reasons). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/0e100059-237f-4268-9c19-8a983f98b09d/IMG_5233.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out We didn’t take many photos during dinner (I was never destined to be an Instagram girlie). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/1923d735-2e73-4b56-abc5-5bba86058b48/IMG_5204.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Jeff snacked through basically the entire 2-hour train ride, which I respect. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/72b2e634-e4f3-48c2-bbb3-237ee7ac6060/20250511_102448.jpg Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out A vending machine full of fresh produce. They really do have vending machines for everything in Japan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/50f8744f-8190-4d83-8700-e321146ed856/IMG_5198.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Presented without further comment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/cc77ec06-d809-4969-8886-853323308b10/IMG_5215.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Posing for formal photos like it’s the 1800s. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/da495a95-c7f3-40fa-abd9-4bb0aafaa663/20250511_142817.jpg Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out The path up to the ryokan was full of other vacation resorts. The whole place was so pretty, honestly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/e8594c2c-ced2-47c0-b9f6-7b749d14153d/IMG_5256.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Breakfast was seven courses plus dessert. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/bb400de5-cf46-4220-adb6-03d8ed5bb1d3/20250511_133525.jpg Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Finally catching a glimpse of Fuji-san, still with a bit of snow. The official climbing season for the mountain is only from July to September, otherwise you would’ve seen pictures of us trying to scale this 12,389 ft peak. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/d2b2cb43-39dc-465e-af7b-010de9d42464/20250511_144056.jpg Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Koi!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/82ec875a-69a9-4cc3-a6ac-d2f0a5707b2f/IMG_5184.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Spotted in the wild: Kumon math. Apparently it originally comes from Japan. One of my all-time favorite logos for how effectively it advertises that it’s not supposed to be fun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/d002e527-5f06-45d6-ac62-581979d5d0cd/IMG_5200.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Berry sorbet, red bean sorbet, and glutinous rice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/f45fe41b-a874-49b6-b658-eefda691254b/20250511_130736.jpg Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out One of Jeff’s better pictures. It became a bit of a running joke that every time he’d pull out his phone to get a pic of the landscape, we’d go into a tunnel or something. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/e5d1f24c-afd3-496b-a588-85795914acf4/IMG_5253.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Fresh seasonal strawberries are a big deal in Japan, just like in Michigan! Some places are famous for serving them up on sticks and covered in syrup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/719e6964-4c3a-415f-a08c-11f2b440508b/IMG_5225.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out The room was stocked with tons of fresh, tasty tea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/fe2cb8bd-b567-4e5d-a5b8-68ab9b78be3f/20250511_175541.jpg Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out We met another couple from the US in the lounge, and they were nice enough to take a picture of us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/77d1ae38-5ec7-4da4-906d-e3fff810164c/IMG_5202.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Jeff picked out this place for us. Good job, Jeff!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/2e5ab78e-6f9e-48e8-a09c-b22269c16508/IMG_5196.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out I’m just obsessed with Japanese product design in general. A lot of these pictures are of products and ads, and you all just have to deal with it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/1aab9df7-c337-49ab-8906-afe208413fc0/IMG_5201.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Dango with soy sauce glaze and red bean https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/d3d0e5aa-9aad-4e9f-932e-87e8aef74579/20250511_135959.jpg Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out These were pretty much the only looks we got at the Japanese countryside—the areas along the Tōkaidō Line line (the route from Tokyo to Kobe) is pretty much one big developed area stretching along the entire coast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/afbc0215-359e-4276-9a2a-70023d03fa30/IMG_5185.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out This is not your American 7/11. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/38a58b1d-ff10-4c8e-b389-2a0deb2ab690/IMG_5237.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out After dinner, our room was turned over and futons set up. These things felt like literal clouds. I still think about them from time to time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b0b49d88-6c11-427a-be9c-aca8663b353b/IMG_5193.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out This sign, which was on a fence right next to an elementary school, basically translates to, “C’mon man, don’t pee against this fence.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/f3596590-3f56-4e92-adcf-4a949db5cbdf/20250511_142850.jpg Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out A classic vermillion bridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/f2ba9bb2-e240-42a4-b3a5-a6111e237c8a/cloud+pattern+1.png Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/1970584b-eb41-45e5-aa7d-fe78170692dc/20250511_143319.jpg Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out Pictured here: me trying to figure out if this is the right place (I’m illiterate). Brings us to Pro Traveler Trip #5: Sometimes it really is easier to just take a taxi places. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/065422d0-5052-4fba-b380-c02b16cd298f/IMG_5243.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out We woke up early and spent some time relaxing in the lounge. I noticed a Yayoi Kusama painting and got pretty excited (she’s a very famous Japanese artist and I learned about her in school). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/a0ca43cc-0893-41a5-a123-648421cb7dc1/IMG_5194.JPEG Blog - Locale Two: Izu - Make it stand out A weight loss clinic where the ‘before’ pictures look like the ‘after’ pictures in American ads. This took me OUT lol. https://www.morganmessing.com/happenings/enoshima-and-kamakura monthly 0.5 2025-07-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/275cc102-ceed-424e-b66a-2de9dc16871f/IMG_5135.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out A pair of guardians are traditionally placed at shrines to ward off evil spirits. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/ffc8746d-cbff-4ab9-b814-ad9d5d266fba/IMG_5170.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out (The questionable merch) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/df24d19e-ed60-48dd-9505-22a3d0558f81/IMG_5149.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Donuts for breakfast, boiled baby anchovy for lunch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/8387169c-5290-44f1-92c7-5e55c5e4d8f5/IMG_5134.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Really nice views of the coast, even on a cloudy day. :) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b39400d2-5e72-4d9f-9a44-acd95ebfc291/IMG_5136.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out (The tunnel’s results may vary for people over 6’) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/4d687f6d-d9f6-4820-a1f7-a44038d0069b/20250510_153922.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Kannon is the Buddhist goddess of compassion. In Japanese tradition she is also associated with miscarriage, stillbirth, and those who die in infancy. Statues and other offerings are placed in the hopes the deity will comfort the spirits of these lost children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/6fe01c68-c2ba-4de1-a22b-432942ae8a09/IMG_5120.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out A map and description of the places around the island. I caught myself thinking, “Man, I wish I could read,” SO many times on this trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/44a587e0-72af-41bc-a0eb-a576405cce2a/IMG_5113.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out I’ll be totally honest: I did not have many good hair days in Japan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b5af7269-bedf-45f6-8677-d6dc03bf7e3c/sotetsu+fresa+bathroom.JPG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Fun fact: a lot of bathrooms in Japan are created as a complete little unit with sink, toilet, and tub/shower included together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b9342485-1304-4245-8d68-d9058ec555ce/20250510_133348.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out The mists had cleared by now, and we could see the entire island! It was much busier on the way out than on the way in. Pro Traveler Tip #4: If you want to beat the crowds at shrines and temples, it pays to be an early bird (or a night owl, depending). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/18ad9c40-76e2-46e6-ac23-3a825b093616/20250510_104511.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Too late for cherry blossoms, but there’s always plenty of flowers blooming in Japan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/97997e0f-5f76-4899-a32f-acb9069bd95d/IMG_5177.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Offerings left inside a little building, protected from dastardly crows. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/64247d41-4fd1-47c0-b745-ffb7b6e41513/tokyo+from+sky.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Aerial view of Tokyo (not my picture) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/07d33d9e-e2cd-45b1-81ca-29d70fcb3934/IMG_5124.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out A place to purify your hands before entering the shrine. Purification (with water, fire, or salt) is a big part of Shinto practice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/f2ba9bb2-e240-42a4-b3a5-a6111e237c8a/cloud+pattern+1.png Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/e3031b30-45c9-4338-a2b6-9cab061e0652/IMG_5164.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/2f2261e1-ce48-498a-b1f7-276cccaf5a97/IMG_5142.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out All the pictures of me on the observatory are hilarious because of the strong sea breezes. Jeff, luckily, did not have the same problem. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/fad9dc26-45f2-48ac-a243-33af0ebd68d4/20250510_153530.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out A statue of Kannon. The multiple arms of deities emphasize their power and ability to reach out and help many people in many ways. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/c3986158-c5ed-4b5e-b399-33cda0dfe29a/20250510_104839.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out This little tunnel between the areas of the garden was the perfect size for a cute picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/df6f0dd5-15b9-4986-9a82-398a399b45f1/20250510_093732.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out It was kind of cool visiting it when the weather was a little foggy and rainy because the island disappearing into the mist made it seem super mysterious. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/43d15d75-dc95-4fca-ac99-a97faad879be/20250510_112738.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out A view heading down the mountain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/7d187eec-6bf1-4f63-8581-af689a7d4243/IMG_5169.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out At first I worried this might be a tad disrespectful, but then I saw some pretty questionable merch on the way back down down the train station and figured it was fine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/aa47b2cb-8415-4b7d-ac46-896ed323c27b/20250510_153232.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Buddhist prayer wheels. You can actually spin them around to read them (if you’re literate, which I’m not). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/8a38d74c-517b-49e3-8fb1-944f302b1acf/20250510_080611.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out “Oh, I should take a picture of this!” — Me, when the food is already in my mouth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/0684cc27-38dd-4402-aa78-c36dcdf02135/IMG_5122.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out The shrine at Enoshima is dedicated to the kami Benten (a Buddhist goddess), depicted here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/0bdd1f43-c06b-4828-af85-67f3ee91c822/IMG_5125.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Enoshima Shrine! There were triforce symbols everywhere, which I didn’t figure out until later in the trip—they’re actually the symbol of the Hōjō clan, which ruled over the Kamakura shogunate for years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/4ee3e7d6-49be-4874-9a7f-f070a42820ec/20250510_150627.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Pictured here: me copying the pose of a 10 year-old boy whose exasperated parents had failed to get a serious photo out of him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/8b508728-a735-4d4a-a8cd-98fd6b287b9a/20250510_131318.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out A Hanachōzu flower display. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/dfe1d4de-7261-4941-936a-fd19355c9e58/20250509_203452.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Pro traveler tip #1: Stay in places where you can do laundry, so you don’t have to pack as much! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/f2ba9bb2-e240-42a4-b3a5-a6111e237c8a/cloud+pattern+1.png Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/475a2bcb-ab68-4155-9f14-a8d69c6eb31a/20250510_104643.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out This picture doesn’t show how absolutely massive these roses were - I swear they were the size of my head! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/8eb4ccb6-d0d3-4f4c-bb02-7d342e9415dc/20250510_121236.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out The dragon of Enoshima https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/1470cce6-974c-43b8-a70a-addf44e0cec8/IMG_5176.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out One of the altars found at the end of a passage of the caves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/c8232020-64e1-4d24-8187-27d7419cbefd/IMG_5157.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out They hand out candles in the caves. Allegedly they’re for kids who might be scared of the dark, but you can take one just for the vibes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/c8882bca-f125-4056-84b7-04c67eb0981d/20250510_153020.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out The Four Heavenly Kings (this post is getting WAY too long, so I’ll talk about them later. You see them in many places. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/3cedfc17-6b10-4f28-8d22-5065e975ccd1/20250510_124627.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out The sea caves in the dark. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/718bac72-8dee-4cc5-8b80-89764bb37efb/IMG_5116.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Pro Traveler Tip #2: Beware of Tobi. Tobi is a jerk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/264180d3-a668-4cb8-8366-80fbf193f211/IMG_5130.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out There were escalators, but you had to pay to use them. Classic Japan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/38b187fb-d261-4f1e-8fd9-0bace0b5b4d6/IMG_5118.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out This was the first of like 25 flights of stairs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/19e6b428-522b-4bf6-95e1-4a6e11667afa/20250510_143515.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out It’s really big. Big enough that you can actually wak around inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/0c4cea1f-37cb-4526-8b11-91199a5a0286/IMG_5147.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out This is a tanuki (Japanese raccoon dog) statue. The oversized testicles are said to bring good fortune. These goofy little guys took me OUT every time I saw them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/a1b1c790-9423-403d-b716-24c1cb46cbeb/20250510_125138.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out The other has this statue of a dragon! If you clap your hands it will summon the dragon’s spirit and it will roar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/44de7b89-0ab1-4d1e-9191-84dbcb7a4a39/20250510_124554.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out One path’s end has this cool little shrine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b8d7fe63-7dfd-493d-ba99-ac4e617b4f5a/20250510_094355.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out A choppy day in the Sagami Bay. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b80c8b00-6255-4d81-8f11-1dfc55d40435/20250510_123126.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Pro Traveler Tip #3: Always remember when you hike DOWN you have to hike back UP later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/fcc55c11-d65d-48e6-99c6-134e4acce33e/IMG_5152.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Dragon Love Bell—it is said that if two people ring it together, their love will last forever. I can only assume this is because you’ll be half-deaf after you ring it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/c0e25609-cf01-4735-a4a7-cc87bedce843/20250510_101235.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Pictured here: me tying off my fortune that probably has winning lottery numbers written on it, all because I’m illiterate in Japan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/1e41beac-33a3-4b53-870c-98b6cc79a0cb/711+chicken.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out I love you, combini chicken. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/78961de0-c3d1-4aa9-a711-7f9f9d3a4f63/IMG_5121.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out The only thing Apple Intelligence was really confident about here was “Glaring in all directions.” Surely you can understand my confusion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/fe82559a-abb0-4886-80d8-85252790c95c/20250510_124820.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out The tides in Japan are pretty mild, even on the Pacific. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/2216bcba-0385-48bf-b01a-d04933255dcd/IMG_5159.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out I think Jeff managed not to hit his head here. Maybe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/246616f2-2037-4bec-8997-ae8940418fa4/IMG_5151.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out A statue of Yamada Kengyo, who learned to play the koto and became a composer after losing his sight at a young age. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/9cea8e83-43fe-47c6-9ab8-492fdc27bcd8/IMG_5127.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out The garden gets quite busy, but since it was early and a little drizzly, we almost had the place to ourselves! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/3b432154-255d-40a0-ba9f-4391190c7ec6/IMG_5138.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Coastal views disappearing into mist and cloud. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/e4257725-0f2d-4105-92fa-67a613783bdd/IMG_5137.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out A statue of a beckoning cat hidden in the tunnels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/eaa9fe9e-32fc-4fd5-9185-c696e5448301/20250510_094619.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out The island has a lot of resorts and hotels — it kind of gave me a Mackinac Island vibe! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/10ca8ce7-eb63-4c6b-a2f6-ea1f3bd3ebe0/IC+card.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Behold, the Holy Grail of Japanese travel: the Suica card https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/d56f1df6-265d-44b8-867a-32e9008255f5/IMG_5150.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Kameishi (Turtle Stone) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/b347922d-146b-46f1-a901-cf8ef9fc7fb9/20250510_110112.jpg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Some of these buildings are actually vacation homes! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/fe679fb8-cbe3-48a5-82bd-575a69cf2786/sotetsu+fresa+inn.jpeg Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out Compact but comfortable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/916145ac-c54a-4f9d-ae87-edb03f09dd9e/IMG_5172.JPEG Blog - Locale 1: Kamakura & Enoshima - Make it stand out The fact that this one was written in English convinced me that birds are a serious problem in Japan. https://www.morganmessing.com/happenings/tag/Travel monthly 0.5 https://www.morganmessing.com/happenings/tag/Japan monthly 0.5 https://www.morganmessing.com/home daily 1.0 2025-08-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/673a4c503674b61d29d96c5b/0f8a4ed8-4449-432c-baa2-b3175841655e/tape2.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/ea1da332-46e0-46b9-95a2-82df5d8ed672/IMG_4510.JPEG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/3193168d-1f41-4b10-924e-d7b1ad4ecf35/IMG_0925.JPEG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/57c232d0-adce-4b08-b655-6497f25e6be0/IMG_4707.JPEG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/fe2cb8bd-b567-4e5d-a5b8-68ab9b78be3f/20250511_175541.jpg https://www.morganmessing.com/the-photo-reel-1 daily 0.75 2025-06-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847332082-XD1KMA4EER5NVQWQZJ4O/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg The Photo Reel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847331546-NBMOOBORXBR1I52QDOEM/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg The Photo Reel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847330913-1F0BEVH4E8EWIS3SJYLB/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg The Photo Reel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847330272-BEQUDHMNDH37S90TSA0T/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg The Photo Reel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847329019-GP1Z6VXLF9U75MC4JIO0/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg The Photo Reel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847328311-R7PAZDQTBOBSEOWC9YQ3/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg The Photo Reel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847327684-2C1WKZU35SCT0ZV1OJOX/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg The Photo Reel https://www.morganmessing.com/big-projects daily 0.75 2025-07-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847917362-BH5ZKYOM2QYQL4AY633Y/image-asset.jpeg https://www.morganmessing.com/pets daily 0.75 2025-12-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/838b3db8-dac2-4909-9850-c7ba70ecbeb5/IMG_6140.JPEG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/aeb2edb6-3e5c-4818-bcdb-b93e17b58b14/IMG_8923.JPEG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/39eee300-c44c-46d1-b6ae-f6c7eadd42c9/IMG_1432.PNG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/eb244c05-844e-4a10-aed3-d7d14ddbf8a2/IMG_1430.PNG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/afb96865-c370-4fb2-96b5-3c054044a0fc/IMG_8067.JPEG The Boys https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/97b83774-6e19-4377-a74f-94beccfdbb87/IMG_6598.JPEG The Boys https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6841d23cf2abde1978e9c901/4f0fcf78-27b1-4877-9d12-443f3cd68aed/IMG_6956.JPEG The Boys