Spring Break: Universal Studios in Osaka (Part 1)

 On Thursday we went to Universal Studios.  The JR Line was offering a deal which included Shin tickets, local train to Universal plus Park tickets and free Butterbeer.   It had some other freebies but those were in Japanese and no one bothered to find out what they were.  It said it included a timed entry to Harry Potter, but that didn't work out.

We had to be out the door at 6am to get to Shin Iwakuni, and we rode the 6:38 bullet train up to Osaka and then got on the wrong train twice while navigating to Universal Studios.  It was packed.  That was less fun. But we enjoyed the Spiderman ride and found the second half of the Terminator one almost worth the first part (which I'm sure was amazing, but it was all in Japanese). Our Harry Potter passes did nothing for us and we still waited for 2 hours to get on the ride.  Delaney was very angry about this and had a massive meltdown, to include kicking her hag through the line and whining incessantly.  The other kids did amazingly well and did not complain at all.  Okay, they complained about Delaney, but not the wait!

Eventually we split up and I took Delaney and Rylee off to the Kiddie section and they had a much more enjoyable time.  The lines were shorter and they could go on them all.

Marian and Adrian on the Shin.

Thinking we are almost there!  Just two local trains left.

What?!  We took the wrong train?!  Yep.   

But we got there! 

Sitting on the floor since the line is not moving at all. 

They managed to entertain themselves pretty well.

The Spiderman ride had fun stuff to check out while waiting in line. 

Rocking the 3-D glasses. 

The Harry Potter area was amazing! 

But SO SO SO crowded! 

My "Look at me!  I'm at Hogwarts!" photo. 

Sampling the Butterbeer. 

Pronouncing it delicious. 

Skeptical. 

Likes it, but is jealous her mustache is not as good as Delaney's. 

It came with a souvenir mug.  Very cool. 

Marian liked it and consented to a picture. 

 Josh is looking all manly.

Like he's got the real thing.   

Spring Break: Shopping Silliness

 Wednesday was spent driving all over to the different shops to acquire important things for our guests to take home.  Marian was insistent that we go to You Me Town.  We also went to both the big and little Recycle Stores, Daiso and the Exchange.

Perusing the candy at Daiso.

Sibling shenanigans at You Me Town. 

And odd looks from Callie.

Spring Break: Miyajima

 Since we had guests who needed to enjoy the awesomeness that is Japan, we went to Miyajima on Tuesday.  I did not want to drive there, so we took the train.  It was so much nicer!  We walked, we roamed, we shopped, we devoured okonomiyaki (every plate was licked clean!), and we went to the aquarium.  It was a gorgeous day and we had a most excellent time.

Enjoying the local JR train.

Train is more fun than driving! 

Marian was bored, but Adrian enjoyed it. 

Hanging out on the ferry. 

Of course, Callie brought a bag of grass to feed the deer.  They love her. 

My "I was there" photo with the iconic Torii Gate behind me. 

Rylee wanted a photo. 

And she wanted a picture with this deer. 

Delaney and the Miyajima Torii. 

We got to see this wedding couple, which was much cooler in person. 

Rylee's face in this cracks me up.  I do not know what was going on here! 

The obligatory ice cream.  Because Japan has amazing ice cream and it makes the hangry go away.

And Josh wanted a steamed bun.  It was so cute to hear him order in Japanese. I was so proud.

My delightful offspring, waiting at the okonomiyaki restaurant. 

Silliness. 

And delicious okonomiyaki!

The aquarium was fun. 

The fish are pretty cool. 

Hee hee hee! 

I love this one of Rylee. 

And someone has a photobomber! 

Enjoying the fish. 

Impressed with the starfish pool. 

You were allowed to touch them and hold them. 

The penguins were fun and the one in front put on a show. 

We also saw the sea lion show, which was good. It was a lot of walking but the kids were amazing and trucked along without complaint.  

Spring Break: Bunny Island

 On Monday we headed out to Bunny Island.  It is a 2 hour drive- past Hiroshima.  And then a short ferry ride to Okunoshima Island. Joshua and Delaney opted to stay home, which was fine.  Two less bodies in the car for a long drive is good!  The weather was gorgeous and perfect.  We walked around the entire island and got to see the historical stuff, which was cool.  It use to be a facility for testing and storing poison gas during the war.   And, of course, there were bunnies!  Lots of bunnies who were happy to get some goodies.

We brought bags of chopped veggies- cabbage, broccoli, carrots and parsnips.  The bunnies were thrilled for all of it but the cabbage.  Most of them were still happy to gobble down the cabbage, but several turned their noses up at it and wanted the other stuff.  That they devoured.  We took 4 gallon zip lock bags filled with food and ran out just as we were ready to go.  It was a good day.

Taking the ferry over.  We got on the big one this time, which I prefer to the tiny boat. 

Callie is in her happy place. 

 Marian found some friends.

 Rylee really really wanted a bunny on her lap.

But Marian had the best technique to lure them over. 

After seeing some friends post "Bunny Ninja" photos, Marian has been dying to try it.  I gave her 5 seconds and she did this.  The bunny was not harmed, and gave a single huffy hop when she put him down.  Then the bunny sat there and ate some carrots. 

See bunny, must pet. 

The kids were actually more excited to find this long tailed lizard. 

I love this cute girl! 

Rylee loved the bunnies so much!

She managed to get three at once! She was in heaven. 

 Rylee posing, and Callie not, at the gas facility.

 Cool old buildings.

Explanation of what it was. 

A barracks area. 

 Still looks cool.

Description of the stuff. 

This was a giant old abandoned building and would have been spooky if it were not all windows.

Marian and Adrian and the ocean. 

Marian, the bunny whisperer. 

And the lizard collector. 

Hee hee hee!  Looking over the day's photos.