Platform Yuko

This is the sight that I often saw after a day out together and waiting for our respective trains. These days we are waiting for the train on the same side of the platform.

Aotani Hike

One of the courses that we go hiking on is the path in Aotani that leads to many small temples and shrines and a tea garden.

Puddle Reflection

A short-haired Yuko reflected in a puddle in a parking lot while waiting to board a boat in Beppu.

Shodoshima Retreat

This is where we go to get away from the crowds and rejuvenate our soul. Quiet, calm, clean.

Hieizan

This is when we went to Hieizan... a mountain top temple in Kyoto. There are plenty of hiking trails leading up to the main temple complex so that you can slow down, relax and take in the zen of your surroundings.

Crouching Yuko

Every year we sell our pottery at an Arts & Crafts sale at a local Japanese garden. This is the booth of the pottery studio that we belong to.

Viewing Kuala Lumpur

We have always had a fondness for Malaysia and its food nasi lemak and murtabak. We love the exotic atmosphere and historic colonial beauty of the parks and buildings. This is near the central park in downtown K.L.

Vissel Kobe

Neither one of us are big sports fans. We don't hate sports. But we don't get worked up over a game (I would for hockey) but we went to a soccer game one time to take in the atmosphere. The crowd was lively and I think we won the game!

Surrounded by Buddhas

On one our trips to the southern region of Taiwan we went to this new temple with a giant seated Buddha. We were overwhelmed by all the statues there.

Cycling Tainan

One of our favourite places to visit is Tainan, Taiwan. The city is small enough to see most things on foot but cycling is, of course, much faster. This is a temple that we came across nestled in one of the side streets.

Jumbo Ferry to Shodoshima

We often go to Shodo Island to reconnect with Yuko's roots. It is a pleasant trip by ferry which is at a relaxing speed and very picturesque. It is now the best time of the year to go to Shodoshima for the Autumn Colours.

Malaccan Street Art

While strolling through the streets of Malacca we often pass by some impressive wall art.

The Back Alleys of Lukang

On one of our trips to Taiwan we went to the historical town of Lukang. There are a lot of old buildings there in various states of disrepair. The most famous building in Lukang is a temple with "Heaven's Ceiling". This is somewhere behind that temple.

A Peaceful Temple in Chiang Mai

I don't know the name of this temple and it is not a famous place on the well beaten trail. The tuk-tuk driver recommended it to us as a kind of temple course. We love these kind of places when we travel.

Big Buddha Ayutthaya

This is at one of the temples in Ayutthaya, Thailand where there is a large reclining Buddha statue. My wife takes these visits to all temples spiritually.

Bon-Odori

One of my favourite events in Kobe is the Bon-Odori held every year at Merican Park in August. There is a huge stage and many people dancing around it. The one problem is that it ends too early.

Kobe Biennalle

There was an art exhibition every two years here in Kobe. It was a very interesting event but unfortunately the last show met with unfavourable reviews and it is no more. This was one of the interactive exhibits.

On Top Of Omi-Hachiman

We really like the atmosphere of Omi-Hachiman. This is from another trip we made there but this time going to the top of the mountain by ropeway to see the view.

Arima Onsen

One place in Kobe that I don't often go to is Arima Onsen. It is a very old hot spring area in Japan and I enjoy it very much but it is just off my radar for day trips. I should go more often.

A Once Vibrant Shopping Centre

We pass by Shin-Kobe OPA... or what used to be OPA... on our way to Nunobiki Waterfalls. This place was once an exciting shopping area with a vibrant economy. Sadly, those days are long gone and the building seems like an empty shell.

Nunobiki Hike

We are very fortunate here in Kobe to be so close to nature. The mountains are just a few minutes away from our apartment and we often take advantage of this fact, especially in summer, by hiking up the trails to the reservoir and small streams.

Under the Banyan Tree

This tree is definitely our most favourite tree in Asia. This one is near Borobudur Temple.

Art in Busan

Visiting the art gallery in Busan for the Biennale event.

Bandung Through the Window

This is from our first trip together to Bandung, Indonesia. We had a two day stop over and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city. Not much to see really. Most of the sight are just outside the city but we still enjoyed the pace of life and the food. A good introduction to Indonesia.

Koya San

Koya San is a mountain with many temples and a huge graveyard. There re many old, large trees in the graveyard giving the place a very calm, quiet feeling. his is one of the trees which is quite typical in Koya San.

Hyogo Prefecture Art Gallery

At HAT Kobe for an art exhibition where she currently works. This show was an interesting study of painting the same items but in different arrangements.

Kobe Street Art

There is not a whole lot of street art or graffiti in Japan but what they do have is usually well done and adds to the beauty of the area. This is at Merican Park and has become a popular photo spot.

Thailand Never Disappoints

We always enjoy our trips to Thailand and our trip to Chiang Mai was no exception. The food was great, the sights were spectacular and we could have small adventures every day. This is riding in the back of a small truck up the mountain that overlooks the city and has a temple on the top.