Japan

February 10, 2014

10 Pictures taken at Tokyo DisneySea.

Dominique Parenting and Kids, Thoughts, Travel Japan, Monday Listicles, Tokyo DisneySea

The bridge between Mermaid Lagoon and Mediterranean Harbor

It has been about two month since our trip to Japan and I’m still going through the pictures that I took back then.

Here is a compilation of photos we took when we went to Tokyo DisneySea Theme park back then. The kids and I enjoyed the place so much more then Disneyland as we went on more rides and had lots more fun at the place.

Tiger girl and me on the Jumping Jellyfish Ride

Mermaid lagoon was one of the places which we went to in the theme park. There were many rides here for younger kids and Tiger girl really enjoyed herself here.

Tiger girl in the Tea Cup ride with Ah Ma

The whirlpool was really fun. The teacups spun around and around and it was dizzying just looking at it go. As it wasn’t that crowded at the whirlpool ride the kids and the grandparents went on it thrice!!

Enjoying the roller coaster ride

Flounder’s Flying fish was a really cool coaster ride which the kids and I went on. It was really refreshing to feel the wind in your hair as the coaster zooms up and down on the track.

Enjoying Jasmine’s flying carpets

From Mermaid Lagoon we crossed over to the Mediterranean Harbor where we hitched a ride on Jasmine’s flying carpet. It was fun flying the carpet up and down while it was moving around in a circle.

Tiger girl and me on the Caravan Carousel

This was Tiger girl’s favourite ride. She went countless times on it and there wasn’t any queue for this ride and she was allowed to sit on the elephant by herself. There was a safety belt to belt her in before the ride began.

Minnie mouse performing in the Big Band Beat

The Big Band Beat was one of the shows that we managed to watch while at the park. It was a Broadway style musical which had dynamic singing and a live band. The kids and I didn’t get to watch up close as the show already started when we were in the area but we did get a bird’s eye view from behind the fence where we were standing.

Monkey boy posing for the camera

After the show we headed over to the American Waterfront area as the boys wanted to go to the Tower of Terror. They had secured a FASTPASS for the ride and by the time the show was over it was just in time for their death defying ride.

The Tower of Terror

I passed on this ride as I wasn’t too keen on suddenly plunging 50 stories down while on the ride. I had tried a similar ride once and am not really that keen on such a thrilling ride. Tiger girl was also asleep by the time we came to this ride so it was a valid excuse for me to sit out on it.

Fantasmic

Fantasmic was the last show that we watched before exiting the park that day. The kids were wowed by the laser displays, lights and fire in the dramatic show which portrayed a portion from the story the Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

DisneySea was certainly a cool theme park to visit and the kids and I am considering visiting it again the next time we go to Japan.

January 28, 2014

Visiting Kumanokotai Shrine

Dominique Parenting and Kids, Thoughts, Travel, Wordful Wednesday Japan, Travels, wordful wednesday

The entrance to the shrine

Kumanokotai Shrine was one of the places that we visited in December. It is located on the border line of Nagano and Gunma prefecture. It was about a half an hour drive from Karuizawa up the mountain road.

This was a very unique shrine, On the Nagano side shrine is called KumanoKotai Shrine, and Gunma side is called Kumano Shrine. Here is enshrined the Holly sprits of Kumano.

climbing up the stairs

It was a short trek to the shrine but the steps were quite steep. Luckily Tiger girl was more then willing to climb up the flight of stairs and I didn’t need to carry her.

top down shot of the staircase

Lanterns lining the path

I love the design of the lanterns that were aligning the staircase. I’m sure it would certainly make the path look really cozy at night.

The view at the top

At the top of the staircase we were saw these two buildings. One of the buildings was a hall while the other one housed the God- Izanami no Mikoto, Yamatotakeru no Mikoto

The wishing board

Like most Japanese shrines there was a board where one can ask favours from the GODs. You need to purchase the plague or special offering paper and write your wish on it before attaching it to the board. On the adjourning wall there were many plagues with the name of various Japanese households who have donated to the shrine.

A table which was used to sell tailsmans

Besides penning down your wishes you could also purchase tailsmans for good luck, good marriage, kids studies etc. Unfortunately the shop was closed when we visited the place so I couldn’t see how they really looked like.

Have you visited a Shrine before?

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