While exiting the train station last night Kyle spotted Mister Donuts. So, guess what the plan was for breakfast…that’s right, Mister Donuts! While they tasted slightly different than donuts in the states, they were all so good! I had chocolate covered donut and a glaze donut. I think the chocolate was different and something about the glaze tasted different, too. No complaints, however! Who doesn’t love a donut?
Mister Donuts donuts
Next door to Mister Donuts was a market. For an assignment in my Nutrition class we are required to tour a market in each country and create a meal that is nutritious, with the right amount of calories, and appropriate prices for the country we are in, for a family of four. Kyle and Sawyer are in that class too, so it was quite convenient and productive for the 3 of us. It was interesting to see the seafood/meat section made up a large part of their grocery shopping center. {Turned out, we didn't have to create a meal for a family of four in Japan. It was a neat cultural experience though!}
After the market we walked back to the hotel to devise a plan for the day. We identified a gondola-like ride/rope train that went up to the top of a mountain (or hill, really) to see the cityscape. On the way down the mountain people had the option of walking through a herbal garden or getting back on the rope train. We were planning on eating near the train that would take us close to the rope train.
We found a quaint little Japanese restaurant underneath much of the main shopping area in Kobe (pronounced ko-bay). It was so cute! We weren't quite sure what everything was on our plate but my main dish was pork. I think it was one of my favorite main dishes I had in Japan.
Lauren & I at lunch with our tea.
My meal at lunch. Not sure what everything is but the main dish is pork-something.
After lunch we stumbled upon another market. It was similar to a farmer’s market with a European feel. People were selling baked goods, candies, other sweets, and salty foods. Basically we just kept stumbling upon food shop after food shop everywhere.
On to the rope train now...
We searched for a solid hour to hour and a half for the best way to find the rope train. Between taxi's (we were told that they are super expensive), public buses, subways, and trains we couldn't figure out which mode of transportation would get us to the rope train. We gave up and started heading back. It was getting late enough and we had been able to see a good share of the area.
On our way to the hotel we discovered an underground town or shopping center below our hotel. Kyle and Sawyer went back to the hotel to rest. Lauren & I decided to walk around, in and out of the shops finding a 100 Yen Store (similar to a Dollar Store), clothing stores, and of course, bakeries.
We walked through the underground town to Harborland, making our way back to the hotel. Near Harborland was the Kobe tower. It was so pretty at night! We tried going up in the tower but we were ten minutes late. They had just closed.
Kobe Tower at night.
We found a nice little place to eat dinner with food similar to the dinner on my field lab. We ate pork on top of an omelet, stuffed with rice. Kyle, Lauren, and Sawyer were really nervous about the meal. I told them it was good, just different. It was a little strange because I would have never paired those foods together.
On our way back to the hotel stumbled upon a gaming place. Kyle wanted to play the games while the girls wanted to do another photo booth. It was so cool! I will have to try to scan the pictures so that ya'll can see them.
3D Painted Mural we found on our journey.
Does it look like I climbed the ladder?
Does it look like I climbed the ladder?
That is a really good picture of you and Lauren!
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