climb every castle

Posted on October 31, 2007 by mariko

We’re in Osaka now, and yesterday (Halloween!) we went to a nearby castle town called Hikone. The mascot of the town appears to be some cartoon cat wearing what seems to be one of those horned viking hats. Posters and signs emblazoned with this cat were EVERYWHERE.
hikone castle2.JPG
It was a really gorgeous day, so we were very fortunate, particularly because we had to climb up a buttload of stairs: there were stone stairs leading up to the castle, and there were these ladder-like crazy stairs inside the castle. It reminded me of the ascent to Yosemite’s half dome, which I never completed, because hello, am I the only person who thinks it’s insane to climb up a giant rock that is completely vertical?
One of the highlights of the castle excursion was the little matcha break we got on the way up to the castle. We purchased this “passport” that allowed us entry into a couple of museums, the castle, the gardens, and a bonus little tea break, which we really needed after all those freakin’ stairs.
hikone matcha.JPG
My brother has more detailed information, I think.
My brother and I finally managed to find Yodabashi Camera when we got back into the city. There was one floor labeled the “sweets museum,” which got me pretty juiced, of course. It was a floor of different bakeries and such! The first place I saw was the Mochi Cream place. They sold little manju deals with the standard bean filling along with whipped cream. I got matcha, royal milk tea, black sesame, and cafe au lait. I didn’t take any photos because we scarfed hem down rather quickly. They were quite delicious and flavorful. I especially liked the black sesame and cafe au lait flavors.
I guess that’s it for now. I did try to go bra shopping at Daimaru, but I ended up just fleeing the premises. I figured that I would be able to find bras in this land of, ahem, similarly endowed flatties, but apparently that just translates into padded bras with all kinds of lacy embellishments.
Hope you all are having a good Halloween!

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15 Responses to climb every castle

  1. JustaRabbit says:
    October 31, 2007 at 16:47

    Try Jusco for bras. I don’t remember their bras being particularly fancy but the quality was just fine. I had to get the lady to measure me because I’d never shopped for bras in Japan before. She probably thought that I was a dork.

  2. Jan says:
    October 31, 2007 at 17:14

    I recall seeing a Hello Kitty lingerie shop on one of my previous trips. Keep your eyes open…heh.

  3. Rachele says:
    October 31, 2007 at 17:52

    I find Japanese bras terrifying. They look ridiculously girly, very itchy, and highly flammable.

  4. Dana says:
    October 31, 2007 at 20:34

    I totally remember the crazy stairs in the castle at Hikone. I also remember the 80 year old tour guide who was practically running up them while my sister and I kept pausing to catch our breathe.

  5. megan says:
    October 31, 2007 at 22:25

    Umm…if you don’t have tits then you don’t need a bra. just use peter’s duct tape to cover your nips! hurry home. i can’t wait until next week!!

  6. suzy says:
    October 31, 2007 at 23:59

    I’m with Rachele on the Japanese bras, I couldn’t buy any while I lived there. But you can buy a product called “Nipless” in pharmacies, which has the same function as duct tape…

  7. Lisa says:
    November 1, 2007 at 14:11

    Ummm, Mochi Cream!

  8. Jennifer says:
    November 1, 2007 at 19:36

    There is a Mochi Cream place at Shinjuku Station that I saw on Monday. I thought of you, instantly! See ya next week.

  9. Rachel says:
    November 1, 2007 at 20:36

    Hi! I stumbled on your blog and was so excited to see a picture of Hikone castle! I went there once when I was 13 for a student exchange program and LOVED it! The stairs in the castle are absolutely crazy. I hope you loved Hikone; it’s so pretty right there on lake Biwa.

  10. jan.in Nagasaki says:
    November 1, 2007 at 20:44

    I have NEVER ……not even ONCE……. even tried to buy a bra….I have lived here over 20 years.. I have birthed 3 babies…. I have permanent residence…..I can use chopsticks! eat natto! and sit on tatami. But. Will. Not. Buy. or Try to buy. Any. Underwear.
    P.S. I will wear men’s boxers.

  11. Grace says:
    November 3, 2007 at 13:00

    Une nana cool has cute bras and underwear. I regret not trying on and buying a bra. However, I bought two awesome handkerchiefs.
    http://www.une-nana-cool.com/
    Lula Lu sells petite and small cup bras. You can purchase online or at the San Mateo, CA store. The owner designs a few bras.
    http://www.lulalu.com/

  12. melissa f. says:
    November 3, 2007 at 13:18

    when you get home i will take you to nordstrom and turn you over to the cold and capable hands on the third floor. they work m-a-g-i-c.

  13. Susan says:
    November 5, 2007 at 07:19

    I bump into this site every now and again. I just really like it. Anywho, your bra comments made me laugh, and if it makes you feel any better, I wear a D cup and I *still* flee from all buying excursions. It’s a mircle I own any bras at all. Love the cute things you post, and especially pics of food.

  14. Janice says:
    November 6, 2007 at 19:57

    WOW, all this talk about bras- but what about the MATCHA???? I go into a transcendental, super hallucidatory coma when I drink the stuff it’s so unbelievably good!
    LOVE your blog- Japan is in my blood, having been a geisha in another life.

  15. justJENN says:
    November 9, 2007 at 21:32

    Here is the best Japanese bra, ever:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ru8paaz_fI
    Also, mochi cream looks awesome.

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