Anpanman Museum, Kochi City

A wonderful museum! Although a small museum, it was just right for small children.

Designed by Nobuyaki Furuya and got a commondation from the 2000 Annual Architectural Design Commondation.

You enter into the large space which seems to be the size of the building. There are the inviting steps to the next floor. Tiny children with parents are milling around, looking on the exhibits on the floor and reading the books from the creatively located bookshelves. I recognise the stairs from the promotional photo. Up we go!

The top floor had originals from the creator of Anpanman, Takashi Yanase.

We follow the path that leads us via a corridor on the outer wall, outside on the 2nd floor, inside again through the narrowest staircase with special exhibits to the welcoming entrance hall.

Where next? We spot another door. It leads us to the basement. Aha - the children's floor. All the exhibits are children size. Small, cute, and full of anpanman, baikinman, a bakery, details of their vehicles and a large space with ALL the anpanman characters.

Miraculously we didnt have to visit the shop, as Nathan was happy with the shoplet at the restaurant.

There is a hotel within the grounds, and more buildings, a swimming pool and sculptures to explore. 1 hour and lunch there, was enough the satisfy Nathan while we got on our way.

Ise

On the way we stopped where we saw a small playground. While Nathan played on the wooden structure, extracting spinters into his fingers, we explored. It looked like a old abandoned home with this empty swimming pool at the top. The home was on a side of this hill overlooking mountains and forests. It occupied several levels below this swimming pool. One level had a concrete safe ramp so you could drive to it. It seems it is now used as a school excursion camp area.

In the middle of this wonderful forested area.

Kurokawa

This capsule like apartments was designed by Kurokawa, who designed KLIA in Malaysia. It is in Ginza

Great entertainment! Fanstastic!

Save Bastion Point

Save Bastion Point Campaign



Why is Bastion Point special?

Town divided as development row ramps up

Here is an article about the boat ramp in Mallacoota. The decision to build the boat ramp should be out soon, we are all waiting patiently in anticipation to the ministers verdict.

ABC has more news about Mallacoota

Mori Art Museum

We went to the Mori Art Museum today to see the Kaleidoscope Eye exhibition. A Thyssen-Bornemisza exhibition. Nathan came along and he loved it. It was lovely to see him enjoy and appreciate the installations. They were amazing even to him.

Disneyland

We went to Disneyland with Darshini and Suba. I do not understand the hype about Disneyland. Perhaps I would have liked it at 10 but I am not 10. The first time I was there, I was curious. This time it was like watching a bad movie twice. I think what puts me off Disneyland is the bad food they have.

Shoes in disneyland

The only way to really enjoy Disneyland is to be completely comfortable. The stress of 'what to do next' and carrying tons of baby equipment has to disappear.

Wear bedroom slippers, funny ears, costume up and wonder around eating pop corn, watching people and doing the tomorrowland mountain journey thingy over and over again.

Shibuya shopping

After spending the morning beautifying themselves, we had a Japanese lunch of tempura and soba followed by



the BEST shop in the world!

I bought




some sushi playdough that you put in the microwave to become something else.

Cirque Du Soleil: Corteo

Went to watch this today. Beautiful. Wonderful. The production was breathtaking. A circus wonderfully presented with magical displays and colourful costumes. The choreography seamless. Balanced imagery.

Loved it.

Sakura blossoms

I am upset! I told Stephen he could delete all the photos on the camera before he went on Nathan's hanamatsuri trip and he did. He deleted all our sakura photos we took in the park next door.
I have this one we took on the way to see Corteo.

Departo

One day I shall explore this department store.

So far, I know,

• Takeshimaya, Shinjuku (good supermarket, Tokyu Hands)
• Keio, Shinjuku (great household floor)
• Odakyu, Shinjuku (so so)
• Isetan, Shinjuku (great food hall, mens department, I'm sure womens too)
• Matsuya, Asakusa (liked the children's floor, crowded)
• Mitsukoshi, Shinjuku, Ginza and Mitsukoshimae (boring in Ginza and Shinjuku but the main store in Mitsukoshimae has a great food hall).

Mikimoto

I dared not walk into this shop. Why be tempted?

I was told this black/brown building facade has to be seen at night when the lighting reflects on the facade.

Sakura blossom

We went to the Imperial Palace on Monday and the gardens was closed. No matter, we caught some excellent sakura blooms near the entrance to the main palace. We are not allowed to enter here, so we all watched from outside. Our visitors visited another beautiful garden, Hama Rikyu garden that afternoon for their tea ceremony.

Hanamatsuri

Nathan attended the hanamatsuri parade in celebration of Buddha's birthday. The parade was organised by the local council and they walked around Azabu Juban shopping street. Kindergarten children were allowed to participate. For a fee they got dressed up (in rented costumes) made up and waited and waited. Finally they pulled a chariot of an Elephant to a dias where they bathed a statue of Buddha with tea.

The elephant looked very odd in this Japanese / Oriental setting. But Buddha is from India and the elephant represents where he came from. I heard a few mutterings about why is there an elephant in Japan? I really like how the Japanese always represent facts and knowledge in its most honest form. Facts are stated in its purest and truest form for everyone to understand. They also have this large sense of responsibility to everyone around them.

redorangeflowers

I am trying to make this my background. Will I be successful?