Japanese beer gardens open in the summer on the roof tops of major department stores in the city. Beers and sochus on tap with buffet food. $40 entry for all you can eat and drink! We went with some of the rugby team after a game. It's fair to say we got our moneys worth :)

Dean's joined a rugby team!!!! We finally managed to get in touch with a team manager who invited dean to play for their team the following weekend. Hilarious. We turn up and it's basically the hiroshima inner city team. And, it's the final. Glorious! I had a great time on the side lines. Dean as flanker, played the whole second half and did a great job. His blond head was (unfortunately) hard to miss. The score was not in our favour - but we were been...

My cousin Shunsuke and his wife Hitomi got married in Osaka this past weekend. Our first Japanese wedding, what an experience! To start with, weddings in Japan are generally a lunch and finish mid-afternoon. They are VERY elaborate events with multiple costume changes, movies and skits. Amazing food and serious speeches. A highlight was the meet the in-laws face off before the wedding. Each family sat on either side of a curtain. After the grand reveal we eac...

One of many palaces.....

Hanok village. Pretty old houses. Massive hills. Had to choose this day to carry our packs. ( we = dean )