The KFC Colonel

On the way home, we stopped back in Shimonoseki, for some more shopping! It was nice, Jamie bought some lovely things and I got some earrings - they were super cute! Outside of SeaMall, the shopping centre is the only KFC here. It is a long way to go for KFC, but totally worth it. In Japan, people eat KFC on Christmas Day, it's like a tradition. So every year, they dress up the Colonel in a Santa Suit! Has to been one of the funnier Christmas traditions here...

Shopping in Kokura

In Kokura, we didn't do tons of shopping, but we did try a lot of things on. There was a big Christmas tree at the Kokura shopping mall, but there were also these cute lights, and even a lit up train! I thought this snowman was really cute, and some kid showed us how to make it light up! Cute huh! I think we had more fun taking photos than the locals! Sometimes it can feel not so much like Christmas, there isn't snow, but there were Christmas songs playing in every store, and there are some little illuminations in every town! I just love how cute Christmas is here! Especially when it is pretty pink hearts and red pointsettas!

All the way for a Starbucks

Friday night, I went and stayed at Jamies, and had dinner with the Nagato boys, Riah, Tom and Jamie. It was really fun and we even did Karaoke after. On Saturday we got up with plans to go around Nagato, but had a strong desire for a Starbucks, so we went all the way to Shimonoseki...a 2.5 hour trip each way! We decided in the end to go to Kokura instead, which is in Kyushu (yeah for leaving the Ken!) and did some shopping, but most importantly, we waited the 20 mins in the queue for a Starbucks! It was so worth it!

Shin-Kobe

I made it to Shin-Kobe with time to catch the afternoon bus home to Hagi. I actually made it to the station with time to buy my ticket, AND look out the window. Kobe when I arrived, had felt dirty and a little scummy, but in the sunlight, it looks very industrial and reminds me a bit of Hiroshima with all the green spaces and new skyscrapers. I suppose that is what being rebuilt recently does, but the city definitely grew on me as the weekend went on!

Observation Deck gardens

It was such a nice surprise, but as we had arrived early, we could spend a lot of time at the observation deck. This one was really nice, with a bunch of benches, and lovely flowers. I didnt think in December, there would be many flowers, but it actually looked a lot like Spring. And, apart from the fact that it was kind of cold, you never would have known, because the sun was shining and it was lovely! I really enjoy myself when I go places like this, just a chance to sit and relax and watch some planes land. Not toooooo diffrent than being on the balcony in London with Matty, but a bit brighter, and really, how often did we see the Sun at home?

Posing with the Heart

Japan is full of photo oppourtunities, and even an airport has some. This is a magical heart, so u can sit and take your photo (like everyone was!) and on closer inspection, it even lights up at night! I fly out of Kobe soon so I hope it is turned on next time! Mikalay doesn't look impressed but I love the heart sign!

Planes from the Observation deck

Anyone who knows me, knows I love observation decks and planes. Kobe has a super super nice observation deck. They have a restaurant, and a garden, and tripods for your cameras. And because it is Japan, noone ruins it. Only a few planes land every hour, but I still got a few. ANA is the National carrier, and Skymark is the budget airline. They have hearts on their wingtips. How cute is that?