Family time in Okayama and Kurashiki

Had a long day yesterday, and got back around 10 pm last night, so I didn't have time to post. We went in search of the Momotaro statue in front of the Okayama train station. We somehow missed it when we arrived, though it was right in front.

 

This cut out is in our hotel lobby.

Then, we went to kill some time at Aeon Mall, built a couple years ago, a block away. It's huge! I know my family is always early, and they were due at our hotel at 11 am. We came back at 10:50, and they were in the lobby. My cousin Manabu, cousin Yasuko, and 2nd cousin, Rie, whom I first met when she visited New York City when I was living there. We went back to the mall, to a lavish buffet on the top floor for lunch. Another cousin, Kazume, and her husband Ichiro met us there.

Look at this lovely plate. Oishi! (Delicious). I was actually happy to eat salad. Veggies are sparse in Japan.

With Rie chan!

Kazume drove us to Okayama Castle after lunch.

Here are some details taken from inside, looking out. 

We picked up Ichiro, who had gone back to work after lunch, and headed to Kurashiki. We visited Ohara Museum of Art, which is bigger than I remember. They had some lovely Monet paintings, and lots of Modern art, and Japanese artists featured. No Mona Lisa with a Mustache, which is what I told K we would see. :-)

We had some refreshment, strawberry milk for me, shave ice for K. Again. She is hooked on strawberry milk shave ice.

A rare family shot, that's not a selfie, in Kurashiki.

Walked around, and headed to dinner near the Kurashiki Station. My Aunt Shigeko, and cousin's daughter, Chigusa met us there. It was a fish/seafood place, with tanks inside with our future dinner swimming around. Can't get any fresher! K was a bit sad, and didn't want to eat fish. Maybe she is thinking of her pet goldfish back home. I think her stomach won out however, and she had maguro nigiri sushi, clams, sashimi, and shrimp tempura though! She kept wanting more food. Shigeko was amused.

Aunt Shigeko is 95 years old! Genki! Good times. Mark (my interpreter) was deep in conversation with Ichiro, who is in a similar industry. Both civil engineers. Great. Shigeko was talking to me, and I have no idea what she was saying. Lol. Kazume told me that Saaki, their older daughter, lives in Tokyo, near where were staying in Shinjuku, and has a baby girl, Eina, who was born in November, close to Kalina's birthday.

After stuffing our faces, or watching K stuff hers... They drove is back to our hotel. We offered to take the train, but they insisted, as they had omiyage (gifts). I joked that I was running away to the train... We have lots of luggage. Lol... But they are so kind and generous, gifts came with a handy tote bag. I told K no more shopping!

We are off to Tokyo Disney area today.