Koriyama, Nasu, and Inawashiro

In my last couple of months here I wanted to make sure to stay close to home, and spend time with the people that matter. It's funny how I have lived in Fukushima for two years, but really haven't taken advantage of all it has to offer. I know it's because I'm bias, but it really is such a beautiful and diverse prefecture. From the mountains to the ocean, I have definitely learned that I am more a "country girl".

Two weeks ago the Koriyama International Association hosted another bus tour. The last time it took us to Aizu-Wakamatsu, where we painted akabekos, and tried our hand at kyuudo. Lana and I had a lot of fun at the last one, so we decided to go along again. This time the tour included a trip to Koriyama's fire station, and then we were supposed to go trekking in Nasu (Tochigi prefecture), but it poured rain, so the trekking was cancelled :( We all still had a good time anyway!


Tour group listening to the fire captain

Koriyama's 911 calling center...Everytime someone dials 119 (Japan's 911), this loud siren goes off in the building. It was kind of disturbing that the siren would go off about every five minutes.

Next, we got to go into a smoke filled room to learn how to escape if your house is on fire. The fumes were harmless, but the smell was strong so we could hardly breathe while we were standing up, but if we crawled on the floor it was much easier to breathe.


Then it was on to the earthquake simulator. We get minor earthquakes in Fukushima all the time so we don't think they're big deals. But with the big one in Iwate just last month, it never hurts to always be prepared. This machine shows us what an earthquake feels like at each magnitude. It took us up to 7, which was pretty scary.












pouring rain



where we were supposed to have gone hiking

we had to eat lunch in the bus instead

fumi and lana

soft cream made from real nasu milk

nasu cow yogurt drink


nasu is famous for it's cheese and dairy products

cake factory

Then it was off to our pottery appointment at this little art studio in Nasu.




I made a nasu (eggplant), because we were in Nasu. I know, it's cheesy...

Lisa made a bowl

Lana freaking out about her leaf plate

Kim's teacup

Minna dekita!

The following weekend we went back to Koriyama to make a trip out to Inawashiro. Inawashiro is near Mount Bandai (where we always go snowboarding), in the summer everyone goes there to go hiking, bird watching, or rowing boats out in the lakes. We went to this place called Goshikinuma (5 colored lakes), and did a walking trek. It was an absolutely beautiful day! Yokatta!


We got dropped off in the middle of nowhere

Goshikinuma nature center









a ridiculous amount of vending machines in one area

and more vending machines...(same area)

mugwort (yomogi) soft cream

mugwort and peach mix!





we love nature

yellow lake

lana and i climbed down to the stream...reminded me of grandpa's backyard




turquoise lake


green lake




After Goshikinuma we went back into Koriyama city to meet Fumi and her friends for a takoyaki party! These are the same girls that we went to the strawberry picking with. Gooooood times!!!! :)


We went to Noriko's house...She's so cute she made the wet hand towels (just like at a restaurant!)


ruriko the takoyaki master!

karaage and arabiki sausage flavored doritos

noriko chan



noriko made these pickled garlic eggplant and cucumbers

takoyaki step 1

takoyaki step 2

takoyaki step 3

takoyaki step 4

kim and allie

ruriko, noriko, me, lana, and fumi

vegetable and fruit mix cocktails

asahi

oishii soo

dinner was SO good...then noriko's mom had made banana and green tea cake for afterward! so kawaii!

The next day we took Allie to Taj Mahal (of course)



view of lana's apartment from up high


koriyama planetarium

high school students cruising by the fountain

boys are way too comfortable with their sexuality here