Mount Takao

While Aunt Gladys and Uncle Bookie were with us, we drove to Mount Takao, then took the chairlift to the top of the mountain.The girls loved being "big" girls riding on their own... they came up with this pose for the chairlift "candid" camera. I love to see them hang out as "sisters".It was extremely high up and the view was gorgeous.

I got a kick watching the Japanese man explain in his best English, how to avoid getting hurt while getting on the chairlift. I also love that even while hunching a little, my Uncle still looks like a giant.

After our ride, we chowed down on some ROASTED MOCHI... yum yum!

Mochi is made from rice that has been pounded into a soft dough.

To date, our favorite experience in Japan so far is Yukai Toriyama. This is a quaint restaurant made up of tiny private rooms that feel like a secret village tucked into the mountainside. Inside, our room had tatami mats and a sunken table containing a fire pit in the middle. Outside our rice paper windows were waterfalls that cascaded into coy fish ponds and gardens. Soft Koto music played in the background. The atmosphere was so unbelievably serene, even wiggly Jonas was able to sit through a 3 hour, 8 course meal.... and that is nothing short of a miracle.

Here is our waitress dressed in a traditional kimono standing outside our private room.

The table design makes it look like we are sitting on the floor, but in reality, there is a sunken floor under the table to put our feet under while maintaining the tatami mat feeling.

See our tricky chair... no legs, it just sits on the floor while our legs dangle over the side and under the table.
The kids got a big kick out of grilling their meat on skewers over a fire in the center of our table... that is probably what kept Jonas entertained!Raw meat and vegetables before grilling them.... arranged them so artistically.
Fish heads, fish heads I want fish heads. Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up, yum!

Afterwards we took a leisurely stroll along the wooden bridges that circled around the gardens.

Taking visitors here is now a must. Thanks Veryan for the recommendation!