Sunday Afternoon Around Iwakuni 2/12/12

A lazy Sunday and we've decided to drive off-base for something to eat. It's clear but COLD today. We first drove to the Nishiki River cafe (and fabulous gift shop) where they have Sunday brunch and live chamber music, but they were sold out of brunch, so we headed back downtown on Rt 2 and found this restaurant where we ate once with Nancy & Eldon, years ago.


Inside, there were several displays in a glass case, but I especially liked this one featuring the Kintai Bridge.


We sat at a regular booth, but there was also Japanese seating nearby. See the shoehorn hanging between the seats? In this area, you remove your shoes & leave them on the floor.


Stan's beef set includes just about everything and those are actually onion rings with his beef, along with lots of other veggies.


I have sushi, ebi (shrimp) & veggie tempura, miso soup, chawan-mushi (egg custard) in the yellow dish with lid, and salad, and of course various dips and sauces. I love sets because you get just a little taste of many things.


So there's always room for dessert! Stan has a small waffle with cream & chocolate sauce, an orange slice, and pumpkin (we think) ice cream. Yum!


And I had a sundae with waffle pieces & corn flakes underneath, decorated with rolled chocolate sticks (striped) and a small solid chocolate frozen ice cream log. And of course hot coffee.


Afterward, we drove to Hide's beautiful shop near the Kintai Bridge to see what he has available today. You never know what will be here - always an adventure! We're looking for an old Japanese table to use as a coffee table in our living room. Over the years, we've bought several things from him, but the largest was our antique wooden futon tansu. It was designed to hold a family's bedding that was folded up and placed inside each morning. We bought it to house our TV and other media, and there's also a cubby for Sachi, our cat to spend napping in private. It is still my favorite piece with lots of drawers and sliding doors. I'm outside the shop looking toward the Kintai Bridge at the end of this one-way street. The entire shop is beautiful wood with sliding glass doors all across the front and parking along the street.


Looking inside the "front porch" area to the left.


Hmm, wonder if Sherri still collects Coke decor? This might be difficult to ship though . . . Below the sign is a shelf of frogs, and below that, cats.


Stan loves rummaging around in here.


Those Japanese model planes look interesting.


I love the dragon head statue, and Stan has found a mandolin in a case near a taiko drum.


Looking up at the beautiful wood timbers and a loft used for storage. This is a HUGE building.


Rows and rows of good stuff!


I'm looking out the back at the family garden. Inside a nearby sunny window, I can usually find Hide's father, snoozing in the sun in his favorite chair.


In this room, are more expensive items - many made by local artisans & always very interesting.


Very elaborate Hina doll display for the doll festival coming up on March 3.


Look at the beautiful detail!


I even love these "ugly" dolls as well - gorgeous fabric and exquisite detail - and lots of personality.


I think the old grandmother is my favorite!


Her hair looks very real - even some white strands woven into the gray - and her wrinkled face is made of kimono fabric. Of course the costumes are all made of many layers of silk kimono fabric as well.


We looked at many things, but we ended up buying a small stained glass window - these are always difficult for me to resist. And I can picture it in a sunny window in our retirement home "some day". . .


. . . but for now, it's in my kitchen window, beside the larger one I've had for a while. The hanging goldfish is one I made in Yanai a few years ago. Above the new stained glass, you can see a palm frond from my LR balcony.

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