Japan Adventure: Christmas Eve 12/24/11

That looks like rain! It's Christmas Eve & we're on the Monzen Bridge leaving the base as we drive to Oshima Island for our overnight trip. We always try to stay somewhere overnight on Christmas Eve because it's too depressing to be alone or with someone else's family, although several people have graciously invited us.

Driving along Hwy 188 south (toward Yanai) - still raining out in the Seto Inland Sea.

Clearer skies now as we pass a small deserted beach.

The sea on our left and the train tracks on our right.

And there's the green Oshima Island Bridge. Usually we drive under & keep going on Hwy 188, but this time we'll circle around & drive on it to Oshima Island.

On the bridge now & it's VERY windy . . .

Looking back at the bridge from the island. Once we crossed the bridge, we turned left to head for our hotel, which is about another 15-20-minute drive. The sky is gray now & it's still VERY windy.

Oh - that would be a cool place to live!

Passing through a quiet little village. Although Oshima is a very beautiful, tropical island, it is NOT overbuilt.

Heading into a tunnel.

And it's a short one with a pretty round sign on it.

Rough seas today.

Beautiful & famous Oshima oranges / tangerines.

Small marina. Lots of fishing here also.

Stone lanterns & a bright orange torii gate.

Ah - there's our turnoff. We're crossing over to the opposite side of the island.

Our hotel, Sunshine Sazanseto, is near Katazoegahama Beach.

Just a few more kilometers . . .

And we're here!

Beautiful!

Large Christmas tree in the lobby near the glass wall facing the sea.

View from inside. This a spa hotel as well as a wedding hotel. Our friend Mieko-san had her daughter's reception here & told us about it. Beautiful!

From behind the tree looking up to the 2nd floor balcony.

And below the 2nd floor balcony is a huge gift shop.

Front desk area. This is a relatively small hotel with LOTS of amenities.

Looking down from the 2nd floor balcony.

Our room is HUGE with 2 large western beds - yay!

Stan at the end of the room. We have a corner room, so windows are on 2 sides - nice.

Seating area that opens to the side of the building. All glass walls have sheer curtains as well as heavy, darkening drapes.

The desk area will be perfect for me . . .

Fresh live flowers & ivy & other niceties. The bathroom was also packed with fabulous lotions, body wash, shampoos - and all products are also available at the gift shop to take some home.

And look at our PERSONAL BATH out side on our private balcony!

Walking around the hotel after we unpacked. This beautiful area is in the outside courtyard.

One of the hotel employees took this picture of us in front of a Christmas tree in the lobby.

The Birds . . . swarming over the dock in front of our hotel. We brought our bikes so we could ride, but it's just way too cold & windy for us today.

We're in the coffee shop area now having our afternoon tea. The man in the suit nearby is meeting with a couple discussing their wedding plans. I LOVE this ceiling! Reminds me of some of the 1920's homes in Birmingham . . .

This family nearby is dressed in the hotel-furnished yukata, over jacket and slippers. Stan's never fit and I just wanted to stay dressed for Christmas.

Our cake & coffee sets. Yum! This should hold us until dinner . . .

Here's the wedding planning area. You can rent EVERYTHING here - including your clothes.

Photo books and wedding souvenirs you can order.

Souvenir wedding hashi imprinted with Bride & Groom's name.

Nearby beer dispensers.

And bottles of teas and juices in the children's play area.

The indoor heated pool faces the beach.

Map of Oshima Island.

Photos of hula dancers - this must happen often, during summer, maybe?

DAM!

We found the casino & karaoke area . . . but no one is in here.

Looks like a combination of Roman & Egyptian decor . . .

Looking up . . .

And down . . .

And we found another Christmas tree.

This is the entrance to the public Ladies' onsen - but no cameras are allowed here. There are inside and outside baths, but I may not make it here since we have a bath outside our room.

A machine that dispenses all kinds of milk fresh from Hokkaido. I was curious to see how it worked since the small bottles were glass. It was all automated and a robotic hand carefully pulled out the bottle and set it down gently at the access door. Cool.

We're back in the room now & those are my toes in the tub. It's FREEZING & windy out here, but I'm toasty warm!

Stan has decided to take my picture. Peace!

And I'm taking his.

Kampai! Beer in our room fridge.

View toward the left . . .

And toward the right as the sun starts to set behind us.

It's getting dark & stormy now - can you see the steam coming off our tub? This tub is just a very large cobalt blue pot - perfectly matches my dishes - wish I could take it home!!!

We're dressed & walking toward the elevator. Looking outside a window into the courtyard, we see a lighted tree.

At our table before dinner. Kampai!

I ordered a Japanese dinner set & Stan ordered the French dinner set. Dinner sets are always the best way to get small servings of many different dishes - just the way I enjoy eating. This was my first appetizer. Cold sweet salmon with orange ikura (eggs) floating around - my favorite!

Stan starts with caviar on ice - wow!

Looking around the restaurant. Most other diners are wearing their yukata & slippers furnished by the hotel, but we wanted to dress for Christmas . . . We met a really friendly couple, Iwai & Miki who took our picture, but we didn't take one of all of us together. Oops. Maybe they'll send me one soon . . .

Sashimi is my next course. . .

And Stan's second appetizers. He gave me the salmon ikura in the small white bowl. We shared back & forth, since he had the French option and I had the Japanese option.