Family time......

It was different kind of road trip, and a different kind of vending machine. ((Stopped at a rest area and saw this.)(We had just started out, my underwear was still quite fresh, lol.))

 

On this day Ritsue and mom attended to the family grave in Fukuyama.

These cemeteries are everywhere across Japan.

In honor of the grand-parents.

I strolled up to the top of the hill for the vista.

The show of respect, makes me think.....

Later on we went to the to see the priest and his wife at the temple. I felt blessed......

While in the area, we went to the local favorite Onomichi ramen restaurant. (Tonchinkan is the name when you book your trip!)

My vista of my first look at Onomichi. (More to come!)

Wow, this was quite a view. After lunch, we went to Senkouji Temple Park, also in Onomichi

So spiritual......

.... down to the town, we went for a stroll around the market.

Looking out towards Mukaishima Island, if we only we had more time, lol.

Wow, we've got to get back up there??

.....let's take the gondola back up to the top (like everyone else)......

.....one last absorbing the view, looking west.....

.....and the birds-eye view looking east.

The next day was closer to home in Hiroshima. A morning walk up above Ritsue's mom's neighborhood took us past these baseball fields. (Baseball is so huge over here.)

I'm guessing 20 plus times I've walked the hood. Love it.

Then back home for a late breakfast. Always a dining adventure, yum! First up was Shirasu (baby sardines)

....tsukushi next! (Horsetail shoots!) An earthy tastiness.

Then the rest, which made it a completely satisfying brekkie.

Relax today, I'm thinking tomorrow is going to move me, my inner savant says.