Diller Parents Visit: Finale

So, this post concludes our wonderful time with the Dillers - we definitely did a lot while they were here: Chicken Shack, yaki niku, Carp game, sushi, Kintai, shopping, etc. This post is simply going to finish with some highlights.

This was a common scene: Mr. Diller aiming his camera our way!

 

Off the train and on to our exploration of Nara! (Joel and I blogged about our trip there the first time we went to Kyoto - it's where the GIANT bronze Buddha statue resides!)

And of course ya gotta pet the deer.

This is such a beautiful structure that houses the Buddha.

 

There was some sort of ceremony going on where they were betting on the deer to do something. We couldn't figure it out for the life of us!

Look at that chopstick action! First time eating Okonomiyaki!

 

Oh Mr. Diller.... :)

Mrs. Diller and I found this super cool shop where everything was hand loomed! She bought a lovely scarf that is simply stunning!

 

We wanted to educate ourselves further on the creation of sake, so we took the Dillers to Saijo where a lot of local sake is brewed.

Standing in front of the sake barrels.

We finished that evening off right with a night of yaki niku! SO DELICIOUS!

You can't come to Iwakuni without going to see the Kintai Bridge. :)

Aren't they a lovely family?!

I have to mention that these two brave souls took only a paper map (old school style, LOL!) to Hiroshima and Miyajima and found their way around for two days by themselves! They stayed the evening in an authentic Japanese ryokan so this picture shows them in their "hotel" room, LOL. The beds are futons that are tucked away in the closets during the day and you are expected to wear the robes and eat your meals kaseki style (lots of dishes in small portions).

Too cute - thanks to the Chicken Shack!

Lastly, since they were here on one of my favorite days of the year, we celebrated with an appropriate breakfast in honor of the day: May the Fourth be with you!!!! :)

Mr. and Mrs. Diller, y'all are AWESOME house guests and we had a super tremendously fun time with you! Come back any time!!!