Flying into Osaka KIX Airport the day after my 60th Birthday!
Osaka KIX Airport Bathroom
Osaka KIX Airport Bathroom
OMG I really have to go, but what IS this?
Catching the Haruka Hello Kitty Train in Osaka
Catching the Haruka Hello Kitty Train from Osaka to Tokyo - sooo CUTE!
Osaka Bullet Train Station at the Airport
Osaka Bullet Train Station at the Airport
I was TERRIFIED! My sense of direction is terrible as were my Google Map skills, but I figured it all out and ended up sharing how to do it with newbies by the time I was ready to leave Japan - I was most proud of this :)
Tokyo train station
Tokyo Train Station
The busiest in the world with many levels and 200 exits - no wonder I was terrified, I had good reason to be.
Aomori Restaurant - our first night together in Japan
Aomori Restaurant
Our first night together in Japan: Me and my brother Gary, who lives in New Zealand (South Island) - we had a closed room to ourselves with seating on the floor and space below the table to drop our legs down - comfy! The mackerel sashimi was lovely and I ended up drawing a picture of it during dinner (see sketch page below). ‘Very appropriate’ said my brother who knows about the fishing there.
Japan Sketchbook - Aomori
I did at least one journal page a day. By the end of my 2 week trip I was simply collaging in things I’d gathered instead of sketching as I was so exhausted from walking 7 hours a day around Kyoto.
Downtown Aomori, Japan
My brother Gary is pointing at some good quality knives like the kind he uses for pruning vines, I believe. I liked how tiny and cluttered this little shop was.
Aomori Downtown Food Display Case
Aomori Downtown Food Display Case
Wowee!
Aomori downtown street sign
Aomori downtown street sign
Soooo cute! aka 可愛い - KAWAII
Gyosai Center Fish Market in Aomori
Gyosai Center Fish Market in Aomori
We bought tickets then used them to fill our plate with a large variety of sashimi on a bed of rice. The prices were amazing for fresh raw fish!
Gyosai Center Fish Market - Aomori
Gyosai Center Fish Market - Aomori
Gyosai Center Fish Market - Aomori
Here’s my brother Gary. We ordered apple ciders too as this is apple country located in the far North of Japan’s main island. We went there first because it was cooler that the rest of Japan on the main island. I loved that little girl and her toy in the background too so included her in the photo.
Aomori downtown, Japan
Aomori downtown, Japan
This is the front of a restaurant covered with Sake barrels.
Aomori Museum, Japan (Giant Chagall paintings)
Aomori Museum
One of my main aims in going to Japan was to see the work of printmaker, Shiko Munakata. This is a museum dedicated to his work as Aomori was his birthplace. It is now called the Aomori Museum. When we entered there were 4 giant Chagall paintings from a ballet that he was commissioned to paint the backdrops for - we were stunned!
Shiko Munakata's Self Portrait
Shiko Munakata's Self Portrait
It was the 50th Year Posthumous Commemorative Exhibit of his work and there was sooo much to see!
Shiko Munakata woodblock print at the Aomori Museum
Shiko Munakata giant woodblock print at the Aomori Museum
I just love this photo of my brother discovering the great work of Shiko - he loved his work as much as I do.
Kathy Crabbe sketching at the Aomori Museum
Sketching at front of the Aomori Museum
You can see the drawing I did above from my sketchbook. It features a large blob on the right that is actually a sculpted rock. We somehow managed to figure out the bus system to get to this museum as it was a bit out of town.
Thanks for tuning in! More blog posts coming soon about my 60th Bday Trip to Japan.
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About Kathy Crabbe
I channel healing magick through my work as an artist, soul reader and creator of six divination decks. Dividing my time between California and Canada, I travel by caravan to mer-faerie cottages lovingly hand built by my beloved Mark and myself.