Berry's SEAJ trip Day 52: Day fit for a king (7/27/15)

After getting up and ready for the trip, Takao, HG, and myself head to the train to head towards his hometown near Himeji. First we stop near Kobe for a Kobe beef lunch that was cooked in front of us American Hibachi style.

We have made it to our first stop. Yes the name of this place is Steak land. Berry has a big smile on his face.

HG and Berry want their food now. That is focus on HG's face.

Berry watching the meal come together. Cant wait!

Berry watching the chef at work.

This is the feast fit for a king. Lets get our grub on!

They cut the meat into cutlets as to cook it evenly and I get one piece rare and the others medium rare; should have done all rare, it was much more juicy and better representation of the Kobe beef awesomeness I expected, though the medium rare was pretty great as well. After that we head to Himeji where Takao's family gets HG and our bags from the train terminal and we head over to explore the Himeji castle. Bought the combo ticket to explore the castle and corresponding garden. The castle is beautiful and has some pretty nice views from the top however the windows make it almost impossible to get a decent picture from the top floor. Once we are done exploring the different wings of the castle, we head over to the garden which was nice with some pretty views combining the garden with waterfalls and the river; the tea house was closed as we got there late which was a bummer.

We made it. Now I wonder where to find that castle.

Oh there it is! The castle we have come to see. Lets start the long walk in that direction.

Statue outside the train station. 

Outside the train station.

Outer wall and moat. Berry wants to take a dip but we dont got time for that.

Bridge to get to the entrance gate of the castle. Still got a ways to go.

Berry loving the view of the castle we are walking to. I cant imagine trying to siege this thing back in the day. 

We have a hell of a climb in front of us eh Berry?

View out as we start our climb of the castle. 

Model of the castle we are currently exploring and its surrounding area. Berry feels huge compared to these tiny buildings.

View out from the top. 

Tiny shrine at the top of the castle. 

Berry and Takao made it to the top to look out over the city. 

The castle has little fish statues on top of the buildings. 

View back towards the train station from the top of the castle. 

Believe that is the zoo in the foreground. With these many pictures of the city around the castle, gives an idea just how compact the cities are here in Japan.

People playing soccer in the foreground with a city that doesnt stop behind it. 

Expansive city sprawling from the castle. 

View out from an over look at the base of the castle. 

Panoramic view from one of the overlooks. 

Takao, Berry and I getting our picture taken at the base of the castle. 

Berry looking at the castle from afar. Such a beautiful building.

Berry just hanging out watching water falls cascade over some rocks. 

We found another waterfall.

Takao enjoying the view of the garden from the house. 

Berry about to cross the foot bridge in the garden.

Garden view of the house. Berry loves the views!

Waterfall and bridge over calm waters. Can it get any more peaceful?

Little gazebo in the garden.

After finishing there, we head back and stumble upon the Himeji Oktoberfest, which was early but an awesome find. We have some beers and enjoy the live music that begins after we had been there a little bit; it was yodeling polka music. At one point we find a older version of us; Japanese and American gentlemen sitting at a table nearby with the white guy having an earring and a small stuffed animal that he continues taking pictures of, etc. It was awesome! We had a great time talking about and watching them, and then we decided that we had to revisit this festival in the future and be those guys so that the cycle could repeat itself.

Berry is curious as to what this could be. Looks like an Oktoberfest of sorts. Lets explore.

Suspicions confirmed. This is indeed an Oktoberfest. Yippee!

Never had this beer brand. Lets try it Berry!

Berry got his first beer of this oktoberfest celebration. Looks tasty!

Berry anxiously awaits the start of the festivities.

Berry wants another beer. Lets try this brew.

Berry and his beer with Future Berry, Takao and Tre in the background. This has happened once before (Amsterdam 07 with Rishi where we saw young us at a table next to us.) Time travel possible?

The lady of many talents center stage kicking off Oktoberfest activities for the day.

This lady can ring them bells. She would also go on to yodel a mean yodel. A Renaissance lady that ever was.

Ein Prosit is a thing even at Oktoberfest in Himeji. Nice!

Future Tre' and Berry hanging out at Oktoberfest. Not pictured - Future Takao.

Future Tre' taking picture of Future Berry on the alpen horn. 

Future Berry with his beer. If you didnt believe in time travel before this post, I bet you do now. 

Berry and future berry posing with the giant Alpenhorns blaring.

After the festival, we head to his family's place and have dinner and chill around the house as the kids play on the Wii. We are all around the table and whereas I don't know what they are saying, watching the mom/sister/brother interact is fun and interesting as they seem to keep each other laughing. Since I had minimal clothes with me, they bought me some samurai type pajamas cause they didn't think I had enough clothes (I did but I appreciated the thought and generosity and really enjoyed the outfit). Hung out a little more before heading to bed.

Me and my awesome pjs. Still got these bad boys.