Berry's SEAJ trip Day 64: Foxes galore! (8/8/15)

Kei drove in and met me at my place as he was to join me for today's adventure as well. We get in the car and we head up to the fox sanctuary in Zao where we buy some food for foxes and rabbits and then proceed into the animal area. First thing we see is a fox on a leash to keep it nearby so people can pet it.  After that, we go and feed a bunch of rabbits and guinea pigs before we head into the open fox area (they have tons of cages all around with foxes they are treating and nursing foxes) where they are just wandering in an open area with you walking on paths nearby. We make our way to the feeding platform  and start throwing food down for the foxes to catch. Some of them wrastle with each other trying to get the food and making nasty sounds. Once done with the foxes, we head to get lunch back in town and stop at a sushi place which was a carousel place.

I think we have finally made it. Berry is starting to get excited.

One of the creatures out front. Berry made many new friends today.

Random panda on the roof nearby. Not a sight many people want to see (he looks hungry).

Wooden fox totem out front.

How many people can say they have ridden a squirrel? Add Berry to the list.

Berry and I petting a fox. So soft.

Drinking a beer with a fox that didnt want to come out and play.

Kei and Berry were chatting with these huge bunnies. They are bigger than some of the foxes.

Romantic bench set up for 2. Dont mind if we do.

Bunny tree holding Berry. How sweet.

So many bunnies. Should set Berry in there and let them play but I dont want to lose him.

Berry feeding a bunch of rabbits. So cute!

Berry forcefeeding a guinea pig. At least their coats match.

Who doesnt want to see a guinea pig eat a carrot?

And the feeding continues. Feed all the animals!

Cozy as a fox should be a phrase; look at the smile/comfort on these guys' faces.

Mass fox storage. They all look so peacful.

Cant read the sign but I think this is a nursing den. 

Saw this pretty guy just sleeping before we walked into the giant man cage. Foxes sure are cute.

Fox knows we are up there to throw food down. He is waiting.

Berry didnt want to be fed to his new friends, so we threw the food in instead.

I think this guy is chewing on a rock. Such a cool looking fox that I hope that is food.

What a lil cutie!

One of the foxes chilling on a raised platform.

Having a beer with Berry and a fox.

Taxidermy here is... interesting? :)

Then we drove to a town (Aizuwakamatsu) a decent drive away to go to a sake brewery tour before checking out the Tsuruga castle there before having some good ramen for an early dinner (that's 2 meals in ~3hrs). After eating we drove up a mountain to a overlook before heading back to Koriyama where Kei will crash on the floor with me. Right before heading to the place, we stopped at a grocery store and I found the coffee malt whiskey from Nikka I had been looking for after not buying it in Kyoto to bring back to the states to try (turns out we have it in the states - but it is really good and definitely a great purchase).

Ok this is just ridiculous; a castle down the street in this random small town down the street from the sake place we are going. I swear these castles are definitely following me.

We have found it. Exciting times to commence.

We finally made it. Lets go in and see what they have to offer.

Berry is ready to do some tasting :)

Group photo in front of the castle that happened to be down the street from the Sake factory/museum we went to. 

Look at the pure awesomeness we are about to consume. I believe it was this meal where I realized the Japanese can in fact do spicy (hot not flavor - the flavor aspect they have on point!). It was delicious.

Mountain overlook as dusk settles on us.