What do castles, shrines, and aquariums have in common...?

Listening to: Hey Ya by Outkast

Currently drinking: Mmmm just finished a delicious mocha ^^

I went and visited all of those places this weekend! With less than a month left to go I've been feeling the necessity to get out and about as much as possible, so I've been making plans and attempting to keep my calendar full of funtastic adventures =)

Friday, after a dreadful Japanese test, was day one of funtastic adventure time. The JLSI office had  planned a school trip to Inuyama Castle and the mechanical doll museum. Not very many people were excited about going, and to be honest the dolls did sound a bit creepy, but it was something to do, and I wasn't going to pass up a chance to visit a castle as famous as Inuyama.

This mechanical doll went around serving tea...
still slightly creepifying

Inuyama Castle

View of the castle grounds

These stairs were a work out let me tell you

The area surrounding Inuyama. This was
probably the best castle visit so far :)

Saturday was yet another early start day >.< One of my classes, Mapping Culture, has mandatory excursions built into the curriculum. Obviously this is really cool, but, after just about a bajillion shrine visits, I can honestly say I will be happy if I go the rest of my life without ever seeing another one. My camera died after only a short time, so I basically have just one picture, the rest I took on my cellphone and are on my Facebook if you'd like to look!

Look closely at the food offerings...

After a nice, slightly wine induced, rest. Sunday was the day a couple of people had wanted to go to Nagoya Aquarium, and seeing as I love the ocean, aquariums, dolphins, etc... of course I tagged along! I'm only posting a select few pictures from here because there are just SOOO many, but just to sum it up.... it rocked. The Nagoya Aquarium totally lived up to my expectations, and even though it was ridiculously packed with couples and crying babies, the whole experience was thoroughly enjoyable.

The Japanese ocean at last!

Now that's what I call synchronized swimming

Cue Jaws theme music

Sexy

Overall, the weekend was fantastic, and not only am I getting to experience, possibly once in a lifetime, incredible new things, but I am also distracting myself from the stress and anxiety that comes with packing and preparations for the return home.... which is quite nice. Next weekend, one of my teachers is giving us all free tickets to the Nagoya Grampus game at the Toyota Stadium, and it's possible that we will be getting box seats!! Other tentative plans are in the works for a possible, very short, trip to Tokyo, and of course more stocking up on incredible Japanese fashion ^^

Well I guess that's all for now... lattes and loads of luvs <3