- the violinist practising by the river, the sound of his music borne away by the wind
- the girl and her riverside lunch, attacked by an eagle, twice. We approached her asking if she was okay and she just waved us off, embarrassed that anyone should be worried on her behalf
- the school girls hopping across the pebbles to cross the river, giggling the whole time
- the opera singer vocalising in the imperial palace park, where no one but the birds would hear

Himeji Castle under renovations: the largest and most visited castle in Japan, the original feudal structure spared from war bombings. Never been under siege because Himeji was never as strategically important as other castles. 1.5 hours west of Osaka.

the precusor of Sadako? According to the legend, a servant girl named Okiku was falsely accused of losing dishes that were valuable family treasures, and then killed and thrown into the well (there was a longer political backstory to this, actually). Her ghost remained to haunt the well at night, counting dishes

enjoying fair food at Himeji

what is this cuteness?!!! I want one!!

make your own lunch

what would you wish for?