This year for Christmas my son sent us a package from Japan which contained:
It feels a little squishy but has no smell. I googled and Kakiyashu is a restaurant which specializes in fine ($$$$) cuts of beef. So perhaps it’s a fancy beef bar?
There was also a nice note from my son telling me how happy he is to be in Japan and if I’d like to come visit, he kindly supplied a map:
I googled the town where they live and it is along 438 which is the dark blue line slicing across this part of the island of Shikoku. I assume 438 is a highway or perhaps a toll road. But … it could be a river.
By the way, a Nazi symbol on a Japanese map indicates a Buddhist temple. After WWII the Japanese government considered removing the symbol but it has existed and had meaning long before the Third Reich and will long after. It would be like removing the cross from a church because of the actions of unprincipled televangelists or immoral politicians (and you know who I’m talking about.)
Above is a legend to help my husband and I along on our drive. I imagine the smiley face indicates places were you can find food, lodging and gas … and be happy!
If I had to guess:
- The little house probably marks a rest stop (with bathrooms hopefully)
- The lotus leaf, perhaps an area full of lotus ponds?
- The flower symbols … gardens?
- And the maple leaf … forests?
Think I’m even close?
Included was also a map of the public transportation system in case we chicken out and decide not to drive. Hum, since we would be driving on the wrong side of the road in a country where we can’t read the signs and don’t speak the language, I would say …. at the very least …. we will be using public transportation. More likely, we will need full-time babysitting and hand-holding. Particularly considering our experience in England a few years back.
I really don’t know what to make of it. Do you?
The final gift in the package was this bag of something.
It’s a very pretty bag. I may never open it which is probably the best course of action since I have no idea what it contains.
It smells like cedar trees so perhaps it’s not meant to be steeped in hot water and sipped like tea. Perhaps it’s potpourri meant to sweeten your underwear drawer. What do you think?
Take heart everyone … 2026 is here. It comes with no promises and a hell of a lot of baggage. How it will end is anyone’s guess but no one knows. We’re all in the dark together with only kind hearts and patience to see us through.
Saying nothing in particular 
Oh my.
From the looks of those maps I’d have to spring for a tour guide and full time translator if I ever visited.
Take a left at the pink tree just isn’t going to cut it.
And didn’t your son explain what was in the bags? Do you eat them… or wash your hair with them?
Inquiring minds want to know.
🤣
A friend of mine came over and explained how to use Google Translate on my iPhone. The bar is some kind of Matcha – green tea smashed into something supposedly edible and considered a delicacy. He had tried it once but wasn’t a fan. The bag is actually incense! I guess incense burning is an art form in Japan like tea ceremonies. If we do make it over we’ll definitely hire a guide/translator. I took five years of French and lived in France and still couldn’t communicate in the language it my life depended on it. A linguist I am not!
I speak very little French and felt like a blooming idiot in France. Did a lot of pointing as I recall. (pre Google days)
🤣
The French are very touchy about their language … particularly in touristy areas. In small out of the way towns they have a tendency to be less judgemental!
We stayed in a small village and people were decent, they laughed at my feeble attempts. Nice and Cannes? Not so much…
Nice rock. My wife is always on the lookout for rocks that shape.
Whenever we have to move dirt we find interesting rocks. Once we even found an abalone shell. If I find another heart shaped rock I’ll save it for your wife!
Those are wonderfully exotic gifts. So, have I missed it–are you definitely going? What an adventure that will/would be!
My husband is eighty years old so it will all depend. He’s definitely not up for too much adventure so our trip would have to be rather sedate.
I found the underground in Tokyo much easier to use than in London. And everyone is so nice and helpful. You should go. Japan is wonderful to visit and so clean.
PS I also thought it might be tea.
It’s incense! I’m glad I didn’t try to drink it!
😂🤣, indeed
I loved Japan though… 1. All underground system are designed as gateways to various hells, 2. The only rude person we met in Japan, beside a Frenchman in Kyoto was at the help desk at Tokyo station, and 3. If in doubt inhale and not ingest.
You’re right – the bag of whatever is meant to be inhaled! I’m not fond of either being under the ground or high above it in a plane! Luckily here in the Bay Area we can get around on ferries for most of the year. Did you ever take the Bart through the transbay tube? Ugh.
We have friends in Danville so a regular journey from Walnut Creek was always a highlight! If that is the trans bay tube then yes, it has been a regular feature.
We’re going to try. I always feel sorry for foreigners trying to navigate our Bart system – which is only partially underground! But at least the Bart employers try to be helpful – SF is a tourist town.
Public transport is always initially intimidating when you travel but you pick it up quickly. I have never been to the Americas 😊
Unfortunately the USA does not prioritize public transportation – particularly train travel. So we lag behind other developed countries. With the current administration that’s unlikely to change. However, I’ve driven across the United States at least five times and would have to say our interstate freeway system is easier to understand than say England’s. Or Germany’s. Or France’s.
Go. As Robbie said it’s wonderful and since various international sports events the signage includes English, which covers the underground and train system. And don’t listen to Robbie about the English version. If you want to set a low bar, there’s always the BART.
Hey! I guess you’ve never done battle with a pickpocket on Paris’ Metro! At least the Bart is largely above ground!
True that is still on the bucket list.
It’s an eye opener!
Jan, OMG, you have me spitting my coffee this morning. P.S. The world has become increasingly fascinated with Japan lately. My kids are there now – celebrating NYE. It’s their 4th trip in one year. Maybe it’s time to check out what all the fuss is about.
My daughter and her family are planning their second trip – they like to go in March when skiing on Mt Fuji is quite affordable for a family of four. Plus they live in Hawaii so it’s not that long a distance.
Hi, and happy new year. There’s a chance, I suppose, that 2026 will be better for humankind than 2025 was.
I guess it’s only human to hope. Happy New Year to you as well!
Hi again Jan…. Not quite sure what your son is trying to tell you!!! …. Janpan is the fashionable destination at the moment…. I would give it a go ….. Mind you looking at the maps and packages don’t tell him your coming…. He might move just to make it more interesting 🤔
We are off to Singapore and New Zealand this month… We could wave to each other as we flounder about.
it’s okay I know their miles apart 😂😔💜 iii
Enjoy! Yes, I’ve heard airplane tickets to Japan are going through the roof so you must be right,
yes it’s top of everyone’s list 😁😁😁
It is a traditional Japanese confectionery (the first package)
Thank you! Yes, a friend of mine showed me how to use Google Translate! I haven’t tried it yet but I will!
This is hysterically funny. As if anything you received made any sense at all. I noticed the blue line of the map has a gap in it. Perhaps you have to swim to the next part. 🤣 Honestly, I haven’t laughed this much in a long time. Hopefully he’s not a teacher, since he seems to lack the ability to explain what anything is. 😆 Seriously, he’s so funny and sweet, even if he forgot you speak and read in English and do not know the Japanese language. I can barely read one of our maps, let along one in a foreign language. All I can say is good luck, if you plan to visit, and plan to leave a year early so you can eventually find the pink tree. Seriously, this was a blast.😂
Thanks! Giving someone a good laugh as we enter this second year of living hell makes me very happy indeed. I love puzzles so this gift was perfect. I look forward to learning about about Japanese maps, etc. It’s kind of iffy whether we’ll make it but half the joy of travel is expectation (especially as we get old!)
This is delightful, Jan. Happy New Year. Hugs.
It was the best present a Mom who loves puzzles could get! Happy New Year to you too!
Gee Jan, that all looks crazy to me.
Still, crazy can be fun, and you will surely have fun, a lot of great times in Japan.
My husband is half Japanese and has family there. Will I ever go? I don’t know.
I so look forward on your report upon your return!
Bon Voyage!
It wasn’t on my bucket list for sure but I feel like I should see where my son has chosen to live and so I’m trying to make the best of it.
I understand.
Will you be going? (forgot to add that)
Probably not until October. But the way things are good – they may not want Americans.
Sigh…. 😔
Very best wishes, Jan. Particularly: may you take the plunge and fly out to japan.
Now is when…
🤗🌹
It’s very very old and snowy now in Japan! Since I don’t ski anymore, I’ll wait a bit!
Of course. Winter. You skied? How nice. I did too, in my younger days…
My father was the grandson of Norwegians so skiing was mandatory.
Of course it was. I used to love it. Great silence with only the swish of the skis.
Not these days unfortunately – the slopes are packed with people who never learnt the etiquette of skiing. At least in the mountains near me.
In most mountains I understand. I hear there are lots of accidents due to sheer carelessness. (Or maybe I’m just getting old? LOL)
We were taught the rules of etiquette while skiing before we were even allowed on the slopes, how to side step up a hill, fill out sitz-platz, etc which now seems so old fashioned and quaint! But I’m old as well.
Absolutely that. But now, there’s moron with no rules who’s ‘Acting president of the world’… With that example, the morons below won’t respect anything.
Be Good, Jan…
PS. Be good, is a phrase I use a lot. I saw that some at the Golden Globes wore a ‘Be Good’ pin… with a capital G.
You’ll be fine. Everything will be fine. And babysitting and hand-holding seem like a great idea.
The Japanese really do encourage visitors to hire local guides and drivers and, from what I understand, it’s not that expensive. It would be a good idea in England as well although the idea of local guides is not as “promoted,” shall we say!
What a lovely boy, your son is. You will definitely enjoy doing your trip on your own. Maybe you’ll get lost (as we did) but that’s part of the fun haha