Matching pants

Momo-chan got this cute pair of pants so he tried them on immediately. Very cute!

Meeting for the second time

Pinga and Momo-chan visited their friends this afternoon. It was Momo-chan's second time to meet this baby who is almost 3 months older. He was curious about Momo-chan and as you can see his ear.

Momo-chan and his cousin

Momo-chan's cousin came out of the hospital today. She was sleeping next to Momo-chan and he was curiously looking at her.

Watching TV

Momo-chan can sit longer these days. He seems to like TV and watches it together with his grand father.

I have the power!

Momo-chan got a hold of the remote control and decided to change the channel to Pinga dads frustration. Is it maybe an early beer gut and TV watcher we are seeing here?

Baby Café

Pinga got tickets that could be used for different activities with Momo-chan. Today they used one ticket to get a drink and cake at a nearby baby café. It was decent but the berries on the plate was deep frozen still on the plate. Not good.

Momo-chan meets his cousin up close

Momo-chan's cousin is now together with her mother and they could all see each other. Momo-chan took a closer look but she was not so happy and cried a lot during the visit. Momo-chan is not that scary or?

I'm a model...

Momo-chan is having his beauty sleep in his model pose.

Money money money

Momo-chan got a hold of Pingu's wallet. Is Momo-chan already looking for shopping allowance?

Momo-chan same age friend

This Sunday they went to visit Pingu's old colleague from when Pingu was working in Japan. The family they visited have two children and the youngest is a son just one week younger than Momo-chan. Look how much more hair he has! They were treated to a wonderful lunch and even got presents for Momo-chan. Very sweet!

Momo-chan cousin born today!

Today is Momo-chan's 7 month birthday. This afternoon at 15.25 Momo-chan got a new cousin. Such a cute little girl! Momo-chan was also visiting the hospital but he was sleeping on daddy's stomach. Happy birthday little cousin!

Momo-chan helps with card game

Momo-chan did not want to sleep so he stayed up and helped the others while playing cards. He was doing well and was quite concentrated.

Koala no march family

There is a candy in Japan that is called Koala no march (march of the Koalas). It is a candy where every piece is printed with different Koala characters. These three is a bit like Pingu, Momo-chan and Pinga but what about me?

Momo-chan is Alfred Hitchcock Jr.?

Pingu was saying that Momo-chan looks a bit like Alfred Hitchcock in profile. Pinga said no but then today Pinga's dad said so as well. What do you think?

Huge Japanese pear

It may look like an apple but it is a delicious Japanese pear. They are quite expensive but also very tasty.

Shiraito waterfall

Final stop before going home was the Shiraito waterfall. It is a "wide" waterfall and surrounding forest was nice with leaves almost turning red.

Karuizawa soba lunch

Today they checked out so today is return-to-Tokyo-day. The couple from yesterday was also returning so they joined them in their car. On the way home they drove for a waterfall close to Karuizawa. Before visiting they stopped for lunch at this soba place. It was a lot of food for a good price. It was tasty too.

Ryokan dinner number 2

The second night the dinner at the ryokan was once again a lot of food. Momo-chan charmed the lady who came to serve them and she had a hard time explaining the menu as Momo-chan was laughing a lot which made her laugh as well.

Another private rotenburo

Pingu loves rotenburo and here is another one of the baths at the ryokan. It is a nice feeling to look up at the trees and feel the cool wind on your face while your body is heated by the hot water....

Kusatsu town

The hot spring resort town of Kusatsu is quite famous in Japan and in the heart of the city the hot spring water is at the surface and many people gather around it. This place is called Yubatake (hot water field). The water has quite a strong sulphur smell and it is really green.

Shiranezan mountain top

After breakfast and the tournament Momo-chan charmed an elderly couple which asked what our plans for the day and if we wanted to come along on a sightseeing trip. What a lovely offer! They all went together and on their way to Kusatsu they went to the top of the nearby mountain Shiranezan. Unfortunately the weather was not too good so they did not get much of view. The photo is of a lake at the top of the mountain.

Rock paper scissors tournament

Kashiwaya onsen is celebrating their 60th anniversary this year and they have a rock paper scissors tournament going every morning. Unfortunately Pingu and Pinga did not make it far. The guy in the middle was the whom who won. He got a T-shirt. So much for big prizes :)

Breakfast bed

The breakfast was also tasty. Momo-chan even got cushions on a couple of chairs like a bed next to the table. Very sweet of the staff.

Ryokan dinner

Dinner at the ryokan was very nice and included two dishes using burners like in the photo. They also had a sweet blueberry wine which was very tasty.

Rotenburo Momo-chan!

After checking in to the traditional Japanese inn (ryokan) all three went to a private outside bath (貸切露天温泉). Momo-chan tried it too. He was a bit surprised but seemed to like it.

Arrived at Shima Onsen

Pingu, Pinga and Momo-chan took a bus this morning to go to a natural hot paring town called Shima Onsen. They will stay there until Friday.

Ringo pan (apple bread)

Pinga bought apple bread from the shop Vie de France. It was tasty and Deja was also quite interested.

Niigata day 3: tanada (terraced rice fields)

On the way down from the skyline drive they could see the terraced rice fields below them. They have already been harvested and they wondered how they would look like in spring and summer filled with water. Must be quite a nice view.

Niigata day 3: Uonuma skyline drive

Close to where they were staying there is a scenic road that has been built along the mountain ridge. The drive was both steep as well as full of sharp turns. The view was great but they felt a bit dizzy after all those turns.

Niigata day 3: out for a walk

Before noon was quite nice weather so they decided to go out for a walk up to the ski lifts. This place has very nice cherry blossoms during spring. At this time of year the leaves are usually turning red but it is still warm and the leaves are still green.

Niigata day 3: planning the day

Planning day 3 was easy with the maps they had found at the reception desk. Momo-chan can not read yet but he was trying hard.

Niigata day 2: sushi

For dinner they went to a sushi restaurant. Momo-chan did not eat anything but he was quite interested in these cucumber rolls.

Niigata day 2: wildlife part one

When leaving the riverside with the BBQ gear they came upon some frogs hopping across the grass. Pingu decided to get close and captured this photo of the scared frog.

Niigata day 2: Riverside BBQ

After the hill climbing they went to a riverside and had BBQ. It was really tasty and after all that climbing they deserved it.

Niigata day 2: at the top

They reached the top after about half an hour and took a break before heading down again.

Niigata day 2: climbing a hill

For the start of day 2 they went to climb a 321 meter hill nearby. It proved quite exhausting and everyone became both sweaty and bitten by mosquitos. It was also slippery and some of them fell but thankfully without any injuries.

Niigata day 1: Hungry Momo-chan

At the noodle restaurant Momo-chan became very hungry so he got some chawanmushi (steamed egg soup). He liked it so much he ate it all!

Niigata day 1: Japanese soba noodle restaurant

Later in the evening they all went out for dinner at one of their favorite places. Momo-chan could lie down on the tatami mat and was enjoying it.

Niigata day 1: napping

Pingu, Pinga, Momo-chan and Pinga parents all went to Niigata to take a bit of a mini vacation. After the drive up there everyone was a bit sleepy so they took a nap.

The dinosaurs kid

Tonight's dinner had an extra person at the table. He is four years old and is a big dinosaurs fan. Here he is showing Momo-chan a seed from oshiroibana that he found the other day.

Sitting up

Momo-chan is trying out the baby chair that Pinga's friend lent us. A nice feeling to sit by oneself.

I can handle the food!

Momo-chan had Halloween special food today (pumpkin). He is getting quite good at eating now and was hungry for a lot of pumpkin.

Momo-chan met a new friend

Pinga's best friend came to visit today with her husband and baby boy. The boy is 9 months old and is very good at many things. Kai is admiring him in this photo while he is a bit shy.

Shinjuku night view

After dessert they all went up to the 20th floor of the same building to catch this nice view overlooking the Shinjuku station.

Luxury dessert

Pingu and Pinga was treated by their friend to a very luxurious dessert in a nearby café.

Korean dinner

After Tokyo lunch they went to see another friend in Shinjuku area. They took it easy and then had dinner at a Korean restaurant nearby. The staff prepared food at the table and this phoho to show Korean nabe dish in the making.

Walking with a friend

The lunch yesterday was with some friends which also has a baby. Just like Momo-chan this baby is also half Swedish half Japanese. Cute!

Imperial palace

Yesterday they all went for a walk after lunch around the imperial palace. In this photo you can see a very common sight in Japan where the very old is right next to the hyper modern.

Interested in Natto

Pinga was eating Natto (fermented soy beans) and Momo-chan was showing interest in it even if it is quite stinky.

Jeans style diaper

Momo-chan received many gifts from Pinga's uncle and aunt. Here is Momo-chan posing in one of the gifts, jeans style diapers which are very popular at the moment in the states.