Nagoya

We started out pretty early and took the toll highway.  It cost about $30 dollars to get there.  We got off on the wrong exit (GPS is all in Japanese) so we made it to the hotel in about 2 hours.  Parking right next to the hotel (ANA Crowne Plaza) was only $15 per night.  It was underground so a little scary going down there.  But since we only stayed one night we parked right next to the door.  The train station was right there also so taking a train would have been good also, but more expensive.  

Atsuta Jingu Shrine

 Here is where you are suppose to purify yourself before praying.

 This is one sweaty baby.

We got there and it of course was HOT, HOT oh and did I say HOT.  We found a little out door mall near the hotel and had a nice lunch at a Hawaiian restaurant that was playing Hawaii radio.  Then decided to walk the shrine about 1.2 km away.  Not always a good idea when it is HOT.  Luckily, they have vending machines on every corner.  Once we got to the shrine it was very shading and not as bad.  

We walked back to the hotel and got caught in the rain which actually felt good.  Check in around 2:00.  Now when they say check in as 2:00, that is what they mean.  There is no early check in if they have a room ready.  We had a nice view of the city from our room.

After resting we walked to the shopping area to get some dinner and hang out.  By then the sun had started to set so it was not as bad.  Our clothes still pretty much stick to you.  It was pretty crowd and was more like a flea market.  We did find a sweet Brazilian restaurant.  You have to buy tickets for what you want from a machine and then take it up to a women and give her the tickets. Jeff said he basically ordered in 4 languages.  A mixture of Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese and English.  So what did we end up with....A ton of food and two beers.  We had two whole chickens, fries and a huge empanada.

After dinner we walked back to the hotel and found another little shrine.  It was very shaded and buggy but had some cool statues.

We went back to the hotel with every intention of going back out but after cleaning up, we all pretty much feel asleep.  Next morning trying to find breakfast.  Lots of pastry shops but Jeff is very picky so we ended up finding of coffee shop with a small breakfast of one piece of toast, hard boiled egg and two little pieces of fruit.  Then later when we were headed to the subway we found a Mister Doughnut and a bakery.  Of course.  Took the subway to the Nagoya Castle.  Castle was more impressive from the outside then inside.  Inside was really just a museum, with lots of stairs.  The garden and grounds were very cool.

 Very clean subway, needs better aircondioning

 Not sure if this means no cars only big fish or something having to do with a Tsunami warning.

 The keeper of Nagoya Castle

  After the castle we went back to the hotel where we proceeded to eat our left over chicken and then check out.  Side note:  Great hotel, great service.  It would have been nice to have vending machines in the hotel so I did not have to make a night run for drinks.  But still good.

We then drove to the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium.  Now I don't want to sound mean but this was just OK and not really worth the $30 cost.  They had a bunch of dolphin, two beluga whales, penguin and turtles.  Not really that impressed.  But Julia had a blast so that is all that matters.  We found a Red Lobster and were going to have lunch there until I read the menu.  Ah not like Red Lobster in US. So McDonald's wins again.

It was a good trip and we had a fun.  Oh and we did see probably 10 Westerners.  It is weird you make eye contact but no one wants to really say anything.  Next trip hopefully over the July 18th Japanese holiday.