Rest Stops :: Japan 1 USA 0

My family and I stopped at a rest stop on our way to Nikko; and we were amazed with how NICE it is compared to any rest stop in the States. When you are arrive, there are parking attendants directing you to your parking spot (Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of them because it happened all too quickly. Perhaps on our next rest stop adventure.).

The last time I took a road trip in the States, and we stopped at a rest stop, it was just restrooms and a few benches for you to hang out. It was nothing compared to this!I love that Japan has designated smoking areas, so I don't have to be around people blowing it in my face as they/I walk by. Contain those lung cancer carcinogens to yourselves!

The best part of this rest stop? Starbucks. Look how clean the outside dining area is!

The Food Court

Sounds good. Looks good. Tastes good.
"Thank you very much for purchasing today." Polite in almost every way (almost because they're not always polite in the trains).

So cute that they wear baker's hats!

Not a great picture, but there are mini marts on both sides of the walkway.

Map of the expressways, and I'm pretty sure it was giving up-to-date traffic information.

I love that recycling is a big part of their every day life here.

Blurry, but this is a photo of the women's restroom. Does it look like there's a feather on the floor?

Blue denotes vacant, and red is in use.

Greenery

I haven't been to Showa Kinen Park since the cherry blossoms in April, and I am amazed with how beautiful and different it looks every season. This was my first time that I was able to enjoy the beautiful park in serenity.



I was walking along, and this structure of bondage caught my eye. It seems ironic to have it located in a place where people act carefree and open.

Picnic at the Park

Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa is one of my favorite places to go because it's different experience every time I go there. There is so many different types of flowers and plants, so it looks different every season. I heard it was a great place to go and picnic underneath the cherry blossoms, so I did just that this past weekend.

Cherry Blossoms

I was battling a sore throat for a week before it turned into a cold, and I thought I was going through the different stages of it--that sore throat of doom, then the neverending runny nose, followed by the I-can't-breathe-where's-the-Vick's?, and finally, I'm able to release all this pent up green mucous inside me. Except after awhile, it was just the blocked nasal passages and clear mucous. I couldn't understand it. I was starting to feel better, but I still couldn't breathe and I lost my voice. Every time I would describe my symptoms to people, they would say I probably have allergies. Explaining that there's something about Japan where people who have never had allergies seem to get it bad here. Preposterous. I never had allergies before, so I couldn't have allergies, and I couldn't be like those other people. Perhaps I'm just coming down with another cold or just in the eye of this one. I even tested the allergy theory by walking underneath the cherry blossoms by the river, and I could breathe without any problems. Well, apparently I was wrong. I saw a doctor, and he confirmed that I had multi-symtoms of a cold and allergies. We just don't know what I'm allergic to. Now thinking back, I guess my body did start reacting once the cherry blossoms started coming in bloom two weeks ago, and now that they're beauty is fading away, I'm starting to feel better. I still don't think it's the cherry blossoms, though, and I don't have the time to walk up to every plant to figure it out.

With the on and off rain that's visited us and my sickness, I haven't been in the mood to take photos. However, my friends' beautiful photos of the cherry blossoms inspired me to go out there before it was too late (and I was able to test the allergy theory). How could I not? Especially since it's my first cherry blossom season in Japan.

I drove down to the Tama River in Fussa, and, luckily, found a trail lined with cherry blossoms.




I just can't believe that they only last a few weeks. I'm glad I got to take a few shots of them!