Nagoya Castle, Nagoya, Aichi, Part II (Picture heavy!)

Here we are, four years later visiting Nagoya Castle again, right in the beginning of April when the sakura just bloomed. This time, J. came along with us. I'd been talking nonstop about Yamachan, and being a fellow wings-lover J. had to come along and give it a try.

But of course we had to eat lunch first a Chinese restaurant called "想吃担担面" at Nagoya Station. We didn't expect much but it turned out better than we thought, especially the almond tofu and sesame tofu desserts. Totally delectable!

Nagoya Castle, Nagoya, Aichi (Picture heavy!)

Another highlight of our short trip to Nagoya was definitely a visit to its castle. There is a long history to this Nagoya Castle, but in short, the original no longer exists - it was burned down during the 1945 Allied Forces' air raids. The one standing today was reconstructed in 1959 (I believe) and even then, it's only a shell of its former self. Inside is actually a multi-leveled museum. 

Part of the castle's dried up moat.

If you're wondering, no, this was not the super boring museum I hinted at in my Nagoya City Science Museum post. In all honesty though, while the castle museum wasn't as fun and interesting as the City Science Museum, the site of the castle and its surrounding area was worth the trip, even in the sweltering heat and humidity. I swear I must have sweated a bucket that day. Urgh.

One of the turrets.

Nagoya City Science Museum, Nagoya, Aichi

Hubby loves astronomy so he was looking forward to visiting the Nagoya City Science Museum for its world largest solar-powered planetarium. However, the Sunday we went was also the first weekend of summer break for Japanese school children (their school year starts April 1 and they only get about 6 weeks of summer vacation at most), and needless to say tickets to the planetarium were sold out early on in the morning. 

Trains on display outside of the museum.

Nagoya, Aichi

Two weekends ago hubby went on a short weekend trip to Nagoya with 2 of his colleagues to visit a well known professor in their field. Being so spoiled I got to tag along again since I don't mind wandering around by myself while they go do their thing ^.^  

The best part about traveling on the Japanese shinkansen? The specialty bentos, duh! And of course the ride on the Nozomi (the fastest shinkansen service between Tokyo and Osaka) was super duper smooth. The trip from Tokyo to Nagoya took about 1.5 hours, with just one more hour to arrive in Osaka. Awesome, huh?

Hubby's specialty seafood bento from Sendai and my sukiyaki bento.