Climbing The Hortensia Bell (オルタンシアの鐘), Meriken Park, Japan
The strange structure on which Maya and Alex are trying to climb is actually a bell. You can see several small bells inside through the round openings. It was build in 1990 when Kobe city was trying to be world leader in fashion. it used to be ringed 4 time a day until the Kobe earthquake. Right now is just a colorful monument on the top of which children like to climb and play :) Follow us on twitter:
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Life in Japan: Meriken Park Kobe (メリケンパーク神戸) Maya Introduction
Maya introducing the Meriken Park, Kobe, Japan. A big new hotel was open (Noterdam) so there was a colorful water show. The Christmas tree was actually part of the hotel decoration and I am not sure it actually it had anything to do with Christmas. The hotel was looking very much as an expensive wedding place with a view toward the Kobe Harbor.
The last part of the movie is from Kobe, Harbor land - ハーバーランド神戸 (there also the Christmas decoration was missing but I am sure it will appear very soon). Follow us on twitter:
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Life in Japan: Light Message from Kobe (1000mの光の回廊)
This year Christmas decoration in the center of Kobe is called - Light Message 2012 and it is situated just in front of Sannomiya JR station south exit (JR三ノ宮駅南). It is composed 100 000 lights! Maya and Alex liked it very much especially the rose garden on the second floor of the station! Follow us on twitter:
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Bubbles in the Sunshine Wharf, Kobe (サンシャインワーフ神戸)
One more sunny weekend in Kobe. Sunshine Wharf is good choice but if you want big fountains during the hot summer days you better choose Nishinomiya Gardens. The bubble fun was after Anpanman show fro the kids. Follow us on twitter:
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Life in Japan: Koyo Wars (紅葉戦争)
Yesterday evening there was a very cold and strong wind so we were freezing coming back from a trip to Maya-san. So to start a Koyo (autumn leaves) war was the most natural thing to do. Only after that we realized that some of the leaves were may be collected for cleaning but with such strong wind it was matter of minutes before they are blown away!
The music to the video is Blown Away from Kevin Macleod (
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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Life in Japan: In Our Neighbourhood (私たちの近所)
A typical Saturday afternoon in our neighborhood. We have several small small but very nice parks within 20-30 minutes walk from our place (there are and many, many small gardens an playgrounds around also). So if you have kids it is never a problem to find a place to go. And of course everything is very, very green.
The movie is from Nada-ku, Kobe (灘区、神戸). Follow us on twitter:
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Japan - The Rainy Season Starts (雨季が始まります)
Since yesterday the rainy season officially started in Japan. We have at least one month with almost every day rains. Maya made the announcement in the beginning of the movie but after that she got carried away and introduced also her new small digital camera - she just received as a present. I am sorry that the video is too shaky - we were without umbrellas and we were trying to hide from the rain. Follow us on twitter:
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Maya Japan Vlog II - The Izakaya (居酒屋)
Just another Friday night in one of the local Izakayas (Japanese pub). To be more precise - it is a kind of yakiniku (焼肉) - roasted meat restaurant - but there is no big difference. As we do not have time to cook - we are almost every second day in such places. This particular izakaya belongs to shirokiya (白木屋) chain. Surprisingly good food and it wasn't smoky at all - very important when you go to such places with children. I think we'll be visiting this place many more times! Follow us on twitter:
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Fun and Run in La La Port (楽しさと ランニング ラ·ラ·ポート)
Maya an Alex playing in La La Port, Nishinomiya. La La Port is one of the biggest shopping malls in the area. They were pretending that they are fightng but of course it was not for real :)
From the movie becomes pretty clear the level of energy they both have :)
The music to the movie is Corncob from from Kevin MacLeod site incompetech.com
Available under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license:
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Anpanman Chocolate アンパンマンチョコレート - Alexa&Maya Japan Vlog I
Our second vlog edition. This time it is a joint venture between Maya and Alex even though Maya did the main talking. Anpanman is Alex's favorite hero on the other hand! Follow us on twitter:
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