liannaandandrei

[liannaandandrei]

Week 309: Sunday, August 24th, our first time hiking at Mt. Madonna County Park, 7850 Pole Line Rd, Watsonville. We got to see the Twin Giant redwood trees and banana slugs! On the way home we went through the boys first car wash at Zip Thru Express Car Wash, 16015 Caputo Dr, Morgan Hill, since the Outback was very dirty from all the gravel roads! That evening Maxim went to Sid's birthday.

[liannaandandrei]

Week 308: On Wednesday, August 20th Maxim and Terran were back to school (3rd grade and kindergarten!). Then on Saturday, August 23rd, we had our first time camping at Silicon Valley View - #1 Sandpoint Panoramic Valley View which we found on HipCamp. We had fun camping with Mimi's family, avoiding yellow jackets, playing card games, making s'mores, and stargazing. We also had a gorgeous sunrise over clouds!

[liannaandandrei]

Week 307: A wonderful time in Door County with lots of family, beaches, and kayaking (and lots of sunrises due to still being a little jet lagged)! On Thursday, August 14th we went to Plum Loco Animal Farm, 4431 Plum Bottom Rd, Egg Harbor, for the first time and got to feed horses, sheep, and goats, and play in a cute little town. We also went to Terran's first fish boil (Maxim had gone in 2018), at Pelletier's Restaurant & Fish Boil, 4199 Main St, Fish Creek. Then on Friday, August 15th we went to the Door County Fair, 812 N 14th Ave, Sturgeon Bay, to see more animals (including the Budweiser Clydesdales), and go on fun rides!

[liannaandandrei]

Week 306: Our second week in Vietnam included on Tuesday, August 5th visiting Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, 1 Hùng Vương, Điện Biên, Ba Đình, Hà Nội, and the Temple of Literature, 58 P. Quốc Tử Giám, Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, Đống Đa. That evening Maxim and Terran got to play at Champion 1250 Lotte Tây Hồ, Lotte Mall, 272 Đ. Võ Chí Công, Phú Thượng, Tây Hồ. We also had many delicious meals including eating at Maii Bistro, 46 Đ. Tây Hồ, Quảng An, Tây Hồ; Furyu Japanese Restaurant, 59 P. Trần Nhân Tông, Nguyễn Du, Hai Bà Trưng; and Lách Ca Lách Cách Lotte Mall West Lotte, 272 Đ. Võ Chí Công, Phú Thượng, Ba Đình, with GrandPaul. Then on Wednesday, August 6th we went to the Michelin star award-winning Tầm vị, 4b P. Yên Thế, Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, Ba Đình. We also had awesome pizza at Pizza Belga Hang Be, 47 P. Hàng Bè, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm. Then on our last evening in Hanoi Lianna went out to dinner with the doctors at Chả Cá Hàng Sơn 15 Trần Hưng Đạo, 15 Trần Hưng Đạo, Phan Chu Trinh, Hoàn Kiếm, for unique grilled fish and fish porridge!

Then on Saturday, August 9th, our last day in Vietnam, we walked along Hoàn Kiếm Lake (photograph by Terran!), and saw the Turtle Tower and a marching band! Then we got ice cream at Kem Bodega Ice cream, 57 Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm, and eggyolk coffee from Eggyolk Coffee, Tầng 5, Tràng Tiền Plaza, 24 Hai Bà Trưng, as a goodbye to Vietnam!

[liannaandandrei]

Week 305: Sunday, July 27th, our first time in Vietnam! We checked into our hotel and met up for dinner with GrandPaul at Luk Lak Vietnamese Restaurant (Michelin Bib Gourmand), 4A P. Lê Thánh Tông, Phan Chu Trinh, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội. The rest of the week Lianna met with doctors at VinUniversity, Vinhomes Ocean Park, Gia Lâm, and the Vietnam National Children's Hospital, 18/879 Đ. La Thành, Láng Thượng, Đống Đa, while Andrei worked and the kids relaxed. We had a lot of other yummy dinners at O Macanese - Macanese Portuguese fusion restaurant, Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi, 83A P. Lý Thường Kiệt, Cửa Nam, Hoàn Kiếm; Turtle Lake Brewing Company, 105 P. Quảng Khánh, Quảng An, Tây Hồ; GoGi House Tràng Tiền, Gian hàng 5-04, TTTM Tràng Tiền Plaza, 24 P. Hai Bà Trưng, Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm, and Capricciosa Vincom Metropolis, Kim Mã, Ba Đình, and a not so popular lunch at Phở Thìn, 13 P. Lò Đúc, Ngô Thì Nhậm, Hai Bà Trưng. On Wednesday, July 31st we watched the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, 57B P. Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm. We also explored Book Street, Hoàn Kiếm, Trần Hưng Đạo, Chợ 19-12, with lots of bookstores and walked around Hồ Tây (West Lake) and got gelato from Gelato Italia, 172 Đ. Xuân Diệu, Quảng An, Tây Hồ.

Then on Friday, August 1st, we went to Ha Long Bay and checked in to the lovely Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long, Đường Đỗ Sĩ Họa, Bãi Cháy, Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh, and relaxed at the beach and pool. Then on Saturday, August 2nd, we cruised through Ha Long Bay and visited the World Heritage Site Sung Sot Cave, took a rowboat through Luon Cave, and played at Titop Beach. So magical!

[liannaandandrei]

Week 304:

Day 23: July 20, 2025

Our day at Eko-in started with a Morning Ritual in the Main Hall with monks chanting to the ancestors followed by a Fire Ceremony. Then we ate our vegan breakfast and set out for Kongobu-ji, 132 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama, with its lovely temple, painted screens, rock garden, and Danjo Garan. Afterwards we got lunch at Ponpoko, 756 Koyasan. Then we road a bus to Okunoin Cemetery where we walked through an atmospheric old-growth forest and saw the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi. Then we travelled back to Osaka and checked into Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka, 2 Chome-7-5 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka. We went to Taito Station Namba, 15-12 Nanbasennichimae, and got dinner from CURRY Nishinari cumin, 1 Chome−9−12, Chuo Ward, Sennichimae. Then we got ice cream and taiyaki from 10 Yen Bread, 1 Chome-2-2 Namba, and walked along the colorful canal in Dontonbori.

Day 24: July 21st, 2025

We had breakfast at the Talk Shop cafe in our hotel then rushed to board the shinkansen for Tokyo (2.5 hours) and Hakodate (4.5 hours). We arrived in Hakodate and checked in at the Hakodate Kokusai Hotel, 5-10 Otemachi, Hakodate, Hokkaido. Then we walked to the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway - Mountain Base Station, 19-7 Motomachi, and took a cable car up to the top of Mount Hakodate for amazing (if super crowded) sunset views of the city. Then we got burgers at Lucky Pierrot Marina Suehiro branch, 14-17 Suehirocho, near the historic Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, and walked home along the water to celebrate Marine Day!

Day 25: July 22nd, 2025

We woke up to see the Asuka III cruise ship docking in Hakodate on its maiden voyage! We got breakfast from Petite Merveille Hakodate Eki-mae, 12-8 Wakamatsucho, Hakodate, Hokkaido, then set off to explore the lovely star-shaped Goryōkaku Fort/Park and go to the top of Goryōkaku Tower, 43-9 Goryokakucho, for great views of the city. Then we took the train to Toyako and checked into Toya Kanko Hotel, 33 Toyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta District, by beautiful Lake Toya. We had a tasty 7-Eleven dinner by the water and watched the nightly fireworks! 🎇

Day 26: July 23rd, 2025

Our first time in an Onsen! We had a relaxing day by the lake starting with breakfast at the hotel and a walk along the shore with a lovely sculpture park and views of Mount Yōtei to the playground and Fountain Park, Toyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido. Then we got yummy curry for lunch at Cafe & Restaurant The Toya, 144-41 Toyakoonsen. That afternoon we went to the (private) onsen in the hotel for a hot soak. In the evening we watched the fireworks again and did some stargazing!

Day 27: July 24th, 2025

Another lovely day by the water! After breakfast and playground time, we went for a ride around the lake in a motorized swan boat! 🦢 We also got delicious Hokkaido ice cream from the cafe in the The Lake View Toya Nonokaze Resort next door. After a relaxing afternoon, we had dinner at Kindaichi Restaurant 5721 049 Toyakoonsen, then watched the fireworks over the water!

Day 28: July 25th, 2025

We said good bye to Lake Toya and took the train to Sapporo. After checking in to Hotel MYSTAYS Sapporo Station, 4 Chome-15 Kita 8 Jonishi, Kita Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido, we got omurice for lunch at Aux Bacchanales, 4 Chome−1. Then we went to our last Taito Station, 4 Chome-2-11 Minami 2 Jonishi, followed by some souvenir shopping at MEGA Don Quijote Tanukikoji Annex, 3 Chome−20. Afterwards we got ice cream and relaxed in Odori Park near the Sapporo TV Tower. For dinner we went to the super spicy 175 DENO Tantanmen Sapporoekikitaguchiten, 4 Chome−１−1 Kita 7 Jonishi, and of course had some Sapporo beer. 🍺

Day 29: July 26th, 2025

Our last day in Japan started with breakfast from Mr. Donut JR Sapporo, 4 Chome Kita 6 Jonishi, Kita Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido, and then we set off on a driving tour to Furano. Our first stop was Farm Tomita, 15 Kisenkita, Nakafurano, Sorachi District, to see lovely lavender and flower fields and have lavender coffee and ice cream! Afterwards we got lunch at Tomita Melon House, 3-32 Miyamachi. Our next stop was the Panoramic Flower Gardens Shikisai-no-oka, Biei, Kamikawa District, for more rolling hills with flowers (and corn on the cob!). Then we drove the roller coaster road to our final stop at the Furano Cheese Factory, Naka5ku, Furano, where we got cheese flavored ice cream and got to play on an old tractor from Indiana! Hokkaido is the Wisconsin of Japan! For our final dinner in Japan we ate at Royal Host at the New Chitose Airport before flying on JetStar to Tokyo where we checked into the Toyoko Inn Narita Airport Honkan, 560 Tokko, Narita, Chiba, before our morning flight to Vietnam!

[liannaandandrei]

Week 303:

Day 16: July 13th, 2025

We said goodbye to Tokyo with fresh pastries from Mont Thabor bakery, 2 Chome−3−3, Minato City, Azabujuban, then caught the Shinkansen from Shinagawa Station to Himeji. We checked into the Hotel Monterey Himeji, 60 Ekimaecho, Himeji, Hyogo, then walked through the covered market street of Miyukidiri to explore the Koko-en Gardens, 68 Honmachi, near Himeji Castle. We saw a black swallowtail butterfly (a symbol of Himeji!) and beautiful ponds. Afterwards we got yummy ramen from Mentetsu, 18 Gofukumach. Andrei and Terran found another Taito F Station Himeji for more Pokémon fun, and Lianna and Maxim went back to the room to relax.

Day 17: July 14th, 2025

We got breakfast from DONQ Himeji Station (the same bakery where Maxim and Terran's worked in Kidzania). Then we explored Himeji "White Heron" Castle, 68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo, the largest castle in Japan! We had fun climbing up to the top of the Main Keep and walking along the corridors of the West Tower Gardens. Then we bought umbrellas because it started raining! ☔️ On the way back to the train station we stopped at Kuuhaku Coffee, 68-42 Honmachi, Taito Station, and got lunch at Ton Ichi, 363-1 FESTA BLD. Then we caught a train to Nara and checked in at Hotel Tenpyo Naramachi, 1-1 Taruicho, Nara. As the rain let up we heard the bell in the Kofuku-ji Shoro (Bell Tower) across the street ring at 6pm. We got dinner at the Okonomiyaki restaurant, Kameya, 9-11 Taruicho, walked by Sarusawa Pond, and met some famous Nara deer!

Day 18: July 15th, 2025

We woke up to the Kofuku-ji Bell again at 6am and got breakfast from Cafe Wakakusa, 22 Higashimuki Kitamachi, Nara. Then we walked to Todai-ji, 406-1 Zoshicho, and explored the grounds including the Kaidan-in, Namdaimin (Grand South Gate), Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall complete with very impressive Buddha), Nigatsu-do (with great views), Hokkedo, and Todai-ji Museum. Then Lianna and Terran were attacked by hungry deer! After leaving the park we stopped by Taito F Station, 1 Chome-1-7 Omiyacho, then hopped on the AONIYOSHI Sightseeing Limited Express Train for a ride to Kyoto!

In Kyoto we checked into the Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma, 397 Gojokarasumacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, and got dinner from Chanponteiso Honkeshijokarasumaten, 715 Yakushimaecho. Then we walked through the crowded food stalls and floats along Karishma Street for Gion Matsuri with lots of pretty lanterns! 🏮

Day 19: July 16th, 2025

We started the day with breakfast from Komeda's Coffee Karasuma-Gojo, 438 1F, Shimogyo Ward, Shunzeicho, Kyoto. Then we had a rainy but lovely stroll through the Arishiyama Bamboo Forest, Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo Ward, to the Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama, Nishikyo Ward, Arashiyama Nakaoshitacho, stopping by Tully's Coffee on the way. At the monkey park the kids enjoyed feeding the macaques apples and playing on the playground! On the way back to the hotel for a rest we stopped at Yayoi Ken, 416 Matsuyacho Shimogyo Ward, for lunch. After the rain stopped we went to the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, 1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, and stopped to get ice cream on the way at Kirakuan Okamoto Gojozaka, 6 Chome-531 Gojobashihigashi. Amazing views of the city and a big pagoda! Afterwards we got pizza at Casa di Ciro, 407-2 Gojokarasumacho, Shimogyo Ward.

Day 20: July 17th, 2025

We escaped the pouring rain with a Hawaiian breakfast at Eggs n'Things Kyoto Shijo, 47-5, Shimogyo Ward, Motoakuojicho, then watched the Gion Matsuri Yamaboko Junko Parade. Afterwards we went to the Pokemon Center Kyoto, Kankobokocho, 78 SUINA, where Terran got his Terastal Orb, before traveling to Osaka. We checked into ART HOTEL Osaka Bay Tower, 1 Chome-2-1 Benten, Minato Ward, Osaka, and got tonkatsu from Kagurazaka Sakura, 1 Chome−2−２Bay Tower East, and ice cream from BLUE SEAL.

Day 21: July 18th, 2025

We got up early and grabbed breakfast at Good Siphon Coffee, 1 Chome-2-ORC200 Benten, Minato Ward, on the way to the Osaka World Expo 2025, 1 Chome Yumeshimanaka, Konohana Ward. So much to see and do! We explored the Playground of Life: Jellyfish Pavilion, Future of Life Pavilion (with androids), and Mitsubishi Pavilion, walked along the wooden Giant Ring, appreciated the cool architecture of all the country pavilions, saw the dancing fountain in the Water Plaza and the mist in Inochi Park, and helped Terran with his Pokemon Go Stamp Rally (he caught them all)! Afterwards we got ramen from Nomura, 3Chome−9−2, Minato Ward, Namiyoke.

Day 22: July 19th, 2025

Yummy pancakes for breakfast from Shonan Pancake Osaka Bay Tower, 1 Chome-2-4 Benten, Minato Ward, Osaka, before we started the journey to Koyasan. Maxim and Terran got to ride on their first cable car! Then we checking into our lovely Pilgrim's Lodging, Eko-in Temple, 497 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama. We got ice cream across the street (with pepper on top) from Hirano Seishoan, 733 Koyasan, explored the Manihouto Temple, and ate a vegan dinner at our lodging then listened to the cicadas.

[liannaandandrei]

Week 302:

Day 9: July 6, 2025

Our first time visiting Fujisan (and second time almost seeing it!). We started at the Chureito Pagoda, 2-chome-4-1 Asama, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, with beautiful views including a cloud-covered Mt. Fuji, and the Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine. Then we went to the atmospheric Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, 5558 Kamiyoshida, which is an Asama shrine dedicated to the goddess of Mt. Fuji and volcanoes. For lunch we stopped by the small village of Oshino Hakkai (the Eight Seas of Oshino) and got yummy food from a market. Next we drove to Hakone and road the Hakone Ropeway from Togendai Station over the "Valley of Hell" at Owakudani Station to Sounzan Station and back. Then we set sail on the Hakone Pirate Ship "Victory" and sailed across Lake Ashi to Hakonemachiko where we grabbed a bite at AIHARA@, 161-1 Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa, and met up with our tour guide Vicky for the drive back to Tokyo. After we got back we had dinner at Tori soba Ichikoro 156, 2 Chome-1-10 Azabujuban, Minato City, and then watched Castle in the Sky.

Day 10: July 7, 2025

Our first time seeing sumo wrestlers!!! For lunch we went to Cafe Gusto, 2 Chome−2−10 Azabujuban Square Residence, Minato City, Azabujuban, where a cat robot delivered our food! In the afternoon we went to the Asakusa Sumo Club, 2 Chome−10−12 1F, Taito City, Asakusa, to watch the Tokyo Sumo Entertainment Show with Chicken Hot Pot and Roman won the match! Afterwards we went to Taito Station Asakusa, 1 Chome-27-5 Asakusa, to play more Pokémon and had a chance to get more yummy taiyaki (chocolate this time). Then Lianna went to the Zōjō-ji Temple, 4 Chome-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato City, for the Tanabata Festival with beautiful paper lanterns in the shape of the Milky Way and strips of paper (tanzaku) tied to bamboo branches.

Day 11: July 8th, 2025

Our first time exploring the Imperial Palace Gardens! For lunch we went to Dalian Azabu Juban, 3 Chome−6−2, Minato City, Azabujuban, then met up with Andrei at the Ōte-mon Gate and wandered around the lovely (but hot) Imperial Palace East National Gardens, 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, and saw the Fujimi-yagura, the last remaining tower of Edo Castle, and the impressive castle walls. Then we stopped by a very nice Starbucks Coffee - Kokyo Gaien Wadakura Fountain Park, 3-1 Kokyogaien, on the way to Kaitenzushi Nemuro Hanamaru Ginza, 5 Chome−2−1, Chuo City, Ginza, where we had delicious sushi we got to pick off a conveyor belt. So much fun! 🍣

Day 12: July 9th, 2025

For brunch we went to Robert's Coffee, 2 Chome−2−5 Frencia Azabu Juban South, Minato City, Azabujuban, with yummy gelato. Then we had our first time at Kidzania Tokyo, 2 Chome−4−9, Koto City, Toyosu, where Maxim and Terran got to be pilots, bakers, policemen, and ice cream shop workers. They also got bank cards and used an ATM and bought things from a store all by themselves! On the way home we got ice cream in the subway.

Day 13: July 10th, 2025

After a quick stop at McDonald's, 1 Chome-11-12 Azabujuban, Minato City, we went to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, and explored the greenhouse as seen on the show Alice in Borderland. Afterwards we walked by the Shinjuku Bell of Time, 4 Chome-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, on the way to Taito Station Shinjuku GameWorld, 4 Chome-3 Shinjuku, to play more Pokémon Frienda. Then we went to Shiro-Hige's Cream Puff Factory, 5 Chome-3-1 Daita, Setagaya City, for Totoro-shaped cream puffs! Then we got Japanese curry from ADDA, 2 Chome−36 which we ate in a lovely outdoor courtyard with colorful paper lanterns. Then we ran into Andrei on our way to Cateriam, 2 Chome−26−6, a cute cat cafe! Then we all went to Gōtokuji Temple, 2 Chome-24-7 Gotokuji, to see all of the maneki-neko (beckoning cats). We got dinner from Frijoles, 2 Chome-3-5 Azabujuban, Minato City, and Andrei went out to dinner with colleagues in a thunderstorm!

Day 14: July 11, 2025

Our first time going to LEGOLAND Discovery Center Tokyo, 1 Chome−6-1, Minato City, Daiba, where Maxim and Terran's got to live out all their Ninjago dreams (including a 4D Ninjago movie in Japanese), go on the Merlin's Apprentice ride, and test LEGO racers. Afterwards we got to see the giant Unicorn Gundam, 1 Chome−1−10, Koto City, Aomi, and get Mickey Mouse donuts at Mister Donut. That evening we went to see David Cornswet in Superman at TOHO Cinemas Rippongi Hills, Keyakizaka Complex, 6 Chome-10-2 Roppongi, Minato City, and got treats from Soufflé &, 1 Chome-7-9 Azabujuban, on the way home.

Day 15: July 12th, 2025

On our last day in Tokyo, we went to see TeamLab Borderless: MORI Building Digital Art Museum, 5 Chome−９ Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza, Minato City, Toranomon, where we got to immerse ourselves in the Bubble Universe, Universe of Water Particles on a Rock Where People Gather, Dissolving Light, and other cool exhibits. Then we got treats from Comme'N Tokyo, 1 Chome−2−4, Minato City, Azabudai. Next we went to Ueno Park where we had an unexpected viewing of Rodin's "The Thinker" in front of The National Museum of Western Art, on our way to the Tokyo National Museum, 13-9 Uenokoen, Taito City, where we got to see cool samurai armor and swords, large Guardian King sculptures such as Kokomo-ten (Guardian of the West), and lovely gardens. Then we got lunch from the TOHAKU Beer terrace, listened to some jazz in the park and Lianna checked out the Kanei-ji Temple, 1 Chome-14-11 Uenosakuragi, home of the Ueno Bell of Time which still rings three times a day! Afterwards we walked by the Shinobazuno Pond covered in lotus blossoms 🪷 on our way to our fifth (and probably final) Taito Station Ueno Ameyoko, 4 Chome-10-17 Ueno, to play games! That evening we got dinner from Pizza Strada, 3 Chome−6−2, Minato City, Azabujuban, and more gelato from Robert's Coffee.

[liannaandandrei]

Week 301:

Day 3: June 29th, 2025

Our first time at Ghibli Park, 〒480-1342 Aichi, Nagakute, Ibaragabasama, where we got to meet Totoro, play in the Children's Town in the Grand Warehouse, walk through the secret world of Arrietty, watch "Treasure Hunting" in Cinema Orion, explore the Valley of the Witches with the Guchokipanya Bakey, carousel, Flying Machine, and Howl's Moving Castle, and visit the Dondoko Forest then ride the Cat Bus to the Cat Castle! It was also Maxim, Terran, and Lianna's first time on the Shinkansen. For dinner we ate at SubimiYakinuki Sugimoto, 1 Chome-1-4 Meieki, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, on the way back to Tokyo.

Day 4: June 30th, 2025

We started the day with brunch at Ueshima Coffee House - Azubajuban, 2 Chome−1−8 Grand Maison Azabu, Minato City, and more play time at Amishiro Park. Later that day we met up with Andrei and Tita Tasha to go to the Meiji Jingu, 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya, a beautiful Shinto Shrine in a forest where we made offerings. Afterwards we went to Itamae Sushi, 1 Chome−19−1 Shinjuku Toho Building (the Godzilla Building), for dinner and then walked through the colorful streets of Shinjuku and played arcade games at Taito Station, 3 Chome−22−7.

Day 5: July 1st, 2025

Happy Birthday Andrei! We met up with Tita Tasha at the Shinjuku Central Park Children's Square Playground then went to get brunch at the Original Pancake House Shinjuku, 3-Chome−38−1, Shinjuku City (GrandPaul worked at the real Original Pancake House in Portland, Oregon), before Tasha had to catch her flight home. For Andrei's birthday dinner we went to Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu, 1 Chome-13-11 Nishiazabu, Minato City, of "Kill Bill" fame, and then crossed the street to Hobson's Nishiazabu, 4 Chome-1-1 Nishiazabu, for some ice cream.

Day 6: July 2nd, 2025

Our first time at Shibuya Scramble Crossing! We met Andrei at the Hachiko Statue, 2 Chome-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, then hurried across the giant intersection. Then we went to Nintendo Tokyo and the Pokemon Center Shibuya, 15−1 PARCO 6 Udagawacho, where Andrei made a personalized Pokemon T-shirt at the design studio. Then we got dinner from Good Luck Curry in the basement of PARCO followed by more arcade games at Taito Station Shibuya, 1 Chome−24−12 東映プラザ. Afterwards we got desert at Starbucks Coffee - Shibuya Tsutaya, 5 Chome−1−21 6QFRONT, and had an amazing view of the scramble crossing from above at night!

Day 7: July 3rd, 2025

We got up early to see the Nezu Shrine, 1 Chome-28-9 Nezu, Bunkyo City, with beautiful orange torii gates! Afterwards we played at the Asukayama Park Children's Area, 1 Chome-1-3 Oji, Kita City. That afternoon we met up with Andrei at the Kaminaru mon, 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, and walked up Nakamise (and stopped to get ice cream at Funawa) then continued on to Sensō-ji with the Hozomon Gate, the Five-Storied Pagoda, and the Bell of Time. Then we went to the Samurai Ninja Museum, 1 Chome-8-13 Asakusa, with the experience of dressing up as a samurai and throwing shurikens! We also got to see an awesome katana sword demonstration. On the way we stopped at Taiyaki Swada, to get delicious, cheesy taiyaki (fish-shaped cake). Afterwards we went to Tonkatsu Oribe, 1 Chome−9−1, for dinner.

Day 8: July 4, 2025

Our first time at the Pokemon Cafe - Tokyo Nihonbashi, 2 Chome−11−2, Chuo City, and the Pokémon Center Tokyo DX. Then we went to the CAPPINESS Capybara Cafe, 4 Chome−40-12, Shinjuku City, Takadanobaba, to hang out with Punch, Vanilla, and Yanbo. Too much cuteness! Then we went to yet another Taito Station, 1 Chome−35−3 BIGBOX, to play games. For dinner we went to Kamakura Soup with Noodles, 1 Chome−6−6, Minato City, Azabujuban. That evening we watched Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

Day 9: July 5th, 2025

Our first time at teamLab Planets TOKYO DMM, 6 Chome-1-16 Toyosu, Koto City, where we had an incredible time exploring the catch and release forest, the athletic forest, the Floating Flower Garden, and the Water area with the Infinite Crystal Universe. On the way home we stopped to see Saw, Sawing by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen at the Tokyo Big Sight Convention Center, 3 Chome-11-1 Ariake, where we also got lunch. Then we got dinner from Nim's Pizza, 1 Chome−3−13 CASA ESENCIA, Minato City, Azabujuban, where we got to sit at the bar and watch them make pizza!

[liannaandandrei]

Week 300: Thursday, June 26th, Maxim and Terran's first time in Japan! We made it to our AirBnB and crashed and the next day the real adventure started:

Day 1 June 27, 2025

Woke up early and went to Amishiro Park, 2 Chome-15-1 Azabujuban, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0045, Japan, across the street from our AirBnB so the kids could play on the playground. Then we got coffee and pastries from Honolulu Coffee Azabujuban, 1 Chome-11-11, in honor of our layover in Honolulu yesterday, then walked to see the Azabusan Zenpukuji Temple, 1 Chome-6-21 Motoazabu, with the oldest ginkgo tree in Tokyo! Next we met up with Tita Tasha at SMALL WORLDS Miniature Museum, 1 Chome-3-33, Koto City, Ariake, to see some amazing tiny exhibits! Next we got Warabi Lattes with mochi from Eni Kaita Mochi Tsukiji Store, Japan, 4 Chome−7−5, Chuo City, Tsukiji, then walked through Roppongi Hills to the robot-themed Sakurazaka Park, 6 Chome-16-46 Roppongi, Minato City. We then met up with Andrei and got delicious ramen for dinner at AFURI Azabujan, 1 Chome−8−10, before stoping by the Kobayashi Toy Store, 2 Chome-4-7, for some BEYBLADEX.

Day 2: June 28th, 2025

Woke up early again and took the subway to meet up with Tita Tasha near her hotel at the Shinjuku Central Park Children's Square Playground, 2 Chome-10 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, followed by breakfast at Musashino Mori Diner, 2 Chome-11-5, and a quick nap at Tasha's hotel. We then met up with Andrei at Tokyo Solamachi, 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, and had some yummy steamed buns and gyoza from SORA TORA YA for lunch. Then we went up Tokyo SkyTree, the 3rd tallest building/tower in the world at 634 meters, for incredible views of the city! Afterwards Tita Tasha babysat the boys and Andrei and Lianna got to have a date night watching the sunset at Tokyo Tower, 4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato City, beautiful and retro but only 333 meters. Afterwards we went to Gyoza Bar Chaozu, 2 Chome−4−2 THE V-CITY Ⅰ AVENUE 1F奥, Minato City, Azabujuban, for gyoza and champagne!

[liannaandandrei]

Week 299: Sunday, June 15th, Happy Father's Day! We went to see the Science Wizard at the new Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Lots of fun experiments with air pressure, fire, soda & Mentos! That evening we got dinner from Local Kitchens and watched Howl's Moving Castle.

[liannaandandrei]

Week 298: Saturday, June 14th, our first time at Mt. Davidson Park, Myra Way, San Francisco, the tallest point in S.F. with amazing views! We also saw the Mt. Davidson Cross and an almost proposal. That morning Maxim had gymnastics and Benji's 8th birthday party! In the afternoon we hung out at Karen's house with friends from work. In the evening we watched the live action Disney's Snow White.

[liannaandandrei]

Week 297: Wednesday, June 4th, Happy Anniversary Lianna & Andrei and Jean & Bob! We celebrated by going to see Joshua Redman's Advanced Jazz Improvisation - Final Concert at the Braun Music Center, Campbell Recital Hall, 541 Lasuen Mall, Stanford. Beautiful music! Beforehand we explored some of the sculptures in Canfield Court including Bruce Beasley's "Vanguard" (Terran thought it looked like two animals kissing), Don Yeoman's "Stanford Legacy", Alia Farid's green "Amulets", and Alexander Calder's "The Falcon". Afterwards we got dessert at CoHo, 459 Lagunita Dr.

[liannaandandrei]

Week 296: Sunday, May 25th, Terran and Andrei's first time at Las Palmas Park, 850 Russet Dr, Sunnyvale, and Maxim and Lianna's first time there with water! We had a yummy picnic from Sourdough & Co, 304 W El Camino Real, and lots of fun in the sun. 🏝️ Afterwards we got rolled ice cream from Kween's, 292 Castro St, Mountain View, and coffee from Red Rock Coffee, 201 Castro St. That evening we watched Mufasa.

[liannaandandrei]

Week 295: Sunday, May 18th, our first time at the Computer History Museum, 1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View. 💻 We had a great time exploring the ChatBots Decoded: Exploring AI exhibit, seeing Shake the SRI robot, and playing cool old video games! Afterwards we got brunch at Papas and Eggs, 2070 Old Middlefield Rd. That evening we watched The Minecraft Movie.

[liannaandandrei]

Week 294: Sunday, May 11th, Happy Mother's Day!!! 💐 We celebrated with our first time at Castello di Amorosa, 4045 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, with lots of wine, towers, and emu! Beforehand, we had a delicious brunch at Lucy Restaurant & Bar at the Bardessono Hotel, 6526 Yount St, Yountville.

[liannaandandrei]

Week 293: Sunday, May 4th, our first time seeing Elephant & Piggie's We Are In a Play Jr. by Mo Willems and the Palo Alto Children's Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto. Earlier in the day Terran (and Maxim) went to Avyaan's 5th birthday at Chuck E. Cheese!