The bitterness of matcha tea—the kind used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies—is balanced by Japanese sweets. I contemplated this while sipping some in the Hakone Detached Palace, the one-time summer residence of the Imperial Family. Chris was off jogging down some of the garden paths along the shoreline trying to get a cool picture but I am a girl and was like, “Must…see…palace.” 
Palace and tea? Well…ok then. A smiling woman gestured me to a seat directly facing a window framing the snow-capped Mt. Fuji. Hawks floated above the treeline, suspended over the lake. Pirate ships sailed across the flat waters of Lake Ashi, shimmering in the late-afternoon sun. At 3:25pm we had less than an hour until sunset. 
An actual fire sparked in the fireplace—rare in fire-unfriendly Japan—so it was a perfect retreat on this most beautiful of days. 
Where Globe-Trotting meets Beach-Combing
the more things change…
Moon Cakes and Tea Time
Easter Sunrise
I'll Be Home for Christmas
That sounds positively lovely! I fully intend on visiting and having tea in Japan with you!
In other news…we got San Diego! The only options last week were San Diego and Jacksonville, though, so we're pretty happy. Jon will fly Romeos (nerd). And the dress from the winging- to answer your question- was from BCBG outlet. I think I got it for at least 100 bucks off.
So… as soon as the Hus is able and/or deploys, I'm headed your way. I have to make reparations with Mouse, since I got a dog in his absence.
but also, just to let you know, our dog ate our bird ornament with feathers… so it's kinda like having Mouse… except Henry is fat…
Gorgeous! That Fuji picture is just breathtaking!