Adventure: Honjo Golf Garden

June 25, 2016 - Let me first start by saying that I was not a happy camper when I woke up this morning. My alarm felt entirely too early. I was comfy and cozy on my futon mattress. It was cool, overcast, and a little misty outside. The perfect weather for drinking coffee and staying curled up in a blanket.

I got up, made a cup of coffee, and caught up with social media. This took me about an hour. Since I don't have data on my phone the only time I can access social media is when I'm at my apartment, or when I happen upon a wifi spot.

Once I showered and got ready, I started to plan my day.

Today's adventure: Honjo Golf Garden

Honjo Golf Garden

Last weekend I came across a second hand shop that sold used golf clubs. They had a seven iron and a putter from the same set that I demoed. I liked them and wanted to get them but, because I would have had to carry them through the other stores I was going to shop in I decided to hold off and wait on purchasing them.

I took the train from Orio Station to Honjo Station and walked to the second hand shop. The clubs were still there! I bought the seven iron, the putter, and a sleeve of golf balls for 1,770 yen ($17.70). It was a steal!

From the second hand shop I walked to Honjo Golf Garden. The walk wasn't too far, about 1 mile or so. The though part was that I was wearing a tennis skirt and it was a little windy.

When I made it Honjo Golf Garden (HGG) I was proud but filled with anticipation. The easy part was getting there. The tough part would be actually getting to play.

Honjo Golf Garden - Bay 24

I walked in the doors, smiled and said,

"Konichiwa! Sumimasen. Gomenasai, Nihingo ga hansemasen."
Hello! Excuse me. I'm sorry, I do not speak Japanese.

She smiled and said,

"So so."
Yes.

I asked,

"Kore wa ikura desu ka?"
How much is this?

I was pointing to the 80 ball option.

She walked me over to the card machine where I selected what amount of balls I wanted; paid; and received my ball card voucher. Then she walked me outside and showed me how to collect the balls. She motioned that I should go to the second level because the first level was crowded.

Honjo Golf Garden - in door putting green 

I thanked her and went on my way.

"Arigato gozaimashita!"
Thank you!

What a success. I found a bay and started hitting. It may not be exactly the same as Top Golf, but it was peaceful, inexpensive, and exactly what I was looking for.

Cafe Au Lait, Honjo Golf Garden

To know that I can come back to this place makes me so happy. It may start to be a part of my weekend routine.

I hit for about an hour and then was on my way.

Bay 24 - Honjo Golf Garden

H.G.G - Honjo Golf Garden

When I left the driving range I realized I was not far from Futajima Station where the AEON shopping center is. I decided to head to AEON today instead of putting it off until tomorrow. I needed to get a pair of black pants for work and a pair of casual sneakers for walking around.

AEON Futajima

I shopped around and finally found what I needed:

- 1 pair of black pants
- 1 pair of all white NIKE sneakers

I stopped in the grocery store and bought onigiri with umeboshi for dinner. I then headed for Futajima Station where I took the train back to Orio.

Futajima Station 

Futajima Station