TOTO Museum Tour

On April 2nd, my Japanese Conversation Class took a field trip to the TOTO Museum.

Toto Museum Website

We met at the Nishikokura Station in the morning and walked to the museum together.

Our class coordinator had arranged for us to have a private guided tour. So when we arrived to the museum we were immediately greeted by our guide and ushered to the viewing theater.

Even though the tour was conducted in Japanese, there were English subtitles for everything --- signs, displays, pamphlets ... etc. I also had Shoko-san by my side.

The tour lasted for about 2 hours, but I could have stayed there all day. There was so much to see and do. For those of you who are unfamiliar, TOTO is a Japanese company that is known for producing revolutionary toilets.  Through the tour I learned about the history of the company and also about their plans for the future. I seriously wish I would have thought to do some of my business research projects on them when I was in college.  Their company culture and business practices are admirable.

In Japan TOTO is a household name. Everyone seems to own a TOTO Washlet --- even me! My apartment is equipped with a Washlet.  The Washlet is what TOTO does best. It's not just a toilet, it's a machine. With an abundance of features from air deodorizer, bidet, auto open/close, and heated seats, these machines can do it all.  

Click here to visit the TOTO USA Washlet website and see for yourself.

TOTO toilets can be found in the USA, but their usually only seen in commercial buildings or high end hotels. I hope you're lucky enough to come across one someday.

So here are the pictures from the tour . . . 

TOTO Washlet

TOTO Washlet

Traditional Japanese Style In-Ground Toilet

Japanese Conversation Class

Field Trip Around Yahatahigashi

Shoko-san is the best tour guide.  Without her I wouldn't have seen half as much of Kitakyushu as I have. Spending time with her is always enjoyable. I like her pace. We never linger anywhere for too long. We always have an itinerary and most of our travel is done by foot. 

She likes to walk. She says its good for her health.

The more time I spend with her and the more I get to know her, I know that I want to be just like her when I'm older.

We spent the day by visiting multiple nature spots. We were hoping that the cherry blossoms would be in bloom, but we were too early. She kept pointing all around saying, 

"There's a cherry ... there's one ... there's another ... but no cherries today."

Highlight of the day: Shoko-san showed me her "secret garden". She said she spends almost every spring day there enjoying the cherry blossoms.

We literally went all around town since we each had an unlimited bus pass for the day.

Throughout the day I kept seeing stores, restaurants, and city attractions that I was adding to my mental To-Do list. There's so much I want to do and see.

Here are pictures of some of the parks we visited . . . 

City Wide Bus Day Pass - 800 yen

Community Center Park, Yahatahigashi, Kitakyushu, Japan

Community Center Park, Yahatahigashi, Kitakyushu, Japan

Community Center Park, Yahatahigashi, Kitakyushu, Japan

Coffee Shop, Community Center Park, Yahatahigashi, Kitakyushu, Japan

Nature Reserve, Yahatahigashi, Kitakyushu, Japan

Nature Reserve, Yahatahigashi, Kitakyushu, Japan

Japanese Neighborhood, Yahatahigashi, Kitakyushu, Japan

Japanese Neighborhood, Yahatahigashi, Kitakyushu, Japan

Rainy Day In Wakamatsu

I love living so close to the water.

It's so nice to know that I'm never more than a bus or train ride away.

And if I'm feeling especially active, I could even walk.

So on Friday, March 31st, I took a train out to Wakamatsu to visit a friend. Her name is S. She's the one who initially invited me to the tennis group. She's also a jewelry designer and owns her own shop.

I had a wonderful afternoon chatting and catching up with her ... in English.

Wakamatsu Train Station, Kitakyushu, Japan

Wakato Bridge, Wakamatsu, Kitakyushu, Japan

Okinawan Donut w/ Milk Tea Latte

S - Designer of Tsumugi+ Jewelry