We slept in a bit today, felt great! We checked the timetable for the local Yamaguchi train line and (bonus!) we had time for a quick breakfast before departing The local train also departed from the Shin-Yamaguchi Station across the street.

We got off at (downtown) Yamaguchi Station, checked the map and walked down to the main shopping street in Yamaguchi . We browsed the stores at the Emura Fashion Community Plaza in the covered outdoor mall on Nakaichi Street. This mall seemed to be more for the locals rather than a touristy type mall (or at least we thought so!) - just the way we like it!

We checked out the Izutsuya Department store there - the top floor had some very spectacular artifacts, crystal and china, which were not only beautiful, but also came with some spectacular prices! 
 
We wandered over to the Ryufukji Temple, a few blocks from the mall, through the side streets. The entry way lined with a tree lined arch. The large pond garden, western gate and dry landscape garden nearby have been restored sol they now look much as they did in the 1800s. We spent a little time there taking in the serenity, buildings, small waterfall and statues.  

We walked down Yamaguchi Perfecture Route 204, which looked to be the main road through the city. There seem to be very many footbaths in the Yamaguchi area, unfortunately, we did not have time to make use of them this trip . We did see the Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media, as we as the City Library, in a unique, wavy roof designed building. Right next to it was the C-able building, which houses the Yamaguchi Cable Company. I took a look inside the building and grabbed a few brochures. Checked out their cable lines and noticed that their line amplifiers look very similar to ours. NHK Broadcasting was also in the same block. The next block down was the New Media Plaza housing Docomo and NNT. All the big boys from broadcasting and telecommunications seem to be grouped together in this small area of the city.

It was about 2 pm and we were looking for a place to eat, but most of the restaurants we came across were not open until 17:00 or 18:00. We finally found a very small, hole in the wall, where we had some really good Ramen noodles and beer. After lunch we wandered down past the Cafe Orancio, where Sarah spent some time in University and then back to the Yudaonsen Station, for our return to Shin-Yamaguchi . 

A little while after we returned to the hotel, we met up the rest of the group who spent the day in Miyajima and Hiroshima. We said our goodbyes to Yasutoshi, Haruna's dad as he is working tomorrow, but we made him promise to come visit us in Canada next time. (we would see Haruna's mom again tomorrow morning before our departure.

We met everyone staying at the hotel for the "last supper". 9 of us walked across the street to a sushi train type restaurant. After many, many small plates of mostly seafood delicasies everyone was stuffed!

In an effort to lighten luggage and to spend a little more time together, we all met in one of the rooms down the hall to help Robert and Haruna drink two bottles of champagne and some Apple Wine. We told some stories, had some laughs and hugs as everyone was going their separate ways and leaving Yamaguchi in the morning.