The next leg of my trip I spent mostly in Nagoya. I think this is where I crammed in too much of my activities. I was out everyday trying to meet people and by the end of the week I was so exhausted I was in need of another vacation. =P


I think what I missed most about living in Nagoya was all the things I used to do daily. Browsing the shops on my days off, going grocery shopping and seeing what the daily specials are, meeting up with friends on the whim. It’s definitely different being a tourist in a place you used to call home!

The only thing that was new for me was the opening of JR Gate Tower. They had been doing construction work at Nagoya Station for the longest time and the tower finally opened a few months after I left. I ended up going there twice for lunch! (Once was because the restaurant I originally wanted to go to inside Midland Square randomly closed down and I had nowhere else in mind to go lol.)


I didn’t have too many meals out since I was staying with my host family. I did have my favourite Misen Taiwanese ramen and also my first Komeda morning! I never woke up early to have breakfast out, so I finally had an excuse to try morning for the first time. 

I spent a full day in Kariya this time and I was lucky that I was able to meet up with so many familiar faces. That morning Megumi picked me up from the station and I spent time with her son Yuuichi, as well as Ayumi and her two kids. Later on we went over to Kazumi-san’s house where she specially prepared mochitsuki for me! I must admit I was more interested in eating the mochi than pounding it. Hehe

That evening we went out for yakiniku together with members of the delegation who came to Mississauga last year. It was so nice seeing everyone again! We even went karaoke together afterwards!


I also had quick visits at Gaba and Marriott. I really missed a lot of my colleagues! Being with everyone again felt like time never really passed. Nagoya will always be my home away from home and I can’t wait until I see everyone again. =)