Back in Japan...

Its almost surreal, like waking up from a dream, or like I'm living two lives. Having spent so much time here, growing up, maturing into the person I am today. I've had many first time experiences here, such as buying a car, and living out on my own to name a few. Its different this time though, I'll be home before I know it. Unlike before, when I didn't know when I would next step foot homeland.

After being cramped up in the plane for twelve hours I was sent out into the orderly chaos known as Japan. Bombarded with all different pings, pongs & buzzers informing you of incoming planes & trains. I grew accustomed to the various noises when I was living here, but had forgotten them since. It almost feels foreign now, being thrown back into this plastic, futuristic, bustling country.

Currently I am in a hotel in Okayama. This trip will mark the first time I visit the breeders in Southern Japan, with plans to stop at Momotaro, Sakai & Omosako. I can't wait for the sun to come up...

Devin is on the way

Devin is in the air, on his way to the Kansai Insternational Airport in Japan!

A special man made island was built to house the Kansai International Airport right in Osaka Bay.  Currently, the island is 4.1 square miles in size.  Planned expansions in the future will increase its size to over 5 square miles.

Source: TDK Licensed Under: Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

Here is the concourse, it is the longest one in any airport in the world.

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TKFGS 2010 Koi Show

Last weekend Devin traveled to San Antonio for the Texas Koi and Fancy Goldfish Society's 18th annual Koi Show.  He gave a talk on living in Japan at the Marudo Koi farm.  Hobbyists from around the area brought their Koi fish to the show.

MMM Look at all that TOMIGAI Koi Food

A group of Gosanke

A Shiro Utsuri and a Showa

Sanke

A jumbo Sanke

Getting ready to release the Koi

The Koi is in the tank

Koi benching and handling by the "World Famous" Texas Koi Wranglers

"Join to learn about Ponds, Koi, Goldfish and Water Gardening"

Some of the past Koi show winners

A Tancho Kohaku and a Showa

A Sanke and a Kohaku

Some of the tanks at the show, with protective screens

The Koi tanks were set up underneath the shelter

People visiting the Texas Koi and Fancy Goldfish Society Koi Show

Netting the Koi for the judges to see

The judges are talking about the Koi

Devin Swanson of Koi Acres giving his talk on Life in Japan

The Display Pond is Empty

We moved the Koi that reside in the display pond during the summer into the Koi building. The move went well and all the fish are adjusting to their winter home. Here is a couple video clips of the move:

Here are some pictures of the Koi in the tanks: