Aomori ・ Hakodate - Day 5 (ASPAM) / 青森・函館 五日目 （アスパム）

This is me with my family relaxing at my mother-in-law's house in Aomori. The plans for today are to check out the ASPAM building (which is full of Aomori goods, food & souvenirs) in the noon. In the evening, us kids (me, my sister and my wife) will participate in the Nebuta Festival. Mom and Dad will be taking it easy while us kids are dancing the night away.

義理の母の家に家族でリラックスしてます。今日の予定は青森物産が大量に扱ってるビル「アスパム」に行く。夜は両親が家でゆっくりしてる間、私たち（僕、妹と美香子）はねぶた祭りに参加する。

Me and my Dad / お父さんと一緒

Off to ASPAM. I didn't take any pictures inside the building but we sure did nibble on a lot of sample food products. As my mother and sister and wife were taking their time checking out the products, my Dad and I headed up to the second floor where there was a Tsugaru Shamisen performance, a small amusement area, and a tiny Aomori Prefecture museum. Aside from all the Aomori goods you can find inside the building, outside the building in the back is where the Nebuta floats are stored during the day as the festival lasts for nearly a week.

さてアスパムに出発。ビルの中でほとんど写真は撮ってなかったが、いろんな食べ物を試食しました。女性三人はゆっくりお土産を見ながら、僕とお父さんは直ぐ飽きた。それで、お父さんと二人でビルの二階のほうに行って、そこで津軽三味線のパフォーマンスや、アミューズメントギャラリー、青森県の小さな博物館みたいなところなどがある。ビルの中の青森原産の物も良いですが、ビルの裏はねぶた祭りの間、昼間でねぶたを保管してる場所がある。

What is this? It is one very large apple pie! / これは何ですか？超でっかいアップルパイ！


Hanging out with Dad at the amusement area / アミューズメントエリアでお父さんと一緒

After hooking up with Mom and company, we headed to the back of the building to check out the Nebuta floats up close.

お母さんたちのまた合流して、ビルの裏でねぶたを保管してるところに行ってみた。

This probably gives you a better idea of how large these floats are.

ねぶたの前に立つと、どの位大きいか分かります。

Mom and Dad Tourist Photos / 観光客の両親

My favorite float up close / 自分が気に入りのねぶた


Hey Dad, we can't see your face! / おい、お父さん、顔見えないじゃん！

Oh, that's better, you can see my father's face / あっ、お父さんの顔が見える

Me and my sister / 妹と一緒

On our way back home, we had to have a taiyaki, but what makes this different from your standard is the fact that it is filled with curry and scallops!

家に帰る前にたいやき。普通に見えるでしょ。でもこれはほたてカレーたいやきです！

Yep, filled with curry and scallops alright / 確かにほたてカレーだ！