baby wasps

When we came back to our inn, we hurried and got ready for dinner. We were informed that dinner started promptly at 5:00.  When we arrived in the dining room, we found a beautiful dinner set up for us.  There were a few other people dining at the same time (all guests eat at 5:00), with dividers for privacy.  They came and explained each of the things on our plates.  The fish, beef and vegetables were excellent.  Seeing a whole fish sitting in front of you is a little unappetizing, but it really was delicious.

Our main course (all the stuff above was before the main course) was meat and vegetables cooked in these personal little pots next to each of us.  I would so like to have those little pots at home!  

Maybe someday I can get some.

The delicacy of the meal was this little dish of baby wasps.  Yes, baby wasps.  He was very proud as he explained that the wasp nests were in the ground.  They dig them up and boil the wasps in a special soy sauce.  Once you get over the fact that you are eating the things that you try to get rid of all summer, they actually taste pretty decent.  We all tried them.

The dessert course is almost always fruit and maybe a little jello type creation.  We have learned to love the fruit at the end.  Watermelon is a huge hit!

These were pretty good too.  It was a rice ball coated in a soy sauce/nut mixture on a stick.  It is kind of a special regional thing.  The kids enjoyed them.

After dinner we prepared for our baths.  The baths were open only at certain times so we wanted to take advantage of the opportunity.   Luckily,  they let us lock the door so that strangers wouldn't join us as shared baths are normal at these inns.  We had a girls bathroom and a boys bathroom.

I loved the yukatas they provide for everyone to wear. 

Ali adjusted Andrew's yukata so that it would fit.

Matthew loved the bath. 

I was relieved to get clean after walking around in the hot, humid weather.

Isn't she cute?