Nogeyama zoo, park, and the Beach Muffin (Feb 7)

We decided to head out to Yokohama for the 3rd weekend in a row.  This time our mission was to check out a free city zoo, Nogeyama zoo.  They did not have a lot of animals but the best part was their petting zoo sessions that they had.  They only let in a certain number of people at a time (you need to get a ticket for a certain time) and then they close the gates and let out the chickens, put out the mice and guinea pigs and you get about 20 minutes to have all the fun that you can possibly have with close proximity to rodents and chickens.

Zoo maps are a must have!

Red panda

chimps

Reptile house

Saw the tiger up close!

This was quite hilarious

They had love birds out for Valentine's day (not really sure what type of birds these actually are but they were mostly paired up)

The penguins made some pretty hilarious noises (listen to my penguin video on google+)

Abby enjoyed combing the guinea pig

To prove that I participated! (this was a long 10 seconds for me while Chad took this picture)

Next it was off to explore the park

There was a lookout building with great views

Selfie!

Next stop was the Beach Muffin in Zushi (a vegan cafe near the beach).  We met some friends there for some drinks and amazingly delicious vegan food.

The ginger soda(mine) and black cherry soda (Jamie's) were both very yummy!

Tristan read some books while we waited

Jamie's loco-moco

Chad's favorite part - the locally brewed beer on tap

The fries were the best - I think we ordered at least 3 baskets!

I had the blueberry pudding cobbler for dessert

NEX, Strawberry festival, and Yokohama waterfront (Feb 1)

The Sunday after Tristan's birthday, we decided to take the NEX to Yokohama for the Strawberry Festival.  Now, Yokohama is not very far away and to take the NEX (Narita Express) is a bit silly for such a short ride, but the NEX is Tristan's favorite train and to be able to ride it (with his brand new NEX train) was part of his birthday present.

Riding in style to Yokohama!

The NEX is more expensive because it is reserved seating and the seats are more like airline seats.

And now he can say "I've ridden the NEX!"

Once in Yokohama, we walked along to the waterfront to where the Strawberry festival was taking place.

It was pretty windy!

We tasted all sorts of Strawberry desserts from just plain strawberries with powdered sugar, to mochi-wrapped strawberries, strawberry cakes and strawberry candy!

Next we headed back across the waterfront park to the cruise ship pier.

Great views of city.

The dock was all wood with many odd angles!

When we had explored the pier, we walked farther along the waterfront park. 

The views were great as the sun was setting.

We ended up at a Happy Lawson's (basically just a convenience store but with a kids play area)

The kids played here for over an hour and we ate our dinner here too (mostly steamed buns and meat on a stick)