Japan Adventure

Japan Sea - weekend bus tour

Before hiking the Japan Sea coast we ate lunch at a near by restaurant. This meal was my least favorite of the trip. It was very fishy and at this point I was a bit tired of traditional Japanese food. Luckily on the drive back to Utsunomiya we stopped at a rest area with a Starbucks, coffee and a ham sandwich never tasted so good!!

The Japan Sea coast was our last stop on the weekend bus tour.

This area is called Ganmon Cave. It was so beautiful!

We enjoyed exploring the beautiful sea side, climbing through caves and jumping from rock to rock.

After hiking around at Ganmon Cave the bus drove us to the Chirihama Nagisa driveway, were the bus was actually able to drive on the beach.

Enjoying some Japanese snacks on the long bus ride back home.

It was a great weekend filled with some beautiful sights and wonderful memories we will always cherish!

Art Work Exhibition - February 2010

Kinugawaidai Yochien held their annual student art show on February 6, 2010. It was so much fun to see the projects that Rylee has been working on these past few months. She was so proud and we were so impressed with her work and with the hard work of the staff to exhibit all their pieces.

This piece represents the emperor and empress to honor girls day, Hinamatsuri,
held every year on March 3. However, Rylee says it her Mom and Dad dressed as a prince and princess.

Mioko came to support Rylee's special day at school.

The students are required to wear a mask to school each day, especially during cold and flu season. Avery wanted to be just like her big sis.

The students made ogre masks in preparation for Setsubun, held every February. Setsubun refers to the eve of Risshun (first day of spring). It is important that evil forces be cast out for good fortune for the new season. On the eve of Setsubun, people fling beans at demons lurking in the dark outside. Children often wear masks as they throw the beans to scare off the demons.

Rylee with her teacher, Sakamoto-sensei

Rylee and Avery with Rylee's three teachers, Sakamoto-sensei, Jinko-sensei, and Miki-sensei.

Aimie, Rylee and Avery

Rylee's drawing of herself at undokai, sports day.

Aimie and her drawing of herself at sports day.

The students made dolls of themselves. This is Aimie standing next to her doll.

This is Rylee's doll, of course her doll was the only blond headed doll......too funny!

The house say "Tulip Class Fruit House." Rylee is in the Tulip Class.

Stawberry Picking - February 2010

I know it seems crazy to go strawberry picking in February, but actually strawberry season runs from January through May. There is so much sunshine in Utsunomiya that I guess they have no trouble growing strawberries in green houses in the middle of winter. This was our fourth fruit picking experience and we really enjoy the process and the pay off. The fresh fruit in Japan is amazing!