Nihongo Gakkou - aka Japanese Language School

My Japanese language school had a new years party the end of December

We got to play drums, which was lots of fun

We sang songs, or should I say they sang songs, and I pretended since I could not keep up with the words.

My friend James from Ghana and his sensei

We also played BINGO which seems to be a custom in Japan at holiday parties. It is a good way to distribute the holiday gifts, is fun for everyone to play, and is easily picked up by 'foreigners' - especially me.

Fall Color

Some pictures from early December when Aya and I took some time to wander around Tokyo enjoying the last of the fall color

Hibiya Koen (Park) near Tokyo station

A cool little diner we stopped in for lunch that is under the rail line

An allee of ginkos

I'm watching you...

I am not sure what to say about this, but think it is important that you see it.

At least he is wearing socks?

Typhoon

Here are some photos from the end of September after a typhoon passed through Tokyo. There was not too much damage, but the hard rain, strong winds, and flooding in places wreaked havoc on the transportation system. Once service resumed it was a nightmare to get anywhere due to everyone trying to get home at the same time and all of the delays. These pictures were taken about 4 hours after the worst of it, since we decided to stay at work as long as we could and then went to a local restaurant for a few hours to eat and have a few beers in hopes that the crowds would lessen.

They closed the gates at the stations and were only letting people in once a train came and emptied the platform to prevent overcrowding and the potential for people to fall into the tracks.

The crowd waiting for the next train

People were packing into the trains like sardines

The line for the bus outside of Gotanda station

That is the line continuing up the stairs, and across the bridge.

Bennett's in Japan Day 11 - 2011/09/18

All good things must come to an end, but not before one last beer and some udon with the Miyakoda's.

It is hard to pack all of the things we wanted everyone to see, and all of the food & drink we wanted everyone to try into 10 & 1/2 days, but I think we did a pretty good job of getting to most of it, and hopefully giving everyone just enough that they will want to come back again, and then maybe again.

The Bennett Clan will be missed but never forgotten in Japan

Bennett's in Japan Day 10 - 2011/09/17

Today is the last full day of the Bennett family invasion of Japan. In an effort to leave our mark on as large a geographic area as possible we make one last day trip to Kamakura, which everyone who follows this blog knows is one of Aya and I's favorite places to visit.

Our first stop is Hokoku-ji, the bamboo temple

Kristin and Paul look out from the tea house

Scott & Dad look out from the steps of the tea house

I love the way the bamboo filters the sunlight in this space

Our next stop is Hachimangu, a shrine that sits up on the hillside and overlooks central Kamakura

The main shrine on the hilltop

We were lucky enough to catch a traditional wedding in the lower pavillion while we were there

The next stop is Daibutsu - the giant buddha made of bronze

Scott enjoys the mist fan. Once we found this it was hard to keep moving

A quick stop at the beach, where everyone examines something that washed up on the beach. Unfortunately, since the earthquake and tsunami there has been more trash and debris that washes onto the beach than usual.

One last posed picture in Japan

Back to where it all began - Nihon Kai our favorite sushi place for one last dinner with the Miyakoda's

A modest collection of plates to demonstrate our ability to eat as much sushi as the ocean can provide

Bennett's in Japan Day 9 - 2011/09/16

Back in Tokyo, and just in case everyone did not get to see enough temples in Kyoto...

...we start the day by going to Meiji Jingu, a shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, located in Shibuya. What is interesting about this shrine is that it is located in the middle of 175 acre man-made forest in central Tokyo. When the park was being constructed trees from all over Japan were donated to create the forest, celebrating Emperor Meiji's role in the Meiji Restoration - or the return of imperial rule to Japan

Kristin poses in front of the wall of sake casks which are donated to the shrine by various people, businesses, corporations, and civic groups to be used at certain festivals and special events

The giant torii, or gateway, leading to the central shrine

The central shrine, called the Naien, or inner precinct

No trip to Meiji Jingu is complete without a trip through Harajuku, the famous district for counter culture fashion.

Not sure if Paul is shocked by what he sees, or fears Kristin will spend their life savings in 20 minutes here

The main shopping street. Unfortunately, this is rather plain fashion for this area. Perhaps due to the hot weather and being a weekday we were not lucky enough to witness some of the extreme outfits often seen here

Dad did get to see some of the outfits in stores, and was chased off by one owner for taking pictures

An underwear store. Pretty innovative sales display

outside Shibuya station

Everyone poses outside of the Sumo stadium in front of the wrestlers flags

The wrestlers perform the traditional introduction ceremony prior to the main matches beginning

Hakuho - the current Yokozuna, or highest ranking a sumo wrestler can achieve.

It is amazing how flexible guys this huge can be.

The guy in grey is Baruto, a wrestler from Estonia. Watanabe-sans sons say I look like him. I hope it is more the skin complexion than weight or facial appearance.

The endorsement banners prior to Hakuho's battle

Everyone posing in front of the drummers tower following the days tournament

Thanks to Paul for letting me get into a picture in front of the arena

And thanks to a stranger for letting us all get into a picture together

No trip to Japan is complete without going to dinner for Yaki-niku, or grilled meat. The experience of cooking everything yourself at your table is great fun, unless the person beside you keeps stealing your food

Dad approved, and really enjoyed a different grilling experience