Rodney's Jet Ski Trip to Inawashiro Lake 猪苗代湖

On July 27, Rodney's associate Yoshikawa-san invited him jet skiing at Inawashiro Lake. This trip was Rodney's second time going to the same lake. Back in 2004, he went with Yoshikawa-san and some friends and lost his glasses in the bottom of the lake after wiping out. These days, the sport has become rather popular in Japan. Yoshikawa-san owns two stand-up jet skis. None of which are Honda-make since Honda does not manufacture stand-up jet skis.

Initially, the plan was to stay overnight at a bed-and-breakfast, which is known as a pension. Instead, they returned the same night since we had prior plans to go to Fuji Safari Park on the 28th. It took four hours to drive, each way.

Inawashiro Lake in the middle of Fukushima Prefecture, is the third largest lake in all of Japan. It is situated inland near Mount Bandai. The area is a very popular summer destination for watersports, boating and camping. In the winter, Mount Bandai is known for its famous ski resorts.

Generally, stand-up jet skis require more technical skill, than sit-down personal watercrafts, or Seadoos. Rodney prefers the challenge of stand-up jet skis.

A northern view of Mount Bandai

Summer Scoop 2007

The last week of July officially marked the end of the rainy season in Tokyo...so they say. We were definitely hit with far more rain this year than last, which compelled us to use our car more frequently than travelling by foot or by bike. However, we did spend time walking in the rain to and from the supa and to Jidokan. Donning his raincoat and rainboots, Markus loved to dawdle in the puddles. The usual seven-minute trek to Jidokan often took us about 15 minutes.

Exerting energy at Saty's Kiddy Playland in the balloon saloon

Despite the showers and typhoons, we've had an active summer so far. Tokyo offers so many wonderful indoor amenities open to the public year round.

Saty, a local department store complete with a super market, several floors of apparel, toys, and a cinema, is one of our favourite local getaways. During the rainy season, which also falls during the children's school summer vacation, it's likely you'll be exploring the great indoors with plenty of other energized kids. Nevertheless, the more, the merrier! In July, Mihoko and I took Chihiro and Markus to Kodomo no Shiro. Markus and I have been there several times before.

This was Chihiro's first and boy did he ever have a blast! The boys loved the indoor jungle gym and doting on out all sorts of fun musical instruments. We were also entertained by a music concert of familiar songs learned from Jidokan.

Markus enjoyed the funny mirror...here's his flexing pose!

Natsu (summer) is the season of matsuri (festivals), which occur just about every weekend at different places. Women wearing yukata's are a very common sight, especially in the evenings. I just love seeing the colourful and unique patterns. Last year, we attended the local Natsu Matsuri festival at Heiwa Park nearby, however we opted out to this year's festivities. Instead, I attended a phenomenal, high-energy, acrobatic musical called "Matsuri" at the Muscle Theatre in Shibuya with some girlfriends. In the meantime, our husbands took the kids to a the Children's Museum in Shibuya. Unfortunately, taking photos was not allowed in the theatre. It was such an awesome show, especially since we had close arena seats...thanks Miyuki-san!!!

We all met up after the show. The hungry boys were trying to be patient while waiting for the food at the Izikaya restaurant in Ikebukuro.

With Tomoko-san and Miyuki-san after the show

Near the start of July, Markus and I visited Hie Jinja Shrine to attend the Sanno Festival - a week-long festival near Akasaka. We aimed to arrive for the morning mikoshi procession, but no such luck. It was the first time taking the trains out to Akasaka so I was unfamiliar with the area. The Koban (police box), conveniently located near the train station was a useful source for directions. Regardless of our tardiness, it was an opportunity to see another beautiful worship shrine and witness some traditional events such as a tea ceremony and listen to taiko drums, which Markus loves!

The concrete Sanno torii gate stands tall at the west entrance

The red Inari Sando torii gates are donated by local companies for business prosperity.

Guests at a tea ceremony

In addition, we experienced some exciting events at Jidokan. On July 7, we celebrated Tanabata festival. This day commemorates a romantic mythical story, handed down from China. Once a year, a princess star is to meet her prince on a bridge across the Milky Way. It was believed that wishes made on this day would be fulfilled. People attach strips of colourful paper with wishes on leaf-bearing bamboo stalks and place them in their gardens or in other places. We decorated our own bamboo stalks with paper ornaments and streamers during Jidokan class.

We are currently on summer hiatus until August 21. The last day before vacation, we had a big Natsu Matsuri at the school, which incorporated all age groups of Jidokan. Many of the children wore their cute gimbeis and yukatas.

Though Jidokan classes are on yasumi (holiday break), kiddie pool days are offered twice a week. Since the summer temps are soaring and humidity is in full effect, it's been a great way for Markus and friends to beat the heat!

With all that's said, the summer is far from over! That's our summer scoop for now...more to come.

Shinbokukai

On July 13, Rodney enjoyed a dinner night out with his co-workers from Honda. The social gathering is referred to as a shinbokukai. A private dinner cruise near Odaiba overlooking the Tokyo Bay, was planned for the group. The evening began with drinks, a set dinner menu, than of course more drinks.

After cruising for a few hours, they headed out for a late night snack at an Okonomiyaki restaurant nearby, then finally finished off with some more drinks.

Being aboard the boat offered some fantastic views of the harbor city.

Hirai Yakata Boat

A breathtaking view of the sun setting amid the clouds

The Rainbow Bridge

Teriyama-san gettin' silly...

PEACE!!

At the Okonomiyaki Restaurant

Kenta Ebara

On July 1, I attended Kenta Ebara's concert at Dress Tokyo Cafe in Akihabara. Since Rodney attended Kenta's previous concert a couple of months ago, he offered to stay home with Markus. Kenta's father, Ebara-san, who is Rodney's mentor and manager at Honda, along with friend Meiri-san, accompanied me to the concert.

A singer and songwriter from Tokyo, Kenta's music influences stem from all genres of music from rock and country to pop. He is inspired by many famous artists like Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder, to name only a few. The love of music seems to run in the Ebara family. Kenta's father, Ebara-san used to play the guitar. He now plays the dulcimer and sings in a group called The Front Porch Players. We attended their show at the Minori Dulcimer and Autoharp Festival on May 25, in Ibaraki.

Before the show we had time to spare so we walked to Yodobashi, which is a massive electronics store in the center of Akihabara - a.ka. "Electric City". Like most department stores in Tokyo, the top floor was sectioned off with several restaurants. We had delicious Japanese cuisine for dinner at the Kaikyo.

Apparently, Kenta was suffering from a cough and cold the previous night, but I would've never guessed. Kenta had a great performance!











Here is a short video of one of my favourite of Kenta's songs called "Asu-iro", ("The Color of Tomorrow"). The song is about sharing true feelings to someone you really love.

All of Kenta's lyrics are in Japanese. During his songs, I could pick up bits and pieces of the words, however it was nice to have Meiri-san there to translate the meanings behind each song.

Enjoy...

Let's get cultural - Japanese Style!

On Father's Day, June 17th, we celebrated with a day of Japanese culture with the Hippo Family Club of Tokyo.

Markus was being a great helper while I tried my hand at ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement.

Say "CHIZU!"

In short, the Hippo Family Club is a nonprofit organization at which both children and adults acquire several languages simultaneously by learning songs, listening to tapes, playing games and participating in home stay exchanges.

Noako Niimi-san, a Hippo Family Club director for the Itabashi area, approached me last February in our apartment lobby when she overheard me speaking English and realized that I was a gaikokujin (foreigner). After learning more about the Hippo Club, I agreed to participate as a volunteer in some activities. My first experience was a presentation about Canada to a group of pre-teen students at an elementary school in Shimo-Akatsuka. The students seemed eager to learn about western culture and also to hear the English. There was a line-up of other presenters speaking about countries of their origin. Prior to the presentation, I was able to speak to some students who wished to express some of their English speaking abilities. Markus accompanied me to the presentation dressed in Canada-themed clothing. Unfortunately my little mascot was getting over a cough, so he wasn't in the greatest of moods. At the least, he was able to sit through my 10 minute presentation. To the left is a visual made up of photos relevant to Canada, which I put together for my presentation.

Since then, I have attended several of their meetings assisting in English language acquisition. Recently two members of the Hippo Family Club went abroad for a month-long home stay in the USA. I acquainted the two teenage boys about American traditions and offered some English assistance. They were very eager and excited about their home stay. One boy went to Oregon, the other to Utah.

Here is my first attempt at Japanese calligraphy.

One of the volunteers derived my name using Kanji characters. I then tried my best at copying it onto fine stationary paper. The bristles of the ink brush are very soft. Each stroke of the brush requires control and fluidity. I look forward to taking further calligraphy lessons next month.

The finished product...not too bad for the first time.

Japanese tea ceremony, often referred to as Chanoyu

This ritural requires a set of disciplines, which may take years to master. At a formal tea ceremony, usually powdered green tea is prepared by a skilled practioner and is served to a small group of individuals who are expected to know proper gestures and phrases.

The Hippo Family Club event on Father's Day was well-received. Many of whom participated were foreigners on home stay programs in Tokyo, associated with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). We met folks from India, Pakistan and Portugal, and of course made new Japanese friends. This day was a great opportunity to actively join in the festivities of experiencing the Japanese culture. Activities included the art of ikebana (flower arranging), Japanese calligraphy, origami (paper folding), traditional Japanese tea ceremony and yukata (women's summer garment) dressing. It was interesting to hear from our fellow foreigners of their home stay experiences in Japan.

The yellow obi of my yukata was being adjusted and tied into a bow. This is the most difficult part of dressing into the costume.

Origami of a crane

In the photo to the right, the ladies are outfitting me in a silk uchikake (oo-chee-kah-ke). This is a traditional wedding kimono overcoat, originated in the Edo period.

During a wedding reception, the gorgeous silk brocade is worn over a shiro-maku - a white kimono worn during the wedding ceremony.
We had such a nice time at the event learning more about the Japanese culture. Niimi-san has been truly kind to involve our family in the events and get-togethers associated with her organization.