Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood at the Budokan

Last Saturday night Scott and I went to see Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood at the Budokan with our friends Bill and Karen Pond. The concert started at 5pm, and we could not figure out why it was so early...until we arrived, and realized that a grand majority of those in attendance were our parents ages! The concert was fantastic (my favorite- Wonderful Tonight- LOVE that song)- they played a range of everything from Blind Faith to the Spencer Davis Group to Traffic to a mix of  both of their solo songs. They even performed a Jimi Hendrix cover!

Scott outside the Budokan

Taiko Performance, Winterfest 2011

This is the practice before the concert!

This years Winterfest was rainy and cold, unlike last years, which was 70+ degrees and sunny out. The highlight of the day was the Taiko performance that both of my girls were in! They have been attending Taiko practice every Monday after school since September- working really hard and really enjoying it. Moko, their Taiko instructor, is the most energetic Japanese woman I have ever met, and made it a TON of fun for the girls each week. Hanna is technically too young to participate, by Moko let her try it and said she definitely had enough energy to do it, so she let her.

Day Trip to Hakone

Tozan Railway- Oldest Railway in Japan

Saturday, November 26th we headed out for a day trip to Hakone. Hakone is near Mt. Fuji, up in the mountains, and known for its natural hot springs (Onsens). We originally planned to stay overnight and make it a 2 day trip, but an unexpected work trip to the States for Scott changed our plans to one day. We didn't have nearly enough time to do all we wanted out there, but we did get to ride the Tozan Railway (the oldest railway in Japan, with multiple switchbacks and great scenery), as well as go to the Open Air Museum. The kids LOVED the Open Air Museum- full of sculptures you can climb on and in, as well as Hand and Foot Onsens, and Koi ponds where they were able to feed the Koi.

Hanna says "Ahhh...this is the life!"

Wood of Net Sculpture

Diamond Sculpture

Kobe Beef with Friends

On Tuesday, November 22nd, Scott and I were invited by his friend Yoshi, to a night of Kobe Beef at Little Lima, in Aoyama. Friends of Yoshi's own this restaurant, and they closed it down just for the 5 of us. It was our first time trying Kobe beef, and I am hoping, it is not the last.

Kobe Beef...Delicious! 

Dessert- Marinated pear- unbelievable!

Our group with the Chef's/Owner's of Little Lima  

The restaurant was set up similar to a smaller hibachi grill- the grill was right in front of us, and they did all the cooking right there where we could watch. We started with raw kobe beef. I tried a little of Scott's but did not have my own- the thought of having raw beef really didn't sound appealing or safe...that being said, everyone else loved it, which intrigued me to try a little myself- it was delicious! After the raw beef, we had oysters that were smothered in Lemon- they were absolutely to die for. I am not an oyster eater, but could not say no to these for two reasons- first, I already turned down the raw beef, and I didn't want to be offensive to the cook (hard to divert his attention with only 5 people in the restaurant, and the fact that he was cooking and serving each of us everything!). Secondly, the oysters and lemon smelled delicious and I just had to try them. Our third portion was grilled onion, beans and Hokkaido potatoes, then on to the Kobe beef- all different cuts. It was mouth watering!!! By the time we were done with that, I didn't think I could stuff one more thing into my mouth....until they brought over the marinated pear for dessert. Oh My God- it was the best tasting dessert I have ever had- so good, I took a photo so I could remember it! The meal was fantastic, and the night was just as wonderful!!

Trip to Hiroshima

One of the main things I wanted to do while we lived in Japan was to go to Hiroshima. I felt that it was an opportunity for a History lesson from a different perspective (definitely different), as well as what the citizens (innocent citizens- which is typically the case in war, isn't it?) went through and pay homage to a city that suffered so much during the drop and its aftermath. The city, which was completely demolished almost immediately, has rebuilt itself into a hustling, bustling, beautiful city, honoring those who suffered, and with a steadfastness to No Nukes. This was the girls first time to take a Shinkansen (Bullet Train) ride, and according to Hanna "it doesn't go that fast, and it has wings" so she thought we were actually flying during part of the trip. Oh, to be a 5 year old!

Girls on first Shinkansen ride

We were able to see the Shukkeien Gardens (traditional Japanese gardens- beautiful!), and visit the Hiroshima Castle on Friday (we had a complete downpour for a good part of the day- very wet, and a bit cold).

Shukkeien Gardens

That night after a forgettable dinner at Molly Malone's, we ventured out and accidentally wandered into the Tori-No-Ichi (Rake Fair). This fair is quite unique, in that it sells Rakes to rake in good fortune while people throw money into barrels and pray for good success in business. It takes place on the days of the Tori (or Rooster) in November at various Otori-jinja shrines found in all parts of Japan. Otori-sama is the patron Deity of good fortune and successful business and is enshrined at Otori-jinja shrines. Days of the rooster occur every 12 days in November, which means that there are at least 2-3 days of the Rooster in the month. This fare sets up tons of booths, with the main and most important sale being that of a Kumade rake for "raking in wealth and good fortune".

Tori-No-Ichi (Rake) Fair

On Saturday, we spent the morning in Miyajima Island, about a 30 minute train ride, and a 15 minute Ferry from Hiroshima. Again, the weather was a little rainy, but warmer than the day before. We had the opportunity to see the Itsukushima Shrines Tori-i Gate (3rd most picturesque site in Japan), as well as visit the shrine, the parks on the Island, eat some good Yakatori and visit with all the wild deer that freely roam the Island (the Girls favorite part!). From there, we took a Ferry ride from the Island right to the Memorial Peace Park.

Itsukushima Shrine Tori-i Gate

Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park is a large area, very close to where the bomb hit, in which everything/everyone around it was completely and immediately destroyed. It was decided four years after the bomb dropping that the area would not be rebuilt, but would instead serve as a memorial to all of those who suffered at the hands of the atomic bomb. Within the Peace Park, there is the main attraction- the Peace Memorial Museum. I went in by myself, as we were warned in advance that the photos and detailed information is very graphic,and not suitable for young kids. It covered the bombing, the decision making process on choosing Hiroshima as the place to drop the bomb, as well as what a nuclear bomb can do, and most importantly, and sadly, the aftermath. There were many very sad pictures, stories and information told regarding the citizens of Hiroshima and what they had to endure. I could not spend a lot of in depth time reading, as it was so sad, I would have had a hard time snapping out of it- I did a lot of browsing and skimming, and that was sad enough. I truly hope that the world has learned a lesson, and will never, ever drop a nuclear bomb again.

A-Dome

The A-dome (also known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial) is the remains of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. When the bomb exploded, it was one of the few buildings to remain standing, and has been names a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Centopath- see the A-dome through it?

Between the Museum and the A-bomb Dome is the Cenotaph for the A-bomb victims. It is an arched tomb for those who died due to either the initial blast of exposure to radiation. Below the arch is a stone chest holding a register of those names, which there are over 220,000. Looking through the arch, you can see the eternal flame for world peace, as well as the A-dome.

With the Peace Bell

The Peace Bell was also located in the Peace Park, and Maya could not wait to see it. Last year, in 2nd grade, the author of the book The Peace Bell, Margi Preus, came to ASIJ for a workshop with the Elementary students. They had the opportunity to learn the amazing story of the Peace Bell, which now resides in the Peace Memorial Park. We all had an opportunity to ring the bell for all the world to hear!

http://www.margipreus.com/

Children's Peace Monument

We also got to see the Children's Peace Monument, dedicated to  Sadako Sasaki, a two year old girl at the time of the Atomic bombing, who died of cancer, directly related to the Nuclear bombing. It is a Japanese legend that if you fold 1000 paper cranes, you will receive your wish and she thought it would make her illness go away. She worked very hard to fold her paper cranes, eventually reaching more than 1000. Unfortunately, it did not cure her,and she passed away at the age of 12. Her friends raised money to resurrect a peace monument, dedicated to Sadako, in which a gold crane bell hangs in the middle to be rung for World Peace. There are also several small buildings surrounding the kids museum filled from top to bottom with paper cranes made by people from around the world.

http://gimundo.com/news/article/one-thousand-paper-cranes-for-peace-the-story-of-sadako-sasaki/

That night, after visiting the Peace Park, we went to dinner at Mario's, and Italian Restaurant with some good food and delicious wine, we headed down Peace Memorial Blvd to view the crazy Christmas lights. Because the Japanese aren't, for the most part, Christian, the entire Blvd was lit up with castles, fruit, stars, pirate ships and pretty much anything and everything you could think of. It was quite amazing, and the girls had a blast going from lit up area to lit up area- it was a nice way to end a great visit to Hiroshima.

Girls with all the lights!

Shichi-Go-San (7-5-3 festival)

Shichi-Go-San (7-5-3) is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for 3 & 7 year old girls and 3 & 5 year old boys. In Asian numerology, odd numbers are considered lucky. This festival is held annually on November 15th (or the surrounding Saturdays if it doesn't fall on a weekend) to celebrate the passage of the children into middle childhood.


We ended up at the Meiji Shrine the weekend before November 15th, and at a shrine in Kamakura the following weekend and had a chance to see all these little kids dressed up!!

Isn't she beautiful?

A Friend comes to Tokyo!

Our friend Aaron, one of Scott's closest friends from grade school, came to visit us for 8 days in November. We had a wonderful visit, and did a few things that we haven't done before (and a few that we have!). We did a lot of eating out, visiting shrines, viewing views and walking around the city. I think Aaron was amazed at how different it was here, and a bit overwhelmed as well. He was up for dong whatever we wanted and seeing as much as he could while he was in town. I was impressed by the fact that he biked all around with me- Tokyo is a HUGE biking city, but definitely dangerous to bike in as well. The streets are windy and narrow, crossing over many a train track, lots of hills, and a lot to watch out for. He did great and it was so much better than hoping on the train every time we wanted to go anywhere. He also loves to shop! He says he doesn't, but he ended up finding a lot of things to buy and take home with him. We introduced him to Fuku Yakatori, Kaiten-Zushi (converyor belt sushi), Andy's (Izakaya), gyoza's and real Ramen!

Meiji Shrine

Sky Deck- Mori Tower

Asakusa- Sensoji Temple

We also had the opportunity to go to see G. Love and the Special Sauce at the Liquid Room in Ebisu while he was here. It was my first time seeing G. Love and I have to say, he wasn't as good as I was hoping he would be. Great music, not so great lyrics....I think the Japanese/British band playing a ton of AC/DC at What the Dickens bar in Ebisu after was just as good (and I don't like AC/DC!). It was a fun night though, and great to do something completely normal with him here in Tokyo.