Thanksgiving in Japan

Well this was the first Thanksgiving I have ever been away from my family and to be honest it was pretty bummed out but we tried to make the best of it.  Julia and I started the day at swimming class and then Jeff came home early and we found a nice Italian restaurant for dinner.  They don't really have turkey here and I don't have an oven either so we did the next best thing....Italian of course!  I had meet a guy at the gym and he and his wife and there two kids are living here in Kakegawa while she teaches at the local school.  They invited us to a party on Sunday with a mixture of Americans, Japanese and one New Zealander.  On the menu - traditional turkey dinner.  I am in!  We dressed Julia up and head out.  The people - One American married to a Japanese woman and their two children hosted the party.  We had two turkeys, mashed potatoes, stuffing, mac n cheese, sweet potatoes, bean cassarole, rolls, pumpkin pie, salad and other stuff.  There were lots of kids and two teenagers to keep them busy so Julia had a blast.  Thanks to Tom and his wife for having us.

Our Thanksgiving party in Japan

 Julia and her new friend

 Julia and her other new friend and a potential Babysitter.

Shizuoka City

This weekend we went to check out Shizuoka city.  It was about an hour drive or you can take the train.  We drove and on the way saw a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji with snow at the peak. It is also orange season so we saw lots of orange trees up the side of the mountains.  How do they get that fruit?  I tried to take a picture but of course messed it up.  No matter how many times I see it while we are here it is still so cool.   We found a shopping center of many streets. There are restaurants, shops and a big Department store.  At the bottom floor of the department store is a bunch of markets selling bread, salads, fruit and all kinds of good stuff.  The top floor has restaurants.  We had lunch at a Chinese food place - very good.  We happened upon a little kid fest and Julia got some little gifts.

 If you look close you can see tons of oranges growing on trees up the sides of the mountain.

 Archway into the shopping center.

 Julia and Daddy eating some popcorn at the kids fest.

 Christmas decorations in front of the department store.  I love it!

Sunday we went to the local park where the stadium is located.  We walked around enjoying the great weather.  There was a huge line of younger girls to get into the stadium.  Turns out one of the boy type bands was playing a concert that night and they were already trying to get in.  Not sure who they were but there were a lot of girls there.

A little preying mantis

 I really need to rest Mommy.

 This is a cool grasshopper we found.  He kept hoping away from me.  Then he jumped on my hand and didn't want to leave.  We named him Tony.

Sticky/Sweet Rice Festivial

11/3 Culture Day (Bunka-no-hi) 

This national holiday was established in 1948. It commemorates the November 3, 1946 announcement of the Constitution. It is recognized as a day to celebrate peace and freedom and promote culture. (Note: Although prior to the establishment of this holiday in 1948, November 3 was also a national holiday called Meiji-setsu (明治節) commemorating the birthday of Emperor Meiji, the two holidays are ostensibly unrelated.)


We decided to go with out Japanese friend the the sticky/sweet rice festival.  It was in Kakegawa about 10 minutes from the house.  You climb up a narrow road to the shrine which has different levels and beautiful trees.  The narrow road is lined with restaurants, shops and people selling there local produce.  The day was slightly warm and overcast.  There were games for kids but I am not sure what they were.  Also, live music.  We heard a one man trumpet player who Julia loved.  There was many kinds of sticky/sweet rice but we bought the traditional kind. After walking around we had free green tea while we enjoyed our sticky/sweet rice.  What is sticky/sweet rice you may ask?  It is rice on a stick (or in a ball) with the sweet bean paste that the Japanese put on or in a lot of things. Not real flavorful but I liked it. It is chewy and sticky but there is nothing in America that is comparable.  You will just have to try it yourself when you come to visit me:)


The road to the shrine and festival.

 Yes, the Japanese love french fries. What is not to like, right?

A map of the shrine

 One of the trees.  Very impressive and beautiful.

 I would pray to this guy too, very scary.

 And up the stairs we go..  There is more and more around corner at the top.

 In front of the temple.

Julia doing a little dance to the Jazz music.

 Our sticky/sweet rice.