Backpack

Louis loves wearing his backpack!

Showa Kinen Park

On Saturday we rode the train out to Tachikawa (about 1/2 hour from Tokyo) and visited the Showa Kinen Park. The park was amazing - flowers, sakura, playgrounds, bonsai trees, and much more! We are looking forward to going back when the weather is warmer - they also have a disc golf course, bike rentals/paths, a water park, paddle boats and lots of great picnic areas.



"Rainbow Hammocks" and the "Bouncing Dome"



"Dragon Dunes"


"Misty Forest" (the park brochure says children can train to become ninjas here)


Bonsai tree


We met up with friends at the park, here is Louis with Fibi on the train ride home.

Tokyo Marathon

We caught a piece of the Tokyo Marathon today, along with many other folks cheering on the runners. It was very well attended. Bumped into a couple from Dallas and one from Chicago (near Wrigley field).

Saturday in Kamakura

Saturday we took the train to Kamakura, about an hour away from Tokyo. There are many temples and shrines to see - we made it to 3. The first, the Engaku Temple, was a large complex with 18 buildings and the Great Bell, a National Treasure that was cast in 1301. It was quite a trek up the stairs to see the bell but what a view (we could see Mt. Fuji from the top).

Next we saw the Great Buddha (Daibutsu). It was quite amazing. You can wait in line to enter his stomach but we passed on that.

The last temple we visited was Hase-Dera, my favorite of the temples we visited. It had several small ponds with fish; waterfalls; the largest carved wood statue in Japan (figure of Juichimen Kannon - the goddess of mercy); a cave where visitors may dedicate candles in memory of children lost; a golden statue of Yakuyoke (Protector of Evil Spirits); and a great view of the ocean from the top (pictures not allowed of the statues).

Louis did very well hiking with Derek in the backpack and he loved running around at the temples. He learned to quietly bow at the statues. We were exhausted from all the walking/climbing and ordered pizza when we got home. Japanese pizza is a little different from American - we thoroughly enjoyed it. Not much tomato sauce - they used some kind of mustard tasting sauce, which strange as it sounds, went perfect with the pizza.

St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tokyo

On Saturday, the Irish Embassy and Irish Network Japan organized the 9th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Ireland Festival in Tokyo. Here is a LINK to details of the events.

The Irish Ambassador and St. Patrick leading the parade.

Japanese high school marching band.

This was Louis' first parade attendance and he had a wonderful time. We also went to the Ireland Festival where there were actually quite a few Irish people. The Coronas LINK and LINK (an Irish pop band) performed in the afternoon and Louis enjoyed dancing to their songs.

The Coronas. They were good (Irish + Music = Always Good).

I wore green to work on Tuesday along with a shamrock sticker. At least 6 people at my office asked me why. One of my friends at work actually has his birthday on the 17th as well, and he was happy to learn that millions of people around the world celebrate on the day he was born!

At play-group on Tuesday, Louis made a St. Patrick's day hat. He was really happy to show it to me when I got home from work, but he was not really happy about having his picture taken. Kelli and I thought it was funny, and that's what really matters anyway!

On the way home from work on St. Patrick's day I stopped at an "Irish pub" near my apartment. It was NOT an Irish pub. It was awful. To compensate, I went by the store and picked up a bottle of Jameson's and toasted Slainte! to the Irish from my home.

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Kiyosumi Gardens

Last Saturday we visited Kiyosumi Gardens (about 10 subway stops from home). It was beautiful and we had fantastic weather. Louis loved stepping on the stones in the pond and feeding the huge fish. We also saw some cool ducks and sakura (cherry blossoms).

Turns out, Derek likes sake.

Two of the managers from my office took me out on Friday night to an authentic sake bar. It was an authentic Japanese experience (i.e. I was the only non-Japanese person in the bar). I loved it.

We ordered lots of different foods; dried sea ray, veggie soup, tofu, terriaki chicken, and others. All of them were very tasty, except for Natto. Natto is not recommended.

We also ordered lots of different sake; I don't remember any of the names. All of them were very tasty, no exceptions. Sake is highly recommended.

Best. Sushi. Ever.

I didn't have any sushi my first couple weeks in Japan because I was waiting for someone at work to suggest it for lunch. I wanted a person with a lifetime of sushi-eating experience to tell me where to go and what to order...

Today proved that it was worth the wait. I didn't know you could buy food that awesome for only 12-bucks and change. I will be returning there as many times as possible during the next 45 weeks for the freshest and best tasting sushi on earth.

After we leave Japan, I may never eat sushi again.

Rainy days

I think it rained every day this week! Louis likes to wear his boots and loves splashing in mud puddles.

We found some indoor things to do, including a fire museum and we went to a playgroup we recently joined.