Flowers in Japan

I have had lots of fun going around my neighborhood and surrounding areas just taking pictures of the flowers. They are beautiful!!

I am amazed by how similar, but how different the flowers are. They have lots that are the same like pansies, etc.

They have Japanese Azaleas that are different than our azaleas in Virginia. I hope to bring some bulbs back with me when we go home.

I have put flowers out on my fence. I have four different buckets. Then, on my porch, I have 11 different buckets of flowers. They are so pretty and happy. I really enjoyed putting them out.

Around the house, I have wild salmon colored poppies growing. It looked like a bunch of weeds at first, then the poppies started blooming. I'm waiting for them to die off so I can borrow a weed eater to get rid of the weeds.

I wish you all could see how beautiful Japan is at this time of year.

Exploring Our Surroundings

Brian has 4 days off from work. He is still recovering from his jet lag after his trip to Virginia. We didn't want to venture to far from home. So, we decided to go explore a couple of train station areas that looked interesting.

Our first stop was to Sagami-Ono train station. There is lots of shopping dept. stores around that station. But, we had seen a restaurant called J's Garden and wanted to check it out. Once we exited the train station, we got our bearings (the restaurant is to the right of the train station on Highway 51) and headed to the restaurant. It was about two blocks from the station and across the street.

Their menu's had good pictures and we were able to quickly decide what we wanted to eat. This is a chain restaurant and they focus on fresh garden items and leans toward Italian food. I had a wonderful half pizza (personal pizza) that was half tomato/mozzarella and half 4 cheese pizza. They use the freshest ingredients, like you would get a pizza in Italy.

We decided to try an appetizer, Toasted Mozzarella Bread on skewers dipped in garlic/olive oil. YUMMY!!

Brian had a sirloin steak with brown gravy, baked potato and broccoli. We also had unlimited trips to the "drink bar". Drink bars are very popular here. You pay for the drink bar and you have to go get your drinks yourself, but you can go back as many times as you like. Some restaraunts add slushies and other treats at the drink bar. They usually have tea, coffee, lemonade, juice, sodas.

We both really enjoyed our meal and it was well worth the $35.00 (3500 YEN). They were busy today and had a party going in another room. But the service was EXCELLENT as usual. Here in Japan you get your food QUICK. 5 MINUTES QUICK.

We both were stuffed when we left!! We headed back to the train station, figured out which train to get on and went to Odakyu-Sagamihara station.

Sagamihara station was interesting. It was more a local crowd. We walked straight out towards the Docomo store. Docomo is a cell phone carrier. You see their stores everywhere. Like Verizon in Virginia. There is a shopping street there. It was crowded with people going back and forth to the train station.

We found a second hand store to browse around in. They had some really interesting Japanese items. Brian saw a lamp for $140.00 that he really liked. It was a water fountain lamp that the water drops from leaf to leaf. I will try to go back later and do some bargaining. We didn't have a car today, so I'd rather surprise him later. I did find a really nice wood box/nick nack display. In Japan, wood furniture that looks like steps are very popular. You can buy very large ones for your living room or you can buy small ones for table tops. They always have nice iron work corners and handles. The one I bought is small for a table top and was only 1500 yen ($15.00).

Back around the train station area, I talked Brian into going back to Sagami-Ono and getting me some Starbuck's coffee. YUM! That makes you feel like home. We took a picture of the large kite hanging at the train station. They have festival every year to fly the largest kite in Japan. This was the kite from last year? Not sure....

We took a few more pictures. Then we headed back to Minimi-Rinkan, our own train station. We rode the bus home from there!

Sanrio Puroland - A Trip to HELLO KITTY World!

I wanted to do something silly a few weeks ago. We had a Sunday with nothing scheduled. I looked through my trusty map box and came out with the map to Sanrio Puroland. I did a little fast talking and my husband agreed. I suggested we take the train, but hubby said, it's only about 20 kilometers, so lets drive. Ha ha ha. I don't know why I listen to that man.....LOL! 2 hours later, we arrive at Sanrio Puroland.

I had heard that there was a five story Hello Kitty store inside and that was why I wanted to go. I was wrong, the big store is in Yokohama. We park in the parking garage and walk towards Sanrio Puroland. WOW! What an entrance! We said to each other, "this place is huge!". We walked up the stairs and over to the ticket booth and I tried to explain that I wanted to go to the store inside. The lady showed us the ticket prices and it was 3000 yen to get in the door! That's a little over $30.00 just to go in!! Then she showed us that if we waited until 4 p.m it reduced to 2000 yen. I motioned I would come back at 4 p.m.

Hubby and I talked and he said, "I'll look around you go back at 4." We had about 30 minutes to kill, so we walked straight from the Puroland. There was a Wendy's, a McDonald's, a 100 YEN store, and a Sega Land. We went into Wendy's and grabbed a small frosty, YUM! Then walked down to Sega Land. Just what we expected, a game center. Hubby decided to stay there while I walked back to Sanrio Puroland.

I paid my 2000 yen and walked inside. WOW! and DOUBLE WOW! This place was a little people's paradise. Think Disney's "It's a Small World" theme. It was a total kiddie land. You could take a boat ride, play games, dress up for photo's, visit Hello Kitty's life size house, see a live show, watch hello kitty on a huge big screen, eat ice cream in Hello Kitty cups, etc., etc., etc. Man, I wished I was little again! OR at least had a little girl with me!

I did go to the store. I did spend too much money. Afterwards, my loving husband said, "so, How much did you spend?" Then he said, "Nah, don't tell me, I hope you had fun." Aaawwww, he can be a real sweetie when it's important!

I can't wait to go to THE FIVE STORY HELLO KITTY STORE NOW!!

5 Months Completed in Japan

Today marks the completion of our 5th month in Japan. We are all settled and feeling comfortable in our lives here. The house feels like home and we are starting to feel the same way about our base community.

The weather has been warmer, but still chilly and windy days mixed in. The Cherry Blossoms are coming out this week. I hope to take a lot of pictures this weekend. They are so beautiful!

This weekend I will be saying my first of many good-bye's to my husband. He's off to Virginia for some school for a couple of weeks. I am very sad about that! But, he is happy to be able to spend some time with Hunter and my Mother. I am jealous that he will get to eat at some of my favorite restaurants and he will be gone for my birthday!

I am busy with my friends, sightseeing, classes on base, our command's social events committee, and with all the other MOM things. I have made 3 new Japanese friends and it has been so much fun to get to know them. Two of my friends visited me at my home last week. We made Easter Eggs. The Japanese do not celebrate Easter, so they really enjoyed me telling them about our traditions and making the eggs with their small children.

Michael is enjoying his job at the HOME store on base. He starts his new position teaching English at a school. He only has 1 day per week, 6 classes. But, he will be making very good wages and he is excited. He continues to be on the bowling league and is making new friends.

Bryan is doing well at school and has made two good friends. He is well liked at school, so I'm sure he will make more. He is patiently waiting for us to be able to move on base so he can spend more time with his friends. He also is still on a bowling league and loves it. He is looking forward to playing flag football this fall. He is also very excited about his trip that we booked to the states for this summer. He misses his Grandparents and his best buddy, Jerry. Bryan has appts. in April to start getting his braces. He's a little nervous about that!

Bryan and I spent Saturday together riding the train to a couple of different locations. I want him to be able to read the train maps and feel comfortable riding the trains. It is very safe here and it is perfectly reasonable to allow him and a friend to go a few stops on the train by themselves. But, I am going to be sure he knows how to do that first!!

This past month has been very busy!! We went to the Tagata Fertility Festival, (WARNING, ADULT CONTENT, If you want to know more about the fertility festival, use this link: http://www.yamasa.org/japan/english/destinations/aichi/tagata_jinja.html )explored Sensoji temple, Brian and I had our Anniversary trip to Tokyo, and we went to Yokohama's Landmark tower. It's amazing how busy I stay here. I have chosen a few tours for April for Bryan's spring Break and I can't wait to share our fun!

We are very happy with our new home and so glad we chose to come to Japan. We are looking forward to the rest of our time here. It is going so FAST!

Landmark Tower/Queen's Square Yokohama/New Sanno

The tour is New Sanno Brunch and Queen's Square Yokohama. We went today and had lots of fun!!As always, the New Sanno Brunch is a MUST DO!! We had about 4 hours when they dropped as at the Queen's Square area. They actually stopped right in front of the Yokohama Art Museum. I didn't go in, I shopped too much!! I will go back for that!! In this area, you have way too many things to choose from! Queen's Square buildings and Landmark Tower all have upscale wonderful shopping. Hard Rock Yokohama is in the Queen's square building. There is a book store called "Yurindo". In the back of the book store, they have a whole section for English speakers. If you are teaching English, there are a lot of books here. They carry my personal Favorite: The Original Point and Speak Phrasebook for 1500 yen. Hard Rock Yokohama is in the Queen's square building. For some weird reason they were closed today so we have to go back. I have heard the prices are almost double from the states, so you may just want to get dessert there! Landmark Tower is the tallest building in Yokohama (Rappongi Hills Tower is the tallest in Japan.) However, it's pretty darn tall! It has the fastest elevator in the world!! *TIP-If you are having any problems with your ears DO NOT get on the elevator!!!! It takes 40 seconds to go 69 floors!! That is FAST!! Your ears pop!! This is a must do destination!! The admission is 1000 yen for adults and high school students are 800 yen and junior and elem is 500 yen and little ones are probably free. On the 69th floor there is a cafe, a gift shop, and some other small shops. There is a poster map you can purchase that is the view from the tower and it actually has NAF Atsugi on it and lists all the Mountain names. Very nice! There is an amazing 360 degree view from the observatory. You can see the Cosmo World (?) amusement park from up there! Very cool! Cosmo World has a bunch of kids ride, a huge ferris wheel, a roller coaster, a log flume type ride, and lots of other stuff. Nippon Maru is there, you'll have to look that up, it's some kind of old tall ship you can explore.There's lots and lots of other things too! Do some research before you take the tour or go there on your own!! You can spend a whole day for sure!!My whole family enjoyed this tour and it was well worth the money! You don't have to spend any money eating because you've already had brunch!!

Sensoji Temple Tokyo

If you are looking for a day trip that includes history, sightseeing, shopping and food, plan a day to go to Sensoji Temple in Tokyo. It is the oldest and most important temple in Tokyo. It is a very beautiful and interesting temple to visit. Frommer's Review:Also popularly known as Asakusa Kannon, this is Tokyo's oldest and most popular temple, with a history dating back to A.D. 628. That was when, according to popular lore, two brothers fishing in the nearby Sumida River netted the catch of their lives -- a tiny golden statue of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy and happiness who is empowered with the ability to release humans from all suffering. Sensoji Temple was erected in her honor, and although the statue is housed here, it's never shown to the public. Still, through the centuries, worshippers have flocked here seeking favors of Kannon; and when Sensoji Temple burned down during a 1945 bombing raid, the present structure was rebuilt with donations by the Japanese people.Colorful Nakamise Dori, a pedestrian lane leading to the shrine, is lined with traditional shops and souvenir stands. In fact, the whole Asakusa area is one of my favorite neighborhoods, and you can easily spend half a day here.You can actually spend a whole day from dawn until dusk here and if you decide to take the Sumida River Cruise which is in walking distance, you can really make a super day of it.From Atsugi, go to Chuo-Rinkan on the den-en-toshi line. Take it all the way to Omote-Sando. (NOTE: the line actually turns into the Hanzemon Line. Pay attention to the English announcements to make sure you are on the correct train, I have had to transfer to make sure it changes into the Hanzemon line.) You can transfer at Shibuya, but it is easier to transfer at Omote-Sando due to the smaller station size. Transfer to the Ginza Line and take it to Asakusa, which is the last stop. Keep in mind that the train ride is about an hour and a half. Also keep in mind that on the way back, the trains are PACKED.TIP: If you haven't already picked up a temple book, this is a good place. You can purchase one near the temple for 1000 yen and have it stamped for about 500 yen. This is a wonderful souvenir that you can pull out and remember your temple and shrine visits for years to come at a reasonable money output.MUST DO: Across the street from the Entrance Gate is the Asakusa Tourist Center. They speak very good English! They can provide you with a map of the local restaurants that breaks them down by specialty. They will be honest about recommending the best restaurants. We ate at a newer place that we asked for and it was yummy. It was only about a 4 minute walk away. The center has some really nice cultural items and you can ask questions about them. A very nice gentleman spent about 20 minutes with us explaining some items we were curious about. On the front of the building their is a clock. Every hour, on the hour, the clock opens and a mechanical portable shrine, with people carrying it comes out, plays music and it is really delightful.Other things to do: Get your fortune at the temple, waft incense your way for good health, light a candle for someone, enjoy lots of local food, shop, shop, shop, baskin robbins, KFC, a couple of good bars, Karaoke, Sumida River Cruise, see the torch shaped building. If you want to take the Sumida River Cruise, I recommend that you check out the times early. Take a round trip that goes to Pallett town. Venus Fort mall is at Pallett Town and that's a REALLY NICE MALL. It looks like a Vegas Fancy hotel upstairs. I think you have to take two diff. boats to go there.

Sumo Elimination Tournament

My family and I went on the MWR tour to see the 2009 Sumo Elimination Tournament. It is a little different from the normal Sumo Tournament. The tournaments are 4 times per year and last 15 days. The once per year Elimination Tournament is all done in one day! SUGGESTION: Do a little bit of research the day before about sumo and the current wrestlers, this will improve your enjoyment of the day! The bus ride took about an hour and a half. We arrived at the Ryogoku Kokugikan at about noon and promptly were shown to our seats. They were just starting the next to highest level of tournaments. We easily found a food booth to grab some hamburgers/fries/hot dogs and my hubby had a meatball inside a hot roll. The food was a little high, but not ridiculous. You can also find snacks and sodas and ice cream. We were able to get some nice souvenirs for a reasonable price. The seats that we were given were very good seats. MWR purchases "A" seats, which are on the 2nd floor in chairs right at the front. We could see the matches very well and take wonderful pictures. We even were able to have our picture taken with a sumo wrestler. He was HUGE. The matches make for a long day, so I suggest taking the first part of the day to walk around, take pictures, grab some food and if it is open, go to the museum. Then settle in for the kids training which you don't want to miss!! They pick boys 12 and under to go out with two sumo wrestlers and knock around a bit. It was delightful. If you have a 12 or under boy, you may want to try to get them in training. Just remember that they have to put the diaper thing on and may feel very self concious in front of all those people!! But, boy is it worth it!! The matches themselves do not last long. Some are more exciting than others! You will see some of the wrestlers have attitude and the crowd really gets into those matches. Of course as the elimination goes forward, the crowd gets more excited. You will be able to tell the crowd favorites when they shout out their names over and over. My whole family loved this event and I recommend it for everyone. This is definitly worth the money and the time!