Boso no Mura

Today we went to Boso no Mura located inbetween Inzai and Narita. We have been told about this place a few times by others in the neighborhood but this was our first time there.

The town is modeled after the Edo or Samurai Era of Japan in the 1700's. They also have many crafts to try your hand at making. My daughter made a cute candle with rabbits on it and then she made a plate that will be baked, sealed and then we can pick it up later this week.

While walking around we decided to take a break and drink a Lamune Soda. These have been around in Japan for many years. The bottle is unique in that there is a glass bead that you first have to push into the bottle in order to break the seal.

My daughter has never really liked any carbonated drinks but she wanted to try this one. I knew what her reaction would be to the soda so I decided to take a quick video that you see here.

We also have a quite a few pictures to check out on Picassa.

Anna and Kouki Play in the Fountains at Lala Port Mall

Anna Riding Her Bike Video

Anna's Portrait of Daddy

Last week they had a display of the area kindergarten's student's portraits of their fathers. Here is a picture that my daughter made of me. What seems to happens is that Anna watches her neighbors make their artwork and she does the same.

Anna seems to be getting that Daddy looks different from the other dads but still, in the portrait, I have black hair, brown eyes, and have not shaved.

This above is one explanation, the other is a mystery. When I ask my wife for an explanation, this is her look.

Waku-Waku Sankanbi!

On Sunday last week was parent's day at Kobayashi Tenjin Yochien. This was formally known as Fathers Day Activities but since many dads can't make it there, they just settle for the politically correct, parent's day.

It was allot of fun. I got to see Anna sing her school song again this year and also we were able to play outside some games like "Try to pat your buddy's butt" and "Step on your partner's Toes".

In Japan, they play Rock, Scissors, Paper very seriously. I suspect it is used to make most decisions for everything here in Japan. One of the games was a very complicated version of the Rock, Scissor, Paper game. First, you both put out your right hand with rock, scissors, or paper. Then you put out your other hand doing the same. Lastly, you have to pull one hand back and then determine the winner by the remaining hand. Pretty complicated, but kind of fun.

Later that day we headed to Choshi for some great fish and also to see the curvature of the earth.

Grandma Matsusaka in Inzai!

Last weekend Hiroko's mom came to Tokyo from Matsusaka. On Saturday we went to Ginza for a display and demonstration of Japanese Calligraphy by some famous teachers from around Japan. Included in the five teachers was my mother-in-law's teacher from Matsusaka.

Each sensei showed their prowess in the art by writing Japanese poems on large canvases. I wish I had some more, hand-eye coordination so that I could try doing this. While being here for this short time though I have gotten complements on my writing from my co-workers though. Although I am only handwriting the kanji that are usually repeated in expense reports and time cards. For the most part, I use the PC. That definitely does not give you any skill to practice hand writing Japanese.

This is definitely becoming a lost art here in Japan.

Disturbing Anpanman

Here in Japan there is one cartoon character that has been consistently the most popular amongst 2 to 4 year olds for many years. He is known as Anpanman (Sweet Bean Paste Bun Man).

In addition, one of the most disturbing movies that I have ever seen has to be Hannibal with Ray Liotta and Anthony Hopkins. The one scene that still gives me nightmares has to be where Hannibal is eating Ray Liotta's brain.

After coming here to Japan, my daughter immediately started liking Anpanman. In most scenes he offers up a piece of his sweet bean paste bun to his friends. Whenever I see this it brings shivers up my spine thinking about the scene from Hannibal.

Here in the picture is a small figurine of Anpanman where he is giving you a piece of his head. You can see the sweet bean paste that resembles Ray Liotta's brain here.

OK. I'm done with this post. I don't want to look at this ever again.

Nut Kills 6 near my office!

This afternoon I received an e-mail on my phone from a co-worker that there were several people stabbed outside the UDX building today. Luckily, it is Sunday here and I was at home. Apparently, this nut was unhappy about his sorry life and decided to drive from Shizuoka to Tokyo to stab several people in the area. Right now reports are that 7 people are dead among the 18 people injured. The picture of the person laying down by the sign is the nut job himself.

The victims were apparently stabbed while waiting in line at the McDonald's I buy my lunch at every other day. This seems to be a trend here in Japan. There was another incedent like this just a couple of months ago in Ibaraki prefecture.

Unbelievably scary day today. I'm glad I don't work on Sundays.