Trip to Yokosuka/Tokyo - Day 2

We had a day to explore before Grant started his conference so we decided to venture into Tokyo. Once again we were back on the trains... Luckily Grant had lived near Tokyo for three years and understood the train system. I would have been extremely lost if it wasn't for him!

Most of the time we had to stand on the trains. The locals are pretty pushy about getting their seats and we just let them be. Many times it was just easier to stand. Ben loved looking out the door and watching the world go by, including lots of other trains.

Grant and Piper. We decided to carry the babies because it would be easier to get around. Boy did our backs hurt though by the end of the day.

Nate and I.

Our first stop was Ueno Park. There are lots of museums and a zoo there. Unfortunately it was a Monday so most things were closed. It was so cold too!

Someone important was coming to give a speech at the park. There were security guards and secret service type people everywhere.

The kiddy area - too bad it was closed, Ben would have loved it.

Japanese homeless in the park.

Toshogu Shrine in the park. The Torii gate to the shrine.

Sando walkway - approaching the shrine. Lining the walkway are Toro - decorative stone lanterns.

Walking to the shrine.

Cranes - It is tradition here for people to fold 1000 origami paper cranes. Ancient legend says that anyone who does this will be granted a wish.

Sleeping Nate bundled up next to me.

Ema- wooden plaques bearing prayers or wishes.

Komainu - lion dog, guardian of the shrine

If you look closely this cat has a bobtail. Most Japanese cats have bobtails.

I believe this is a statue of Jizo. The Shinto and Buddist religion in Japan have divinities. I think similar to Saints in the U.S. Jizo is the savior of those tormented by hell and a patron of children including those in limbo in the afterworld. From what I can understand, the red bib and hat are the worshipers way of asking for help from Jizo and thanking him. There are many statues throughout Japan with red hats and bibs.

More Torii gates

Grant and sleeping Piper

A noodle restaurant we went to above the train station. Check out how steep the stairs are. Very common around here!

We were going to try the vegetable fly but decided not to...

One of the many train stations.

Standing outside of the train station in Shibuya. We are standing in front of a very famous statue and meeting place. The statue is of a dog named Hachiko (sorry Grant cut his head off!) It is said that Hachiko waited in front of the train station for many years for his master and was praised for his loyalty through this statue.

Nate in front of Shibuya crossing. This is a crossing where you can cross in all directions at once. It is one of the busiest in the world.

There they all go!

Having some Starbucks while watching the crossing.

Some sort of famous Japanese celebrity!

Happy Piper ready to head home!

Trip to Yokosuka - Day 1

After Ben's performance on Sunday (Nov. 29th) we began our adventure to Yokosuka. Yokosuka is a Naval Base close to Tokyo. Grant had a conference there and since we hadn't seen him much lately we tagged along. We waited too long to buy plane tickets so we ended up taking the train.

Our train went right by Ben's school. If you look really closely through the blue train you can see a rainbow painted on the side of a building. That is Ben's school. He thought it was pretty neat that we could see it from the train.

The seats on the train turn around so we were able to have four seats facing each other. The babies then fit right on one of the seats and right between the seats.

Ben and Grant in their seats. We got on the train at Huis Ten Bosch, which is right near our house. We had to switch trains in Fukuoka- about an hour and a half away. In Fukuoka we got on the Shinkansen - Bullet Train. Once we got in the Tokyo area we had to switch around to several trains to finally make it to Yokosuka.

Some of the food we ate on the train. I think this is some kind of sweet potato roll.

Grant eating an onigiri. It is a rice filled, seaweed covered type Japanese sandwich. Ben loves them, I don't...

Our train from Huis Ten Bosch

On the bullet train. This was Ben's bento box. Bento boxes are sold at all of the train stations and on the bullet train. They include tradition Japanese "fast food." Things like rice, sausage, pickled vegetables and fish.

The babies on the floor of the bullet train. There was a lot of room down there so it worked out really well.

The inside of the bullet train.

With the bento boxes.

We were on the bullet train for about five hours. Our total trip took about nine hours. Not too bad considering it would have been similar to flying.

Kurinomi Performance

Ben had his first performance at his school on Sunday the 29th. He was so excited and so were we. I know he had been practicing hard for it.

Bringing flowers to his teachers (senseis)

There are so many kids at the school that the classes were divided up and the performance was split into three separate times. Here are all the shoes at the entrance. You are always required to take your shoes off before entering the main building of the school.

All of the spectators had to wear masks. They are very serious about germ spreading. The funny thing is though that Ben has been continuously sick since he started!

We look cool!

Nate had a great time!

Ben's friend Grace getting ready for her performance.

Ben coming out for his performance. He is in the two year old class because their date cutoff is April 1 and his birthday is April 3. I am glad he is in the younger class because the Japanese have pretty high expectations for their students. The younger class has allowed Ben to get used to the school and get a little more TLC from his teachers. His class did a dance to a song called Go Anpanman. Anpanman is a very popular cartoon character here.

Ben is on the far left. Their performance was so cute!

This is when Ben's name was called as they introduced the students. I was so proud of him, he knew exactly when it was his turn to stand. I think he understands a lot more Japanese than he lets on. That is one of his teachers in the background dressed as a character.

Coming off the stage after the performance - Bravo!

Decoration

Family pic with the superstar.

Daddy helping him get undressed. He didn't seem to mind wearing tights at all - uh oh!

As we were leaving his sensei gave him a gift of a pad of paper with Anpanman on it. I got the interaction on video but not a picture. If I was better at this I would post the video but that will have to wait for another time.