Hanami and Easter

The sakura trees behind my church on Hanami

Numazu Church

Seeing the sakura trees in Fujinomiya with Emi and Kohana

It was a beautiful park...

Easter brunch with Leah

Easter Omedetou!

Beautiful day in Atami

Found these guys inside Atami Castle

...these too

By the sea in Atami

Well, it is really, really Spring, and I'm loving it! In the beginning of April all of the Sakura (cherry) trees bloom and it is quite a sight to see. The Japanese know this, and since it only lasts about a week or so, they have a special day (Hanami) that they go and just enjoy looking at them (with a picnic in hand of course). I met up with Emi and Kohana and we had our own picnic of Fujinomiya Yakisoba under the Sakura trees. It was such a lovely afternoon.

Easter Day was also amazing. I went to church and my friend, Leah, joined me as well. We were given eggs that the kids in the church had decorated (they were so cute) :) After church, we went to brunch at a nearby French restaurant, that was incredibly good...may have to return again soon. Then I headed off to Tokyo for an evening of swing dancing...simply a wonderful Easter, really.

The next day, I met up with Leah and this time we traveled to Atami. The city really reminded me a lot of home...but this was mostly due to the closeness of the ocean and the palm trees I think. We walked along the beach and then took the ropeway up to Atami castle. The castle is sort of like a museum now and we saw a lot of interesting things inside it. Maybe next time I will go check out the art museum that is there.

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the nice weather. Take care!

Swing and Dolls

So this past month has been rather busy. First of all it is the end of the school year here in Japan, so my workload increased a great deal for the month. Second, I found some swing dancing groups to practice and dance with. I was able to go dancing twice this month in Tokyo (both times for many, many hours). It was so much fun and I really enjoyed being with the people there as well. I am planning to keep going as often as my work schedule will allow. Below are some some video clips of the people I met dancing (sorry, I'm not in there...I'm filming it) and a Charleston routine I learned in a class (this is the instructor...from the back). I can't wait to go dancing again! XD

Also this March there was Girls' Day to celebrate all the girls in Japan (they have a Boys' Day too later) and to wish them all happy and healthy lives. I was able to see my friend's Hina-ningyo (doll display) that she had set up for her daughter, Kohana. It is absolutely beautiful and depicts the imperial court of ancient Japan. These displays are set up inside the homes of girls and kept up for the festival/holiday, but are taken down immediately after the day because it's bad luck to have up after the holiday is over.

Well, I guess that is it for now, but I hope you are all doing well and enjoying Spring. I'm looking forward to warmer weather myself...hopefully...maybe someday... :)