Episode 6: A Very Japanese Weekend

Last weekend we had the pleasure of traveling with our Japanese friends, Kenzo and Teruko to Haga-chou, a little farming and logging community located two and a half hours Northwest of Kobe. Teruko's brother's wife's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kikumoto, hosted us in their home. They own land just a motorbike ride away from their house where Mrs. Kikumoto tends the farm ground. Mr. Kikumoto is a carpenter and constructed their home. Both are in their mid-seventies and very genki (healthy and spry) for their age. Amazing couple!

Our visit began with a short hike to Haga castle. The small castle is nestled on the mountain side in the midst of fragrant cedar trees and a beautiful view.

After the castle excursion we literally immersed ourselves into one of the most Japanese experiences one can have, the onsen. Onsen is the Japanese for "hot spring". Basically, a public bath. One of the most unique experiences I've had so far in Japan, not to mention the most revealing. It didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. Mostly because I utilized the two-year-old worldview. When I took off my glasses I couldn't see anyone, so they obviously couldn't see me either, right? Whatever works.

For those of you unfamiliar with the onsen process, let me walk you through it. But please, no peeking. The facility itself looked like a spa. We paid for our onsen at the counter just inside the entrance where we were given a small locker to store our keys, cell phones, wallets etc. Then proceeded down a hallway to the entrance of the "locker/changing rooms" (not really sure what to call it) where there were more lockers...for our shoes. We girls went to one side and the boys to the other. Inside the "locker/changing room", more lockers...for our clothes. We disrobed, grabbed the tiny, and not very concealing, towel which was our washcloth. One must wash first before entering the onsen. This process, essentially a sit down shower, is also done in public. In reality no one is looking because they, too, are washing. The shampoo and soap are provided so you bring nothing but towels and clean clothes.

After washing, we soaked in the onsen. It was actually very relaxing (mostly because I didn't have Caden with me. Darin had to deal with Caden's aversion to getting water in his face. Guess he made a bit of a spectacle.) Teruko kept asking me if I was doing okay. After 15 minutes or so we got out. When I saw my face I understood why she asked so many times. It was quite red. Not the skin tone most Japanese are used to seeing. She thought I was going to collapse. It was an unique experience even considering my modesty. I fully understand why so many people go.

We headed back to Kikumoto-sans' where a full Japanese feast was waiting our arrival, complete with warm sake.

Shortly thereafter it was time for bed. Mrs. Kikumoto prepared our futon bed. That was a sight to see. She pulled out three big futon pads, topped those with another pad, then another thinner pad. Then piled on three big heavy blankets. That's a lot of bedding! It ended up being one giant bed. Traditionally the parents sleep on the outsides with the children in the middle. Of course, we followed the Japanese rule. I had Nathan next to me. Darin had Caden (along with a couple of feet in the ribs). All in all it was a very restful night. Now I understand what "snug as a bug in a rug" really feels like.

(all the futon bedding)

In the morning after breakfast we headed down the street to a temple. Although I don't agree with the teaching and tradition, I do appreciate the beauty of the temple and the grounds.

While we were out, Kikumoto-san prepared azuki paste (red bean paste). We later wrapped it with mochi (pounded rice) to make Japanese sweets. Mrs. Kikumoto had a mochi machine so no actual pounding was necessary. She added field grass to make it green and "healthy".

The kids enjoyed stretching the mochi around the bean paste balls. Unfortunately, I'm the only one in the family who really likes this treat. It was oishiidesu (tasty)!

After making the sweets we headed out to visit a 300 year old traditional Japanese thatched-roof house. So cool. I have never seen anything like it, but then, why would I?

After one last stop at Kikumoto-sans' son's house and a quick look at the Kikumotosan farmland we returned to the house for one last meal.

We ate, cleaned up, took a pictures then headed back to Kobe. A great weekend indeed! Thanks to our dear friends, Kenzo and Teruko and generous hosts, Mr. & Mrs. Kikumoto, we had yet another unforgettable Japanese adventure!

Episode 5: Well, where do I start?

So much has happened in last two months!

It began with a wonderful visit from my friend Valerie and her friend Nancy (who quickly became my friend). It was a very short week-long visit but we packed it full of sightseeing and Japanese culture. We rode the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto to the Plum Festival. Beautiful! My favorite Japanese experience yet. We attended a tea ceremony in the tea house located in our apartment building, went shopping, explored Rokko Island, drove to the top of Mt. Rokko, visited the deer at Nara, and enjoyed Osaka Castle. Although time was short and I had been to all these places before, it was still an amazing experience. Thanks again Valerie and Nancy for such a lovely time.On March 11, just eight days after Valerie and Nancy left, the Tohoku earthquake shook Japan, and our world.

(Picture taken at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle. This map was depicting all the of the worlds earthquakes that had happened within the previous two weeks. I was able to snap a picture when the 3.11 earthquake popped up. It is the big yellow blob at the top of the globe.)

At the time of the earthquake, Caden and I were on the third floor of our apartment building talking with the Front Reception staff. Nathan was at school. Darin was at work. As I stood talking with the staff about our Spring break trip to Tokyo I started feeling very dizzy and a bit nauseous. About the time I realized the building really WAS moving, my phone rang. It was Darin asking me if I was feeling the earthquake. He commented it felt like being in a washing machine. I tried calling him back a couple of times but the cell service was down. Kind of an eerie feeling not to be able to contact him.

Then the creaking started. The movement seemed to go on forever. There was an immediate aftershock, which seemed to keep things rocking even longer. There was a barrage of texting going on between myself, my friends up in their apartments and our friend who was at the school. Our kids finally were able to put into practice their “duck and cover” drills. Thankfully our friend at school was able to gather all the Entente apartment kids and bring them home safely. Many were visibly shaken (for lack of a better word) when they arrived home.

The elevators were unusable initially so we took the stairs. The stairwell was littered with ceiling debris and new cracks were visible in the tile. No structural damage was done to the apartment. In fact, friends who live in houses off the island didn’t feel much, if any movement. However we, along with my vertical neighbors, felt almost continuous movement for many days following the earthquake. I thought I had developed learned vertigo, because things were constantly moving (so it seemed) even on the ground.

Two days after the earthquake Darin headed to China for a previously planned work visit. When he got home we left for Spring Break. Our original spring break destination was Tokyo. (Did not take long to rethink that destination.) We decided to head outside of Asia altogether. We chose Seattle. It was so nice to be able to read the signs and understand the language. Not to mention be on stable ground. I didn’t feel Seattle move once, not even in the Space Needle.

It was great to get away from the moving building, but not so great watching the news. I have never been so disgusted with the sensationalism of American news reporting as I am now. They may have reported some facts, but not within the context of Japanese culture. Unless the news is presented within context, it becomes only (mis)perception.

Other than the irresponsible new reports, our Seattle stay was fun. We visited the Space Needle, the Museum of Flight (highly recommend this one), Pacific Science Center, Explore Music Project/Sci-fi Museum, Children’s Museum, Seattle Aquarium, and rode the Ducks. Yes, they are in Seattle too. Ducks are everywhere. And, we celebrated Nathan’s 11^th birthday with lunch at Hard Rock, a movie, and a yummy chocolate cake with cream cheese icing from Whole Foods. That makes it healthy, right? Maybe not so much the Ben and Jerry’s we had on the side.

We returned to Japan after break and have tried to resume our normal life. Other than the occasional swaying and creaking, we have been blessed with the opportunity to do just that. Unfortunately so many do not. Extreme devastation remains in Northern Japan. Although the aftershocks have slowed down, they will continue for many months.

There are teams from our church making frequent trips to Sendai to deliver food. My neighbor and I had the honor of filling her van with fresh food for the teams’ most recent trip. If you would like to help Japan, please consider donating to The Samaritan’s Purse. Our teams have seen this organization first hand and know the supplies are getting directly to those who need them most.

Please continue to pray for Japan, the government, the exhausted nuclear workers who have been working nonstop to protect this country, the US military helping with the clean up, and especially for those who have lost everything. May God be visible in the midst of this disaster.