Potato Digging

Just what the title implies. Kindergarten children waving their gardening tools around (while I looked on anxiously), running back and forth, digging for potatoes. It actually is a lot of fun and the kids really love it. There were a lot of potatoes this year. It was hot but thankfully not as humid as it has been this week. Of course I was only out there for a little while compared to the others who were helping all 3 classes. I did get a bag of potatoes from it, so yay. 

W is for Wine

I love the wine bar in Hamamatsu.  No those glasses are not dark. They are filled with red red wine.

Shizuoka Samba Festival

We stood on the street for what felt like years to see a small glimpse of the parade. If we had seen the whole procession I think it would have been excellent. What we did see of it was great. So many gorgeous costumes. It does make you want to take up dancing. 

Nagoya Science Museum

First day of our 4 day weekend, we 'trekked' to Nagoya. Okay, trekked may be an exaggeration...It was a bus and a bullet train. It felt like a trek at the end of the day. Nagoya was really busy but I enjoyed it. The Science Museum was amazing and quite large. It was only 400 yen ($3.90 AUD) to enter and there was 4 levels of all the 'science stuff'. 

Water Play Area

Water Play Area from the 2nd Level

A game that took awhile to get the hang of because it was talking to us in Japanese.

Little Nagoya. Holograms explained how the little city worked. I still don't know how the little city works. I need to learn more Japanese. (The musuem does try to be English friendly for many things. It was good)

The tornado simulation machine.

 You can visit the website here (In English).

I is for Ice

On the flight from Singapore to Tokyo.

B is for Bouncy Castle

Ok, is this not the coolest bouncy castle you've ever seen? This was the Shizuoka Matsuri (Festival). I would have loved to have a go on this, but apparently you must be a child to enjoy this kind of thing.

Shizuoka Matsuri 2013

So I am finally getting around to blogging about my time in Japan. For the first two weeks I was not connected to the internet, so this was incredibly difficult, given the neighbourhood I am living in. Thankfully, my neighbour and fellow teacher, Shawna was willing to let me invade her house every couple of days to 'borrow' her internet. 

My first weekend here, was the Shizuoka Matsuri (Festival), held in the city centre. It is held in April, as this is the best time to view the sakura (Cherry Blossoms). Unfortunately, this year, by this stage, many of the blossoms were already disappearing. When they are in full bloom, they are just gorgeous.

There's a parade/procession to symbolise the shogun taking the daimyo (lords) to view the sakura at Sengen Shrine.  

Once inside, there are some beautiful places to just sit and picnic and look at the sakura. 

Once inside, there are some beautiful places to just sit and picnic and look at the sakura. 

Watch the stage performances.

Imamiya Park

This is my local park. It is about a 2 minute walk from my place. It is so green and beautiful, like the rest of the neighbourhood. Expect a photo overload.

For whatever reason, the 'tongue' has all the organs on display.