Japan in Thirty Days

GSE Day 20

05 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment

by gbesses in Gerald/ジェラルド

GSE Day 20
Every day begins at the hotel at 9. But, today began slightly earlier as I learned that we are scheduled to have a goodbye party this evening with just the host families and Bri will not be there as she is going to present at another Rotary club. I insisted that Yamaoka san call Bri’s host family and arrange that we either all go with Bri or she comes with us. It turns out that Bri’s host won’t even be there but is away this evening and she was scheduled to go with guys she doesn’t even know. It isn’t clear to me, but I think I was able to convince everyone that Bri will be at our party - maybe it would have happened anyway, but it all worked out for everyone. By the time she arrived at the hotel, it was all arranged and Bri didn’t know that I had had a hand in the rearrangement, so maybe I didn’t and maybe Team Leader san made the difference.
Then off to the Fuji Botanical Bamboo Garden - many, many varieties of bamboo,

which are prevented from growing outside of their own beds by concrete walls that go a meter or so into the ground. I learned that the bamboo that I had been given is supposed to have special medicinal uses, when used to drink sake, because of a thin membrane inside. The others want to see these cups of varying sizes. Then we made small brushes, using bamboo that is about a half inch thick. First peel the green away; then cut the end three to four inches in eighths; then, keeping it damp, pound the bejesus out of the end cut area - it breaks into fibers. You comb the broken ends out with a steel brush and pound the last half inch mercilessly. You get a brush; it might even work for painting, but definitely for brushing a table of dust.
Then Susono RC for lunch and presentation, which I think was our best yet.
Then to tour the Shizuoka Cancer Center, which we were told is one of the premier hospitals in Japan. Unfortunately we saw no patient care areas, but they did show us their proton beam therapy unit - a huge (about 20 feet in diameter) device that accelerates protons to 2/3s the speed of light and aims the beam for cancer therapy. It is contained in a room about forty feet high and quietly rotates for aiming. There were about 20 people in our entourage, as many Rotarians came with us. The hospital has about 600 beds, 200 doctors and about 500 nurses. Patients will stay in the hospital for weeks at a time; they had about 14, 000 admissions last year. They even have their special patient onsen (hot bath) on the top floor with a view of Fuji san for relaxation. Craig got a special tour of the computer center; he seemed content. I might have had a hand in arranging that, also. Team Leader rules!!!
Then back to the hotel and home for a rest before the dinner party. The party was wonderful. Each of our host families and Amy, a delightful six year old that kept patting me down for my iPhone - she found and removed my wallet, but gave it back to me in disgust - she wanted an iPhone. The menu included sushi, sashimi and the full gamut - fried chicken, miso, soba, pickles, custard and fruit and bean paste for dessert. We all made speeches (translated as required especially by Takahara san) and some of us sang; Bri’s voice is delightful. Setsuko sang, beautifully, to a perfectly quiet, enchanted, room. Jillian insisted, to her credit that we all see the ladies toilet - it is special with a small stream and plants in each toilet stall. Then men’s was plain, as expected. Now, home for packing and bed; we leave, sadly, in the morning.
7327 steps, today.

GSE Day 19

04 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment

by gbesses in Gerald/ジェラルド

GSE Day 19
Met at the hotel. Off to see a Buddhist temple,

owned by a Rotarian. We were part of a service for just the few of us - 5 GSE Team members and another five Rotarians. Then, a calligraphy lesson. We had water on stones and mixed in some ink from ink blocks - I was given a large stone for mixing, and a new ink block that had a $600 (That’s $, not Y!) price tag on it. I knew they were expensive, but….Anyway, I’m not very good with a brush, but we were all trying to get a handle of controlling water and ink, etc. When someone did a “good” job, our Sensei would stamp it with his chop. Bri even wrote her name in Katakana.
Then lunch with the Rotary Club. We were introduced, but no presentation which was done by an exchange student from Sendai. Craig, Bri and I took up the invitation to spend the program outside of the room - I meditated. Then back in and there was a flag exchange and we were given a Cross pen, each.
Then an Indian Buddhist temple, with some remarkable, anatomically correct temple dog statues outside, one male and one female. Then a more nature oriented area, which was the home of Prince Chichibunomiya, until his TB related death about age 50 and his wife, Princess Chichibunomiya, who was born Sestuko, but whose name was changed when she married to not be confused with a former Empress - so, my hostess is named after an Empress - lovely. The Princess died in 1995 and gave the property to the community at that time. Then some tea with a sweets in a place which makes characteristic sweets which change monthly - there are hundreds of varieties throughout the year. I had a red bean paste in a pancake-like sandwich. Then home. Hiro is practicing his guitar. Out for dinner later.

Dinner: with Hiro and Yamaoka san;

Takahara is at hospital with his wife who is recovering from cervical spine surgery. I hope I see him tomorrow. We walked to a tiny place nearby, just four tables full of men in suits and a counter, where, eventually a woman did sat. The meal started with mountain potato and raw fish, toro. Then a big plate of shashimi, including uni, which I like and the Japanese find very expensive. They get it from Northern California. Then a plate of what I was told was horse liver in sesame, actually tasty. Then a small plate (about all I could eat by then) of tempora. Then miso and unagi over rice. All that with a glass of beer and another of sake. Yamaoka san had a bit more to drink and was kind enough to leave the table when he smoked and Hiro didn’t smoke at dinner at all. An excellent meal.
Well, off to bed.

GSE Day 18

03 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment

by gbesses in Gerald/ジェラルド

GSE Day 18
Just a short note:
Another successful day, starting with a visit to a clear water river

that is 1.2 Km long and is fed by Fuji springs. During the winter some small fish, called “sweet fish,” visit. We did see a Kingfisher, with the help of a bird watcher and his long telescope. Craig went wading in a special wading area and one of the Rotarians, Iwasaki san, helped him dry off.
Then fund raising for Polio Plus. 7 Clubs asking for money in several spots around town; 60 Rotarians, 5 GSE, 24 Interact - they collected 175730 Yen or about $2200. It was a special holiday that celebrated a former Emperor’s birthday. The kids who were out for their special age celebrations were dressed in Kimono and the male equivalent - impossibly cute.
Then a Welcoming Party put on by 7 clubs, for us. Noisy, no interpreter, good food and they sang for us in English. Delightful.
Then a cruise aboard a Pirate ship on Lake Ashinoko, a drive to a glass museum and sales place and home. Delightful 1 11/12 child that I discovered could count to four; even her parents didn’t know she could count. They got excited about it; the little girl is very cute.
Then this evening, Setsuko played the piano and sang a wonderful Ave Maria with her wonderful soprano voice. Now to bed.
8024 steps, today.

GSE Day 17

02 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment

by gbesses in Gerald/ジェラルド

GSE Day 17
Waking up these days at about 6:45 and I am consistently surprised when the alarm goes off at 7 and I had forgotten about it. I didn’t notice the trains through the night. The day is clear and warm.

The Team gathered at the hotel at 9. People seem reasonably pleased with their respective hosts, but Craig doesn’t have internet access - not fair. Yamaoka san left us to return about 5 PM. We drove to the fire station and had a very good interpreter, Kaz, who was a big help. Bri got to tour and she and then I got to go up in the tall ladder. We saw a call center, but she’ll see the big call center later tonight. They have 118 firefighters, 19 of whom are paramedic qualified, two of whom are the only women in the department. There were some junior high school students learning what it means to be a firefighter - they were very cute running around the building with full gear on. There was a young guy who spoke good English and helped with the translation. They went into detail about their rescue equipment, including a powerful pair of pliers - air powered and about two feet long that can squeeze steel pipe flat - and an air powered scissors that could cut the pipe - good for cutting people out of wrecked cars.
Then lunch at one of those Sushi restaurants that puts the little plates on a conveyor belt and you choose what you want as it comes by you. I got to sit with Craig and Jillian and Kaz, who told me much about Mishima that I didn’t know, as his English is so good. Then a treat. We went to Sakanaya ryokan and Izunagaoka spa, owed by Ikeda san, Rotary club of Izu-chuo president. The women were dressed in beautiful, graduation day Kimono. of one while a kimono clad woman, his host, accompanied him and he played Sakuro, a classic Japanese melody to cherry blossoms. That was where he had been - practicing - And, he did well. When we finished, his hostess and a younger woman played a formal and wonderful, far more complex, version of the same. They played a second number. Photos all around. We were invited to enjoy an Onsen - the hot bath. Craig and I took up the offer. The women changed out of their kimono and Bri and Jillian had their own Onsen experience, at a different hotel, which I think is also property of Ikeda san.
Then Craig went off to a Rotary meeting after which his host will take him home. The four of us returned to the hotel to meet our hosts. Setsuko is preparing a clam dinner, as I type.
Dinner was a delicious clam and bokchoi stew, with green beans in sesame sauce and a whole fish. Ice cream for dessert. Joined by Takahara again - he is delightful. His wife was just operated a couple weeks ago for what sounds like a cervical spinal stenosis; the numbness has already cleared, but she won’t be able to function out of the hospital, he says, for another six weeks. Today I learned that Setsuko san plays the piano and lead the choir for her church every Sunday. I also learned about the shower problems, if you don’t know how it works. The Yamaoka’s have an instant on heater. I didn’t notice that the heater switch was off and had to ask for assistance. Setsuko san was a bit embarrassed, but I hope not significantly.
I still find it strange that the toilet seat lifts itself when I enter the room and the toilet knows to flush itself when I am finished. Long article in the Japan Times, a Tokyo English language newspaper, about toilets - sitting versus squat - and how most people are now installing sitting toilets, increasing from 14% in 1992 to 76% today, with the market dominated by two manufacturers.
2770 steps, today - a short walking day.

GSE Day 16

01 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment

by crastabule in Gerald/ジェラルド

GSE Day 16
Having met my host and hostess, Yamaoka san and Setsuko, yesterday, I knew things would go well with them. The Team is not so sure. I think a major part of the problem relates to the start of our third week - this is a long time to be away from family and involved in such a busy schedule for anyone. I’ve been told to be prepared for the third week let-down; I think it is coming on schedule. My Team will do well, but it isn’t easy.
We all met at the Hotel Toyoko. Our luggage was taken by the respective host families. I went off with Yamaoka san who was our driver for the day, along with Hiro whose role in Rotary I never did learn. So, in two cars with two drivers in caravan, we went to the Genbeigawa, an area in Mishima City park where there is a large lava deposit from on old eruption of Mt. Fuji. Several springs arise in this area,

fill a series of ponds with very clear

water and drain into a small river, Genbe-Gawa. The river became polluted and the citizens decided to clean it up. There is a beautiful stone path in the river,

which does not get higher with heavy rain as it is fed by springs not rain fall. There is even a little pumping station with dolls that pump

and a place to drink, called Megumi-no-Ko - the name of the dolls also.
Then into the Rakujuen Park

to see some Chrysanthemums and the gardens and the animals in a small zoo that includes a Lesser (red) Panda, and a famous monkey that bit 200 people before being caught and placed in the zoo.

Lunch was at a very pleasant simple place. I had a delicious fried rice dish with miso and vegetables on the side. Then to the Tokushu Paper company - our translator, Sari Tsutsumi was not quite up to the technical aspects of the paper, but was excellent with the usual conversation. We were shown a beautiful glass building, including the steps, which has a frame work of pipes, much like the Pompidoux Museum in Paris which was designed by the same architect, except this is pretty and that isn’t- to my eye. The museum of the paper company showed us many interesting things - paper that is used to cover a message on a post card, which can not be reattached if someone tries to remove it, and some printed things that get bonded to ceramics for patterns, special florescent papers for protection against counterfeiting, water repellent paper and water absorbing paper that stays dry to the touch after taking in an incredible amount of water - diaper paper. Very interesting.
Then off to the Mall - huge and comprehensive. We were treated to coffee at a Tully’s; I had a Mocha. I got to see my first electronics department - three floors of computers, cameras, TVs, appliances and accessories. Prices are high by our standards for items that I know the price of at home. The Canon S95 is about $400 home and $500 here, with similar premiums on almost everything.
Back to the hotel, Mishima Plaza to meet the host families. Nervously, everyone went off and I went home with Yamaoka san. He owns and runs a small parking garage near the train station and lives next to it. The place shakes when the Shikensen goes by; I’ll use ear plugs tonight, but I suspect I’ll get used to it soon. I was given their son’s room as he is studying at the University in Tokyo. They have a lovely place - a large living room, kitchen and Busedon room - all interconnected but separated by screens. They light the incense for Grandma every day, but also go to a Christian church on Sundays. Comfortable kitchen with a large central island with sink and range top. There are six clocks in the room; Yamaoka san says there are four more in the house, but two are in the bath and one in my room, not counting telephones and watches.
Setsuko made a simple dinner consisting of potato and sauce, egg plant in sauce, miso with rice, and an intriguing egg dish. We were joined by Takahara san, who helps with English, although both Yamaoka san and Setsuko do very well. He runs a metal recycling business in Mishima and Hamamatsu, but lives nearby. His wife is in the hospital, but he didn’t say why - just that she is doing OK. Of course, I had a beer and a small cup of sake - served to me in a 250 year old, Edo period, cup that is normally used for Soba.
They have an older computer with Ethernet, which seems to work with my machine just fine. I was able to speak to Jerrie this morning on her iPad, but the reception wasn’t perfect - she’ll be home in a couple of days.

GSE Day 15

31 Oct 2010 Leave a Comment

by crastabule in Gerald/ジェラルド

GSE Day 15
A free day, but we were offered a tour and Craig, Bri, Windy and I went for it. Jillian is off to see Mai, our interpreter for the first week in Shizuoka, which is 25 minutes away on the Shikensen.
We were set to meet Takahara san at 1, but he called me at 10 and told me that the timing is changed and we should be ready at 11. I called the others, but Bri was in her bath and didn’t answer, although we didn’t know she was in her room. So we left, with Yamaoka san driving, at 11, returned for Bri when Takahara san reached her on his cell phone. We went to the Sano Art Museum, which was having a special exhibit of the work of a single weaver who made costumes for Noh. His weaving is incredibly rich and beautiful. Pictures can be seen at www.sanobi.or.jp. Even without English, the fabric was amazing. I guess we missed some of the meaning of the patterns. Loved it.
Yamaoka sans car is a Toyota SUV with the seat in the second row is a specially constructed wheelchair. I guess it lifts in and out. It looks like the other seats - upholstery is the same, but it has foot rests and wheels. For Grandma. He and his wife are my hosts for the week.
We went to a pizza place for lunch - pizza with small fish topping, or mushrooms or one they called lasagna, with mozzarella cheese and ham toppings - very pleasant.
Then to the aquarium for a dolphin show - I’ve never seen dolphins lift a swimmer as he stood on their noses and they tossed him high, twice. Fantastic. We went through the exhibits and it was time for the sea lion program. One was a head bumper,

which Jerrie would have loved. Two of them blew bubbles in synchrony.

Then the walrus which we were told weighed in at 400 kilograms, about 900 pounds, or maybe he was just a monster sea lion who stood at least seven feet tall and could climb over a high glass wall that held the water in, but not him.
We got to pet a dolphin before we read the sign that said that touching the dolphins was not allowed. By then it was getting late and it had been overcast for the whole day.

I had asked to see the castle in Mishima. They took us to the castle in Odawara - a place established in the mid 15th century but was used by Okubo Tadayo, a Tokugawa supporter. It is about 20 miles north of Mishima and over a mountain on the Tokaida Road. The Castle is a restoration

as the original had been rebuilt several times and dismantled in 1870 before being restored in 1960

through 2009.

Interesting exhibits inside and a wonderful building.
Then back to Mishima and dinner over a meat shop. The best Shabu Shabu for the six of us, joined by Yamaoka san’s son and wife. The meal was superb and we finished with a rice and egg dish made by Yamaoka san, using the broth in which the meat and vegetables had been cooked, carefully skimmed of fat by his wife before cooking the mixture in the shape of a crescent moon

- delightful.

I will enjoy this week with these folks.
Then to the hotel, some chatting with the Team. Jillian texted that she is catching a train back about 10.

9547 steps today, but 3700 were on my solo walk in the morning around the train station. It costs 140 yen to go through the station each way and I was merely out for exercise. I wanted to see how far it really was.

GSE Day 14

30 Oct 2010 1 Comment

by crastabule in Gerald/ジェラルド

Very unexciting day, although the weather tried.

We left Yamanashi and drove to Mishima, about two hours. Rain, not so cold. Lunch and a greeting by the District Governor, Ikeda san. To the hotel, tired, by 1 PM. They won’t check us in until 3. Off for shopping at a local mall. Back at 3 and into room. Weather blustery and wet. The Team walked to a nearby 7 11 for bento for dinner as we didn’t want to chance the weather at dinnertime, which was when Chaga, the typhoon was supposed to be at its worst.

Then rest for a bit and dinner and an evening of talk. I got my big toenails painted black by Windy. Then to sleep about 10.

GSE Day 13

29 Oct 2010 Leave a Comment

by gbesses in Gerald/ジェラルド

GSE Day 13

Another day in paradise. OK, I exaggerate, but this trip is wonderful. Probably the biggest problem is properly thanking the host families, as they are endlessly generous.

Today started a bit early. Craig and I drove to the hotel with Azawa san, picking up Windy on the way. Bri was there and we met Jillian at on the way to the museum - the story is that she overslept and this saved some time. We had a driver and a passenger - two Rotarians whose English was limited, but they were unceasingly friendly and solicitous. Due to the schedule, we were in our polo shirts and carried our blazers and computer, as were are scheduled for a meeting of the Kofu East RC for dinner.

We started at the Yamanashi Prefecture museum which explained about the history of the area. We were each given a vest, with volume control that spoke an English explanation of what we were seeing. Excellent exhibits and photos not allowed. Then off to the nearby Prefecture Art Museum.

Impressive Millet collection and French 19th century art - a Corot, two Courbets, etc. A fine collection of Japanese artists. Not a large museum but well worth seeing.

For lunch we went to a hoto noodle shop - slightly different from what Shigeko made the other day, but very good, even for me who doesn’t normally eat much lunch. Then to the Shosenkyo Canyon - very pretty with a high water fall, followed by a cable car to the top of the mountain where there is a Shinto shrine. I find the degree of commercialization interesting in these scenic places- this place seems to specialize in crystals for various sorts and there was a very large Rose Quartz ball, said to be the largest stone ball in Japan. The rock wall where people place 1 yen coins was interesting

- you apparently looked for a crevice and pounded the coin in - I used one coin to push another. It was especially good to walk vigorously for a change. Tended to wake me up. I was sitting in the middle seat of the second row in the car. Craig and Windy behind me. They put my hair into a top-knot, which I removed when we were surrounded by Rotarians. It didn’t seem dignified enough for the Team Leader to have a funny hair thing. Craig said that a second top-know would have made it better. Maybe, but should I trust someone who is wearing toe socks?

Then we went bowling with the Rotary club - two games. I scored a 99 and a 106. Each of the Team were given a 500 yen gift card, except me, which is fine. The Team seemed pleased, too. I bowled with a Rotarian, Isamu,

and with Akira - a young man who couldn’t explain to me what his role in Rotary is. They were better than I, but I don’t practice much. Then the Rotary meeting.

They meet near the bowling alley, Park Lanes, in a Korean BBQ place. I was asked to give a brief introduction. I thanked them for their hodpitality and introduced the Team, but I am not sure how much the group understood, although they seemed appreciative. There were small hibachis on the table and small broth heaters. Jillian proceeded to cook the meat on the hibachi and eventually the water boiled in that container and we cooked the vegetables and made Shabu Shabu - wonderful beef, though I over ate. The beer and sake didn’t help - totally delightful. Azawa san drove four of us home; Jillian was separate.

Tomorrow, we start early for Mishima for another hotel weekend and then a new host family. I already regret leaving Matshuhashi san and Shigeko san. The weather report for the next couple of days is not favorable as a typhoon is on the way. It may miss us, but Mishima is closer to where it is headed than Kofu - we’ll see. I may finally have time to open my Kindle for the first time.

GSE Day 11

27 Oct 2010 Leave a Comment

by gbesses in Gerald/ジェラルド

GSE Day 11
The Team meets in front of Yamanashi City Hall for a visit with the mayor. Nice guy, lots of pictures. I have to make a speech - Team members said I do that well, which is reassuring, as they freely, but positively, critique my presentation.
The to the Yamanashi Prefecture Fruit Park - a lovely place with dramatic green houses

and a beautiful place for parties. Bri says that the south American Papaya trees are thinner and smaller but with much larger fruit. They even had a coffee plant with berries and a cacao tree, but no fruit.
Then we went to the Nezu Memorial - a grand old, Japanese style mansion built by a rich guy who did lots of good things and got money from running a railroad and other stuff. Lovely garden and a fine tea ceremony. Interesting comparisons with the tea ceremony we had before - small differences as might be made by the student in comparison to the master we had seen, but clearly the ritual was followed closely. The Team sits on their heels; I put my feet to one side, to preserve my knees. Good tea, lovely kimono clad ladies - the main server served me and Craig, and the other server made tea for the gals in another room. Delightful process. interesting tour of the mansion - paper walls and sliding screens and plumbing characteristic of the early 20th century. Nezu and his spouse shared a large room with a sliding screen between the two parts, with an upper part to the wall that was slotted to allow free ventilation. Of interest, his half had a cleqr heart wooden ceiling and hers had lots of knots - it was cheaper and connoted a lessor rank than the more expensive ceiling. I liked the knotted wood better.
Then lunch at the Yamanashi Rotary club. They served a meat loaf and fried potatoes - Craig scarfed it, as he is not such a vegey guy but really goes for meat and potatoes. The eating implements were forks and knives; I wonder if this was all in our honor. They even played the Star Spangled Banner and clearly expected we would sing our national anthem, which we did. Then they sang theirs. All of the RC meetings have begun with their anthem, I think. Maybe it is a Rotary song. Much less formal club; we enjoyed eating before our presentation. These guys, about 30 or so, seem to have more fun than the more formal places.
After lunch we went wine tasting. Koshu grapes are a big thing here. Pale, they make a variety of white wines - acidy and clear and fruity - I liked them. One wine was a generic wine - not aged; one was a single vineyard, special white - aged in barrels for four months. Then a Chardonnay and a Merlot. They use French oak barrels and their production areas could have been in Sonoma, to my eye. The managing director and owner was our guide; his daughter is one of three wine makers; their brand is Grace wines. Then a wine sales place with 200 varieties of Kosho and Yamanashi wines, which they allow unlimited tasting of for 1100 yen, a bargain I think. There were some very serious appearing tasters there. Finally a wine storage cave, in an old railroad tunnel - not much to see, but I remember the Vallejo wine storage fire - this place can’t burn.
Then we visited with the Koshu City mayor, a Rotarian with whom I had participated in the Festival a couple days earlier. He as wearing the District 5130 pin I had given him. Then to dinner at the Enzan RC, about 15 guys, who also seem to enjoy themselves. The mayor was there, as was the guy who served us Ramen a few days ago and it is fun to see people more than once. My host, Matsuhashi san and Craig’s host Azawa san are members here. No translator for the presentation - we all got pretty basic, but Bri, Craig and Jillian did a total presentation in Japanese. Jillian volunteered to write out some Japanese phrases for my talk for the future. I hope she does.
Tomorrow, Taizo (Azawa san’s son) has volunteered to show me his company when he is showing Craig around - it is a cable company. Then we go to Bri and see the police station and dispatcher.
I should note that the house I am in is remarkably quiet for one with paper walls. The computer now seems to be working well, and Taizo thinks it may be that the microwave oven is fooling the wireless connection. I now have complete instruction for reconnecting if it goofs off again.

GSE Day 10

26 Oct 2010 1 Comment

by gbesses in Gerald/ジェラルド

GSE Day 10
Up at about 6:30, having slept in a real bed, (Bri informs me that Matsuhashi san purchased a new bed just for me. Well, it is comfortable) instead of a futon. Both had light, warm comforters and both were comfortable, but the bed is easier to get out of, as I don’t have to climb off the floor. Breakfast was yogurt, toast, juice and a hotdog, which I declined, and finished with green tea. - every mkeal and most inbetween times have green tea. Afterall, the area is famous for its tea and the doc did say it deminshed the flu.
Craig and his host Azawa san came here with a third Rotarian whose name I never got who drove the van. Then Windy, who is staying just 8 minutes away joined us and my host Matsuhashi san, Azawa san, our interpreter, Craig, Windy and I all got into the van and we were driven to pick up Bri and Jillian. Then up Mt Fuji.
We stopped at a noodle shop about 10:15 and had cold noodles in cold brown broth - actually tasty, but they keep feeding us. The noodles included Soba - a buckwheat noodle and a pale colored noodle; the sauce was a soy based something. Matsuhashi san bought some raw noodles to take home. Then, in the overcast, we continued up the side of the mountain.
Next stop was a Japan oddity. It fits their culture so well. When Jerrie and I were in Japan before, we saw a similar thing, but not as well developed. A clear spring - fully commercialized with shops, food and paths so that we could enjoy the beauty of a clear spring. They claim if is 30 meters deep, but I could see the bottom. I saw no measuring rod, but who am I to argue. More pictures. They used the powere of the flowing water to make noodles.

We stopped about 2000 meters up, as we had broken through the clouds and we and the summit were all in sun - picture time. Actually, in Japan, it is ALWAYS picture time. We continued up. Fuji is 3770 meters high; some people climb the whole thing, which is estimated to take about six hours. We drove to the halfway point at 2305 meters (about 7500 feet), also called Station 5. This is a very civilized place. You can walk or ride a horse and there must have been five or six shops selling the same mostly over priced stuff and Station 5. Matsuhashi san kindly bought us all a Mt. Fuji cake.
We had lunch at about 12:30. I had a passable Ramen for about 1000 yen. More phots the sun disappeared briefly and it got cold. We started down the mountain at about 2 PM. The road turns a lot and I and others did sleep a bit. We got to the “Frozen Cave” actually a lava cave place about 3:30. The woods were nice. Cold and damp with some low ceilings in the cave - they store silk worm coccoons in the cold. But, outside there was a man who was feeding birds, from his hand. I guess they knew he would do that. He gave us some seed and we all took our turns, feeding these sparrow size birds who briefly sit on our hand, take a seed and fly away. They were delightful, and fast, so pictures of the birds were blurred, bhut you’ll get the idea. Their little feet gripping my palm were fun.
Then to the Owl and Flower place - I don’t know its formal name as that was in Japanese. 40 varieties of owl (this small owl is about 5 inches tall.) and an enormous collection of begonias and fuschia all in a huge greenhouse with a large central lake - the flowers are beautiful; the owls are sad because of their confinement. Then we dropped Windy and Jillian at the hotel and Bri, Craig, our interpreter and I came home in the van until Bri was dropped and Craig and I continued on. His host, Azawa san, lives just a half block from where I stay.
It is a bit funny. The Team refers to their hosts as their “host family.” The husband is their host father and the spouse is the “host mother.” The terminology doesn’t fit for me, so I just use “host.” Another odd experience - we saw a sign - cow head on top, with an arrow, mostly in Japanese of course, but it also said, “Gerald, Yogurt, cheese, milk.” We were driving by - no time to stop for a picture or explanation. I figure it was a dairy store, but….? We also saw a motel named Windy. We are now on the look out for more of these signs we identify with.
Dinner - Hoto, a Yamanashi specialty - a rather thick, pasty noodle in a pumpkin sauce and some mushrooms. Also, some odd tanned eggs - I think called Ogen with burdock root - very pleasant. Also in attendence was Soichi, son number 1 with wife, Sachiko and four children - Haruna (5), Tatsuki (10), Kazuki (14) and Mina (15) who came from school a little later. Yesterday was Soichi’s 44th birthday, so we had little cakes to celebrate - I got the chestnut cake. Also, in attendence was Naoki, number 3 son and his daughter Kana (12) and eventually number 2 son, Hiroyuki came in. There are four more grandchildren and a dog, whom I have not yet met.
Tomorrow is very busy - two Rotary club visits, with presentations and two mayor visits, a Tea ceremony, three different wine visits. And, not home until 9 PM. But, Thursday is an off day - everyone has something planned, except my host expected to show me the owls. I asked if a visit with an internist could be arranged, but I may go to the police station with Bri, if not.
Computer issues - they wanted me to have wireless in my bedroom but there were problems, so for two days, I had little chance to use the Net and haven’t been able to connect with Jerrie. She goes to Santa Fe tomorrow and that might kill that day as well. I miss her; in fact each of my Team is admitting to missing the contact with significant others. The Team is very congenial and seems to be meshing very well.
It is late; pictures added tomorrow, maybe.