Polynesian party at the US Embassy

Tonight we were invited to a special get-together at the U.S. Embassy, a short taxi ride from our

neighborhood.  We needed to show our passports to a guard at the gate before being allowed into the "compound," where some U.S. diplomats and their families live.  The surroundings inside the compound reminded us of a typical American neighborhood, with apartment buildings, a park where some boys were tossing around a football, a swimming pool, and even an American grocery store.  The party was held at the community center, and included entertainment by this group of talented Polynesian musicians and dancers from the nearby Yokosuka American military base. 

After the party, we stepped back into Japan, found a taxi, and returned home to our apartment!

Fall Matsuri in Azabu Juban

We saw these flags all over the neighborhood in the days leading up to the festival.

"Matsuri" means "Festival" in Japanese.  In our neck of the woods, this year's fall festival was perhaps more subdued than usual, out of respect for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in the north.  However, for us as Americans, it was still very exciting to witness!  It was held for a few hours on Saturday and again for a few hours on Sunday.

On the first day, several neighborhood associations each prepared a portable shrine, called a Mikoshi, to be carried by groups through the neighborhood to the local Shinto Shrine.

These men are taking a break from preparing their group's portable shrine.  Notice the offerings of greenery and mochi (rice cakes) for the Gods (kami).

Kaela next to a mikoshi.

Accompanying the groups up to the local Shinto shrine.

Arriving at the entrance to the shrine.

Here, groups are gathered and paying attention as a Shinto priest blesses each group and portable shrine.

Each group wore its own particular style of yukata (robe).

The next day, the groups paraded through the neighborhood, carrying the shrines and chanting.  It seemed to us like each group was trying to be the loudest and strongest.

Children join in by taking turns playing the Taiko drum.

This group was still carrying its shrine after we were long home and making dinner!  We heard the chanting and quickly opened our window to see the scene below. 

Here comes another group down our usually quiet street!

Minami-Azabu - our neighborhood

I have been here in Tokyo for almost a week now, and I'm starting to learn my neighborhood, "Minami-Azabu."  This area is full of apartment buildings and small shops.  Our apartment building is tucked away in a quiet area.  Small streets are not marked, and finding your way around can be very difficult!  We have learned to use landmarks, like the red mailbox in the photo below, to help us know where to turn.  This morning I walked to the fruit stand and grocery store, and on the way I took a few photos to show you. 

This red mailbox is a landmark for us - we know to turn down this street to our apartment.    There are vending machines on every corner.  Sadly, cigarettes are sold in vending machines, and many people in Japan still smoke. 

Cars are still a luxury for most people in Tokyo.  Biking is the way to go - walking also works!

Many people hang their bedding outside their windows in the sun for a few hours during the day.

There are convenience stores (pronounced "cone-bee-nee") everywhere - almost on every corner.  Convenience stores stock really good, fresh, prepared food as well as various necessities and snack foods.  You can see the three recycling containers outside the store.  Japanese people take recycling very seriously.

"100 Yen" stores (just like dollar stores) are very common, too. 

This fruit stand is a 7 minute walk from our apartment.  Peaches will be out of season soon and we are sure enjoying them while we can!  People are somewhat concerned about continuing radiation problems from the Fukushima nuclear plant, and so shopkeepers are anxious to let us know that their produce was grown in "safe" areas.

Here is a small Yakitori (meat on a stick) shop that Mr. Nanto nicknamed "Pops" because it seems like a real "Mom and Pop" type place. 

Mmmm.... what kind of milk do you think I should buy?  We will experiment until we figure out what we like best.  Milk comes in these small 1000 ml containers only.  Japanese people are not big milk drinkers!

Stay tuned for photos of a fall festival our neighborhood celebrated this past weekend.  Hello to everyone at Russell Street - I miss you!

Four days and counting...

Next week I will be joining Mr. Nanto, Kaela, and Tommy in Japan!  They have been there almost three weeks and they have already settled into our small apartment, explored the neighborhood, and started work and school.

To get to Tokyo, I will first fly to Chicago and then take a 13 hour flight to Tokyo.  Mmm... I wonder how many movies I'll be able to watch on the plane!


Japan is an island nation in Asia.  It is located near Russia, China, and Korea.  From a distance on a large map it may look like one island, but if you take a closer look, you will see that it is actually made up of many, many islands - it is an archipelago.  The four main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku.    Tokyo, the capital city, is located on the main island of Honshu.  Can you locate Tokyo on this map? 

I am so excited to get to Japan, but I will also miss a lot about life here in Littleton.  I am going to miss my oldest daughter Noelle, who will soon be in college.  I will miss our dog Molly, and Shadow and Yumi, our cats. I will also miss the students and teachers at Russell Street School!  If you were going to be living far from home for a year, what would you miss the most?