Odawara-Yamanashi School Trip
Trip Start
Sep 23, 2008
1
21
22
Trip End
Dec 21, 2008
Bus Tour through Yamanashi Region,
Kanto,
Japan
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Next was the Odawara Castle Memorial Park. It's a memorial because the original castle was used as a fort in an war in the 16th century and what was left afterwards was demolished in an earthquake in 1870. This new one was built in 1960 and we were surprised to see monkeys, an elephant, and kiddy rides. Yes, monkeys. Grooming eachother, jumping around their cares, looking around with their bright red faces, and doing other monkey things that made me love monkeys that much more. (If you didn't know, I went to Disneyland as a child and came back with a huge white stuffed monkey-kiwi- that I continued to bring with me wherever I traveled for years. I was in the least, in love with the thing. so seeing these primates was both a surprise, and nostalgic for me!) Fun for the whole family at the castle! I forgot to mention that what made this whole weekend MOST lovely, was that the weather did not fail to amaze me for one minute. There was sun, gorgeous clouds, and though it was often cold, we were in teh bus so much of the time... i hardly noticed. Inside the castle is a museum, which had all original swords, texts, kimono, samurai armor, paintings, and other such tools. On the top floor, though was a viewing balcony that wrapped all the way around! The view was of a serene looking Sagami Bay, and lush, green mountains in the hakone direction- i think where we were headed next! A few of us were on the top floor for half an hour and when it was time to leave, we walked really slow. It was so warm and relaxing up there! And the ocean! Seeing so much water, sun, trees and breathing fresh air was what did it-- after being in the city for so long! I've written about being exposed to nature after straight city living... you may have had a similar experience and know of what I speak.
After Odawara castle we were scheduled to go to Owakudani where you can eat black eggs that bring you good luck, but the traffic was horrible so we in stead sat on the bus for two extra hours (5 all together) and got to the hotel in time for dinner. We did have rest breaks during this time, but wow, everyone said it felt like the plain ride to Japan- 9 hours or so! One can imagine the relief when we pulled up to the Hotel and brought our bags to assigned tatami rooms! There were four other girls in my room: Riana, Kim, Sumiko, and Kai Chen (my favorites). With 30 minutes before dinnertime, we all sat down on our little cusions and had tea time with sweets that we bought a rest stop. From our window, we had a view of Kawaguchi-ko lake and surrounding mountains. that's right, the same name as the city i'm living in! What a coincidence :)
Dinner was a HUGE buffet with all sorts of Japanese food, and some American options for the less adventurous. I tried everything strange looking and was completely satisfied and stuffed by the end. (Breakfast was similar.)
People returned to their rooms, and some of us formed a study group and reviewed some things from the previous week of classes with the sensei that came with us on the trip. It was helpful and after studying we stayed up talking til the wee hours. I can't remember the last time I had a sleepover... first time in a tatami room on futons!
We woke up early before breakfast and walked around outside taking pictures of the sunrise! The grass was frosty, and the air was crisp and freezing! Breakfast was eaten, and minnasan~ everyone boarded the bus for our first stop of day two: Saiko Iyashi no Sato. This area by Saiko lake used to have a village callaed Nenba and there were lots of Japanese structures with "Kayabuki" roofs. Kayabuki roof is a traditional style roof that is made with straw and reed. Most of the traditional buildings in the village got swept away by a big landslide that happened in 1966. The village is no longer there, but today the local city came up with a plan to build 23 replica houses with real Kayabuki roofs, with a goal to restore the traditional view of the area. In the various traditional houses were various historical exhibits, local crafts, and of course, food. My favorite house was the one with painting inside. The style of painting is called postcard art ( i think is the best translation). I had never done it before, but paid 5 dollars and got a one-on-one lesson from a elderly Japanese woman. I didn't understand everything she said, but it was fun, and my postcard shows how hard it was. It doesn't look very great, because my persimmon looks like a watermelon. I also went with some people on a mini hike up a hill away from the houses to a shrine where you could see Mt. Fuji through the trees. Actually, ou could see the mountian well from everywhere at this village, but it was cool spotting it through the trees.
Being so close to Fuji was exciting and I made a promise to myself and Fuji-sama that next time I come to Japan, I'm going to climb to the top. Anyone want to go with me??
