Japan trip

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Day 5 Daruma and Sushi

Khalil and host sister:

Aaron:

Today we gathered at the station, got our Pasmo train pass cards, and took the train to Koshigaya. There, after a short walk, we got to a quaint old house where we were shown how to make Daruma.

Everyone sat or kneeled on the tatami mats and started to paint the face on their Daruma.

The idea of a Daruma is to paint in one eye while making a wish. When the wish comes true, paint in the other eye [thanking the Daruma for helping make your wish come true]. It was a wonderful experience. Everyone worked really hard and cared about their own. The house was jam-packed with beautiful old Daruma and items of many kinds.

The man who taught us was the 4th generation in his family of Daruma makers.

Now that we're done, we're on the next train headed for sushi. Everyone is excited!

Conveyor-belt Sushi! About $1 for 2 pieces.

You can also order, and it comes on a little train!

Evan tried Miso and crab soup.

Tomorrow we head into Tokyo!

Day 4 Elementary School

Today we visited at an Elementary School in Nagai-sensei's home town. We gave short speeches about our home town, and then we participated in many different classes in the school.

We talked about Wisconsin and
Minnesota to 1st grade

We showed them Duck Duck Gray Duck game

Waiting to be a Gray Duck!

Then 4th Grade came to hear us

We played a Japanese card game with kids

Music Class, using our rhythm (if applicable)

Japanese Calligraphy

Japanese game like Musical Chairs:
"Everyone with red on their shirt, switch chairs!"

Now a Rock-Paper-Scissors tournament!

6th Grade science class

Finally we get to do Recess again!

Traditional Japanese Flower Arranging (Ikebana)

Everyone can participate

Our creations! it was very interesting.

Then we went home with host families to share the day!

We will have more photos on our Shutterfly site soon! Everyone is doing great so far.

Day 2 and 3 with host family

We spent two days with our hostfamilies. Here are their reports.

Khalil: I had fun shopping with my host family, very interesting stores. We went to look at Bonsai trees; they are very intricate. I had fun eating with my host family.

Evan: My hostfamily had a barbeque with the sister of my host mother. They brought “Totoro”-shaped cream puffs. I have had a lot of time to play with my host kids. I taught them tic-tac-toe.

Alex: Playing with kids a lot! We went to an amusement park. Also I wore a traditional-style kimono and took pictures with family.

Ray: We went to Akihabara (Electric Town in Tokyo). We helped and participated in an event at the Kindergarten where my host mom works.

Aaron: We visited Bonsai Tree Museum. I played with kids a lot!

Tami: I have a big host family! We spent a lot of time to hung out.

Pa-Ying: We went to the Dollar Store (Daiso) where everything is 100 Yen (about $1). Lots of great things there. Then we went to an Onsen (Hot Springs bath), it was really fun to see.

Mallissa: We went to the host family's parents house and we did gardening with them. Lots of plants in a small space. Then we went to a Hydrangea flower place and a farm. We went to Daiso as well.

Grant: I had a huge BBQ/clambake with 3-4 families. It was so much food, and was super fun. I taught my family how to play Spoons (where you hold two spoons back-to-back and clack them in rhythm). And I got 16 manga books for about $6!

And we picked up Tyler from the Airport on Monday, he had a good flight but it was long.

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Day 1, We are in Japan

Japan Trip 2015 Crew:

Kahlil, Grant, Raymond, Alex, Tami, Evan, Aaron, Pa-Ying, Mallissa, Tyler (he is flying in soon), Nagai-sensei and Zurn-sensei.

Our flight was delayed about 1.5 hours, but we are enjoying the time at the Minneapolis airport!

Fun in Airport! Grant showed Solitaire to Kent.

Off to Japan! Boarding the plane.

We made it! Our first photo in Japan!

Everything about the flight went really smooth (after delay). Weather is great, not too humid. We took 3 trains about 2 hours from Narita (Tokyo) Airport.

Getting a train ticket

Everyone went home with their host family. Hope they will have a great time with their host family.

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

J-Quiz 2015 Memorial High School 2nd and 3rd place !

2nd place team :
Grant Winsand and Breanna Dean

3rd place team:

( from left) Raymond Higgins, Victor Lokken, Nicholas Alegria

On Saturday, February 14, 2015, high school students from all over Minnesota and Wisconsin will gather together to put their knowledge of Japanese Language and Culture to the test!

Teams of students from each school will compete in 3 levels of difficulty. Students will first write an essay, then participate in a preliminary round of questions regarding Japanese Language and Culture. The winners are sent to Washington D.C. to compete in the national Japan Bowl and attend the Sakura Festival.<http://mn-japan.org/2014/12/j-quiz-2014/>

after the competition, stop by Nagai-sensei's house