Japan trip

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Day 5 Daruma, Sushi and making Osenbei (Rice Cracker)

Jack:

Today we traveled by train to a daruma shop where we painted our own daruma. It was quite difficult but was very fun. We then made osenbei rice crackers. We got an hour of free time to visit shops. We went to a book store, grocery store, and a 100¥ (1$) store.

Yesterday we went to my host brothers elementary school and talked to them about America. We taught them the chicken dance and duck duck goose which they really seemed to like. I am not sure if they knew that we could not understand half of what they said, but it was still fun! For dinner last night my host mom made salmon that was absolutely amazing!

Painting our Daruma. We had to concentrate a lot!

We used red, black, and gold paint

We got to pick the right Chinese character on the Daruma

This family has been making Daruma for 4 generations

Pierson family and Kyoko

Next we went to conveyor-belt sushi restaurant

Jack ate 19 plates of sushi plus desserts!

Making Rice Crackers over the hot flame. Don't let them burn!

Everyone made great rice crackers (osenbei)

Then we had free time to go to used bookstore, games store, and dollar store. Now we have another night with our Host family!

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 showed them Duck-Duck-Goose game

We talked about Wisconsin and Eau Claire, all in Japanese!

Rhythm class

Answering questions about our favorite Japanese or American foods

Today was Handstand practice in Gym

Science class using microscopes

First graders loved to see our photos

Play Rock-Paper-Scissors, then losers tag behind the winners!

Everyone had fun doing Chicken Dance!

We showed them Duck Duck Goose game

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

Everyone is doing great so far.

Monday, June 13, 2016

Day 2 & 3 Hostfamily Time

Here are our highlights of the weekend with our Host Families.

Cory:

Went to Shimizu Park and ate yaki-niku for dinner
We went to a park and played some ball
Best meal was the bread we bought because I was a little tired of Japanese food.
The host-father is a really good cook.

Jack:

Went to Bonsai museum. Ate soba noodles. Went to Kindergarten with kids
Went to Grandparent's house and ate nagai-somen (long noodles).
Best food I had was melon bread
Had lots of fun with little brothers, they are amazing!

Zach:

Saturday: Best parts were Dollar store shopping, grocery store, book store, ate beef tongue and squid onigiri (rice balls)
Sunday: played lots of Uno. Went to Edo museum, dressed up as a samurai.
Best food: Homemade tuna sushi
Best dessert: Tea ceremony sweets
Best host-siblings ever, so cute and fun!

Diane:

Went to the ocean in Chiba
Went to host sister's Karate class
Went to host sister's soroban (abacus) class
Went to host sister's calligraphy class
Went to flower viewing festival
Went to host grandmother's house
Best meal: Yakisoba
Best dessert: Taiyaki
Best fun was playing with host kids & dog and Grandma's 3 cats

Dayne:

I met the 17-year-old's friends and we went to Karaoke. I found out that I can't sing. They can sing really well, I was impressed.
Played soccer at the local shrine until dinner. It was really nice to try all the traditional Japanese foods.
Next day we went to largest mall in Japan (Aeon Lake Town). It was huge and we made our own sushi for dinner.
Host family little kids were really nice!

Keith:

Saturday: went to Dollar store, saw the town, ate soba and udon. Played soccer with the host kids. BBQ with Zach's host family.
Sunday: Went to Tokyo and did a lot of things.
Best food: Green tea soba
Best dessert: Manju (anka)
Best family time: BBQ day was fun and my host family is super cool!

Ryan:

Saturday: Ate Udon and went to Chiba Castle. Children taught me about Japanese idols.
Sunday: Went to Bonsai museum and 100 Yen (Dollar) shop, ate miso soup, played with kids. *Woke up to earthquake
Best food: Udon, and matcha ice cream
Best host family experience: Host family taught me a lot of Japanese words

Hannah:

Saturday I went to Okinawa festival. There was really cool dancing
Sunday: Met granddaughter. We did a photo booth and Karaoke. We sang all English songs (Bruno Mars, Disney)
Best food: Onigiri, and a pork sandwich
Best hostfamily time: I'm really glad I met their Granddaughter Chiko

Friday, June 10, 2016

Day 1 We are in Japan

Japan Trip 2016 Crew:

Hannah, Diane, Jack, Keith, Cory, Zach, Ryan and Dayne , Nagai-sensei and Zurn-sensei.

and Mrs. Pierson & Family :)

We made it! We are in JAPAN!

Everything about the flight went really smooth . Weather is great, not too humid.

in the train

We took 3 trains about 2 hours from Narita (Tokyo) Airport.

Between the train we stopped by the Japanese bakery

Everyone went home with their host family. Hope they will have a great time with their host family for weekend. See you Monday !

Monday, February 15, 2016

J-Quiz 2016 Memorial High School 2nd and 3rd place!!!

2nd place team:

Jack, Ryan and Keith

3rd place team:

Hannah, Zach and Cory

Our Eau Claire Team : Two teams from Memorial High School, One Team from North High School

On Saturday, February 13 2016, 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/2016/01/j-quiz-2016/>