The deer park and Todaiji statue -- ETHAN

The Deer Park  And The Todaiji Statue 

--ETHAN

Yesterday we went to the deer park. I was so excited we could go because I imagined that it would look cool and it was cool. We bought food for the deer at a little stand. They were like crackers for deer. They look crunchy. The deer looked like they were hot because it was over 90 degrees and 86 percent humidity. They hid under a tree for shade. Then we got tickets to see the Todaiji (giant Buddha) statue. It was GIGANTIC! I can't believe that they could make that over one thousand years ago!

We stayed in a kominka that is 250 years old which means it was made in the 1760s!  There is a statue in the yard made out of giant stone!

Nara: Deer Park and Daibutsu!!--Izzy

Going to Nara: The Deer Park and Daibutsu Statue By Izzy

8-6-17

Today we went to Nara. We took the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nara and Yuji's friend Matsumoto-san and his daughter Madoka-san picked us up at the train station. We parked and walked to see a temple and to go to the Shika Kōen (deer park). We bought some packs of deer crackers to feed to the deer. We also walked to see the Daibutsu, which is a giant statue of Buddha. I got a few gifts for my friends, and then we walked to the Isuien Garden. We saw some polywogs in the water and stopped at a cafe to get something to drink. All of the kids got ice cream and I also tried the green tea ice cream. The ice cream was delicious! 

We walked around and then walked to get dinner. We were walking and I saw some cat sculptures. There was a little shop and it was open so I immediately went in. I was so excited when I saw that everything inside was cat themed!!!😻 I ended up getting a little cat, a keychain, and a pin a which will be a present for a friend. I was in HEAVEN in that store!!! I love cats sooooooooooo much!!! The man that owns the shop gave me a free cat chopstick rest because I got a few things! That was a very awesome store!

Today was a very hot day- we all were very sweaty!!! We stayed at Yuji's house in Nara and it was very beautiful. I slept in the room a famous shogun slept in over 200 years ago!! The house is 250 years old!!

Going To Hiroshima!--ETHAN

On Monday, August 7 we went to Hiroshima. We took the Green car which is SUPER nice bullet train there. First we went on one for 15 minutes then we on one for an hour and thirty minutes .While we were in the train  we went through a mountain and it took ten minutes to get out of the tunnel. My mom got a typhoon (hurricane) alert and the typhoon is called Typhoon 5. Me and V were excited but Izzy was scared. We didn't see it but it made it cooler.  

We got an Air B and B in Hiroshima. Then we went to the Peace Park which has a bunch of memorials and it had a dome that got bombed in the world war 2. We saw a picture of before and after and it is super cool. I wish we could go inside but there are no floors. There is a statue for Sadako. She was a girl that was effected by the bomb when she was 2 and died when she was 12. Her goal was to fold a thousand paper cranes to get better, but before could finish she died. The was also a museum we went to and it told you about the Atomic bomb and the dangers of nuclear weapons. There was some very creepy pictures. I saw one where a girl had a giant scar on her face.  The bomb's middle part was about as hot as the surface of the sun and maybe even hotter. Everybody in the building disappeared because it was so hot.

Our First Day In Japan!!--Izzy

                         Our First Day In Japan!! By Izzy

8-5-17

Today was our first full day in Japan. My family came here with our friends, the Vegas. We arrived yesterday and took 3 trains to get to the house in Kamakura. We are staying in one of Yuji's houses and it is so beautiful! Today we took 3 trains to get to Yokohama which is where the Ramen Museum is. We looked around at the ramen museum and went downstairs to go the restaurants. I had tonkotsu ramen and apple juice. It was very delicious!!!!👍😻 I bought a little horse key chain and a small woodstock key chain for my friend Marissa. Next, we walked to the train station and went shopping. Ethan, Vincent, and I got ice cream that had cotton candy around the cone. It was a very delicious combination!!! 

At a store called Loft, I got a small Sumikko Gurashi cat and a bed for her. Everything there was SOOOOOO cute and I wanted to get so many things. I also got a small Snoopy book filled with stickers and sticky notes for Marissa. We took the trains back to the house and I took a bath with Cia and we sat in the soaking tub. We had a delicious dinner!!

This was my delicious lunch!

This is the ice cream with cotton candy. 

The Ramen museum and Arriving in Japan -- ETHAN

THE RAMEN MUSEUM AND ARRIVING IN JAPAN!

Yesterday we arrived in Japan. We arrived at night so we didn't get to do anything. The only thing we did after the plane ride was sit on trains for 2 hours and 30 minuets. It wasn't very fun but I got a grape fizzy drink and it tasted so good!

Today we went to the Ramen Museum in Yokohama.  We had to stand in line for thirty minuets

but is was worth it because the RAMEN was SO good.  At the ramen museum store I got a train and at the mall I got an Ice Cream cone wrapped in cotton candy. It was SO good! Also I got a new Polar bear plushie. He is SO soft.

For dinner we had Japanese curry and Yakisoba. Reiko and Fumiko made it. It was delicious!

Leaving for Japan Today--Izzy

                     Leaving for Japan Today By Izzy

8-3-17

Today we are leaving for Japan. We are departing at 1:30 and I am so EXCITED!!!! I am most excited to go to the Ghibli Museum  in Tokyo and to the Deer Park in Nara. I love the Ghibli movies and I am looking forward to seeing and learning lots of awesome things there. I am so excited to see the deer as well. I'm also excited to go on the bullet trains and see Mount Fuji. Our friend, Ju, asked me to look for the craziest fashion and take a picture of that. Ethan's job is to look for the craziest tech. Lucas wants us to look for the cutest plushie. Stay tuned for the pictures!! 

We leave for Japan today! --Ethan

I am excited to go to Japan. I'm excited to ride the bullet train, and see Mount Fuji on the bullet. Also I am excited to climb monkey mountain. There are supposed to be a lot of monkeys there but we will see!  I can't wait to eat  Ika ( SQUID).  Stay tuned for our adventures in Japan!