Summer in Japan

There is just so much to do and see in summer.  If only I could show you all the moments that I've captured.

Hanabi - fireworks - are huge in Japan.  Turns out they started in Asia so I suppose it makes sense.  The fireworks I have seen here in Japan are like none other.  If you wanted to, and you could stand the crowds, you could see a fireworks display somewhere in Tokyo every weekend during the summer.  A show will last for an entire hour and every twenty minutes, you think it is the grand finale.  But let me tell you, when the finale happens, there is no missing it.  When you know, you know.


Yukatas, traditional Japanese summer dress, are the norm for fireworks festival.  Turns out, they are quite complicated to master.  Thankfully, Hiromi San used to style yukatas and kimonos professionally and offered to dress us for the hanabi festival in Shin-Urayasu.  Definitely a privilege.

Tae and I spent a day out of the city at the Narita Yume Sunflower Farm.  It was a day full of things I would not really associate with Japan: archery, jam-making, and cow-milking (I left that one to Tae).  We went during the hottest week of the summer and being inland certainly didn't help with the dizzying humidity.  Ice cream, however, is always a good remedy.

 Eric's visit to Tokyo was one of the many high points of the summer!  After a business trip around Asia, he was able to stay and visit for a weekend.  There wasn't enough time to do it all, but we came pretty close for the amount of time we had!  And speaking of fireworks, we spent the first night of our weekend at the most amazing fireworks spectacle.  Yep, it was a spectacle.

Fingers crossed that he'll be able to visit again.  Until then...technology.

Sushi at the Tsukiji Fish Market with Danielle

This one.  Amie.  We met three weeks ago in the elevator her first week at Hope Church.  I was surprised when native California English came out of her mouth and have been so refreshed by her each time we've gotten together since.  She'll be here for quite a few years, but we'll have to pack our Japanese friendship into the five months of my remaining time here.  There are those people that you just click with and she is one of them!