Hello everyone! As most of you know, I have little time left in Japan now! I leave on the 28th July, and pretty much right up until that point I am blessed with days of lectures, exams, and presentations. As well as work, I also have lots of packing/cleaning/cancelling to do … all great fun. However, I was able to get away from it all last weekend thanks to Takahiro, who invited me to stay at his house for the weekend! He lives in Tochigi, way out of Tokyo – completely different, and all very relaxing! I had the best weekend!
Here are some photo highlights!
Firstly, here’s Takahiro’s house!
Some yummy food to welcome me!
So that was Friday night… Oh there was a Ghibli film on TV…
Bright and early in the morning, Takahiro’s mum ushered me outside to see this! They only come twice a year! They go round every house, with this portable shrine.
There was also this little van, with lots of young traditional musicians in, toddling around!
After that original awakening, we went off for a bit of shopping. One of Takahiro’s favourite shops was Humpty Dumpty, you can see the egg on top!
Starting in the early evening, we had a barbecue! I am a veggie, but that wasn’t a problem at ALL, there were lots of vegetables and fish! So yummy!
Here is Masahiro – Takahiro’s brother!
So that was the barbecue! It carried on into the dark but … it was dark so I didn’t take any photos 
Breakfast the next morning was yummy!!
Takahiro’s dad was making soba noodles from scratch out the back so I went and took photos – I tried not to be to obtrusive, I was tempted to ask to try but the knife was so big I decided it was just not safe!
… and the finished product!
Lots of really pretty dragonflies out in the garden!
This plant was in the garden – there were old coins on it, some of them really old!
Fujimaru-san the dog was as cute as ever!
Sunday afternoon we cycled to the park, it was all pretty idyllic although it did start to rain quite drastically!
Takahiro’s mum provided us with heaps of sushi before we set off back to Tokyo on Sunday evening! Yumyum!
I bought a t-shirt – I love Tochigi!
Glad you made the time to have some fun before you leave as I know you’ll be going made with sorting everything for coming home! Didn’t realise it was so soon now, doesn’t seem that long ago since you left.
Got to have a good catch up when you get back when you can
By: Ben on July 14, 2010
at 3:43 am