Outbound to Gufu + Tokyo Japan, Day 8 of 19, October 11, 2017 Judy M, Helen F, Roz W
By: Judy M
I was looking forward to visiting the elementary school on our schedule and contributing to our blog, but our host had other plans when he and a friend picked up Kathy and me in Takayama. They took us off on a scenic mountain tour. So we went with the flow.
We spent the night in a small hotel called U - Me near a ski resort somewhere in the mountains.
The exuberant owner instructed us on using the Japanese bath & soaking tub we had heard so much about before. Then downstairs to a multi-course dinner.
There was another multi-course breakfast the following morning, but I was growing concerned about getting back to the elementary school tour. It was looking like we would still be going with the flow.
We waved goodbye to the owner and drove off on more scenic tour. We enjoyed a stop in Hida where their museum displayed floats similar to the ones in the parade in Takayama. They showed a 3-D movie.
As we wandered the streets, we saw a lot of Koi.
We accidentally came upon a tour group entering a sake factory and somehow managed to attach our foursome to it.
Overall we enjoyed seeing the villages and beautiful countryside, and had a lovely dinner out (our treat) when we got back, but I missed the elementary school visit.
I hope someone else who went on the elementary school tour will share.
**********
By: Helen F
We were invited to visit the Souden Elementary School, a real treat. Four of us went to each classroom.
In the sixth grade classroom, after singing a welcome song, the children invited Helen, Donna, Barbara, and Nancy to sit with them.
Each child introduced himself in English and told us one thing about himself, such as “I play soccer” or “I like mathematics.” They showed us their textbooks and then got out origami papers and began to instruct us, step by step, in making origami creations.
Lunch was the most interesting demonstration of how the children learn to serve and clean up. Each classroom received pots of rice, vegetables, and fish, milk cartons, and little packages of soy nuts, and the children whose turn it was to serve put on white gowns, face masks, and rubber gloves and served each plate.
Each child has his own placemat, cup, chopsticks, and toothbrush brought from home. We ate with the children, and for most of us it was more food than we could eat.
Before they can go out to recess, each of them brushes their teeth. The boys played a game of Rock, Scissors, Paper to determine who would wash the dishes. Then the children cleaned up everything and carried the pots and utensils back to the kitchen.
Two of the sixth grade boys took us on a tour of the school, showing us the computer room, art room, etc. Helen was most impressed when one of the sixth grade boys stopped to explain the periodic table of the elements ― in English!
After the school, we went to the Great Buddha Hall of Shobo-Ji Temple, a wooden structure 45 feet high, built in late 19th century. Around the Buddha are maybe 60 or more carved statues of the elders.
In the evening, ambassadors took their hosts to dinner. Helen and Donna took Kyoko to Bronco Billy’s, a western steak place.
**********
Today was our last full day with our Gifu hosts. We had a great day all day with our new friends. We are now family and it is with both joy and sadness that we are in our last day.
After breakfast we had a mahjong lesson from our host Hiro-san in his tea room. The “low” table in the tea room had a foot well with a foot warmer in the floor so we did not have to sit like pretzels on the floor.
At 10:30 am we drove to the lovely home of the Noriko and Osamu Kurokawa for a day of cultural immersion with help of Noriko’s friends Masako, - Ikebana, Umiko - Kimono, and Massyo - After dinner Hula.
A table full of cut flowers and greenery was laid out on the dinning room table. Masako taught us first lesson of Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging. We were all guided through the process of creating our own arrangements.
Up next was traditional Japanese dress. Umiko directed the process of dressing in a Kimono. It was quite involved and required a half hour and three assistants to dress Roz.
For the men the process was a little faster or perhaps it just seemed shorter as they were in fine spirits as they had been drinking something?? while the women were being dressed. Our Japanese Hosts were busily preparing a beautiful lunch.
After lunch we returned to “class” to practice calligraphy. We were each given a traditional brush and black ink and instructed on brush stroke techniques. Not as easy as our hosts made it look! We practiced a few characters and finally wrote our names in Katakana.
After cleaning up our work area, our hosts filled the dinning table with a variety of Japanese food for a farewell dinner.
A special treat was a Hula performance by Masayo who has studied Hawaiian dance.
In Friendship and Peace
Go with the Flow, Visit to Elementary School, Japanese Culture, Farewell Dinners
Group 1: AM: visit elementary school, lunch at school. PM: sightseeing in Gifu
I was looking forward to visiting the elementary school on our schedule and contributing to our blog, but our host had other plans when he and a friend picked up Kathy and me in Takayama. They took us off on a scenic mountain tour. So we went with the flow.
We spent the night in a small hotel called U - Me near a ski resort somewhere in the mountains.
There was another multi-course breakfast the following morning, but I was growing concerned about getting back to the elementary school tour. It was looking like we would still be going with the flow.
We waved goodbye to the owner and drove off on more scenic tour. We enjoyed a stop in Hida where their museum displayed floats similar to the ones in the parade in Takayama. They showed a 3-D movie.
As we wandered the streets, we saw a lot of Koi.
We accidentally came upon a tour group entering a sake factory and somehow managed to attach our foursome to it.
Overall we enjoyed seeing the villages and beautiful countryside, and had a lovely dinner out (our treat) when we got back, but I missed the elementary school visit.
I hope someone else who went on the elementary school tour will share.
**********
Group 1 - Visit to elementary school
By: Helen F
We were invited to visit the Souden Elementary School, a real treat. Four of us went to each classroom.
Each child introduced himself in English and told us one thing about himself, such as “I play soccer” or “I like mathematics.” They showed us their textbooks and then got out origami papers and began to instruct us, step by step, in making origami creations.
Lunch was the most interesting demonstration of how the children learn to serve and clean up. Each classroom received pots of rice, vegetables, and fish, milk cartons, and little packages of soy nuts, and the children whose turn it was to serve put on white gowns, face masks, and rubber gloves and served each plate.
Each child has his own placemat, cup, chopsticks, and toothbrush brought from home. We ate with the children, and for most of us it was more food than we could eat.
Before they can go out to recess, each of them brushes their teeth. The boys played a game of Rock, Scissors, Paper to determine who would wash the dishes. Then the children cleaned up everything and carried the pots and utensils back to the kitchen.
Two of the sixth grade boys took us on a tour of the school, showing us the computer room, art room, etc. Helen was most impressed when one of the sixth grade boys stopped to explain the periodic table of the elements ― in English!
After the school, we went to the Great Buddha Hall of Shobo-Ji Temple, a wooden structure 45 feet high, built in late 19th century. Around the Buddha are maybe 60 or more carved statues of the elders.
In the evening, ambassadors took their hosts to dinner. Helen and Donna took Kyoko to Bronco Billy’s, a western steak place.
**********
Group 2: Japanese Cultural Day and Farewell Dinner
By: Roz W |
| Our Home Hosts - Two not pictured |
Today was our last full day with our Gifu hosts. We had a great day all day with our new friends. We are now family and it is with both joy and sadness that we are in our last day.
At 10:30 am we drove to the lovely home of the Noriko and Osamu Kurokawa for a day of cultural immersion with help of Noriko’s friends Masako, - Ikebana, Umiko - Kimono, and Massyo - After dinner Hula.
 |
| Entrance Hall Atrium |
A table full of cut flowers and greenery was laid out on the dinning room table. Masako taught us first lesson of Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging. We were all guided through the process of creating our own arrangements.
 |
| Andy has a knack for arranging learned from his mom. |
 |
| We are pleased with our creations, skillfully guided by our teachers. |
Up next was traditional Japanese dress. Umiko directed the process of dressing in a Kimono. It was quite involved and required a half hour and three assistants to dress Roz.
For the men the process was a little faster or perhaps it just seemed shorter as they were in fine spirits as they had been drinking something?? while the women were being dressed. Our Japanese Hosts were busily preparing a beautiful lunch.
 |
| Group 2 Homestay Hosts |
After cleaning up our work area, our hosts filled the dinning table with a variety of Japanese food for a farewell dinner.
 |
| Often Japanese homes have floor hatches in the kitchen for extra storage |
 |
| A Special Tempura Pot |
 |
KAMPAI! |
A special treat was a Hula performance by Masayo who has studied Hawaiian dance.
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