Happy Halloween!

It's Halloween Day here in Japan! The base will be full of trick-or-treaters tonight starting at 1630!

Hope everyone has a spoooooooooky Halloween!!

Halloween!!

John and I went to a bar on base to participate in a costume contest. John was a dancing robot from a popular music video and I was a gun (third year in a row)....

John was in the top two costumes for the night. The winner ended up giving him her prize which was an iPod Shuffle. We have no need for one so we gave it to our friend. There were lots of Japanese nationals as well and for a holiday that is not theirs they have a firm grasp on how it works..

Many of the Japanese women dressed as cats. There were lots of witches and comic book characters and of course a menagerie of short skirted interpretations of fairy tale characters. It was a lot of fun and we ended up spending $40 for the whole night. Two people...$40...all because we stayed on the American base. Out in town a night out for two is $130. So we were pleased!

Enjoy some pictures:




























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Snow Monkeys!

John and I are in the process of making reservations to go on an overnight trip to see the snow monkey hot springs. The trip will be December 24th and 25th and will mark our fist destination Christmas. Info about the snow monkeys can be found here:

http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/livecam/monkey/index.htm
http://www.yudanaka-shibuonsen.com/snow_monkey_jigokudani_monkey_park

More details as I know! This means we will definitely be having a white Christmas!

Kamakura Fish!

If you ever come visit me, I'll probably take you to Kamakura. Right outside the Kamakura train station and to the right is a little stand that sells these fish. The outside is a puffy pastry very similar to a pancake or waffle. Inside is a creamy filling. This filling is custard. It's my favorite. I was having such a rough day John picked me up 16 of them.

Other flavors include chocolate, pumpkin spice, jelly, bean curd (least fave as its really pasty) and no filling. You buy the fish in bundles of 16, 24 or 36. When they're warmed it's like a warm pancake. They're also cheap which is a plus for Japan!
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Yokosuka Sushi Rollers!

The Yokosuka Sushi Rollers had their first derby bout last Sunday. It was the first derby bout of its kind to be done on the main island of Japan (Honshu). Many people from base were in attendance along with many Japanese skate enthusiast. One Japanese man in particular assists with the Derby Rollers training on a regular basis. He also owns his own professional skate park and training school in Tokyo. I didn't participate in the bout because I haven't gone to practice in a long time. The practice hours are in the morning about 20 minutes from my home. I am now comfortable enough driving in Japan that once we get a second car I'll be attending practice as much as possible.We hope to have a second car in November if everything goes smoothly. Here's some bout pictures:

Mikoshi Parade Float - Series #4

Taiko Drummers - Mikoshi Parade - Series #4

Dragon at Mikoshi Parade - Mikoshi Series #3

Mikoshi Parrade - #3 - Mikoshi Series #3

Mikoshi Parade Dance - Mikoshi Series #2

Navy's Mikoshi Float - Mikoshi Series #2

One of the first floats in the parade!

Start of Mikoshi Parade

Mikoshi Parade!

Yesterday we went out to the Yokosuka Mikoshi Parade! The mikoshi is a Japanese parade float. It's made of real hardwood, gold and other REALLY heavy items. Each neighborhood has a mikoshi and the people of the neighborhood take turns carrying the mikoshi. There are people  who walk alongside the floats and as the carriers become tired they ask to be "tagged out." Fresh carriers also walk alongside the float and jump in when someone needs a break. A traditional mikoshi parade goes to an area where parade participants enjoy refreshments. The parade then continues back to the place of origin. John and I have seen small neighboorhood mikoshi parades, but nothing like yesterday. I have video and pictures. Here's the pictures and I'll post a couple of videos a day:

The VIPs of Yokosuka, including the Captain of the US naval base.

The start of the parade.

Helping keep the float steady.

Traditional wear.

A lady asks to be tagged out.

In a display of strength, they bounce the mikoshi.

Yokosuka 34th Mikoshi Parade

I'm doing this on Sunday. It starts at 10am at Shioiri Station! Hope to see some Yokosuka people there!