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Michelle & Chizuko (Jessica)
Japan, August 2006

Japan 2006

August 2006 - Michelle's Visit to Japan ... travel summary and photos.


1-Our group @ Amer Pop Night at Omori Bellport, 2-view of Omori Bellport,

3-Michelle & Reiko (Rei-chan), 4-Michelle & Ladies at workshop

5-Michelle & Ladies, 6-Michelle @ Narita Airport, Japan

7-Michelle at Asakusa Center, 8- Asakusa Temple

9-Chizuko, Michelle, Masae & Sister, 10-Ladies in kimono at Omori Bellport

11-Chizuko & "the hat" at the market, 12-Michelle @ Asakusa tower

13-Chizuko & her Mom, Yoshiko, 14-Michelle & Henry (dog) @ Sister's House "Mr/Mrs Saeki"

My trip to Japan, August 2006
This was a most amazing trip! On relatively short notice (in order to coordinate with my friend Chizuko's Japan visit) this trip was arranged with a workshop and dance plus a most necessary trip to Tokyo Disneyland ... only to the shops as I did not have time to go to the parks (that will be on my next visit ... and I will definitely visit again).

We left San Francisco on Tuesday morning, August 1st and arrived at Narita, Japan Airport on Wednesday afternoon. Wow ... before I even arrived there I lost 1 day. We took the train to Chizuko's Mother's house in Chiba prefecture ... about 40 minutes by train. The trains are amazingly fast and efficient ... and right on time. You can go pretty much anywhere on the trains and with much more ease than trying to drive on the crowded roadways where they drive on the wrong side of the road and the steering wheel is on the opposite side of the car from ours here in the US. We rested, had a traditional Japanese dinner prepared by Chizuko's Mother and then walked around the town that evening.

On Thursday, August 3 ... I awoke in peaceful surroundings and to a beautiful traditional Japanese breakfast prepared by Chizuko's mother - it was wonderful (oishii). Shortly after breakfast Hiro Suzuki, my friend and workshop coordinator in Tokyo, picked me up, took me to the shops at Tokyo Disneyland (where I spent lots of yen), then to lunch and ending up at the workshop location (southern part of Tokyo). The workshops were great and the people were so warm and friendly. I was so happy to meet all of them and have the opportunity to work with them on their dancing. Some spoke english, and most understood a bit. Luckily dance is a universal language and it translates beautifully to all ... it was a fabulous experience.

After the workshops we went to dinner. We had a nice walk a few blocks from the studio to a coffee shop-type of restaurant. I will remember this always ... so much fun ... and the different foods I tried ... and the wine. I didn't want to leave this absolutely fun group ... but I had to catch a train back to the little town at Shizu Station. Thank you Hiro for making sure I got on the correct train ... and thank goodness for cel phones and a good sense of direction. What should have been about a 45 minute train ride turned into a 2-hour adventure. Well, at least I got to see several different train stations and I got to practice my Japanese. This train ride was an adventure and will remain one of my most memorable experiences!

Friday, Chizuko took me sightseeing to Tokyo in 98 degree weather and 90 percent humidity (I think she was trying to kill me - smile). This was reported as being some of the hottest weather they have ever had in Tokyo. Apparently August is not the best month to visit Japan - weather-wise! We saw so many wonderful places in Asakusa and Ueno areas. Around 4pm we checked into the beautiful Shinagawa Prince Hotel in the southwestern part of Tokyo. We met up with my friend, Masae, (who I had met in San Francisco) and her sister for a drink. They traveled all the way from Osaka just to come and visit with me and bring me lots of presents ... I love that Japanese custom! Then it was off to go dancing to the American Pop Night Dance at the beautiful Omori Bell Port Atrium. This dance draws about 200 people and is mostly country western line dancing but the live music was great for west coast swing, hustle and night club two step which we did with our couples dance group. I even taught a west coast swing line dance which many of us did there -- what fun!

Saturday Chizuko and I had breakfast in the hotel with Masae and her Sister then it was off for another day of sightseeing as we walked all over the Shinjuku area in that same hot, humid weather as yesterday (it was so hot that I almost passed out! ... thank goodness they were giving out fans at one of the train stations). Among all this I was able to fit in teaching a private lesson in a studio near Megro Station. What a cute studio that was, tucked away in amongst the many buildings. We had a fun time and then it was back to Chiba for Japanese dinner at Chizuko's Sister's, packing and to get some rest before our return flight home.

Sunday we had another tasty traditional Japanese breakfast, finished packing, walked around the little town for a last look and to take some photos, had a traditional Japanese noodle lunch with specially prepared sushi at Chizuko's Sister's house and then boarded the train for Narita Airport. We left Japan Sunday afternoon and arrived in San Francisco on Sunday morning ... gaining that lost day back.

This was a short 5-day trip but what a wonderful experience! Many thanks to Chizuko for inviting me to travel with her ... without that encouragement I most likely would not have gone to Japan for probably several more years and would never have had the chance to experience a typical Japanese lifestyle. Also, my thanks to Chizuko's Mother, Sister and family for their superb hospitality while I was in their homes. My gratitude to Hiro Suzuki for arranging the workshop and for his friendship and guidance while there. And finally ... to all the wonderful people I met on this trip ... these friendships and experiences I will keep forever.

Until I see you again ... Arigato Gozaimasu!
Michelle