Mt. Fuji...finally!

I have finally seen Mt. Fuji! And it only took three separate trips to do so, but I think I appreciated it that much more.

This past weekend I went up to Fujinomiya with my friend Danielle to meet another ALT, Ashley, who lives and works in the shadow of Japan's most famous mountain. She took us around to some scenic sights on Saturday - Lake Tanuki, Shiraito Falls, and a temple whose name I have forgotten but is easily the largest temple I have yet to see in Japan. Of course it was still kind of cloudy so my pictures from that day aren't the greatest. You can't see the tip top of Fuji in them.

After a long day of walking and sight-seeing we headed to the local onsen - hana no yu - to soak our sore feet and legs. I couldn't get over that Ashley gets a Mt. Fuji view AND an onsen in her town. Tahara is nice but I think she wins when it comes to job placements!

On Sunday, I got up early and took a walk since the best time to see Fuji is in the morning. Turns out I didn't need to be worried because later in the day we headed to a local sake brewery in town for their yearly festival and had a perfect view. We drank and ate and relaxed under its shadow. Then it was back on the train and ready to work on Monday morning.

It was a great weekend with friends, Fuji, and sake. Thanks to Ashley for her hospitality! Because of her I can go home this summer knowing I've seen Japan's most famous mountain. It's definitely Japan's number one icon and I finally know why. ;)


The view from Ashley's bedroom window. I'm soooo jealous!




Early Sat. afternoon we were having no luck so we had some Mt. Fuji cookies instead.


Shiraito Falls


I've tried a Wasabi Kit Kat but there was no way I was trying Wasabi ice cream but it's a specialty in Shizuoka prefecture.


How awesome would this picture be if you could see the top of Fuji? le sigh!


Lucky for me there was other beautiful scenery to look at.


On my walk Sunday morning. A very peaceful and relaxing way to start the day.






My friend Danielle at the sake festival.




Onegaishimasu!






These guys had more fun than we did. ;-)


My favorite picture of the weekend.

卒業式

Today was graduation or sotsugyoushiki. My ninth graders are moving up to the big and scary world of high school. In the next couple of weeks they'll be taking high school entrance exams and choosing which high school they want to attend. And to celebrate that next step in life we had a two hour ceremony in a freezing cold gym with a few songs, several very boring speeches, and not one person who did a back flip when they received their certificate (unlike at an American graduation ceremony forever fixed in my memory.)





I thought I might cry since when I started this job these kids had just started junior high but the shivering cold of the gym and the intense boredom that comes with listening to speeches in a language you don't understand overrode any extreme emotions. The picture taking session in the courtyard after and the amazing bento lunch the teachers ate together later when the students had left made up for the uncomfortable morning. (Seriously amazing food and so much of it I won't need to eat dinner tonight!)

Good luck to my kiddies! Ganbatte kudasai!




Momo-sensei in her hakama - a special kimono worn at graduation. (But only by the 9th grade female teachers.)