After a nice Golden Week break, it was lovely to see you all back at Playgroup this morning. Fumiko chan is still the best dancer in Tokyo, Sakura chan takes "pretty in pink" to a whole new level, Daniel still the grumpiest two year old on the planet and Kyoka chan still throwing excellent poses for the camera:)
Our snacktime eikawa topic was "Golden Week Adventures". Where did you go? What did you do? Any recommendations fro the group? Our Playgroup really is the BEST source of "day-trip" advice I know: So here follows a brief summary of our trips and trots about Tokyo and beyond.....
1. Kowaba mura in Gunma ken - where you can "foster" an apple tree and take care of it for and entire year. For your pruning troubles, you will be rewarded with its juicy fruit, which of course you should pick yourself. Everyone seemed really enthusiastic about this place. SO have a browse through the website for contact details of 川場村りんご園
http://itp.ne.jp/contents/kankonavi/gunma/mikaku/gun_mik07.html
2. Kasai Rinkai Park 葛西臨海公園
Built on reclaimed land, this enormaous plark features a bird sanctuary, an aquarium and a ferris wheel. There are man-made paddling pools but you can "fish" for shellfish. And best of all, its only twenty minutes from Komaba in the car. If you take a wrong turn, the worst can happen is you'll find yourself in Disneyland (it's one turn before Disneyland!). Eitherway, you and your kids will have blast!
http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index026.html
3. Yokohama's Hikawa Maru 氷川丸 & Chinatown. This 12,000 tonne boat anchored in Yokohama harbour at Yamashita Park, was used from 1930 to 1960. Kids can clamber about and "steer" the boat from the Captain's cabin. And a trip to Yokohama of course wouldnt be complete without some tasty Chinese snacks. Gyoza and Nikuman...OISHIIII!
4. Shimoda on the Izu peninsula. Long before Yokohama, Shimoda welcomed the first American ship to Japan. This lovely seaside town is only 3 hours from Tokyo, it has postcard-like torquise blue-green waters, white sand at Shirahama and of course an excellent "floating" aquarium for the kids. Have a look at this website and you'll want to go!
http://www.izu.co.jp/~p-boo/
And thats all for now...... I'll look forward to seeing you all next week for Kyoka chans's brithday party. We are planning on having (and eating!) LOTS of cake:)
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