New Year's in Japan... so far 1/7/09

We've been in Japan for about a week and a half... and have been pretty busy seeing family, friends, and partaking in the New Years events. I tried to grab photos from each of the highlights, but have missed a few. I don't have my computer with the photo processing tools, so please "look past" the poor cropping and color imbalances. But enough of the disclaimers - on to our trip so far...

We arrived on December 27th and were greeted by Hiroe's family at the airport. My request was sushi at the airport, so that is what we did. It was great! After a long bus ride to Takasaki, Junior had a great surprise awaiting, a welcome cake. It was very delicious (even for breakfast), and hopefully Junior was able to enjoy it via his mother's milk.















Everyone took turns greeting Junior. He even got bounced by Grandpa.





























Tiger Joe, Kaho, and Junior...


















The next few days were spent relaxing and enjoying the free time. I got help reading my book.


















Junior got lots of tummy time...












... and even some lounging time.












We had a great meal on New Years Eve (one thing I didn't get photos of). At about 12:30 AM we headed for a shrine (or Temple, I get them confused sometimes) in the mountains of Takasaki.












Here we are after giving a few coins to the gods. Yes, Junior is in the picture - you can kind of see his hood.












There are a lot of festivities - some of which we missed since we got there late to avoid the crowds.


















And lots of food. Here a Chocolate Covered Banana vendor was offering Tiger Joe three bananas for a taste of his potato. Tiger Joe declined.












Then on New Years Day we had another great meal at home. Junior is in this picture too. Hint: he's the only one eating.












On January 2nd we had lunch with Hiroe's friends from her Takasaki school. There was a fantastic variety of food.












































On January 3rd there is a traditional family meal. While the food is traditionally Japanese, Hiroe volunteered to make an American meal for the family. She was up well into the night preparing the various dishes.


















And it turned out great. I think everyone enjoyed her cooking (including cheese cake for dessert)!


















The next day we went to Tokyo to visit Anton and Kana. Prior to joining them, we decided to check out Ginza. Here is Hiroe and Junior enjoying the street scene.












And enjoying the food as well.












Anton and Junior.












On the 6th we went to the Daruma Doll Temple. This is where you bring your old Daruma dolls at the end of the year and pick up a new one to make a new wish.












There are plenty of Daruma Doll vendors...

























Hiroe bought one for Junior.


















There are also many other ways to write down your wish or prayer. One can buy a wooden placard and write a wish on it, then hang it here.












Hiroe making a wish.












Tiger Joe asking for good health for his Grandpa.





































And then there is the food. It's eerily like the Minnesota State Fair. The Japanese version is much more healthy, though.






































Cookies for the kids.












Kaho waiting for her cookie to be decorated.


















Doraemon donuts?


















And frankfurters for Hiroe and Tiger Joe.































Hiroe's Doraemon sucker. Tiger Joe said she should give the heart to me. Then he said, "Oh, wait, you're already married."


















Hiroe finished the day with two bags of cotton candy.












In her dreams... one bag was Tiger Joe's.












Today we went to a shrine to get a good luck prayer for Junior. I understood the Minneapolis part and the Junior part, but that was about it. Junior liked the drums.































































More to come...