My Garden on the Final Morning

With just a few hours for reflection, Laura and I wandered in our garden at the hotel. Sayonara Tokyo and Japan! This trip has been an experience of a lifetime. Thank you to the Japanese government and to the Dunham School Board of Trustees for making it possible!

Kim Wilding
JFMF Recipient
November 1,2008

Final Night

Our trip was about to end. We all posed for a final picture. Our Miyazaki Group bonded so well, even though we were a very diverse group.

Good-Bye Kids

Our time was over....farewell kids!

Video of Balance Beam

PE in Kindergarten

PE is another very important part of the kindergarten day. The children listen and follow directions and are very coordinated in both balance beam and parachute activities.

Visit to Sakuradai Kindergarten

Twenty of us went to visit this kindergarten for 3-5 year olds in Tokyo. As kindergarten is not mandatory in Japan, many are privately run. We were able to see many things during our two hour stay. What impressed me the most was that the children learn how to fold paper at a very young age. I have had this thought for quite a while that one of the reasons the Japanese students do so much better mathematically than students in the US is due to early math influences. Children that we watched were learning how to fold paper at the age of three! Not only did they show incredible dexterity but they were able to watch, listen and follow directions!Their geometric and spatial abilities surpassed mine.

Back in Tokyo

This was my last trip in Tokyo. We went to an antique kimono shop where we were dressed in antique kimonos. I was not going to get one, but once I was dressed in it I had to!

Good-Bye to Good Friends

It was sad to say "Good-bye" but I know I will see my new friends in California and will be able to treat them to some sightseeing in the Wine Country. My time with the Kugita fimily was priceless and I can't say enough thanks to them all. Domo arrigato gozaimas!

Terraced Rice Fields

I was so lucky to be the only one(I think) of our group to see the terraced rice fields. You can see that the rice has been recently harvested. The following pictures show the rice drying. You can also see the abunance of cedar forests!!! It is incredibly beautiful.

Sunday Trips

After the wonderful concert and tea ceremony it was time to leave for our sighteeing journey around the Miyazaki area. We visited the Devil's Washboard, created by crashing waves. We also visted the Udo shrine, where I was able to see a child being brought for a baptism by the Shinto priest.We also threw in clay balls into a rock bowl above the ocean for good luck.Women throw the balls with their right hand and men use their left. I was at a disadvantage, being left handed. Eiko made her throw! This meant she would get her wish.Then we travelled to Obi castle town which was the main castle of the Ito clan during the Edo period(1603-1867).