Final day of study tour

Today was our final day in Japan. We spent the morning at the National Museum of Japanese History. It was such a good conclusion and wrap up for our study tour. Then we went to the airport. I am headed for Ho Ci Minh City, Vietnam, while the rest of the group is going back to the states. This has been an incredible opportunity for all of the teachers on this trip. We learned so much and shared a lot with each other too.

Location:Narita,Japan

Okinawan traditional dance performance

The traditional dance performances were beautiful. Each dance told a story, with haunting music.

Location:Okinawa, Japan

Okinawan dinner

Tonight we went out for traditional Okinawan food and dance performance. OK, who thought I might try pigs ears? Yikes! That has never been on my "want to eat" list!


Yes, I tried it. Not my favorite. The whitish strips are the pigs ears and they are CRUNCHY! Here is our entire menu for the various courses. Please read carefully.


I did sort of like the pigs feet.

Location:Okinawa, Japan

The girl with the white flag

I read a great book this spring, The Girl With The White Flag. It recounts a little 7 year old girl's experiences wandering the battle area of Okinawa alone in 1945. She started out with her older sister, but became separated. When she eventually came out of hiding, a photographer for Life magazine took her picture. She was walking down a path toward the US troops, carrying a white flag of surrender. I came across her statue at Okinawa World.


I have a copy of the book at home, if anyone would like to borrow it. I highly recommend reading it for grades 5 to adult.

Location:Okinawa, Japan

Himeyuri Peace Museum, Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum, and Okinawa World

"Of all the war memorials, this one affects me the most, perhaps because it gives a personal dimension to the tragedy of war." - Frommer's Japan. The author goes on to explain that it gives the story of 240 girls and teachers who in March 1945 were assigned to serve as nurse assistants in an army hospital buried inside a series of caves. As the US forces approached, the girls were thrown out of the caves to fend for themselves. 226 of them perished. Here is the entrance to their cave hospital...


We visited the Peace Memorial, where they recognize all who died in the Battle of Okinawa, regardless is nationality. Americans, British, Australians, Japanese, etc.


We spent most of our afternoon at Okinawa World, learning about traditional crafts, dances, and food. I tried my hand at bin gata, a style of painting...


Then Sally and I were dressed in traditional Okinawan clothes...


We ended our day eating shabu shabu (a favorite of mine!) in a tree house! Yes, a tree house!

Location:Okinawa, Japan

Beautiful beaches in Okinawa!

The beaches on this island are spectacular! The blue is so blue! I visited one on Sunday night to watch the sunset.

Location:Okinawa, Japan

Funny signs

I didn't understand this sign until my Japanese friend, Naoko, explained it to me! It was at the top of a stairway as we were going to a lower level in the mausoleum. Naoko says it means "Please hold on to the handrail while you are trying to get off."

I saw an ad on a street car for ice cream that promotes ice cream as healthy and safety for you! :) I love it!

Location:Shuri Castle Mausoleum, Okinawa