Last week while visiting Japan I was delighted to find a space on the MC Bus tour. It was already two years since my last visit for the 30th anniversary of MC and a chance to meet many old friends.

At the Tenri Building everyone was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in spite of the early hour and our day out began. As we left the grey tower blocks of the city behind how refreshing it was to see the beautiful colours of the new season's greenery and soft pink cherry blossoms together with deep pink Mitsuba azalea.

Our first stop was the panoramic viewing point at Lake Yamanaka. Sadly it was still rather cloudy, and quite cool at 9 degrees, but we could enjoy beautiful sweeping views. As well as shepherding us around Gaido-san did a sterling job with everyone's cameras!

Our next stop was at Oshinohakkai where we dipped our fingers in the icy cold spring waters and enjoyed beautifully clear small ponds. Tourist souvenirs ranged from small elegant baskets (I would have liked!) to the usual tourist tat (don’t buy!). Kusamochi were a local speciality and very oishii.

On our way to Iyashino Sato, finally we caught a brief glimpse of Mt Fuji ? or did we dream it? The village houses, which were rebuilt after the two original villages were destroyed in a typhoon in 1966, are set in a valley, again beautiful shades of green and colourful koi nobori flying in readiness for Boys Day on 5 May. There are cultural activities, display and sale of traditional craft items and you can try kimono or like Linda put on warrior’s dress, but apparently there are now no residents. Lunch was konnyaku-ryori not my personal favourite but I really enjoyed the konnyaku sashimi with its ume dressing.

After lunch we made traditional small dolls- Sarubobo- much more difficult than I thought it would be! and had a chance to walk around the village.

Our final stop for the day was the Ichiku Kubota kimona museum. The massive entrance gate was an indicator of a unique style to be enjoyed. The kimono were … well really there are no words to express their complexity and beauty, from refined pastels to fiery glow. I wanted to know how these textile landscapes could have been created. Apparently on a white silk kimono he sketched the design then it was cut into pieces, eg sleeves, dyed and then stitched back together again.

We finally arrived back in Yokohama tired but satisfied by a wonderful and varied day.


Now I am at the airport and waiting to go home but a big part of me still remains with my friends in Yokohama. Thank you to all the ladies who organised the tour, but also to all of you for your warm friendship which still continues 10 years after I left Japan.
Domo arigato gozaimashita. O genki de. Mata oaishimasho.

Love
Diana

Report:Diana Matthews Editor (pictures): A.Motegi

Yokohama at 7:45 am







Lake Yamanaka-- Panorama Deck



Oshino Hakkai 11:00 am



Iyashino sato 11:50 am












ornaments made at the Folk Villlage


Bus Tour Information

We will visit the folk village of Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba where thatched roof houses stand by the side of Lake Saiko, the Ichiku Kubota Art Kimono Museum near Lake Kawaguchi and Oshino Hakkai Ponds near Lake Yamanaka.

At Saiko Iyashi no Sato you will see traditional Japanese arts and crafts, and feel like you have slipped back in time to pre-modern Japan. You can experience making your own ornament with Kimono material at the House of Dolls. We will enjoy delicious Konnyaku dishes for lunch in the village. Konnyaku is made from roots and is cooked with local ingredients.

The Ichiku Kubota Art Museum exhibits colorful and gorgeous kimonos. Mr.Kubota used Tujiga-hana style of dyeing fabric which was lost during the Edo period.

The Oshino Hakkai Ponds have clear and fresh spring water from Mt. Fuji. Which was selected to be among the hundred best natural waters in Japan.

Many flowers come into bloom from late April in the Mt .Fuji area. If the weather is fine, we might drop in at the Fuji Cherry Blossoms & Azalea Festival, and a place where you can enjoy a splendid view of Mt. Fuji.

Meeting Time :8:00 a.m.
Return: Around 6:00 pm at Yokohama Tenri Bldg.
Meeting Place : Tenri Building (near west exit of Yokohama Sta.)
*MAP* Tenri Building Map is here!

Fee : Members:5,900yen
Non-Members:6,600 yen
( including bus fare, insurance & admission fee, ornament & Lunch)

Number limit : 49 persons
( First come, first served. Members have priority )
Reservation : From March 13 to April 16

Please contact Ms. Silke Hiller( in English ) Ms. Tsutako Suzuki ( in Japanese )
Payment : Please pay at the March Meeting, the April Meeting or to the member in charge. Your reservation is made on receiving your money.
Cancellation : No refunds after April 17.

Please wear comfortable shoes !

Minami Circle