JapanGirl64

 Ever since we arrived in Japan we have been limited in where we can travel. The big cities of Yokohama, Kawasaki, and Tokyo have all been off limits. Finally this week the ban on travel to Yokohama was lifted. I was so excited to be able to ride the train there for a day-trip.  Our main destination was the Chinatown located there. It's one of the largest Chinatowns in Japan. It was a little overwhelming. Lots and lots of food and eating establishments, most of which served things I did not recognize! (and some with really cute faces) I tried a "pie" filled with sweet bean paste that was very delicious! We ended up opting to just "sight see" the food and eat later at a large mall with a Hawaiian Town. Hawaiian food is something we have become very familiar with and it did not disappoint! Some of the skyscrapers we saw had interesting architecture. We went up on the roof of the mall and found they had a version of Miniature Golf. Not quite the same as the way we ...

 This week I learned about a Japanese holiday and festival called Hinamatsuri or Doll Festival. This holiday can also be called Momo no Sekku or Peach Festival. The holiday culminates on March 3rd with Girl's Day. Traditionally a display of Hina dolls is put up in Japanese homes a few days before March 3rd. The standard display consists of 7 levels. On the top level are the Imperial Dolls, descending down the levels are the courtiers, and then others of lessor rank. The dolls are both male and female and the display often includes tiny furniture and food items. A full set of Hina dolls can cost thousands of dollars and sets are often passed from generation to generation. On Wednesday March 3rd there was a walking tour from Camp Zama to Zama Shrine, about 10 min from the main gate. The plan was to walk to Zama Shrine to see a large display of Hina dolls. We left first thing in the morning to get there early before the very large crowds.  The Shrine displays hundreds of dolls ea...