Chaya District and Kenrokuen

 

So yesterday, I went to Higashi Chaya District. It’s like a bunch of old houses. Chaya is a traditional place of feasts and entertainment, where geisha (traditional female Japanese entertainers) have been entertaining people by performing dances and playing Japanese traditional musical instruments since the Edo period. Read more about it here. 

Okaasan and me walked there and back (really close, like 10mins). We past by a bunch of sakura (cherry blossoms) trees and I took quite a few pictures. Chaya district was pretty cool. There were a bunch of souvenir shops inside, although kinda pricy so I didn’t buy anything. 

 I was trying to get a picture of all the ice cream flavours, but failed >.< It turned into a neat picture tho. The flavours (that I remember) are: Salt, Matcha (Green Tea), Soy Sauce, Salted Caramel, Tofu, Blue Berry(what I got...really good!), Strawberry, Sesame Seed, Sweet Potato (or some kind of potato) and Vanilla.

While we were out, traffic was lined up everywhere. This weekend was the first weekend where most of the sakura were bloomed (word??), and since it was supposed to rain today, everyone was trying to get to Kenrokuen Gardens to see the sakura. Hanami is basically cherry blossom viewing. Most of the time people get together, and have a picnic and generally have a good time (normally beer included XD) under the sakura.

Last night, we went to Kenrokuen. At night, all the sakura are lit up, and its really pretty, which it was. However, the place was packed! And I was one of the only foreigners there. I saw 2 ladies at the end. The place is packed with tourists during the day, but I guess they don’t know about everything being illuminated at night. It was hard getting pictures, because it was so dark, but I got a couple good ones.

School tomorrow! I think I’m gonna have to make a decision really soon on what club to join. I know the ichinens (1^st years) start signing up tomorrow. I’m torn between:

Kyuudo(archery): It's japanese, wouldn't have a chance to do it anywhere else, I have a somewhat friend in the club. However, it’s almost 400$ and seems like it would get boring after awhile...
OR
Soccer: I've played soccer in the past and enjoyed it although I wasn't very good.

I know my school is kinda pressuring me to do something Japanese… but I’m kinda wanting to join soccer. It seems tho that it’s mostly, if not all guys, and since they’re shy, not sure if they would talk to me...

I know sports clubs are really competitive (like 5/6 days a week and a couple hours a day) but I think it would be great to be that committed to/work so hard at something plus I could get in to shape. o(^.^)o