2010年9月16日木曜日

Experiencing Izu Peninsula

Wonderful sites, food and people!
ITO- City and IZU Peninsula put together makes: ITo IZu a wonderful place!
素晴らしい景色、食べ物と人!
伊東市+伊豆半島=イト イズ ア ワンダフル プレイス!

One of the few rice fields in this area! I love the view!










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Welcome to Shimota
Shimota has a lot to offer!!! Beautiful Beaches, Beautiful Boat Ports and Historical Sites!!!

This place is called "Perry Road."

Here's some historical information I pulled off the internet...
This road is located between the monument of Perry's landing and Ryosenji temple. In 1853, Commodore Mathew C. Perry arrived at Japan to request the openning of Japanese port to the United States ship. In 1854, a treaty of Japan and the United States was concluded to American ships. The signning ceremony for the "Japan -U.S. Peace Treaty" was held at
Ryosenji temple.









































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Great Food!
I know this picture doesn't look very tasty, but that's because it still wasn't cooked yet!
What you are looking at is Ayu Fish on top and Deer Meat on the bottom. Both were a first for me. One of the the locals gave it to the people running the guesthouse I stayed at. Both were cooked with only using salt and they both were AMAZING!!!
*My wife Ayu was named by her grandfather after this fish. It's a very clever energetic fish that only swims in clean rivers! Since it's very difficult to catch it is expensive to get your hands on. It was a once in a life time chance so I had two of them!


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The Local Legendary Surfers!
These are some really cool guys!
I was so blessed to spend time with them!
Let me introduce you to them using their nicknames.

"Kero-Chan", "K!Chan", "Toto" & "The Surf Legend"
(from left to right)

"Kero-Chan" is the very kind man that showed me all around the town to the beautiful sites! We had some really good conversations!
"K!Chan" and his wife run the beautiful guesthouse (Kanoka Yado) I stayed at. A very welcoming family with a cute daughter (Koko-Chan) the same age as Masaki!
"Toto" and his wife run another guesthouse down the road. Right when you walk in the door they have surf boards set up, he's a real relaxed funny guy!
"The Surf Legend" that's what they call him but I didn't spend much time with him so I don't know too much about him. Maybe we can catch some waves next time!

If you ever visit the area, you have gotta meet these guys!

2010年9月15日水曜日

I was given the opportunity to go to mainland Japan for an English Day Camp. So I took the opportunity, I spent 4 days in Shizuoka then after the English Day Camp I traveled to Tokyo and Saitama to spend 9 days with some Christian brothers and sisters, fellowshipping and teaching the Word.

I hope you are encouraged as you read my blogs about my journey.


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大屋山 
Mount Ohya

This is a one of a kind dormant volcano. I say that because how beautiful it is. Every year the mountain takes on seven different colors. All the land around is here today because of this volcano, and as you can see the sight is breath-taking. On a clear day you are able to see Mount Fuji, Tokyo and Chiba from the top of this volcano!!! Wow!


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This is a big tourist spot, and it's interesting because they have made an archery range in the middle of the volcano.



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Around the rim of the volcano there are idols set up. But if you really think about it, they were made by man's hands, but we all know that we and that volcano were made by GOD'S HANDS! The True and Living God! He is able to sustain us and speak to us because He isn't a statue, He's alive!


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It is at the park located at the bottom of the mountain that we held our Active-English activities. The weather was beautiful and the kids were full of energy! It was a fun time and I hope to be invited back again.