Japanorytag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-16846742011-03-10T14:51:56+01:00Tales from Tokyo.
Expats in Tokyo. A British family experiencing their new life in Japan.TypePadKyoto - The Golden Pavilion & Ryoanji Zen Gardentag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340147e30b6293970b2011-03-10T14:51:56+01:002011-03-10T14:51:56+01:0027th December 2008 Quaint streets meander around the city, with countless small shops, restaurants, wooden buildings and geisha headquarters lining them. Kyoto is a cultural and architectural paradise which is...Carole Hallett MobbsKyoto Sightseeing – Kyomizu-Deratag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a428858834014e5fb06865970c2011-03-10T10:49:20+01:002011-03-10T10:49:20+01:0027th December 2008 Until 1868 ...Carole Hallett MobbsWhat to See in Kyototag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340147e2fd68fc970b2011-03-09T11:51:19+01:002011-03-04T16:57:03+01:00Friday 26th December – Sunday 28th December 2008 I can't believe it's taken us so long to get around to visiting this ancient city. With Mum here for her third...Carole Hallett MobbsWon’t Get Fooled Againtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340147e2fa2769970b2011-03-08T17:03:38+01:002011-03-08T17:03:38+01:00Wednesday 19th November 2008 I have the opportunity to see a legendary band who happen to be one of my all time favourites. I'm so excited! The Who are playing...Carole Hallett MobbsFrom Sashimi to Jimmy Chootag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a428858834014e5f99ab19970c2011-03-05T15:31:12+01:002011-03-05T15:31:12+01:00Tuesday 23rd September – Friday 3rd October 2008 My fabulous friend, Naz, arrives for a holiday. We met many moons ago when we both worked at the BBC, hit it...Carole Hallett MobbsHakuba – part 1tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340147e2e49392970b2011-03-01T11:30:00+01:002011-02-28T17:40:48+01:00Thursday 21st August 2008 In the northern Japanese Alps lies a ski resort in the Nagano Prefecture called Hakuba. There are two seasons here – the white season and the...Carole Hallett MobbsSogetsu Ikebana - First Certificatetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a428858834014e8661b5d9970d2011-02-28T11:30:00+01:002011-03-02T14:40:46+01:00May 2008 (Yes, out of chronological order again, sorry!) How wonderful! I've passed my first certificate in Ikebana! I haven't had a certificate for anything since I was at school...Carole Hallett MobbsAnother School Concerttag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340148c8684e07970c2011-02-14T10:00:00+01:002011-02-07T07:05:16+01:00Wednesday 25th June 2008 Rhiannon is performing in the end of term school concert. It's held in a theatre near the school. Taiko starts the show off with a rousing...Carole Hallett MobbsMini Harajuku Girl - Japanese Day 2008tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340148c854b9e4970c2011-02-08T10:52:57+01:002011-02-04T17:36:54+01:00Wednesday 21st May 2008 The school's annual Japanese Day is here again. Parents are invited to join in the big assembly at the start of the day, where we will...Carole Hallett MobbsAsakusa & Tree Bondagetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340147e1d8e773970b2011-01-23T14:49:25+01:002011-01-23T14:51:14+01:00January 2008 Mum wanted to go on a quick trip back to Asakusa as she remembered there were lots of fabric shops in the alleys around the temple. At home,...Carole Hallett MobbsMount Fujitag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340147e19adb6f970b2011-01-17T10:49:48+01:002011-01-17T10:49:48+01:001st January 2008 Yes! I've finally made it to another year – I really don't know if I will get Japanory up to date, but I will continue to try......Carole Hallett MobbsA Christmas Round-Up and My Adventurous Mothertag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340148c77f6113970c2011-01-16T11:57:40+01:002011-01-11T07:29:32+01:00End of December 2007 (finally!) Mum's arrival was a little late this year as she has plans to venture further afield in January. Always a great traveller, she's going on...Carole Hallett MobbsTattoo in Japan - and a Side Trip to Boliviatag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340148c76f0427970c2011-01-12T10:51:10+01:002011-01-13T04:08:02+01:00Thursday 15th November 2007 It's time for another visit to my lovely tattoo artist. We'll be finishing the cover-up in January, but in the meantime there is a design I've...Carole Hallett MobbsJapanese Symbols and a Brilliantly Timed Flashbacktag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340148c768f006970c2011-01-11T09:49:20+01:002011-01-11T09:49:20+01:00November 2007 I went to a little antique shop in Azabu Juban for a look-see. They had a lot of very reasonably priced articles as well as some completely incredible...Carole Hallett MobbsJapanese Kanjitag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340147e15f08a3970b2011-01-10T09:31:29+01:002011-01-09T07:04:32+01:00November 9th 2007 Today I went...Carole Hallett MobbsApart from Work, Work, Work…tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340148c725fb72970c2011-01-01T11:16:01+01:002011-01-01T11:16:01+01:00October 2007 Although I am incredibly busy with work, I do manage to make time to attend a couple of classes. Not language training, sadly – this requires too many...Carole Hallett MobbsShopping – Antiques and Japanese Screenstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340147e1157aa7970b2010-12-29T15:36:40+01:002010-12-29T15:41:30+01:002nd October – 3rd October 2007 After our regular Tuesday coffee morning we all take a trip in Peggy's large car to a shop she's found called Yamamoto Antiques. This...Carole Hallett MobbsImari Porcelain and Kyodai… aka SHOPPING!tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340134893540b6970c2010-11-19T16:51:24+01:002010-11-19T16:51:24+01:00Tuesday 25th September 2007 After our regular "girls coffee morning" - enormous Latte, breakfast and a gossip at Starbucks, Peggy and I take a trip to a wonderful little antique...Carole Hallett MobbsO-bon - a Festivaltag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a428858834013487a761f2970c2010-09-25T16:33:10+02:002010-09-25T16:33:10+02:00Sometime in late August 2007 Shortly after returning to Japan we went with some friends to an O-bon festival. It was a treat for all the senses with the sight...Carole Hallett MobbsExtra Aikidotag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340134864ccc62970c2010-08-19T10:30:22+02:002010-08-19T10:30:22+02:00Saturday 9th June 2007 Pacific Aikido - the group who run the childrens' classes at school - have set up some Saturday sessions for those kids who wish to progress...Carole Hallett MobbsFlowing Noodles and Taikotag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340133f2b0a1fc970b2010-07-29T17:05:01+02:002010-07-29T17:05:01+02:00Saturday 2nd June 2007 My calendar entry for this day just says "BBQ - take food and drink". Luckily my photos reminded me more about the event. It was held...Carole Hallett MobbsNaked Men plus Tattoos Equals…?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a428858834013485aa32e9970c2010-07-24T17:57:00+02:002010-07-24T17:57:00+02:00Sunday 20th May 2007 part 2 (Lots of photos again!) So, we've arrived at Asakusa in the middle of the biggest crowd of people I've encountered outside of a stadium...Carole Hallett MobbsThe Sound of One Hand Clapping…tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340133f2767a98970b2010-07-22T09:22:46+02:002010-07-22T09:22:46+02:00Friday 25th May 2007 Heirinji Zen Temple (lots of photos) I have been gently coerced by important people into joining a trip to the Heirinji Zen Temple. The trip is...Carole Hallett MobbsHow to Wear a Kimono…tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340134859aed49970c2010-07-22T07:09:07+02:002010-09-06T15:59:13+02:00Wednesday 23rd May 2007 Today, school is having its annual Japanese Day. The kids dress up as something typically Japanese and participate in various cultural activities such as Ikebana, Sho-do...Carole Hallett MobbsSogetsu Ikebanatag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340134856d602e970c2010-07-14T18:00:31+02:002011-01-30T14:49:44+01:00Monday 14th May 2007 Today is a ME day. Well, I deserve it after last week… Unfortunately it is also half term. For some ridiculous reason, this half term is...Carole Hallett MobbsTraditional Japanese House?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340133f21764a3970b2010-07-06T16:17:00+02:002010-07-06T16:17:00+02:00Saturday 5th May 2007 Rhiannon's been invited to a birthday party at TAC - the Tokyo American Club. Tim and I drop her off and explore the surrounding area a...Carole Hallett MobbsThe School's Spring Fairtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340133f20846db970b2010-07-03T16:07:51+02:002010-09-06T16:01:52+02:00Saturday 28th April 2007 This will be a short post as my memory of the day is buried under 3 years worth of other, more interesting, memories. The School's annual...Carole Hallett MobbsCycling in Tokyotag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a42885883401348362806f970c2010-06-06T08:36:54+02:002011-01-30T14:51:44+01:00End of April 2007 Once 'T' left for her trip to Australia we finally had some time to ourselves. Rhiannon has been riding her bicycle up and down the cul-de-sac...Carole Hallett MobbsIn Which We Find a Fabulous Japanese Restauranttag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340134828f3d34970c2010-06-01T15:58:04+02:002010-06-01T15:58:04+02:00Monday 23rd April 2007 (yet again!) Back at home I did the standard new visitor things. Feed them tea, show them their room, explain the earthquake drill and make more...Carole Hallett MobbsA Cloisonné Lessontag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340133ed2468e2970b2010-05-03T07:44:18+02:002010-05-03T07:44:19+02:00Wednesday 18th April 2007 I'm leaving Mum to do her own thing on her last day in Tokyo. She will go shopping or to Shinjuku Gyoen garden. Or both! Following...Carole Hallett MobbsAikido and Ceramics… NOT at the same time!tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340133ed233506970b2010-05-03T05:55:57+02:002010-05-03T06:01:35+02:00Monday 16th April 2007 Rhiannon goes back to school today (yay!) and is due to have her very first Aikido lesson after school. There are loads of extra-curricular activities at...Carole Hallett MobbsWeddings Galore!tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a42885883401310f967e03970c2010-03-13T05:54:06+01:002010-03-13T05:54:06+01:00Sunday 15th April 2007 Today is our very first wedding anniversary. A whole year! A wonderful day with a rather upsetting end. Read on… We've booked to go for a...Carole Hallett MobbsNikko Day 2tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a42885883401310f674b82970c2010-03-05T13:17:14+01:002010-03-05T13:17:14+01:00We awoke early and creakily made our way downstairs for breakfast of porridge. As usual, we have no set plan - we must work on this when being tour-guides for...Carole Hallett MobbsNikkotag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340120a8f734cf970b2010-03-04T05:52:53+01:002010-03-04T05:52:53+01:009th to 11th April 2007 On the recommendation of some work colleagues, Tim booked us a couple of days in a log cabin allegedly buried deep in a forest near...Carole Hallett MobbsTrick Art Museumtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a4288588340120a8eff423970b2010-03-03T06:22:33+01:002010-03-03T06:23:49+01:005th April 2007 Across the road from Mount Takao is a rather special museum full of illusions. Called the Trick Art Museum, it's full of optical illusion art. Flat paintings...Carole Hallett MobbsMount Takaotag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a42885883401310f567ca9970c2010-03-03T05:42:11+01:002010-03-03T05:42:11+01:00Thursday 5th April 2007 Another day trip planned. Today we go to Mount Takao, a sacred mountain with stunning scenery, rare woodland walks and a temple complex. The peak is...Carole Hallett MobbsEnd of Term and Start of the Sakura Seasontag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553a428858834011571f841b5970b2009-07-12T09:21:24+02:002010-09-06T16:45:52+02:00Friday 30th March 2007 Today school finishes at midday for the Easter Holidays. Quite a relief for both of us, I think. Parking was atrocious, so I had to leave...Carole Hallett MobbsTo The Ballettag:typepad.com,2003:post-662808752009-05-03T02:31:00+02:002010-09-06T16:48:47+02:00Sunday 18th March 2007 Today is Mothers' Day so I was treated to a lie-in, a delicious breakfast in bed made by my lovely girl (toast and marmalade), the obligatory...Carole Hallett MobbsA Day Just for Metag:typepad.com,2003:post-639797612009-03-12T14:45:53+01:002011-01-30T15:06:09+01:00Monday 19th February 2007 With Tim taking full charge of Rhiannon today, I can treat myself to a "Me Day". Bliss! To start, I will be going to a lesson...Carole Hallett MobbsStone Lanterns and Other Wonderful Thingstag:typepad.com,2003:post-635873552009-03-03T17:17:36+01:002011-01-30T15:10:42+01:006th February 2007 What a fabulous day! I went on a trip with a few other mums from school, organised by a fabulously capable lady called Connie. All neatly sandwiched...Carole Hallett MobbsTaking Control of my Daystag:typepad.com,2003:post-612044802009-01-12T05:12:28+01:002011-01-30T15:20:11+01:0012th January 2007 Today I made some life-progress! I committed to two new things, both of which I have never done before. To start, I went to a coffee morning...Carole Hallett MobbsTo See the Emperor...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-594307582008-12-03T15:15:41+01:002011-01-30T15:25:00+01:00Chronological crisis again... let's go back to... 2nd January 2007 Stuck for something to do, we decided to join the crowds and visit the Emperor in his Palace! The Imperial...Carole Hallett Mobbs