Our host family made us feel welcome immediately.
Our home away from home!
Our beds were futons rolled out on tatami mats.
As you can see, they were very comfortable!
Our beds were futons rolled out on tatami mats.
As you can see, they were very comfortable!
Every evening we would share a delicious meal and our news of the day with our host family.
We tried on some traditional Japanese clothing. It took me about half an hour to get dresse in my yukata (a summer kimono).
We learned to change into slippers every time we entered a home...
...and to change into different slippers for in the garden.
My host family's grandson showed me how to tend the garden
Their gardens are small but beautiful making use of every inch of space.
A delicious feast of many traditional Japanese dishes!
The rainy season did not deter us from our walking tour of Neyagawa.
A Shinto Shrine in Neyagawa
Statue of the Girl of Neyagawa who wore a bowl on her head- her story is similar to Cinderella's.
Buddha
We visited a private 140 year old home. The hand painted screens are original.
These flowers were arranged in honor of our visit.
Traditionally homes contain a family alter. This one is made of gold.
We were also treated to our first (but not last) tea ceremony.
Roy learned how to beat the green matcho tea with a bamboo whisk.
Our first lunch in Neyagawa, only one of many delicious meals!
These intricate "dolls" perform many feats such as walking down stairs,
painting Chinese characters,
serving tea, or...
performing magic tricks.
This samurai shoots arrows that really hit the target!
The Noh theater where we ended up being part of the entertainment
Our visit to the Instant Ramen Museum
The creator of the first Instant Ramen Noodles on the right, and the eater of Ramen noodles on the left 
The Instant Ramen Tunnel displays different kinds of noodles sold all around the world.
Making your own Ramen Noodles is hard work...
...but the outfits are cute!
Monks at the temple 
View inside Kiyomizu Temple - pull the thick cord to ring the gong.
View from the top of the temple
We tried on some traditional Japanese clothing. It took me about half an hour to get dresse in my yukata (a summer kimono).
We learned to change into slippers every time we entered a home...
...and to change into different slippers for in the garden.
My host family's grandson showed me how to tend the garden
Their gardens are small but beautiful making use of every inch of space.
A delicious feast of many traditional Japanese dishes!
The rainy season did not deter us from our walking tour of Neyagawa.
A Shinto Shrine in Neyagawa
Statue of the Girl of Neyagawa who wore a bowl on her head- her story is similar to Cinderella's.
Buddha
We visited a private 140 year old home. The hand painted screens are original.
These flowers were arranged in honor of our visit.
Traditionally homes contain a family alter. This one is made of gold.
We were also treated to our first (but not last) tea ceremony.
Roy learned how to beat the green matcho tea with a bamboo whisk.
Our first lunch in Neyagawa, only one of many delicious meals!
These intricate "dolls" perform many feats such as walking down stairs,
painting Chinese characters,
serving tea, or...
performing magic tricks.
This samurai shoots arrows that really hit the target!
The Noh theater where we ended up being part of the entertainment
Our visit to the Instant Ramen Museum
The creator of the first Instant Ramen Noodles on the right, and the eater of Ramen noodles on the left 
This simple home is where Ramen Noodles were invented.
The Instant Ramen Tunnel displays different kinds of noodles sold all around the world.
Making your own Ramen Noodles is hard work...
...but the outfits are cute!
Atop the famous Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto
Monks at the temple 
View inside Kiyomizu Temple - pull the thick cord to ring the gong.
Can you walk from one stone to another with your eyes closed while saying the name of the one you love? If so, your story might have a happy ending!
View from the top of the temple
Many young girls dress in traditional kimonos to come to the temple. Their sashes (obis) are much fancier than those of married women.
Time for a group shot at the Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto.
One of the lovely, quiet side streets in Kyoto, the old capital city of Japan.
Want a wish to come true? Write it on a wooden tablet and hang it up at the temple.
Kyoto is known for its beautiful geisha girls. However, our guide told us this one is a "fake geisha" as the real ones only appear at night.
A trip to Kyoto would not be complete without viewing the beautiful Golden Pavilion.
Osaka Castle was built to protect Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, from invasion from the western part of Japan. It was destroyed and rebuilt many times in the past. The current one was built in the 1930"s (Its moat reminds me of Ft. Monroe in Hampton, Virginia.) Inside I saw a beautiful ancient portable tea room made of gold and sheer red material, but the sign said "No Photographs."
The famous deer at Nara come down from the mountains each day for the people to feed them.
The giant Buddha at Nara is so large that a person could fit inside his nose.
This monk lives by the food given to him.
Even at school we had to change into slippers to enter the building.
At our farewell banquet, we were able to express our gratitude, and the two sister cities exchanged gifts.
Want a wish to come true? Write it on a wooden tablet and hang it up at the temple.
Kyoto is known for its beautiful geisha girls. However, our guide told us this one is a "fake geisha" as the real ones only appear at night.
A trip to Kyoto would not be complete without viewing the beautiful Golden Pavilion.
After 30 years, we were able to meet again with our dear friend, Miyuki, and her son. They spent a very rainy day showing us around Osaka.
For 300 yen (about $3) you can try on a samurai headpiece.
Osaka Castle was built to protect Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, from invasion from the western part of Japan. It was destroyed and rebuilt many times in the past. The current one was built in the 1930"s (Its moat reminds me of Ft. Monroe in Hampton, Virginia.) Inside I saw a beautiful ancient portable tea room made of gold and sheer red material, but the sign said "No Photographs." 
The famous deer at Nara come down from the mountains each day for the people to feed them.
The giant Buddha at Nara is so large that a person could fit inside his nose.
On special days, the top doors of the temple are opened to reveal the Buddha's face.
Smoke from incense at the temple brings blessings.
This monk lives by the food given to him.
We visited a high school in Neyagawa where we talked with students learning English and ate lunch in the cafeteria. The food was quite good!
Here is the English teacher beside posters for school clubs.
Even at school we had to change into slippers to enter the building.
We visited several nursery schools where all the children were happpy and well-behaved. As you can see in one picture below, the yards do not have grass so the children are covered when they play outside to protect from the dust and sun.
The children at one nursery school all gathered and sang some songs for us.
Then the children presented us with gifts of fans and origami tops.
We helped to cook our own lunch one afternoon and even attempted to learn some traditional Japanese crafts.
At our farewell banquet, we were able to express our gratitude, and the two sister cities exchanged gifts.
Our host family was so kind to us that it was difficult to say good-by.
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