In the US, residential garbage is picked up from each house. In Japan, people have to carry their trash to one of these cages and it is collected from there. These are spaced frequently enough that one usually has to walk less than 50 meters.
Selling tobacco to minors is technically illegal in Japan. Yet they have vending machines out on public streets that are not monitored and have no security to prevent kids from making purchases. As one might expect, Japan has a fairly large smoking problem.
Yuri and i walked to McDonald's because i wanted to have another of the special anko pies before they go away. Yuri had an apple pie because she doesn't like anko for reasons that elude me.
Yuri planting tulip bulbs that she got at school.
A typical supper. Eggs with sauce and green onion, with some rice on the side. It looks plain but tastes delicious.
Japanese birthday card. Hallmark needs to step up its game.
Emily likes going to Mister Donut.
So does Yuri.
Emily got an Anpanman birthday cake.
Emily's old enough to blow out the candles herself.
Yuri wanted to help open Emily's birthday presents.
Yuri showing Emily how to use one of Emily's new toys.
Okonomiyaki, a Hiroshima staple.
Dressing the monkey.
Pumpkin pudding Kit-Kat. It is a seasonal flavor.
Yuri had a school event somewhat similar to "field day" in the US. Here she's waiting to run around with her class.
After the exercise portion, they changed clothes for a Scottish pipe band routine.
Almost performance time; Yuri is in the back with a flag.
Yuri is front and center.
Yuri's teacher gave her a medal after the performances.
Yuri with friends.
Breakfast cereal has beans in it. This was actually intended by the manufacturer.
Went for a walk. Sometimes trees have names. This one is "Shirakashi".
This is common in Japan. Tree gets tired, so people build it something to lean on.
This tree also has a name tag: "Horutonoki".