Wajya do this weekend? Part Deux

Listening to: Lollipop by 2ne1 (they've kind of become my new obsession >< kpop!)
Currently drinking: Drip with white chocolate

Here's a little side note before I get back into story telling about my weekend... right now is about the season in Japan for (drum roll please....) typhoons! This morning I woke up thoroughly expecting to not have to go to class and spend all day lazing about in my pj's (well, I'm still spending half the day doing that lol), but, much to my non-delight, nothing hit. I really love storms, so I'm hoping to have one in the next few weeks, but the weather is, as always, unpredictable. If you also want to keep track of Japan's storm condition you can check it out here :)

Alright, back to this weekend...
Before I start on day 2, I kind of want to talk a little more about the onsen. First of all, why doesn't America have them? They are relaxing, fun, and feel really luxurious. Yes everyone is naked, and public decency a big deal at home, but these bath houses are private, so it shouldn't matter right? Everyone was initially really nervous. I mean, this was the first time for us to be that umm...vulnerable in front of one another, but eventually we all swallowed our fears, stripped down, and hopped in. Haha, talk about girl bonding time eye roll. Before going into the onsen we had to learn just a few rules: 1) cover up your tattoos (if you have any big ones you just probably shouldn't go), 2) shower thoroughly before entering the tub, this is pretty much how it is in Japanese households as well 3) don't let your hair touch the water...it's indecent and gross (really?) 4) this isn't a rule but... if you're a lady, try not to manicure "down there" for a few weeks prior or else be subject to dirty stares from older Japanese women....

Anyway, aside from the silly rules/cultural differences, we had a great time, and were incredibly satisfied to fall asleep full of delicious foods, wonderfully clean and relaxed, and content.

Saturday was another early start as well. We all had the option to either sleep in or go to the morning markets (these are basically just stands of fishermen selling their daily catch). Seeing as I'm not too keen on the smell of the ocean, I decided to sleep in. We all met back up at the ryokan to pack and leave for the rest of our trip around 9ish. Our next stop was the giant paper lantern museum, and when I say giant, I mean these things were GIANT. This museum boasted of the largest (and most famous) paper lantern in Japan

I was thinking of hiding some of these under my shirt to take home...

We were also given a special Taiko drum performance from some of the local elementary and high school students. These kids were seriously legit, I'm not gonna lie. Everyone was obsessed with this little boy (I'm not lying when I say I was having serious thoughts about taking him home...)

Because we had so much fun watching the drum performance we were all allowed to pick up and walk with one of the paper lanterns. The little boy, being an obvious "ladies man, man's man, man about town" (it's ok if you don't get that quote), jumped right in and started playing the drum as we were walking. Serious skill points!

The biggest one, in the middle, is the largest in Japan. 

Stage performance!

This place was definitely my favorite out of all the stops. Everyone was so friendly, fun, inviting, and made us all feel really special and welcome to their town. Cultural excursion win. After one final drum circle, with Chris being super awesome rockstar,  we all headed back onto the bus for our final stop before heading home: the mini rice terraces.

Beautiful

View from the top

*yum*

It wasn't the longest of stops, but it was amazing nonetheless. The view of the ocean and mini terraces together was somewhat awe inspiring. I wish we could have spent a little more time there, I feel like maybe I would have had some huge epiphany or something, but alas, back on the bus we clambered, and back to "normal" student life we went.

Lacquer ware plate, bookmark, and handmade postcards.

Total souvenirs from the trip... three.
Total memories from this trip... too many to count.

Love you lattes <3