Children's Day

Today is Children's Day in Japan. It's one of the holidays making up Golden Week this week which means no school for us! All the neighbors have hung these carp shaped koinobori flags. It used to be called Boys Day but they changed it to include girls. It's one of those Japanese things that they make seem like it's very traditional and ancient but really was started by the government in 1948. Here are some of the koinobori from around our town.

Meanwhile, we're in the thick of trying to get rid of stuff here and tie up loose ends while meanwhile starting to think about getting things set up back home. Less than 3 weeks now!