Our first train ride

On Thursday, as part of our orientation, we went to a nearby town called Kamakura. One of the purposes for the trip was for us to learn how to use the Japanese train system. A little intimidating because most everything is in Japanese. And because we are not familiar with all the towns and cities in the area - very important because the trains will have the last stop listed on the trains (not just the stop where you want to get off). For instance, we took the Chiba train to get to Kamakura yet Chiba is actually just a little east of Tokyo about 70 miles away. Same thing when we wanted to go back to Yokosuka - we took the Yurihama train which is a town about 10 miles past Yokosuka. This we had to figure out on our own.

We needed to get money the night
before for the trip. No dollars, only Yen.

That morning, we walked from our lodge
to the orientation. Everyone is excited.

We are taking the bus to the train
station. Macie is excited, Mona is not
as excited.

Japanese school children. The hats
signify which class they are in and were
a common sight.

The map to guide us to our destination.

Our first Japanese train ticket.
It cost 220 Yen.

Macie and I waiting for the train.

I gave Macie girl a hug for good luck.

Once we got on, Macie got a little nervous.
Wish I had taken a picture of Mona.

This is on our way back. Macie is now
an expert on riding the train. At least, until
the next time.

We made it back. Mona can relax now. Actually,
everyone did really well and had a great time.

Our first trip - Kamakura

We made it back from our first trip off base to visit the city of Kurakama. The trip was filled with firsts for us - first time being off base, first time riding on the Japanese railway, first time to a Shinto Shrine, to eating at a Japanese restaurant and to finding our way back to the base on our own. We experienced and learned so much that I will have to break the trip down into several posts. This first post is about the Shinto Shrine we visited in Kamakura.

Macie and I on the steps of
the Hachiman Shrine.

Macie and Mona.

The Hachiman shrine.

Our guide for the tour of the Shrine and
of Kamakura.

Macie is guiding me through the
steps to purify myself before entering
the shrine. I had to use a lot of water.

A candied grape.

Traditional celebration for 3 and 7 year old girls
and 3 and 5 year old boys. Both girls and boys
wear kiminos.

Our guide is telling us about the
first Shogun - a samurai named
Minamoto Yoritomo. 

The 12.4 million number is the number of
visitors to the shrine each year. The 2.5
million is the of number to visit the shrine
 in the first 3 days each new year.. 

Our guide explaining that the shrine was
built by the first Shogun who moved the
capital of Japan to Kamakura.

Your are not supposed to walk on
the center sidewalk - it is reserved
for the gods. Note how many are
walking on it - she said that even
a lot of Japanese are unaware of this.

A gate like the one pictured above wil be seen
before every shrine in Japan. The presence of a gate is how you can tell the difference between a Shinto shrine and a Buddhist temple.

Notice who is carrying the flag. And
I was hoping not to stand out.

We venture out

Today, we take our first trip off base. As a group we are going to take a train ride to Kamakura - which is about 10 miles from the base. We are going to do some sightseeing in the morning, they are going to give some instructions, we eat lunch on our own and then we have to find our way back to the base. It is going to be interesting. Of course, Mona has describes it a little differently - she uses words like stressed and freaked out.
The leader of our little expedition said that they hadn't lost anyone yet. To make help us make it back, they are giving us a little blue card that says in Japanese "I am from Yokosuka Naval Base. I am lost. Please help." I suggested to Mona that she needs to hang her card around her neck as soon as we leave base.

The Wa

We have learned a lot about the Japanese culture over the last few days as part of our required training here on the base. The speakers about the culture and customs of Japan were Japanese nationals. They did a great job of communicating to us the essence of Japan. These speakers not only communicated the intrinsic character of Japan with their words and information but also in the way they delivered their presentations. It has motivated Mona and I even more to want to experience the Japanese culture.
There was so much information presented that it will take several posts to write about what we learned - which I will do over the next couple of weeks. But I did want to touch on one aspect of Japanese culture that is the basis for who the Japanese are and why they act in the manner that they do.

That aspect is called The Wa. It is translated as harmony. To the Japanese, harmony is the basis for their culture. Everyone and their actions affect The Wa. One of the speakers said that, in such a crowded country, the only way to live in such a country is to have good manners and consideration for those around you. One example she gave is how people do not talk (or talk in hush tones) while riding the subway. You do not talk loudly or disturb the people around you.
She said that in the US it is all about the individual. Individual rights and freedoms are very important to Americans. Whereas, in Japan, the culture or community is first and foremost. She also said not to be concerned when were out visiting in Japan because they know that Americans have a different culture and that, as long as there is respect, that they accept the differences because of the importance of harmony.

One thing that I found interesting about the wa is that it might explain a question that I had about religion in Japan. When I was searching the internet trying to learn as much as I could about Japan before our move, I learned that there were 2 main religions - the native Japanese religion,Shinto, and the imported religion,Buddhism. The thing that I found odd was how the two religions were not only not at odds with each other but that they coexisted peacefully and, in some ways, had meshed together. Maybe the wa is the explanation for this. Very interesting.

Earthquakes and tsunamis, and typhoons.......oh my.

At times yesterday, I could see Mona getting a little stressed as we sat listening to the various speakers give their spiel about a whole range of issues. One of the speakers that stressed Mona a little gave a talk about emergency preparedness. He talked about earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons. The good news - because of the base location and its geographical landscape, is that tsunamis are not likely in this area. The bad news is that earthquakes of some sort will occur - the question of how much concern for us will be how close and how strong the earthquakes are. Typhoons will also occur and again, similar to earthquakes, the question of how much we will be impacted depends on how close and how strong the typhoon is.
She relaxed when we talked about the fact that we have the same issues back home - earthquakes in California, hurricanes along the Gulf Coast and tornadoes in Texas and Oklahoma. (of course, I didn't point out that those examples are spread out over an entire country and not focused in one small area. I will save that for another day).
About the time she calmed down about the possible natural disasters, we had another speaker that started talking about Japanese prisons and rights of the accused. A lot different than back home.
Again I was able to calm Mona - this time by pointing out that we don't do the things that would cause us to be arrested or thrown into Japanese prisons.
Then they started talking about the issues of driving in Japan - crowded, narrow streets, the way Japanese insurance works and how traffic accidents are handled.
She again calmed down, this time by us deciding that we will drive slowly and carefully.
And then......
As I finish writing this, I realize that I probably should have titled this post Mona and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

We get started

Today, we started becoming a part of the life here at Yokosuka. The first thing that any new arrival to Yokosuka is required to do is attend what is called an AOB (area orientation brief). It must be the military's sense of humor to add the word brief because it is anything but. The AOB lasts 5 days with each day lasting 8 hours. Today was really interesting - lots of information about the ins and outs of how Yokosuka works, from expectations for dress and behavior to housing to who has jurisdiction for crimes and punishment. A couple of things that really stood out was how easy it is to obtain alcohol (you can buy it in vending machines) and certain types of illicit drugs (which you can actually buy in Japanese pharmacies. Hence, military personnel are not allowed to go into these pharmacies). Another interesting thing we learned about was that when you ride a bicycle in Japan, you can get tickets and have a point system just as if you were driving a car.
We had about 15 different speakers - mostly military but some civilians and Japanese - presenting information. The itinerary for tomorrow looks like another day of information and presenters. Wednesday is going to be devoted to Japanese customs and culture - I know that I will have a lot to write about on that day. Then on Thursday, we get to go on a field trip outside the base and visit the city - it is something that we are really looking forward to. I am sure that I will have lots to write about and pictures to post of our first trip into the city. On Friday, we will be introduced to driving in Japan and have the opportunity to take the written part of the driving test. Mona and I are already studying.
I forgot to add that the room was completely packed with all walks of life - from military and their spouses to civilians and their spouses. When I said that everyone has to attend AOB - that means anyone new to the base (even if you had been stationed here before).

Message from Main Street - Yokosuka Naval Base

A message from Mona and Macie to everyone back home.