2014

 

 

Today we went to the Kinkakuji Temple and the Nishijin Textile Center. The Kinkakuji Temple was super fun. We got to see beautiful sights like, the two guardians of the world and the big city and many trees. The coolest part of the temple was the spiritual waters. There was three different waters. One water had the power to give longevity.The other was wisdom and lastly, wealth. At the Nishijin Textile Center we got to see a amazing kimono show with all different types of colors and designs. Afterwards we got to go to the shop above. It had many cool things like, ties, key chains, and actual kimonos.

 

We are leaving and we're so sad to leave Japan but so happy to come back home. We are working on our journals for Japan. Thank you Otemon teachers, parents, students and hosts for making our time in Japan so fun.

 

By Katie, Caitlyn, Jessica, and Riley

Ohayoo gozaimau parents. We received your children yesterday morning and they are all safe. Only bad thing about their coming back is, they were not happy to see us and they were sad to leave their host families. What a difference a weekend makes. We then experienced our first trip on the subway on our way to Osaka Aquarium. The students enjoyed the unusual sea creature that live around the ring of fire. Next, lunch at Tempozan and more shopping. Parents, you have some shopaholic children! 

 

Finally, Farewell dinner at Taiko-en restaurant. Many tears were shed here by both students and host family members. It was a very sad moment for everyone including the chaperones.

 

Next stop, Kyoto and then finally our flight home. Until then parents. Jaa mata...

 

By Mrs. Tajiri

 

 

 

 

Konnichiwa parents.Today your children went off to homestay with their new host family. A lot of them were eager to go, a few were skeptical and a couple of them were sad to leave us. Not to worry parents, they are in good hands. As they left, we reassured them of the wonderful experience they will have.

 

We will have more updates starting on Monday after they return from homestay. Jaa mata....

 

By Mrs. Tajiri

 

Ohayoo! It was another long day for us again. We started off making ramen which was perfect for a rainy day. The students had fun with this hands on experience. I don' t think they realize how hard it was to make the noodles by hand. Thank goodness for technology! Our next stop was lunch in Kobe's Chinatown and then on to the Disaster Reduction Museum. At the museum, the students learned how the people of Kobe persevered through this natural disaster. They also found out that the rest of the country learned a lot from this unfortunate event. Next, dinner. Authentic Osaka cuisine....okonomiyaki. After dinner the students had a couple hours to shop (and boy did they). 
Finally, back at the hotel for bed. Oyasuminasai.

 

By: Mrs. Tajiri

 

 

 

 

Ohayoo gozaimasu parents! Your children are doing great! We had a full day on Wednesday. Wake up call was at 6, breakfast at 7, and off to Otemon Gakuin at 8:30. We were at Otemon til 3:30 then off to the pride and joy of Osaka..The Osaka Castle. We had a little free time to shop and work on our journals, ate dinner and practice our performances and finally off to bed at 9:00. Phew! Tomorrow is another day.

 

By: Mrs. Tajiri

 

 

 

 

We all made it to Osaka safely. We arrived on Tuesday at 6:00 pm which actually was 11:00 pm back in Hawaii. After spending what felt like over an hour in immigration, we finally could get  our luggage. Three teachers from Otemon Gakuin, Sakai sensei, Toda sensei and Nomura Sensei met us at the airport. The weather was in the mid 50's with light rain. We all eagerly boarded the bus for the hour ride to our hotel. At the hotel, we had a dinner of hamburger steak, spaghetti, french fries, corn soup, rice, salad, mochiko chicken, shrimp tempura, an apple pastry and green tea ice cream. We finally went to sleep around 11, Japan time. 

 

Aloha Japan. The  Manoa students are  very excited about seeing you. We are looking forward to making new memories. 

 

By Kauanoe

 

 

I really want to go to the Instant Ramen Museum when I go to Japan. In class we were told what the Manoa School students did in the past. I am looking forward to making the ramen at the museum. When we go to the ramen museum we are first, going to design our own package with markers. Next, we get to make the ramen dough for the noodles. In addition, they fast fry the noodles and put it in the package. After we make the instant ramen we get to take it home and show it to our parents and also eat it. I really look forward to making ramen at the Instant Ramen Museum.

 

By: Jada

 

 

 

We'll be visiting many places in Japan but I really want to see the aquarium in Osaka. We are going to visit it in a week and the one exhibit I want to go to is the whale shark. The aquarium also has all other kinds of animals such as the King Penguin and sea otters. We learned some of the animals are as big as a human being! I can't Imagine how big these animals will be when we see it at the Osaka Aquarium. In class we learned about how big the Osaka Aquarium is by comparing it with fish. So basically our Waikiki Aquarium is like a regular sized fish and the Osaka aquarium is like a monster whale. Just how big is it? Check back next week to see our pictures to find out!

 

By Josiah

 

 

26 Manoa School students have been studying and rehearsing for their upcoming trip to Osaka, Japan. We will perform some songs for the Otemon Gakuin Students in Japan. Of course all performances need to be practiced, so we've been rehearsing every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we've been learning more about the places we will be visiting. We are learning about the Textile Center, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, the Ramen Mueseum, various temples, and the Disaster Reduction Museum. We've been working hard and can't wait to get to Osaka!

 

by Ksenia and Lauren