Sankeien Garden and China Town

Before coming to Japan we were introduced, via Facebook, from a friend-of-a-friend to a woman named Miki. It was one of those situations where a Facebook post that said we were moving to japan was spotted by a someone who lived in Yokosuka prior and said "You HAVE to meet my friend when you get there!" I am so glad that people connect like that nowadays and we were able to meet Miki and her daughter. Being in Japan can be scary when you're trying to explore the area outside of the gate. If Doug were home I wouldn't think twice about it. Having him with us is a reassurance of navigation and safety. When he's away we make due to explore cautiously on our own. Today we met Miki, a Japanese woman who was born and raised in Yokohama. Her daughter Miyu came with us too. What a DOLL she was, both of them. Miki messaged me on Facebook and gave me picture perfect directions on how to get to the train station, which one to take and what time to get on. Literally. She drew me a picture. It was the sweetest thing. 

After my sweet friend, Jeannie helped get us to the main gate, because we're still unsure of which gates to use and how to get there, we were off! 

We met Miki and Miyu at the train station near her house. Since I had only seen photos of Miki on Facebook, I wasn't sure if we would recognize her at the station or how long it would take to find her. As soon as we stepped out on the platform from the train, she was standing there smiling and waving. I guess I didn't have to worry about finding her because we must have stuck out like crazy....two confused little American girls. 

After quick introductions for all of us, we set off (in her car) to go to Sankeien Gardens. Miki brought a stack of touristy brochures of different places local in the area to visit and a little bag of Japanese candies and snacks for Ava for the car ride. Miyu spoke English very well and was able to understand most of what were saying, even though Ava talks a mile-a-minute! They quickly learned that they had a love of Taylor Swift in common and thats what we listened to in the car the rest of the day. 

I looked at the Sankeien Garden brochure in the car but wasn't quite sure what to expect. In hindsight, I realized that many of the beautiful pictures I "pinned" on Pinterest of places I wanted to see in Japan, were taken right there in that garden. It was a really amazing place to see. Beauty on beauty. Miki told us that the different seasons made the garden something you need to seem more than once. Each season brings a different feel all together to the park. Im excited to go back in the fall. The photos Ive seen of the fall trees in bloom are unreal.  

Got her tickets to the Garden 

Walking around that Garden was absolutely beautiful! There was so much beauty to look at in every direction. We are definitely going back this fall and again the in spring when the Wisteria are in bloom. I love that way wisterias look and there are so many here. 

Huge Wisteria frame

The highlight of the day for me was watching her make green tea, Not because the process was so cool but because I was afraid that Ava would say something like a normal 8 year old that would offend the Japanese women helping her make the tea. After going through the process, she smelled it and make a "pukey gagging face", said it smelled like grass and looked "disgusting". I was MORTIFIED. The tea maker helping her laughed and said " You makey, you drinkey"......hahahahah! At least they had good attitudes about it. Im certain is wasn't the first time they had a child say that. 

Ava learning to make real japanese green tea

Ava and Miyu signing in the guest book of this home on the property

After tea making we made out way to a cute little hut with soft serve ice cream and bread necklaces. The ice cream was so good and much needed on a blazing hot day. The necklaces were .50¥ and were to feed the local Koi fish. This was by far the best money spent all day. Ava went back and got two more necklaces for the fish because is was so much fun to do! 

Super delicious ice cream 

Koi food necklaces 

I think there were a billion Koi's 

I thought about pushing her in for a hot second. Little toe fish food :) 

Ava and Miki

After the Garden we went to eat lunch in China Town in Yokohama. Its like a little Chinese city. They have their own Chinese schools, banks, restaurants, shrines and shops. Its really a little China. PANDAS EVERYWHERE! 

HUGE Shrine in China Town 

Streets in China Town 

After China Town Miki took us on a car tour of Yokohama. Its really a beautiful city. There is so much to see and do there and I can't wait to go back and explore it soon. I think you could go back everyday for a month and not cover everything. Having them with us really made the experience of the day what it was. Its so nice having a Japanese friend that welcomes you and makes you feel like a real friend from the get go. It was an awesome day!!!