Shimoda Trip

In the late 1800's, a big black ship sailed in the waters near the coast of Shimoda, Japan. The Americans on board embarked on Japanese soil, the first foreigners to be seen in this area. After much work and negotiations by these Americans, Japan opened it's ports to outside influence. Shimoda is now known around the world and much is celebrated here. Every year, the third weekend in May, the Black Ship Festival is the talk of the town. People dress up in period costume. Samurai, Geisha, "Ladies & Gents", American Naval Officers, and much more, wander around town taking pictures with visitors and walking in parades. There are festivals, games, and lots of food. And, there is music. Throughout the weekend, you can hear so many kinds of music from American Big Band and Dixieland to Japanese hymns and Taiko drums. David has been a part of this festival for the past three years. The Navy Band is invited to participate every year. They drive down, (it's about 4 hours by car, south of us) and they spend three days marching in parades and playing concerts. This year, I decided I wanted to go, too! I had to make myself understand that the kids' wouldn't fall to pieces if I left them for a couple of days. My world might be turned upside down leaving them, but they would be fine. One of my closest friends offered to watch Jacob and Abby. I packed their gear and sent them off to the Napier's, while Jackson and I hopped on a train and began our adventure to Shimoda. After a LONG and not fun train trip, definitely a blog story for another time, we made it to Shimoda. We checked into the Prince Hotel. One of these pictures is the view from our hotel room #427. David came and stayed with us after his work was done. Saturday we watched the parade in the morning and wandered around looking at all the sights and hearing all the sounds. On this special occasion, a Navy ship pulls in and all the sailors on the ship become part of the atmosphere. They are all required to be in uniform, even during liberty. It really is a sight to see, a very good mixture of American and Japanese cultures. White Navy uniforms, blue Marine uniforms, and Kimono everywhere is a very interesting combination! Saturday night, the band did an outdoor concert at the Shimoda Civic Center. David played two solos, both fantastic! The crowd loved him and the rest of the band. The Navy vocalist sang a Japanese ballad. She even sang it in Japanese and of course, the crowd went crazy, they loved it! I've noticed that when the Navy band plays for a Japanese crowd, the music the people love the most and sing to is usually Frank Sinatra and music from that era. Saturday afternoon, while David was doing a private ceremony, Jackson and I ventured down to the beach for his first ever experience in sand. He was a little frightened at first, but then he just wanted to splash his feet in the water. Sunday was another parade and more music. The taiko drummers were out and the people in the parade were all around. I got several pictures with people dressed for the festivities. Jackson and I got back on the train, a better experience going back, and got home in the afternoon just in time to have dinner with Jacob and Abby, who by the way, are not scarred in the least bit! David had more to do in Shimoda and returned late Sunday evening. Aside from the gaijin experience on the train, this trip was so fun and will always be one of the highlights of our adventure in the Land of The Rising Sun.