Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)

My first sighting of cherry blossoms in Azabu Juban

iPhone Pictures

{A download of cell phone pictures}

Meiji Shrine

Tour of tsunami-stricken city of Kesennuma

The main office building of the sake brewery after the earthquake and tsunami.

In front of the Japanese Sake Brewery “Otoko-Yama Honten.”

Our wonderful tour guide Keiko-san and the owner of the sake brewery.

Otoko-Yama Honten Sake Brewery was founded in 1912.

Washing the rice.

Rice for making sake.

Sampling the sake.

Large vats where the sake is stored.

Kesennuma

Kesennuma Bay

Rias Shark Museum

This picture was taken a year ago on March 28, 2011 by David Guttenfelder of The Associated Press, and I posted it so you can see the damage and destruction just after the tsunami hit this fishing village.

{Ironically, David Guttenfelder is the husband of my son's preschool teacher.}

The No. 18 Kyotoku-maru ship -- "The Ghost Ship of Kesennuma."

This was a fishing trawler that was swept up at sea and ended up near one of the main roads about 800 meters inland.

A temporary housing complex in Kesennuma City.

This lone pine tree (250 years old) is a symbol of hope after the tsunami destruction, and is called the "miracle" pine tree. Approximatley 60,000 pine trees were destroyed. RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan

A group of children bowing to each other.

Taking off our slippers before dinner.

KANPAI!

Wearing our yukatas for the banquet dinner.

A little after dinner fun!

Motsuji Temple - Hiraizumi (Iwate prefecture)

The red Torii Gate of Hakusan Jinja Shrine that is located in the Chusonji Temple Complex.

Japanese lunch at “Hiraizumi Rest House.”