Niitsu- The Making of Mount Fuji

Ok, back to Niitsu, we took a tour of the Niigata University of Pharmacy, which we worried might be a little dull, but in fact, Kenja and I found it quite interesting. We had lots of questions when we got to the herbal medicine room and commented that we couldn't believe that the root form of the drug used to make meth was just lying out on the counter for anyone to grab. Apparently the drug's use is also a growing problem in Japan and people are required to sign for cold medicine just like the states.

We had a great time asking about the professional differences between working in Japan and the states. And the man to the right of Kenja Ogino-san was like a father to us. He went to great lengths to gets us English to Japanese and Japanese to English dictionaries and was always so thoughtful and considerate. He and his beautiful wife, also a pharmacist, were difficult to say goodbye to. We hope they do visit us in the states!

We also toured a local dental clinic, that has been in the Mimura family for generations. First the grandfather ran it, then the father and now the son runs it. His brothers are either dentists or married to nurses or dental hygienists. And like most business owners, the family's home is next to the clinic, which is great for patients who have a late-night emergency.

Kenja and I later remarked that it must both be a great honor to carry on the family tradition but we wondered if people also find it a great burden. Not in the sense that it is difficult work. But in that a child's heart may be drawn to something else, an area in which their talents would be vastly more utilized.

We also got to tour a factory that makes railroad trains and visited the most beautiful garden we have ever seen. The garden is housed at the Northern Culture Museum, which is a grand old house owned by a wealthy businessman. Again, it's been in the Ito family for generations and a family member's chance encounter with an American helped to secure the home as a museum and prevented it from being destroyed. Great story but I won't try to tell it for fear of getting it wrong. But if I got to look at this view all day, I'd feel like I was in heaven.

This will be the setting for the next G8 summit. Quite a coup for this museum. We were told each world leader will bring at least 100 secret service with them. This little town will be taken over, pretty much. What's interesting about this garden is that you have to sit on the floor to truly get a grasp of just how beautiful it is. This picture doesn't even begin to do it justice. The picture below is of our tour guide, Brian (the name given to him by his American girlfriend at some point) showing everyone the expanse of the view.We also got to practice making pottery. I was not very good and provided lots of laughs. It was difficult to get the drift of what I was supposed to do with my hands. The artist would tell our translator Rika and by the time the translation got to me, it was already too late. Instead of a cup, I made a bowl with a little mountain in the middle. The artist said I was the first to create Mount Fuji.

Kenja on the other hand, was pretty good. But she did take three years of pottery classes in Tempe so I didn't feel too bad that she schooled me.

And we ended our stay here at the home of Mr. Hara, the owner of the Hotel Miyoshi where we stayed for our three days. His home is quite impressive and we coerced him into giving us a tour and showing us his family archives/treasures up in the attic. We found lots of scrolls and swords. We were fascinated and could have stayed there all night.

His family was quite welcoming and pleasant. One of his sons, Osama, practiced his English on us. He informed us that his sister, who is studying to be a doctor, is the smartest person he knows. It was so touching.