Elementary school children from Onagawa took a trip to Tendo City, Yamagata. The children who participated in this excursion were 5th and 6th graders from Onagawa Daiichi, Daini and Daiyon Elementary Schools. They arrived at Yamadera at 10:30 am. They began climbing the mountain in beautiful weather. In Tohoku, the “greens” are luxurious and dark at this time of the year, and when shined on by sunlight, the contrast is a great art itself. Being exposed to the cool and fresh air in Yamadera is like savoring a forest bath. I wondered how these children from Onagawa, the city that lost colors, felt seeing these lush green trees. Tour guides explained each site of interest to the children. While taking a good look at a rock shaped like Buddha, they slowly ascended toward a mountain-top temple. I’ve been taking photos of children for schools for many years, but I was so moved by these children who showed so much interest in Buddhism and were praying with their hands together when passing the Buddha-like rock. Oh, how difficult the last three and a half months must have been for them.
They enjoyed the gorgeous buffet lunch and hot spring bath at the hotel. Though the buffet offered a large section of exotic dishes, their favorites were fried chicken and spaghetti, simple dishes that are available anywhere! Buckwheat noodle and stew with Yonezawa beef, the specialties of Yamagata, were also offered. The hot spring bath was refreshing after the 90-minute climb (Alas…no such luck for the teachers and me, we were too busy with chores to enjoy the hot springs.)
After lunch, we enjoyed picking cherries for dessert！ “Satonishiki” is in season this time of the year in Yamagata.
We went to one of the commercial cherry farms, not the one for tourists. Large cherries were everywhere. Being allowed to eat as much as they could, they stretched their arms high. But after 10 minutes, they stopped eating and started spitting pits. I took pictures while picking cherries. Some children picked cherries for me, saying “These are great.”
This was the best excursion for the children and they fully enjoyed Yamagata. For teachers, it was a great time to relax and release the tension they had been under for a long time since the earthquake. We thank Sanko for sponsoring the trip that healed us both physically and mentally.
We went to one of the commercial cherry farms, not the one for tourists. Large cherries were everywhere. Being allowed to eat as much as they could, they stretched their arms high. But after 10 minutes, they stopped eating and started spitting pits. I took pictures while picking cherries. Some children picked cherries for me, saying “These are great.”
This was the best excursion for the children and they fully enjoyed Yamagata. For teachers, it was a great time to relax and release the tension they had been under for a long time since the earthquake. We thank Sanko for sponsoring the trip that healed us both physically and mentally.
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