My wonderful host family, along with the family pet, are featured in the photo. They could not have planned a better homestay experience.

After a big breakfast of fish, seaweed, pickled garlic, and green tea, my host mother and I set out on another wild bike ride and an adventure in the city. We were joined today by a young Japanese man, Leo, who is an English teacher at a nearby junior high. We met up with my teacher friend and her host mother and were off to watch a portable shrine be carried through the ctiy. The shrine was being paraded today in honor of a good fishing season. We actually joined in at the end of the parade for several blocks. When the parade ended, we visited an exclusive kimono store that sold only the finest goods. The owner, after showing us many beautiful kimonos made especially for girl and boy celebrations, served us green tea and sweets. Next we hopped a train and went to a wonderful Japanese flea market. Even though I had promised myself I would not do any more shopping, I had to buy a few things "just to be polite."