I am a Sansei, the third generation of Japanese living in America. My very first visit to Japan was with my Grandma and my parents. She took us to Chiran village, Kagoshima, where she was born, to see the river where she swam as a child. We even met a lady who knew my Grandma as a little girl.
At the Shodo Island
At the Ryokan
Since then, I have traveled many times to Japan with aunties, uncles and siblings to visit beautiful tourist sites and to meet Japanese relatives. Two years ago, our family celebrated my Mothers 75th birthday by taking a Highlights of Classic Japan tour together. We visited Tokyo, Nara, Kyoto, Miyajima, Hiroshima, and Shodo Island.
Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima
Miyajima Island in Hiroshima
My Mom was delighted to share the experience with all 15 of us – her 4 children, their spouses and all grandchildren. She was thrilled and grateful that we could visit Japan (some for the first time), to discover and explore the land of our cultural heritage.
shirakawago in Takayama
Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto
After the trip, my talented sister made a Shutterbug-type photo album with historical information for each of us. In addition, each family member was responsible for journaling one day of travel. This diary also documents the fun, silly and delicious food aspects of our trip.
Making fond family memories together in Japan is an extraordinary experience.
Debra. N
Posted on January 21st, 2009 by JNTO Friends
Filed under: -Heritage, Others