Japan is almost halfway around the world from the United States. When you are getting ready for school at seven o'clock in the morning, it is already nine o'clock at night in Japan and the second graders here are all sound asleep in their beds.
Japan is a country of islands. The whole country is just a little bit smaller than the State of California.
Most of the people live on the four biggest islands: Hokkaido (HOH-KAH-EE-DOH), Honshu (HOHN-SHOE), Shikoku (SHEE-KOH-KOO), and Kyushu (KEE-YOO-SHOE). Ryan's friends live near Yokohama. Can you find Yokohama on the map?
In Japan the school year begins in April. There is a six week long break in summer and shorter breaks in winter and spring. I picked a good time to visit Japan because the spring break, called Golden Week, began today. Golden Week begins on April 29 when the Japanese people celebrate Showa Day, the birthday of Emperor Showa who ruled Japan for more than fifty years until he died in 1989. His son is now the Emperor of Japan.
Takano Fruit Parlor is a fun place to celebrate birthdays in Japan. Let's go there to celebrate Showa Day! The special fruit for April is mango. Mary ordered the biggest mango dessert on the menu!
I liked the chocolate parfait, too. Chocolate is less sweet in Japan than it is in the United States but it still tastes good.
We are going to celebrate the rest of Golden Week in Tokyo, the capital of Japan. I am so excited!
Sounds like Flat Stanley is off to a good visit!
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