6th day in Oita – The best night in Japan so far!!!

The constant rain stopped! The weather in Oita is beautiful and makes the city and the Kaikan look so much better. The air is not humid anymore, the sun is shining, it is warm, … The perfect weather made everybody so happy! This is what you would describe as a perfect summer day in Germany ^_^ Today was the first time, that I thought Oita was a nice place to stay. I also got used to our dirty Kaikan and feel more comfortable in my dorm room. (Should I be happy or worried about that? Haha.)



Tonight was really amazing. I had my first direct and honest insight into the Japanese culture! We went to the traditional moon watching festival of the community around the Kaikan. It was a small event with about 40 people, which took place at the community center (it was a Kindergarten before) near our Kaikan.

We were welcomed so warmly! We were offered the best seats immediately. When the organizer gave an opening speech, he explicitly mentioned us foreigners and wished that we would enjoy the evening.



And then we were served so much food and drinks by everybody! They even served us first before serving the others. The feeling reminded me of the warm welcome that I experienced in Taipei. We ate cake and some kind of soup that was handmade and sponsored by the women of the neighbourhood. Real Japanese food, yeah! ^_^ This is so special because most of the food, for example the omanju, are bought in a supermarket, instead of being handmade, which is much more time consuming. We also had maccha tea, cold tea, beer, sake… And you could actually watch the moon! The breeze was cool, the children were laughing and playing around us, the men and women were relaxed and smiling, …




The women of the community have cooked soup for everybody



We are invited to eat Omanju



Omanju - Sweet rice cake with soy bean filling


Happy!


We are invited to drink some beer



Eating outside under the sky and watching the moon


Sweet potatoes and some kind of beans that you eat right off the twigs


Penner Quinni has to eat from the tree branches

Tonight was like being allowed to dive into their culture, not only watching a Japanese community get together but actually being part of it. You usually expect Japanese people to be polite but distanced. But tonight was the complete opposite. We were welcomed so warmly and cared for as guests. I absolutely loved it.


Fumiko took care of us very warmly


All in all, I start to really like my stay in Japan. Finally!