This week, we got to experience some of Shimotsuke’s local events and more. On Sunday, we went to Shimotsuke’s Oktoberfest, which was actually my first time ever celebrating it.
Shimotsuke’s sister city is Dietzhölztal, Germany. It seems like there is a lot of exchange with them. Every year, they host visitors from Germany in various cultural events. Last year was their 50th anniversary of the relationship! German influence can be seen in different parts of the town, like a German-style bakery (which I have not tried yet, but want to!), a German-themed park called Grimm Forest, which was built to celebrate their relationship and puts on illuminations each winter (stay tuned!) and this week, holding a local Oktoberfest.
It was very interesting to go to, as it combined traditional Japanese matsuri culture and food with a celebration of German beer and food. Local vendors came out, especially beer breweries, and there was German-themed decorations and performances on the live stage. It was a great time!
Later in the week, I went to Tokyo by myself to visit a new friend and to say goodbye to an old one.
I arrived to Tokyo, and met up with a new friend, who is a fellow Fulbright Alumni that visited America for her year. She showed me around Ikebukuro, and we had some delicious pancakes and saw Luffy!
After hanging out with her, I met up with Kilie once again. She was with her husband’s family from Australia, who I got to meet in Japan of all places! I took them out to dinner at Kura Sushi, and gave them a short tour of Takeshita street, where I advised them to try my favorite crepe spot in Japan. The next day, Kilie and I went to Shibuya, where I finally got to check out Cafe L’occitane. I notice it every time I go to Shibuya, but didn’t go until that day. My drink was so delicious! (But expensive!!) Afterwards, I took her back to Harajuku, where she bought Onitsuka Tigers and a phone case from Ca:Space. I took her to lunch at my favorite restaurant ever: Roast Beef Ohno. Eventually, though, it was time for a hard goodbye. Kilie moved to Australia recently, and I don’t know the next time I will be able to see her. It was difficult going from my best friends all being within a few hours to now scattered across the world. When I have time, I’ll definitely make the trip. I said goodbye to Kilie at Harajuku station, and then went back to Shimotsuke.
This week was a very memorable and sentimental one. See you next time!
Leave a Reply