Sasebo: May 19 - 21

The whole purpose for our trip to Japan was to see where my grandmother grew up and to learn about her history. Our travels finally took us to her hometown of Sasebo where we were warmly greeted by close friends who treated us to a wonderful time in Sasebo. As a harbor city Sasebo is now home to a US military base and we could easily see the American influences in the city. It didn't take away from the historic aspects of the city although everything from the city hall to the train station was burnt to the ground during the US raid on Sasebo during WWII. During our walking tour of the city, my grandmother recountered her experiences that day and got to learn a lot more about her childhood while she gave us a tour of where her home once stood and where she went to school.

A good portion of our time was also spent shopping. My grandmother raved about the shopping Sasebo and she was right - she got all sorts of cute clothes and we all ended up spending far too much money on souveniers, but it is a once in a lifetime trip after all so we've justified the expenditures. Hopefully our husband's will understand :).

Here are some of the highlights of Sasebo:
1. Tour of where Grandma Michiko grew up
2. Karioke - Japanese take their karioke very serious and we found countless bars around the city so we spent the evening out with my grandmothers friends singing the night away.
3. Harbor cruise & city overlook - Sasebo is know for its 200+ islands. I have no idea how any ship can navigate the harbor we were getting so confused but it's a beautiful city.
4. Dinner with friends - we had Japanese style Chinese food and a traditional Japanese meal the other day. It was so much fun spending the days and evenings with my grandmothers friends and seeing her have such a great time. Her best friend from her childhood was amoung the group and they have known each other since elementary school.
5. Shopping - we have shopped our entire way through Japan and our large suitcases and extended duffle bags are proof of that.
6. Sasebo Burgers & Tonkatsu: both are amazing and so delicious here.
7. Church: we visited the local military branch and I always love knowing that you can go to Church anywhere in the world and count on it to fill just like home.
8. Visiting a local junior high with Shinobu (my grandmother's best friend's son). We got to see what Japanese school was like and meet a few of the students.

Here are some of the pictures from our three days here:
My grandmother's first elementary school from before WWII.

Hachinoya: the same pastry shop where my grandma and her friends would get treats during high school.

Proof I made it to Sasebo.

The property where my great grandmother lived with my grandmother following WWII. The building was rebuilt twice I belive and served as a boarding house that my great grandmother ran before it was sold and repurposed as a parking lot. I wish the house were still there and we could see it, but we'll just have to imagine the old Japanese architecture.

My grandmother's friends. Her best friend from high school, Fukiko, is shown on the right side. She along with Miyoko (pictured on the far left) drove us all around Sasebo and we couldn't be more grateful for treating us so kindly. It was wonderful getting to know them.

The overlook over Sasebo harbor.

Karioke bar.

Grandma Michiko dancing and singing the night away.

Sasebo Harbor Cruise.