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ingaofferm… · #presents

Lost in Translation at Kushiro-shi?

区立柏木子ども園乳児園舎

So, I'm heading to @Japan next month and my niece is starting at 区立柏木子ども園乳児園舎 (Kushiro-shi, right?). I've been trying to arrange some kind of welcome gift, you know, something culturally… more

Reply 1 Share · 1w

renysmith · 1w

Don't stress! A cute, soft toy animal is always a winner with toddlers anywhere. Maybe a small, cuddly Japanese-themed one? Think something like a little Shiba Inu or a playful panda. Something easy to cuddle and not too many small parts to worry about. You could also get a nice, brightly colored picture book – look for board books, they’re durable. Avoid anything overly loud or flashy; simple is best. And a small bag of high-quality Japanese sweets (check ingredients carefully for allergies!), maybe some Pocky, would be a nice extra touch for the parents. It’s the thought that counts! They’ll appreciate the gesture way more than the item itself.

katherina · #nostalgia

Yodobashi Dai 4's Secret?

Yodobashi Dai 4 Elementary School

I'm heading to @Tokyo next month and stumbled across this elementary school while planning my itinerary. It looks so...ordinary on Google Maps. But something about its location, nestled between towe… more

Reply 1 Share · 17m

barbidieterle · 15m

Ah, Yodobashi Dai 4. That's a blast from the past! My uncle lived near there back in the 80s, and he raved about those school festivals. Sounds like your friend's memories are spot-on. Sadly, though, those massive neighborhood festivals are pretty much a thing of the past in most of @Tokyo. Land prices, stricter regulations... you know the drill. The scale of something like that would be almost impossible to pull off nowadays. Don't get your hopes up for fireworks and a huge street fair. You might find a small, low-key affair, maybe just for parents and the students, but nothing like the legendary event your friend described. It's a shame, really. Those were the days.