I walked 32,306 steps today all over Yokohama!

Long day but really great day! I went to the Kannai neighborhood of Yokohama. I visited the Silk Museum it was wonderful! It was about a 20 mintue walk from the Kannai train station. I pasted the baseball stadium and finally saw my first church! On the way back there was a wedding coming out and taking pictures in the open area next to it.

 

        The extra exhibit at the Silk Museum was the influences of Japanese emigrant’s textiles on Hawaiian textiles. They had displays of different Hawaiian shirts and women’s clothing form 1920’s to present. They started with beautiful men’s kimonos patterns and how they were transferred to the shirts.  They were stunning! There were birds and lobsters and people and birds. There were mountains and fish all brightly colored and the designs made the Hawaiian shirt what it is today. Tommy Bahamas has no idea where it comes from and how beautiful it can be. The display took it through the 40 when Hawaiian shirts became really popular because of WWII and the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  The men station there brought the fabrics and the shirts back to the main land states and it took off. There was a line of women’s dress MuMu’s and things that show the influence of Japanese artist too.  I really enjoyed the display and never knew of the link. But if you see the Kimonos and the shirts together it is so unreal! I spent about two hours there just looking and walking around. Many of the displays had articles and books and clipping on display that were in English so I was able to read the old stuff but not the Kanji explanations.

 

I then found out were all the second hand stuff from America lives. There was a flee market area in the lower level of the building next door.

I really thought it was a hoot! They even had used bedsheets from America for sale. And you were wondering what happen to all that stuff. I looked around just to see if some of my parent’s old stuff we gave away was there. I would not have been surprise if it did. They had old used cowboy boots, kids clothing all kinds of stuff. I thought I was at the Good Will except the prices where unreal! A little pair of kid jeans were $50.00.

 

I then went out and walked to the pier. There was a great view of the Harbor and ships. There were a lot of people sunning and walking along the pier. It was built with green spaces on top and you could use it is like a park area. It was really a large pier.

      

I left there and walked over to the Yamashita Shoreline Park /port Area. I spent sometime drawing the trees and port. But before I left the area I had another first. I went to use the bathroom and just stood there for a few minutes trying to figure out how to use the facilities. I had to take a picture to show you because I would not have been able to explain it. I guess I will try anything once!

  

I walked back to the train about 3pm and it was starting to get really crowded. Then I remembered it was Friday and everyone was starting their weekend.  I went back to Yokohama station because I promised one of the men with Paul I would pick up a baby sweater or shirt. I was unable to find the store I had gone to last time called Toyko Hands. I just got turned around with the crowds of people. I then walked back to the station and looked in the stores there.

It was hard to find baby anything so I had to go to the Takashinay store. It is like a Saks but more expensive. I finally had to ask someone with my handy dandy Japanese phrase book were the baby clothing was. The sales girl was so kind she walked me over to the elevator and pushed the right floor button for me. I thought she was going to pin a note on me too! Really people have been so very kind to me with my very bad Japanese. I did have a good laugh though when I finally figured out what the “Walking around calmly” section was. I have been seeing this on the floor maps at all the stores and could not figure out what it meant then it dawned on me they meant “Casual Wear” It’s true every store had a section called men’s wear, shoes, or what ever and then a walking around calmly section. I just love the translations! I did not buy anything I could not bare to buy a little shirt for $68.00. I finally went to the book store and got another “Hungry Caterpillar” book in Kanji for $10.00. I also pick up five toe socks for his wife. I am sure she well get a kick out of them.

 

There was a lot more to see but I was over it. I could hardly walk after four days of a lot of walking. I will go back and see Chinatown, the Archives of History, and the Yokohama Doll Museum on Monday. Now that I know how to get there it will be less walking.

 

Well I am beat so I am taking a nap before I go to bed! More tomorrow!