Japan: Samurai park

We planned a visit to the Toei Kyoto Studio Park especially for Hazel. She was a real trooper on our trip, but it was often hard for her. She had the worst jet lag and didn't have a nap the whole time we were there. We knew that some of our sightseeing would be dull for her, and we wanted to make sure that there was at least one activity that would be extra-special fun just for Hazel, given her love of weaponry. I've asked her to help me caption the photos; the comments in italics below are all hers.

They're teaching them how to hold a sword. 

A samurai sword fighting demonstration and lesson. The people lined up against the wall were audience volunteers who got to participate in the lesson.

Those are samurai, real samurai. Those are the three real samurai.

That's our whole entire family, without Kevin and Chikako or Nina and Sam. It was really fun.

The sword fighting lesson included specific instructions about how to lunge as you strike with your sword. I appear to be the only one in the family who missed the lesson that you lunge with the left foot forward. Or perhaps I can try to make the case that I'm the only one who got it right. Probably not. 

It was really fun! It was sad when we had to leave the samurai park.

The whole place reminded us of a Renaissance festival: fake historic atmosphere, costumes, performances, swords, crowds, and lots of opportunities to spend money on stuff you probably don't need.

Snacks! A constant at any theme park (or Renaissance festival). Juniper is enjoying one of the always-popular rice balls.

Ninjas slide down the roof, like that statue.

We skipped this ninja haunted house--the combination of long line, admission fee, and kids who don't like scary stuff made it a clear loser.

We are sliding down a roof, like a ninja!

The ninja roof slide, on the other hand, was a terrific option and a big hit with the kids. 

Hiyah!

The carnival-style throwing star game was also fun. The three younger kids could use some more practice, but Sam did well enough to win a prize.

Awesome! It's the ninja show, not just a blackout thing.

The ninja show was awesome--much better than we expected going into it. The main performers had some pretty impressive acrobatics along with their choreographed fighting. Kevin kindly translated for Juniper and Hazel, and the story was melodramatic enough for me and Aaron to get most of it. Samurai, ninjas, a humble potato farmer, betrayal, frost magic, ogres, and even zombie ninjas controlled by a magic lantern.

That's actually me and Juniper, just we're behind statue things.

Hiyah - pow! Those are me and Juniper. We got the swords in Japan. The grown-ups told us not to hit them, and we didn't hit them.

At the samurai park, these plastic swords are absolutely not in the category of stuff you probably don't need. Our only mistake was not buying them sooner. When we first arrived, we weren't quite sure what to expect or what to do. The park was heavy on atmosphere, but a little light on things to do between the shows. How do you turn samurai atmosphere into samurai adventure?

Us fighting. That's us fighting. It's fun to fight. I really like fighting. I don't know why. I just do.

With a $5.00 plastic sword.

We're the bad guys, and he is the good guy. 

Once armed, the four children were transformed into mighty warriors engaged in an epic battle. Their alliances changed frequently, but their determination was limitless. (At least, it extended past the park's closing time.)

Note that Sam has a morning star in addition to his sword. That was his prize for successfully hitting a target with his shuriken in the carnival game. Also, Juniper would like to let the record state that she was actually an undercover good guy.

That's Juniper, hopping up and trying to do something. I think...

I might call it a flying attack, or at least a leap. Definitely more noble than a hop.

Hacho-ya! I love my sword from Japan!