Our Japanese Easter

Japan doesn't do Easter. At all. Unlike Christmas, which they seem to have embraced wholeheartedly (except, you know, that side issue of it being religious), there is nothing anywhere about Easter. I wouldn't even have known Easter was on the way if it wasn't for people from home asking me what I was doing for it.

Since neither John nor I are religious, Easter is pretty much all about Easter egg hunts and stuffing yourself stupidly full of chocolate. With help from a few parcels from home, we managed to fulfil both of those criteria. And, because the Easter Bunny/Jesus still loves Japan even if they don't love him, Easter Sunday seemed to mark the start of spring in Sendai. Ever since last Sunday, it has been warming up, flowers have been flowering and the world feels friendly. More about that in several hundred more future posts.

Chocolate from home. Thanks Mum, Terry and Stacey :D

Trying to get John in a party spirit by scaring him to death with party poppers first thing in the morning! 

We then made the most of the first day of good weather by cycling up a massive hill. Because we're stupid.

A shrine to your pets, I think.

We then went swimming, and afterwards had this lovely view across Kuzuoka and Kunimi in West Sendai. 

Now it's spring, living in the countryside doesn't seem so bad.

The shop in Sendai that sells taiyaki only sells cream and red bean paste ones all the time, and then sells a third other for a week or so at a time. I only like chocolate, and they haven't had them for about 5 weeks. Easter marked the start of chocolate week. It made my Easter.

I'd wanted to eat at Aashiriwaad Indian ever since I read about it on this blog. The service is slow but the food is awesome and good value. We might have gone for a second time yesterday :D