After a very long flight, we made it to Narita Airport. The kids all handled the long flight very well. After a slight stop in Tokyo, we took the bullet train to a station near Kakuda, where our families met us, holding signs bearing our names. This was around 11:30 pm. Talking with the other travellers today, we all pretty much went to our homes and went to bed.

Today, we met early and took a bus to Mt. Zoa, but were unable to see the lake due to heavy fog. We headed back down the mountain after a short stop in the gift shop and went to the Kokeshi musuem. All of use were able to paint our own kokeshi doll and I must say the kids did a great job painting. After a short stop for lunch, we then went to a ceramics studio, where they fire a wood fire kiln. We were each able to hand-build a piece that they will fire and send back to us in 2 months. Tonight we are going to the Welcome Party and over the weekend we will spend time with our host families!