Culture and Customs

January 30, 2009
Today was the traditional Toh-shiya (Archery Contest) at Sanjusangen-do Temple, it is traditional for January, there are many other traditions for different months.

It is also called "New Year archery" the archers compete against each other in the 120-meter long Sanjusangen-do Temple, which is the world's longest wooden structure! It was so exciting, especially because all the hotel guests had to try! I didn't want to, why? Because we had to shoot them from sixty metres away! We all didn't even make it half-way, so they let us go from the half point... boy, that was embarrassing! At least we didn't know anybody! All of the Japanese people in the hotel said that we had to wear cultural outfits, but they were pretty cool! Mine was green with some blue in it.

Another cultural item in Japan is Sushi. It's really good, it just has a funny name! We had tonnes of sushi, and it's a little expensive, but worth it eating it right from where it's made! Look at how this chef made these sushi rolls. There just like little animals! My favourite is the Panda Bear.

Kayla