We decided this would be a good weekend to try out the Takanezawa Green Park. The weather was good and we wanted to stay close to home. The park is only a short distance away only about 5 min by car. I had heard a little about the park but I had never been before. After arriving we found out there was a celebration going on and all the activities were free. The only exception was the bicycles and they were only about $5 for 30 min. The park is pretty big, actually we didn't see all of it this trip. We did go to the obstacle course. It is like a small training camp for a Japanese game show. There were a ton of obstacles to try and some of them were a little dangerous. I can't see anything like this surviving in the states. It would probably only last a few weeks before someone got hurt and sewed. The first picture shows the map of the course behind the family.
There were a variety of different challenges from climbing to zip lines..
I think the park is geared towards children, but adults are allowed to participate. Some of the obstacles are better suited for children as we found out. The zip line is one of those. With Kate's weight on the zip line she smashed into the wood platform on the other side. She received her share of bruises while at the park.
Kate was a good sport and was willing to give almost all the obstacles a go.
Colleen on one of the rope climbing obstacles.
Liam sped ahead so this was one of the few pictures I was able to get of him.
I also jumped in to try the challenges.
Now if there is one thing I have learned by watching Japanese game shows over the years is that you have to move quickly on floating or moving obstacles. If you go to slow or lose momentum you will fail. Well there were floating barrels that you had to cross. I told Kate that she had to move quickly or she wouldn't make it. On tape you can hear me say you don't have to do it..If you listen in the middle you can also here Kate say "what do I do?" and you will hear an Japanese girl say "Ganbatte" that means "Do your best".
Anyway she tried it but just a little too slowly and the result..........FAIL.
This is my version putting in to play my years of Japanese game show watching experience. I actually did it twice, once before Kate and once after for the camera. Just want to make sure everyone knows I didn't make her try it first.
And a picture of the aftermath. Kate was a good sport about it.
The park also has a paved course for bicycles to ride on. There is a variety of bikes to rent. We picked the one below because we could all fit on it at the same time. There was actually room for 2 more children on the center seats.
Liam and Colleen saw some of there friends from school at the park. They rode around the course with us. We battled them with the bicycle Nascar style. I bumped them in the dirt and they spun out and crashed. The next time around they threw there helmets at us as we past the wreckage. (OK, I made all of it up except for us riding around the course with them.)
There is also a pond at the park with paddle boats and row boats you can rent. This time because of the celebration it was free. Liam and I paired up.
Kate and Colleen went together.
A while ago I was able to find the 1:64 scale cars of our exact cars in Japan. Same type color, everything. I finally obtained pictures of them to post on the blog. The first one is the Diva. Sorry Troy, the photo's are not up to your level of photography.
Our real car.
And the Odyssey. This one came with two sets of wheels. Our real one also came with two sets. Winter and summer. With the exception of the wheel color they are also the same as our real car.
The real one.
These will be great mementos to take back to the states when we return.
I will end this post with two new products we came across this week. The first is green tea Coke. Unfortunately it is diet. The two flavors together are not overpowering. It has a very light green tea taste. Since it is diet it has artificial sweetener. Whatever they used overpowers the flavor of the drink and that is the main flavor you taste. I don't plan to get it again.
Finally we walked past a Starbucks and saw jelly coffee so I had to get one. It has been long enough since we have been in the US so I am not sure if this has also infiltrated the Starbucks at home or not. I will assume it has not. Actually it is not jelly that is in it, but jello. I would drink this one again. The jello coffee mixed in with the slushy stuff and cream was very tasty. If they do come to a Starbucks near you I would recommend at least giving it a try.
Thats all for this week, have a good one.
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