We were told that one of the things we should try to see while we are in Japan is a Sumo wrestling event.  We didn't think we were going to get to witness one, but much to our delight we found out a few days ago that Shintomi sponsors an annual Sumo wrestling exhibition and junior competition.  It is held over two days and many people in the community come out to watch it.  There are many food booths set up.  Here is a sampling of what we bought.

 Chicken yaki, okonomiyaki, and yakitori.

Sumo wrestlers wear a mawashi, or a loin cloth.  Here is what it looks like before it is put on their body.

They throw salt into the ring before competing.  Then they bow, squat down, make a big grunting noise, and try to be the first to force their opponent out of the ring, or make their opponent touch the ground with anything but the soles of their feet.

Most matches only last a few seconds.

                                                              These guys are waiting in line for their turn.

Very few girls participate in the sport, but there were a few here today.  Thankfully they wear a more modest uniform!

Here is a picture of the kids "warming up" before their match.

This is a picture of some of the wrestlers waiting in line to get their food after their match.

 It was quite entertaining to watch!

For “half-time” entertainment they had a famous singer from Tokyo.  I got an autographed CD to bring home!

We have had a great adventure here in Japan and would like to come back again someday!  Here a few top ten lists that we compiled about our favorite things about our experience in Japan.

Top Ten Foods

10-Japanese rice, we especially like it with nori (bottled seaweed paste)

9-Champon-Chinese Noodles

8-Tako Yaki-Scott, not me!

8-Suki Yaki- Fried vegetables and thin sliced beef with soy sauce mixed with sugar and served over rice.

7-Korean BBQ

6-Yakisoba

5-Gyoza

4-Daifuku

3-Okonomiyaki

2-Micans-little mandarin oranges

1-Meron pan

Top Ten Sites That We Visited in Japan

10-ShoGun castle -Tokyo

9-Inari Fushimi Walk-Kyoto

8-Kinkajui (Golden Pavillion)-Kyoto

7-Nagasaki Bomb Museum and Peace Park

6-Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium

5-Mount Inasa-Nagasaki

4-Aoshima Island

3-Tokyo Sky Tree

2-Hiroshima Bomb Museum and Peace Park

1-The beach right where we lived in Shintomi!

Top Ten Things We Love About Japan

10-Amazing Japanese toilets

9-Beautiful countryside

8-Efficient train system

7-Fruit and vegetable stands

6-Great weather

5-Beautiful flowers

4-Lack of crime

3-Honest people

2-Respectful people

1-Kind, generous people!