First week of May 2006. Three national holidays within 10 days, combined with a weekend makes a "Golden" opportunity for Japanese people to take some time off from work and school and enjoy the beautiful spring. Hiking and visiting hot springs is popular. These days many people travel abroad to other parts of Asia during Golden Week. Tokyo and other large cities tend to be ghost towns, except for the department stores that is. In Miharu, we visited Mashiko, a pottery town north of Tokyo area, and Miharu celebrated Buddha's birthday. Jeana arranged an opportunity for some young teachers and visitors from abroad to try out Japanese kimono.