Participants take part in Fun 5’s Soba Making Event. Photo courtesy of Kaori Tamura. ()
Camp Zama residents can have fun, cultural Japanese experiences in their local area.
As eager as you may have been to move to Japan, that first step out of your front door can be rather intimidating. There are so many things you may want to try, but the problem can be finding out how to get started. Well, if you’re stationed at Camp Zama, you can get all the help you need with taking those first steps into Japanese culture with Fun 5.
Kaori Tamura started Fun 5 six years ago to create a bond between Japanese families and the American families on military bases. Her philosophy, which is whole-heartedly expressed on the group’s website, is to “experience real Japan, that is not in the guidebook.” The Fun 5 group submerges participants into Japanese culture through its class and event offerings. From learning to do calligraphy for t-shirts to pounding and trying mochi, the volunteer organization allows foreigners to try it all firsthand.
The events are hosted in a Nihon-Kaoku traditional Japanese-style house. It has tatami rooms and sliding doors, called shoji. This setting helps foreigners see and feel the traditional Japanese living experience. For instance, during the Green Tea Picking classes, once the leaves are picked by customers, they return to the Nihon-Kaoku to roast the leaves in the kitchen and enjoy a tea time from their own harvest while sitting at a tatami table, which are small tables that sit low to the ground.
While participants are encouraged to explore the house, Fun 5’s outdoor events encourage visitors to enjoy the home’s beautiful surroundings. In front of the building, visitors can enjoy a large garden with a variety of vegetables, including the popular daikon radish, cared for of by Mr. Wada, an agricultural expert.
“He is a person I trust as he also taught me how to trim trees or how to use tools like chainsaw from scratch,” Tamura said of Mr. Wada. “He is my teacher.”
Teaching and learning appear to be some of the main objectives for Fun 5. They offer different seasonal events great for the entire family. Some of the events include rice planting, calligraphy lessons, chestnut-picking and tea ceremonies. The group even offers a kimono wearing experience to try.
“Anyone can participate,” says Tamura. “We have many events which (has) no age limit.”
More information on Fun 5
If you and your family would like to partake in any of these events or explore all that Fun 5 has to offer, go to the website.
You can also request to join the Facebook group “Fun Fun Local Japan” where Kaori posts upcoming events so you can stay up to date with what to do here in Japan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About the writer: Ashton Hofmeister served in the United States Army for nearly nine years until 2021. During her time in the army, Hofmeister earned her English degree and would reenlist to become a 46S, Public Affairs and Mass Communications Specialist before deploying to Afghanistan.
Today, Hofmeister’s husband is still active duty, and their family is now stationed at Camp Zama since 2021. In her free time, Hofmeister loves to cook and write, and learn about Japan. Hofmeister and her family enjoy trying new Japanese foods, exploring parks, shrines and historical sites, and traveling to aquariums and zoos.
Want to share your story? Email us at Japan@stripes.com to submit!
