Schools, soba,....

Happy Monday!  What an amazing day.

Started at 7am with a run...well more of a walk because running isn't possible when you're looking up at buildings and need to keep stopping to cross the road.  But I found a lovely park nearby, in which I shall run another time.

The day started properly at 8.15 when we met Aya, who is our host, translator and organiser, and is doing a great job of being 'mum' to four giddy grown-up kids.  From Shinjuku station we took a train (clean, shiny and spacious - take note London Transport!) and taxi to an elementary school in the suburb of Edogawa, where we were greeted by a smiley head teacher.  Having put on our slippers, we were escorted into the school hall, as guests of honour to seventy lovely 11 year olds, celebrating an award for an amazing built environment education programme (more later).  The children treated us to 'Land of Hope and Glory' on the recorder, a Japanese song, and a description of their project in English!  A truly moving experience.

We then had the opportunity to look at the children's work - playful and colourful plaster cast models of 'Our Dream Town', pottery tea cups, photographs, maps drawings and written work.  Each of us was presented with a 'Dream Town' and pottery 'sweet plate' made by the children, following which an energetic, enthusiastic and inspiring art teacher told us about the project he had developed and delivered  as part of the children's 105 hours 'integrated studies'.  Focussing on the development of Edogawa, where the school is located, the project aimed to develop the children's creative and communication skills and give them 'practice for being future members of residential groups'.

Several planners from the local government also attended our meeting and explained how they had worked closely with the children to give them an historical background to the area, tell them about future development plans and gather their ideas for a new park.  The teacher had obviously worked extremely hard, taking the children out on trips, preparing resources and organising public meetings at which the children shared their work.  Three year groups from the school had been involved in the project, which culminated in the creation of three 2m x 3m plaster cast models of 'Our Dream Town' and a printed leaflet about the local park to be used by visitors.  An inspirational project.  We left the school to a line of excited 8 year old children, all keen to shake our hands and shouting 'see you' as we walked down the road.

On the way back to the station we visited the local Japanese garden which had been the focus of the 6th grade (12 year old children) project.  The potential of the small space had been masterfully maximised, with waterfalls, secret paths, bamboo, topiary, a dry garden, stepping stones and surprises around every corner.

Back in central Tokyo, we had a delicious lunch with Aya (me: Soba noodles and seafood tempura), and headed for the Imperial Palace, sadly only accessible on the Emporer's birthday.  Instead we visited the vast glass, steel and wood ship-like atrium of Tokyo International Forum, built by Rafael Vinoli, before heading back to the hotel. A full and fascinating day.