businesses launch new fiscal years,

and the tulips and gardens burst into new life.

Yes, the calendar year may begin in January, but Japan's real new year begins in April.

[Life in Japan Theme Song]

Oh yes! I see it!

Already?

I said "Oh my goodness, it's so high!" It's so high, look at that!

I don't think it works on the grass like that.

Hello!

Whoa! Whoa, that was fast!

We've come to nearby Sakuragaoka park to enjoy one last outing before the new school year begins.

These moments are precious to us, as the years come and go like a daffodils, here one day and gone the next.

It seems like only yesterday we were sending our kids to Japanese elementary school for the first time.

Now this year will be Becca and Anna's last year before Junior High.

Anna, are you hanging out?

Sofia, are you hanging out with Anna?

Yeah

Whoa, awesome! Whoa.

What is happening out here? Look Daddy!

Oh my goodness!

Are you having a picnic out here with everyone?

Yeah. Really?

Yeah with all of the Mario stuff and without Bowser because he's mean.

Bowser and King Boo are mean so we didn't... Oh, they didn't get to come?

They're sitting this one out, huh?

They might steal our food.

Oh, I see. OK.

Spring is a time of beginnings in Japan.

In fact it's been exactly 7 years since we moved to Japan.

Oh how times flies when you're having fun.

Longest road! (Counting)

Hang on... now I have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Just hold your spiffies.

Oh my goodness, mommy's right next to the win. She can taste it.

I'm nine points. You're nine points?!

Mommy's nine points?

Don't get a 7... Get a 7!

A seven!!! Oh my goodness!

You have so many cards Becca! Oh no!

We're going to be late. We are? What time is it?

It's like 7:40 (Gasps)

We've got to get you off for your first day of school!

You could continue it when you get back...

I'm going to give you 3- 3! Can you give me one wood?

The largest army. Oh, you're getting the largest army.

How many points do you have, Becca?

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

I get the longest road and I won!

Whoa! Beckster!

Oh! And Anna was at nine!

1st day of 6th grade! 1st day of 2nd grade!

My 2nd grader!

What in the world! Awesome guys.

So girls, here we go. The start of another school year.

Yes, today we find out what classes you'll be in...

What teacher... You're teachers, huh?

Becca and Anna, you're last year in Elementary school!

This is going to be our last time doing this.

Next year, new school.

Wow!

A FEW HOURS LATER

We're home!

You guys are back! So we want to know...

I have Anna's teacher from last year,

And Sarah has my 4th grade teacher,

And Anna has the 5th grade 1st class (teacher)

Airi's not with you? No.

I'm with Ayako, Airi's all by herself.

I'm all by myself.

Harumu is in Anna's class! Yeah!

Alright we're coming to one of our favorite parks in all of Japan: Showa Kinen.

Wow!

When it comes to flower gardens, the Japanese are in a class all their own.

And when the new school year comes, we know it's time for the blooming of the tulips at Showa Kinen.

Oh hi! You scared me.

They're getting more pictures over there, do you see that?

That's so beautiful!

So, would this be your favorite time of year here? Yes, definitely.

Not the fall, the spring?

Oh, the Spring. Although the Fall leaves are awfully pretty...but I prefer the Spring.

I would have to agree. The tulip garden at Showa Kinen is second to none, especially on a perfect spring day.

Look over there!

Taking her photos! (Laughs) Don't bother me!

Don't bother you?! Let you focus on your art.

Don't leave me- I'm your child. Leave you in the tulips?

I'm your child!

Daddy, please, I see a lot of little dogs here... Ah, look at that little puppy!

I want you to buy us a dog for Christmas. A dog for Christmas?!

Move back a little bit, Sarah.

Crazy! They're like upside-down flowers, huh Sarah?

It's grass on top and flowers on the bottom.

How do they make those? I don't know.

Mommy's having fun getting creative with photos.

Having a healthy family is a lot of work, especially when there's so much competing for time and attention these days.

The ups and downs of life during a pandemic are particularly challenging,

but when we look back years later, we'll be thankful for all the time and energy invested in the children;

in raising them to be people who make a positive difference in the world.

And at the center of that experience is a love that holds the family together.

It's a love that only grows deeper and deeper as time moves on.

There's some pretty flowers down in here, aren't there?

Look- there's still some Sakura hanging on!

(Singing) My hands are cold, cold, cold

They're turning numb, numb, numb

I think I could put together a compilation of the times Ruth was cold here.

Give me the frisbee thing! Give me the frisbee thing!

Can I throw it right here? Nope, a little bit further...

What a big field, huh?

And big trees! Oh that tree is just so beautiful!

Do you hear the kite up there?

Mr Sun wants to come out! Alright ladies, time for a walk through the yellow canola fields.

On your tippy-toes! Try to look at mommy!

I can't see! Life up Joshua, Becca!

Ok!

Look at this!

Put your head... arms down, Joshua.

Everyone go in there and stick your heads out the window.

There's a white door over there...

And a blue door over here.

OK, go stand in the door.

We're walking towards our car though, so that's good news, right everybody?

Really good news. Really good news?

You ready for the car, Beccster? Yeah.

Almost all walked out. Almost!

Almost all walked out, huh Becca?

Well that was a lot of fun. What a nice day to visit.

Oh my goodness!

Are you getting ready for school?

We're going back to youchien (kindergarten). Are you excited to see Aiden?

Yeah!

Going to your new class? Fun fun fun!

Are you all ready? You look ready!

Getting into the bike? Whoa!

The last year for you to ride in a mamachari, did you know that?

The last day?! No, the last year.

Once you're past six and you go to elementary school, then no more mamachari.

Alright guys! Oh Joshua's even going to zip himself in. Wow!

Bye Daddy! Bye, have a great day!

And now it's time for me to go get busy at work.

Junko, how are you doing?

Good, of course!

She's a great manager — thanks so much!

It's fun being a part with all of you

Alright guys — what do we have going on here today?

We are EQing the system.

Because it needs EQ!

EQ is the secret sauce.

What's up?! Oh, what's happening in here guys?

Interior decorating.

Wow. That's right.

Horizontal or vertical?

What do you say, Manager?

The manager's over there...

CEO

Director

The CEO's over there.

CEO

It's like the sensation of being on a jet at takeoff!

Our team comes together to manage Paz Coffee Shop and Paz Church,

and it too is a special family that works great together.

Each person has an area of expertise that makes the team stronger and better.

OK, well guys, this is looking good!

We're going to have a sweet entrance here, right? Yeah, Barnwood.

Barnwood, yes!

Why don't you watch your mouth?

We gotta get some shiplap in here, huh guys?

I'm going to wash your mouth out with shiplap.

Keep our wallpaper from expanding and contracting.

That's right. This is the miracle wallpaper here.

Perfect

It's super perfect.

You guys have been busy!

Is this the final one?

Yeah, well I hope. I wish I didn't have to use staples

Tell me, how would you translate... what is otsukaresamadesu?

Otsukaresamadesu means thank you for your hard work.

Oh yes.

So when would you say it?

Ah, when someone's leaving the office or when you're going home.

OTSUKARESAMADESU!!!!

What's up everybody? Why are you taking a video of me?!

Because I'm home. Does that work?

OK.

It's the magical sounds of all magical sounds...

The popcorn is made... the "katadzuke" — the clean up is done!

Now it's time to watch... the new show.

What's the new show? Dogs?

The dog show?

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Hey thanks for liking, watching and subscribing to Life in Japan. We'll see you next time. Bye bye.