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We got up bright and early and caught local rail from Takarazuka to Shin-Ōsaka and then transferred to the marvellous “Sakura” Shinkansen that connects Osaka in Honshu to the southernmost part of Kyushu. We were met at Hakata (the main Shinkansen station in the city of Fukuoka) by our hosts Mr and Mrs Inoue who have supported the choir since 2011.
The wonderful Japanese Shinkansen. (Photo: David Nielsen)
Mr and Mrs Inoue run nursery schools and our itinerary for the day consisted of two performances at two different kindergartens, the first of which – Wakiyama Nursery School – was a new venue for the group.
First Fukuoka Kindi performance (Photo: David Nielsen)
After the performance and after lunch at the Kindergarten we then performed at the “Shiawase no hoshi” Kindergarten run by Mr and Mrs Inoue. We have performed here several times on previous tours (2011, 2013 and the 2012 ‘Tipitina trio” tour) and the staff are always so welcoming and lovely. Following the performance we got to see the playrooms and interact with the children prior to them being collected by their parents. We then enjoyed dinner (the nursery school has its own kitchens and a great chef!) with the kindergarten staff and sang a few more songs informally before finally heading to our accommodation at a local hotel.
Shiawase no hoshi nursery School, Fukuoka. (Photo: David Nielsen)
Audience at Shiawase no hoshi nursery School, Fukuoka. (Photo: David Nielsen)
Jake interacting with children at Shiawase no hoshi nursery School, Fukuoka. (Photo: David Nielsen)
Darya and Madison interacting with children at Shiawase no hoshi nursery School, Fukuoka. (Photo: David Nielsen)
Blake interacting with children at Shiawase no hoshi nursery School, Fukuoka. (Photo: David Nielsen)