Makin' Mochi

One of the standard days for an expat in Japan, I think. No knowing what was going on, meeting lots of strangers, and being the public spectacle.

It all started with 大掃除, the massive half-hearted community cleaning. I spent my time wandering with my chosen herd along the roadside gathering cigarette butts. After, I was forced to eat far too much mochi with elderly Japanese ladies, who were all very impressed with my ability to hold chopsticks. As I escaped I was pulled into the road/railway divider near my apartment to learn about mochi production. Photos are self-explanatory. I know no-one in them.

Really, it was a pretty good day.