First Lady Michelle Obama Goes on Adventures in Japan
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TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images(TOKYO) — Bentos, kimonos and drums, oh my!
Just before the cherry blossom festival in Washington, D.C., a symbol of the relationship between the U.S. and Japan, Michelle Obama made her first ever visit to the island nation.
Although the purpose of her fourth official solo trip abroad as first lady was to promote her Let Girls Learn initiative, a program aimed at training local activists and community leaders to help young women connect with education opportunities, Obama didn’t deprive herself of fun.
Over three days, Obama indulged in Japan’s rich and ancient culture. First stop, Tokyo.
Obama stepped off the plane in a vibrant green dress by Kenzo, a French fashion house founded by Japanese designer Kenzo Takada.
Konichiwa! The First Lady’s in Japan to announce a new partnership to help #LetGirlsLearn worldwide. pic.twitter.com/KB5w0a2Gcb
— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) March 18, 2015
Meeting with the Japanese First Lady
Obama met her Japanese counterpart, Akie Abe, the wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the country’s capital.
Made It to the Top of Mount Fiji…Sort Of
Then, she tweeted this amazing view from her flight to Kyoto, Japan:
Flying over Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, on the way to Kyoto. pic.twitter.com/IctrQ487R3
— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) March 20, 2015
Toured a Buddhist Temple
Accompanied by Caroline Kennedy, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, Obama enjoyed a breathtaking view of one of Japan’s oldest cities, Kyoto, from one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples, Kiyomizu-dera.
The historic temple, established in 778, is halfway up Otowa Mountain.
Watched a Noh Performance
With the beautiful view of Kyoto below them, local college students had the privilege of performing for the first lady. Noh is a form of classical Japanese musical drama with elaborate costumes.
Played the Drums
Students from the Akutagawa High School Taiko Club also performed for the first lady in front of the Fushimi Inari Shinto shrine.
Taiko drumming, which includes a broad range of percussion instruments, is a popular cultural aspect of Japan.
Ordered a Bento Box
In keeping with her healthy habits, Obama breaked for a bento box — a Japanese staple for lunch — while at the Jojuin temple, which is famous for its hydrangea blooms.
Watched a Traditional Tea Ceremony
“Finally, I got to watch — and participate in — a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in which tea is prepared and served through an elaborate series of graceful movements,” Obama wrote on her blog post on Medium. “It was magnificent.”
Here’s a White House recap of Obama’s trip to Kyoto:
Obama left Japan and arrived this morning in Cambodia. It is the first time a sitting American first lady has ever visited that country.
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