Solved....

 ...the rice problem!

Yesterday I went into a couple shops that I don't usually use to see if the rice was cheaper. But it's actually more expensive, 3800 to 3980 yen before tax, after tax over 4000 yen (about 20 pounds). I actually cried, that is a lot of money for us!  

I was asking my student how she is coping and she said that she has rice. I knew that her family farms and I've bought rice from her before but that was at harvest time and I thought she only had some at that time. But it tuns out that she has a store of rice. She'll bring me some next week for 2000 yen, I'm so relieved!

Hannah returned to her apartment yesterday! We drove her as she had too many bags. She came with 3 went back with 6!!  She raided the fridge, freezer and pantry!! I don't mind, I bought a few things for her as well, I guess it helps!  

The weather was nice and mild which made the trip pleasant!  

A Tori Gate across the street

This gate was to a shrine in the castle. There is still a shrine but it's not visible from the gate. I love finding these kind of places.  When we lived here before I struggled so much because of my kids being bullied in school, that seemed to take up a lot of time and energy. This time around I can step back and see the beauty and history of the area! Also because my kids grew up here they know a lot of the history and can find out about things easier than I can.