Japan! Day 9, Part 2 : Arriving in Mashiko

After visiting Mashiko with my mom last spring, I knew it would be a special place for my family to visit. My cousin's family made it convenient for us by arranging for us to be picked up at Utsunomiya Station, a Shinkansen stop. There, my cousin Miyuki and Kinta, and kids Soichi and Hiyori greeted us and their friend drove all of us to the crafting town of Mashiko. We had a snack at Starnet, and looked at one of the largest multi-kilns ever. Unfortunately the kiln was damaged by the Tohoku earthquake. Afterwards we went to Miyuki and Kinta's house, where they gave Anna and Sam their own hanko stamps, carved by Kinta.