Kind review from Walla Walla, WA
We received a very kind review, as well as a Christmas card, from the family in Walla Walla.
As I read the review, I was reliving each moment we spent together, like a time travel!
I am sharing it with you here, hoping that you will be the next ones to experience the Tambasasayama Magic! 💓
Review from here ⇩
Our family of four (two parents and two teenagers) had a magical 2-week stay in Tambasasayama with John and Yoko.
From the moment we stepped through their door, they welcomed us with open arms and hearts. It very quickly began to feel like we were visiting dear friends. My wife speaks very limited Japanese, and the other 3 of us spoke no Japanese at all. However since John and Yoko are both fluent in English (and Japanese), we all felt completely at ease, understood, and welcome. Their home was a delightful blend of traditional Japanese charm and modern comfort, and for 2 weeks it became our haven. The bedrooms were cozy and well equipped. And every night Yoko's home cooking filled our tummies (and souls) with great delight, with each meal a tasty adventure through local Japanese cuisine.
As for the town of Tambasasayama itself, it completely stole our hearts. We wandered through many interesting museums and diverse shops which lined the narrow streets, and also enjoyed the gorgeous lush surrounding countryside. We visited Sasayama Castle, the old castle town, serene temples and shrines, fine pottery shops, and so much more. We visited pottery makers and other skilled craftsmen. We admired beautiful landscapes and wonderful architecture. We experienced some of the festivities of the Kasuga Shrine Festival. And of course, we sampled lots of the famous Tambasasayama "black bean" edamame! John and Yoko even arranged for us to do some edamame harvesting, as we were lucky enough to be visiting during the harvest season. But for us, the greatest part of our Tambasasayama experience wasn't the town itself, but the incredible people. Virtually everyone we met was extraordinarily kind and friendly, and even total strangers went out of their way to help make sure we were having a perfect stay in their city. We left with a wonderful group of newfound friends, with whom we are eager to stay in touch and keep a piece of Tambasasayama's magic alive long after our visit.
If you're seeking a vacation that feels like coming home, John and Yoko's home is the destination you've been dreaming of. We wholeheartedly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to discover the magic of Tambasasayama and create friendships that last a lifetime.
Thank you, John and Yoko, for making us feel like family. We can't wait to see you again soon!
