Japan National Defense University

So yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a festival at the Japan National Defense Academy here in Yokosuka. I have to admit though, when my friend Ayako invited me she called it the "Self-Defense University" and dumb me thought "wow they have a whole school for karate!?". Needless to say it's actually their version of West Point or the Naval Academy. They are only open to the public a couple of days a year so its apparently a pretty big deal. It's a nice enough campus, although having visited West Point you really just can't compare the two. This is a fairly modern academy and it shows.

This is my friend's son Hikaru - he's also one of my students and used our time touring to show me how many times he could count to ten. Adorable!
We saw some things you're sure to see on any military installation:

And a few things you wouldn't:
While we were waiting for the school band to play I told Hikaru to smile. He didn't understand and so I demonstrated - apparently this is what he thinks I look like when I smile:
The band, well uh. Let's just say they didn't start with a bang. Maybe more like a honk, or a spludge, or a bllleeee

But my spirits were quickly uplifted when this "elite" band joined the main one and we got this performance. I'm pretty sure you would never see the cadets doing this in Annapolis.

It was a fun day, although I admit I expected a bit more from a "festival" that only happens two days a year! But, hey, any cultural experience is fun right?!