Dear bear friends:

I am writing to you from the bullet train!

In Japan, train travel is very common, and the "bullet train" is the fastest, most comfortable way to travel. We have just left Tokyo station, on our way to Nagoya.

Our train car looks very much like an airplane cabin. There are nice, comfortable seats and big windows. I watch the city of Tokyo flash by; we will be traveling at over 120 miles per hour! A stewardess comes down the aisle, handing out drinks and snacks, just like on a plane.

All my friends from the Symphony are here in our train car, laughing and talking. I have told Miss Lee and Miss Darlene all about making my photo stickers, and they have made some for themselves! Here's Miss Lee, with her face on a cartoon dog's body. I trade one of my Perry Bear stickers for one of Miss Lee's stickers!

Miss Olivia, our baby friend, takes little steps up and down the aisle. She's 1 year old, and she has learned how to kiss! Everyone wants to get a kiss from Miss Olivia, even me.

The train is moving very quickly now. Tokyo's suburbs give way to farmland and small towns. Although we are traveling very fast, it seems like we're just riding in a car. I see houses and factories, fields and schools. I wave to people riding their bicycles!

In the distance, we see mountains look! There's Mount Fuji! Japan's tallest mountain, Mount Fuji is a volcano: a tall symmetrical cone wearing a collar of snow. It floats gently over the lower hills and mountains.

Too soon, our train arrives in Nagoya. Nagoya is a city, but not so large as Tokyo. We leave the train station and find our bus. I bow politely to our guide, a young Japanese woman. She asks my name, and I answer, "Peri. Peri Kuma." She, too, thinks I am kawaii, or cute!

Now we are at our hotel. There are so many people to greet us! The doorman has a beautiful uniform and a great tall hat. He bows, and I return the bow. Inside the hotel lobby, I bow SIX more times! Every few feet, from the door to the elevators, stands a hotel manager. I bow and greet each one.

"Konnichi-wa! Konnichi-wa!" The managers bow gravely, and give me an approving nod. I'm glad I practiced my Japanese manners!

Your bear friend,

Perry Bear Ewer