Keita Comes to My Home

My friend Michel, his wife Yoshiko and their five-month-old son Keita came home today. We had wonderful afternoon together with my wife and two daughters. They’ve visited Japan since two weeks ago. They traveled several places from Fukushima to Himeji and they are going to leave Japan for Canada the day after tomorrow.
We talked about a lot of things. One of amazing things to me is the difference of maternity and parental leave term between Japan and Canada. They have longer and more flexible term sharing system of the leave among the couples in Canada.
Recently, birth rate is decreasing year by year in Japan. I’m wondering, sometimes, what kind of measures the Japanese government takes to cope with that.
Anyway, talking with people from another country always gives me fresh idea. Thanks Michel for sharing nice time with us.

Tokyo Disneyland

We went to Tokyo Disneyland yesterday. Tokyo Disneyland celebrates 25th anniversary this year. I don’t remember exactly when I went to TDL last time. I guess it was almost 20 years ago. We went to Disney Resort in Anaheim last year. Comparing TDL to its Anaheim counterpart, it was far more crowded in TDL. I enjoyed watching parades and musical shows there but I was not cut out for waiting attractions in looooong lines.

I took a few hundreds pictures yesterday. I’m planning to make videos using pictures I took there in near future.

Rina's First Tennis Match

Rina, my younger daughter, debuted as a tennis player today for the first time in her life. She attended the beginner’s class of the local tennis tournament together with me, Mr. Yuzuki’s wife and his two sons. Mr. Yuzuki is my tennis coach for almost ten years.

It was unfortunately raining in the morning but later it stopped raining. We had three tennis matches in the club tournament of the preliminary league today.

Rina won one match and lost two matches. She seemed very happy when she won. It was a memorial first win. lol.

It’s a little bit bitter though, I believe, it might be an unforgettable experience for her.

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I Met Mr. Matsuno in Tokyo

I met Mr. Matsuno in Tokyo the day before yesterday for the first time in 16 years. He is my former English teacher. He is a great teacher for me. I had not been able to communicate in English before I met him. But, after learning with him for a few years, everything was changed.
I don’t think it’s an exaggeration that thanks to his help I can now write in English, not perfect though, and speak in English.

When I was working in Tokyo abut 20 years ago, I decided to learn English at an English conversation school. I asked some of my friends about schools, “Which school is good?” and “Which school is reasonable tuition?” One of friends recommended ECC English Conversation School in Shibuya, Tokyo. So, I went to the school, about 30 minutes from my office by train, and asked the school staff about their educational system, price, classes and teachers. While listening the staff’s explanation, I gradually liked the atmosphere at the school. Then, I decided to study there in the night class after work two days a week. Mr. Matsuno is one of the teachers at ECC Shibuya school.

At first, Mr. Matsuno’s class was very tough for me. He used live radio English news programs as teaching materials in his class. He sometimes translated English news simultaneously into Japanese and asked students to do the same way. We should carefully prepare the class beforehand otherwise we could not catch up with the class.
He is a rare perfect bilingual teacher at that time. He sometimes explained subtle differences of the meaning of English sentences in Japanese to make the beginners easily understand between the lines.

After talking for three and half hours in Nishinippori with him, I felt he was as young as he was 20 years ago and was still very ambitious for everything. I was impressed by his energy even we are in the different walks of life: he publishes books and teaches English, on the other hand I’m an engineer working for CANON. When I was leaving Nishinippori for Tabata where my parents-in-law live , he was standing outside of the wicket and kept shaking his hand till I was out of his sight. We promised to see each other soon. I had a really wonderful time with him in the middle of Golden Week.

Golden Week: Golden week refers to the period from April 29th to May 5th when there are four national holidays.

Hanamizuki Festival in Utsunomiya

I went to Hanamizuki Festival today. Hanamizuki is the name of trees, which bloom in late April after the cherry blossom season in Utsunomiya. The flowers are now in full bloom in my city. White and bright pink flowers are really beautiful.

The main stage of the festival was just about 100 meter distance or few minutes walk from my condo. I enjoyed the festival today, last year and the year before the last.

There were flea markets, talk shows, dance shows, band performances, a stamp rally game and a lot of food stalls.
The most popular event of the festival is Trial Bike Show. It’s fun to watch the live motorbike show just in front of the performance. It’s a little bit dangerous. lol

Hanamizuki: Cornus florida / Flowering Dogwood

Street Jugglers in Utsunomiya

Daidougei Festival or Street Performers' Festival was held at several places in Utsunomiya.
Jugglers, magicians, comedians and acrobats, more than ten groups of performers took part in the festival just few weeks before the cherry blossoms season in Japan.
Actually their juggling performances were not perfect. They fell the jugs several times in their shows. So, I edited the video by cutting off the parts they fell the jugs.
But, I think live performances are better than a well-edited video. I really enjoyed watching the performances of them.

Performers:
1. "Project K. Y." are high school boys.
2. Sakurako is a cute girl juggler.

Disclaimer:
Sorry for the bad sounds. All sounds were recorded live on the street.

Kamagawa River in Utsunomiya

I went to the Kamagawa River in the center of Utsunomiya to take pictures of cherry blossoms yesterday. The Kamagawa River is not big, just few meters wide and less than 10 km long. There are cherry trees along the river and carps live in the river.
Since we had windy and rainy days last weekday, part of cherry blossoms have been blown away. I show some of pictures I took there.

When I went to the Kamagawa River, shop owners near the river were selling vegetables and giving out flowers for free near the riverside. I bought fresh vegetables and luckily had a pot of yellow poppy.
The poppy is on the new PC desk, which I bought at Yamashin discount shop today. The desk was buyer-self-assemble type. My daughter Rina enjoyed assembling the desk very much with me.

Cherry Blossoms

We had a perfect weather for viewing cherry blossoms this weekend in Utsunomiya. I usually take a rest in the morning and play tennis in the afternoon on Saturdays. But I got up rather early in the morning yesterday, had quick breakfast and went to Utsunomiya University for taking cherry blossoms' pictures.

There are several nice spots for viewing cherry trees in my city. But, few people know that they have a lot of big cherry trees in the college campus.

It was not crowded at all when I went to the campus. One of advantages of the campus for taking pictures is that there are few utility poles. Even when we can see beautiful flowers or cherry trees, utility poles and its wires often spoil the pictures.
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My Precious Words #1

This video is one of my collections of inspiring quotes.
I made this video with touching words I met so far in my life, favorite pictures I took in the last couple of years and a music played by 'changee.'

【Music】
"The Folks Who Live On The Hill"
Composed by JEROME KERN, Public Domain,
Piano played by 'changee.'
I used the music here with the kind permission of 'changee.'
You can hear more of changee's music:
http://www.voiceblog.jp/katsuhiro/

【Pictures】
1. Kinu River, Utsunomiya, Japan
2. Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
3. Tage Fudouson, Utsunomiya, Japan
4. Utsunomiya University, Japan
5. Ajigaura Pier, Ibaraki, Japan
6. Mt. Fuji, Japan
7. My home balcony, Utsunomiya, Japan
8. JR train, Tokyo, Japan
9. Romantic Village, Utsunomiya, Japan
10. From my home balcony, Utsunomiya, Japan
11. New Year's Day, Utsunomiya, Japan
12. Utsunomiya Central Park, Japan

Visiting Utsunomiya Central Park

I went to Utsunomiya Central Park to see flowers yesterday. I’m not so much familiar with the names of the trees but they had very beautiful flowers. It was also nice for riding a bike on such a sunny warm spring day. I think it is the best season of the year for biking if you don’t have hey fever or pollen allergy.

It is said on TV that cherry blossoms would be in full bloom in Tokyo this weekend. I saw some cherry trees in Utsunomiya Central Park, but they haven’t been in full bloom. Maybe, I’ll go to U.C.P. again or somewhere else to see cherry blossoms next weekend.

I think I’ll show you some pictures of cherry blossoms on this blog next time.

Vernal Equinox Day in Tagesan Fudouson

Vernal equinox day falls on about March 20, the day when the sun reaches the vernal equinox, and the length of day and night is equal.

In Japan, it is designated as a national holiday for praising nature and showing love of all living things. This has been a Buddhist festival day.

A week including the three days immediately before and after vernal equinox day is called Higan. During Higan, the spirits of ancestors are recalled, Buddhist rites are carried out and family graves are visited.

My parents-in-law, having an ancestors’ grave in Utsunomiya, visited the grave last week all the way from Tokyo.
My wife and I visited Tagesan Fudouson temple in Utsunomiya and had a short lecture of the temple by the higher rank priest there. I visited the temple several times before, but it was the first time for me to have had the historical and religious explanation of the temple. It was very interesting.
It has been warmer and warmer these days. The cherry blossom top season is just around the corner.

Celebration Party for Emi on Passing the Exam

Congratulations Emi on passing the entrance exam for a senior high school!
Emi received a certificate of passing the entrance exam for senior high school one day after the graduation ceremony of junior high last week. The school she passed was where she wanted to enter the most.
I was thinking that she would pass the exam because I was told from her that the exam itself had not been difficult and that she knew the score of the exam since she had checked it with her teachers.
But, even knowing that, I was very happy hearing a good result directly from Emi and see her smile.
Today, we went to a cozy restaurant called “Café Praktica” in Utsunomiya with my family members to celebrate her successful result.
The restaurant was very nice. The size of it was rather small but they offered delicious meals and a good atmosphere.
We could have a nice celebration party today. Thanks “Café Praktica” for that.
All the more, I appreciate Emi’s great efforts.

Commencement of Junior High School

The first nine years of education, six years elementary school and three years junior high school, are compulsory in Japan. My elder daughter Emi has graduated a junior high school last week. I thought that someday the day would come, but it really came to her.
She goes to a senior high school in Utsunomiya coming April, so our life style does not change much.
But, my friends’ twin daughters go to a high school in different prefecture. The fifteen-year old sisters will live together in different town apart from their parents… sigh. I understand their father’s feelings very much and sympathize him.
The sisters are also my friends. I play tennis with them once or twice a week for more than one year. They used to quarrel each other in every occasion. I thought it was annoying, but to think about that it’s impossible to play tennis with them makes me sad.

I want to congratulate my daughter and the sisters on the graduation and wish their wonderful high school days.

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Sunny Afternoon on Friday

I took a half day-off my work on Friday afternoon. Just because, I finished making a tough document of my project spending almost a whole month and submitted it on time. So it was a reward given by myself.
I took a rest and relaxed on this two and a half days weekend. hahaha

I came back from my office by bike enjoying ample time to take pictures of the scenery around the Kinu river on Friday. It was a fun. I felt the spring breeze on my way back home.

The only thing I did today was that I cleaned my bunny rabbit’s floor boards and did shopping for her food and sand of the toilet. My pets, bunny rabbit, gold fish and shellfish are all good in shape.

Haru Ichiban / Year's First Warm Gales

The Meteorological Agency announced that the wind we had yesterday was Haru Ichiban or the year's first warm gales. It indicates the arrival of spring.
I feel happy that the warm spring will come soon and that I will be able to enjoy the scenery of spring flowers.
Because we went to the United States in the top season of cherry blossoms last year, I could not see the most beautiful part of Utsunomiya city last year. I’m really looking forward to seeing and taking pictures of cherry blossoms this year.

I played tennis in a very strong wind yesterday. I had been suffering from my right wrist pain for few months, but now it has almost disappeared. Even in the strong wind, I have to thank God for being able to play tennis without pain.

I show you pictures of flowers in Igashira park near my favorite tennis court. I took those pictures two to three years ago.
Please clock here.
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Construction of a New Condominium Starts

We had a very noisy day from morning till late evening on the last Saturday. Since, construction workers began building a new condominium across our home. We are living on the 4th flour in a condo. I heard that the new condo would be a 14 stories building. Currently, we have enough sunlight but I am afraid we will not be able to have enough of it.
My company subsidizes employees’ housing cost up to 90 percent for 15 years. I have been working for my current company, CANON since 11 years ago. So, I have more 4 years being able to get subsidy from the company.
I am thinking to move for a nicer place in 4 years. I understand that buying a house is not an easy work, so I decided to look for new places if I have a chance.
Living in Utsunomiya is the highest possible choice, because my office is in Utsunomiya. But I think it’s better to look for a variety of places including Tokyo, Omiya and Oyama.
It must take a very long time to decide where and which type of house we will live in.

National Foundation Day

It’s National Foundation Day today in Japan, commemorating the founding of the nation. I’ve had a three-day holiday since last Saturday. It snowed on Saturday and Sunday. So, I wasn’t able to play tennis this weekend. I spent this holiday, firstly, on making a video featuring shrines in Shimane prefecture.
Please take a look.



It was a sunny and calm day today. I went to see a nearby newly built condominium for just viewing the scenery from the height. It was fun. Though I don’t have any plans to buy it, the salesman explained about the condo in detail to us.
I show you some pictures I took there.

It Snowed in Utsunomiya

It snowed heavily in Utsunomiya today, for the first time since last winter. It is not so cold that the snow melted in a short time.

I go to my office by bike everyday. Riding a bike and seeing natural scenery while going to my office are fun to me. But, how do I go to my office if it snows again tomorrow morning?
Whether I go by bike, bus or car, I have to get up and leave earlier than usual.
When it is in summer I miss winter. I like skiing but I don’t hope it snows on weekdays.

I go to bed earlier… good night. (-_-) zzz

Ekiden Race in Tochigi Prefecture

The Tochigi Ekiden race was held today.
An Ekiden, usually referred to as a marathon relay, is a long-distance road race relay. Twenty-seven teams took part in the race. They ran between Utsunomiya city and Tochigi city about thirty kilometers distance.

Each team has ten members including junior high students, high school students, college students and office workers, both men and women. Those team members were chosen by local cities in Tochigi prefecture.

My younger daughter Rina had been chosen as a reserve member of the Utsunoiya city team and practiced for the race several times.
Rina got up early today and went to the 7th part of the racing course. Two hours after Rina left home, I went to the starting place, Tochigi prefectural office.
First runners of the race were female junior high school students. They ran so fast that I could take only 10 seconds video and two pictures.
Rina told me that she wanted to be chosen as a regular team member, not a reserve.
I hope someday her dream will come true.

Day of Taking a Rest

I have spent this weekend just relaxing. I stayed home all day long today. One thing I did today is downloading a “.gif file editor” and made several animation files with pictures I took these days. I wanted to show some of them, but the quality is not good enough to show. So, I can't show you.
It’s totally unproductive day today.

I’ve been suffering from wrist pain since the end of last December. I twisted while playing tennis at the local tennis tournament.
I think today is a good rest for me.
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