Bike Festival in Utsunomiya

We had a bike festival today and yesterday.

They arranged a bike road race or Criterium race, an imported bike exhibition, bike parts shops, a live concert, street performers, … you name it.

Weather was not perfect, but I enjoyed them as one of bike fans.

Monkey Show Was Held Next to My Condo.

 When I went out to a shop in front of my condo to buy some bottles of beer, a guy was doing a street performance with a monkey.
The monkey did imitating human actions,  jumping bars and walking on stilts.
We call the monkey show Saru Mawashi in Japanese. It’s usually carried out in New Years Day or at festivals.
I don’t know why he’s doing Saru Mawashi now.
Did Utsunomiya civil servants planed it to attract tourists?  It has still been a mistery.

It’s Health-Sports Day or Sports Day Today.

Sports Day falls on today in Japan; it's a national holiday held annually on the second Monday in October.

My wife and I went cycling to Bell Mall which is the largest shopping mall in Utsunomiya city. It's sunny warm day perfectly fitting for cycling.

At bell Mall, they keep alpacas in its front space. Every time I visit there, it’s my pleasure to see how alpacas have grown up comparing the last time.

On our way back home we dropped by a newly opened noodle soup restaurant “Miyakoya” to which my colleague highly recommended to go.

Taste was nice and they were reasonably priced.
Yes, it’s worth visiting.

Higanbana Flowers

I went to Takanezawa Green Park located in northeast of Utsunomiya to play tennis and to see a cosmos flower field.

I played tennis from 8:30 in the morning to 4:00 in the evening.

I've been very exhausted by playing tennis so long.

During a short lunch break, I took several pictures of cosmos and red spider lily (Higanbana in Japanese).

They were very beautiful, weren’t they?

My Favorite Summer Scenes

The day before yesterday is Autumnal Equinox Day; the length of day and night is the same on the day. I’m happy to have cooler days from now, but at the same time, I feel sad that sever hot days have gone.
For my memory of this summer, I upload two pictures I like. I took both pictures after a weekly practice of tennis game in August.

By the way, I was defeated at a tennis match two weeks ago not only by the skill of the opponent but also, I guess, summer heat and fatigue of business trip to Taiwan.

Today, again, I had tennis match with CANON members against ASHIKAGA bank team. I took part in a singles match and won today!
Summer heat and travel exhaustion didn’t help my opponent today.

Hibiscus Are Blooming Both in Taiwan and at Home.

Hibiscus Flower at Home #1

Hibiscus Flower at Home #2

I came back from Taiwan last week. It was a wonderful business trip. I enjoyed beautiful Taiwanese scenery, delicious food, unique religious buildings and colorful flowers. Though it was my first trip to Taiwan, strange to say, I felt everything seemed familiar to me.

One month ago, I bought a short hibiscus tree. It had a lot of flowers.
I found beautiful natural hibiscus trees in Taiwan.
Which flowers do you like more?       ... I can’t tell it.

Hibiscus Flower in Taiwan #1

Hibiscus Flower in Taiwan #2

Another Business Trip. Where Am I Going to?

I went on an oversea business trip again last week, following the trip to South Korea last time.

Where did I go?
Maybe, I’ll tell you about it next time.
The view of Mt. Fuji from the sky was surprisingly beautiful.
I’m happy to share those pictures with you, tonight.
The itinerary was stuffed with bunch of work. I’m tired of the trip and today’s tennis singles match in the scorching weather. I’ll go to bed soon. Good night! zzz

Business Trip to South Korea #4

On the final day of my business trip to South Korea, I had a half day free time walking around capital Seoul with my colleague.

We had put our baggage in lockers in Seoul station. Then we went to Namdaemun Market and Myeongdong Cathedral on foot. It took just fifteen minutes from the station.
The cathedral was very beautiful. I took not a few pictures in it.

Business Trip to South Korea #3

Office staff working for our subsidiary took us to nice restaurants everyday after work.

Yes, Korean foods and drinks suited my palate very much. Some foods were too spicy, but all in all, they were delicious.

I enjoyed every meal and atmosphere of the restaurant in Korea.

 

 

 

 

Sunflower Field in Mashiko

 I went to a sunflower field in Mshiko town near Utsunomiya city with my wife the other day. It took about half an hour by car. The flowers were in full bloom attracting visitors. I’ve never seen that many sunflowers blooming in one area. The scene was amazingly beautiful.

I had thought that there were plenty of people to view the field. But, twenty to thirty staff members took care of only about ten visitors including us.

They didn’t ask us an admission charge of the field nor a parking fee. We spent only 100 yen (1.3US$) for local vegetables.

On our way back home, we stopped over pottery shops to look ceramic wares. But it’s too hot to spend enough time to choose an appropriate one. Maybe we’ll buy next time.

Miya Matsuri Summer Festival in 2011

Miyamatsuri Summer Festival 2011 fell on a rainy day again this year.

Tens of thousands of people came to Odori Avenue in front of Futarasan shrine to watch the bustle of festival one week ago. I also went out to watch it with cans of beer and cameras.
It was a great fun to me.