Toshi's diary

Birds around the river

2012-01-28T05:47:00.002Z

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker(Dendrocopos kizuki)

Japanese white-eye known as mejiro.

Halcyon.

flowers of the snow

2012-01-24T04:40:00.001Z

We had snow again.

snow

2012-01-20T01:15:00.003Z

It's snowing after 35 days dry weather in Tokyo.
Good to see the ground covered with snow .

Pyracantha

2012-01-09T04:02:00.001Z

Pyracantha or Firethorn,producing red berry.

2012 has started !

2012-01-01T07:42:00.000Z

On the 1st of January, people go to a near shrine and pray for the healthy , peaceful life there.

The 2011 was not good year, so many people, I guess, go there and pray for the tsunami suffered area.

2012 is the year of the dragon. I hope this country will go up strongly, peacefully !
I pray for it.

Needle ice

2011-12-21T23:00:00.000Z

In cold winter,you can find the needle ice everywhere around a field here.
The subterranean liquid water is popping up on surface.

When I see the ice needle, I feel the real winter has come.

folded paper crane

2011-12-10T01:44:00.000Z

10 km run

2011-12-01T01:39:00.002Z

Tanzawako Marathon was held on the 27th of Nov.
I joined and run 10km around the lake Tanzawa.
Time was 71 min. and completed !

This Lake Tanzawa is the artificial lake that was created in 1978.
The old houses which used to be there on the bottom of the lake were abandoned.
Now the nature around the lake is preserved and you can enjoy the beautiful scenic view in spring, autumn especially.

Azalea

2011-05-14T14:50:00.001+01:00

When I was climbing down, I found this flower.

The view of Mt.Yatsugatake from Mt.Kayagatake

2011-05-14T14:49:00.002+01:00

Yatsugatake is here.
Kayagatake is the mountain of 1704 meters in height.

Let’s go to the real bright future.

2011-04-20T02:50:00.008+01:00

Tokyo seems to have returned to the normal life.
Trains have resumed the original time table and operations are in standard service now.
But most of companies are saving electric power.
The government has asked us to cut the power up to 25%, comparing to the previous year.

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has the capability of supplying 36,000kW in the end of March, 2011 due to the devastating earthquake occurred in the 11th March。
Summer is the peak season of consuming electric power in Japan.
So, it is said that TEPCO needs to supply at least 55,000kW in the end of July.
As of the 20th April, TEPCO can supply 41,500kW, in the meantime 33,500kw will be expected to consume.
So far, so good now.
But hot summer is coming. You need to save the power more.

The governor of Tokyo Metropolitan City said that the power of many vending machines scattered in Tokyo should be cut. You can save the power comparable to one NUC power plant by doing so.
This is the quite radical opinion but I will go with him ;)
Now every train stations, shops in Tokyo are a little bit dark in order to save the power.
Even in business office they cut some of fluorescent lamps over your head.

So Japan is now a bit dark but even so brighter than the cities in EU and USA.
Japan was consuming a lot of power in the past. Now is the good chance to reconsider our life.
Physically Japan is now dark country but it could invent energy-saving systems more than before.
When it could succeed in inventing many good systems, Japan would be a logically brighter country than it used to be.
I hope Japan is going in the right direction.

Vending machines at a train station.

The support for the northern Japan (Tohoku area)

2011-04-16T15:22:00.000+01:00

Now we are supporting Tohoku area in Japan by buying the products manufactured there.

Bee's nest

2011-04-10T02:39:00.000+01:00

Cherry blossom

2011-04-08T00:14:00.001+01:00

Cherry blossom

Spring has come. All cherry trees are now blooming in Tokyo area.
But government announced that you should refrain from flower festival or flower-viewing parties under cherry trees, which many people will hope to do so.
The reason why they announced was to consider the thoughts of the evacuees from the great TSUNAMI.
The evacuees are under pressure how to survive the difficulties of poor life condition after the quake.

Many people, however, are thinking that this is bureaucratic thought.
Consumers should consume things you want. Otherwise, our economy will be shrinking rapidly.
Without healthy economy, you can not help the evacuees.
You can support the refugees with buying the products which will be manufactured by the survivors.
In order to rise again, you should not refrain from even flower festival or flower-viewing parties.

The radioactive substances are coming !

2011-03-24T04:15:00.003Z

The radioactive substance,Iodine 131was found at Kanamachi Wastewater Treatment Works in Tokyo.
This seems to be spewed by Nuclear Plant in Fukushima prefecture in Japan.
Governor has announced that the infants under one year old should NOT be given tap water as far as possible in specified area.
In announcement, he said he is preparing 240,000 bottled-water for the infants in return.

At a store (2)

2011-03-24T03:29:00.000Z

At the same store near my office on 24th,March.
They seem to be supplying foods to sell.
Please compare this photo with the other one on my blog.

At a store

2011-03-18T22:02:00.001Z

This store is located near my office (Yotsuya in Tokyo), having poor stock to sell.
The photo was taken at 8 am.

Scheduled black out

2011-03-17T07:32:00.003Z

As of 2008, approximately 23% of electric power comes from nuclear power plants in Japan.
Therefore, if the nuclear power plants are damaged, it would be likely for power companies to cut the supply in order to meet the balance between demand and supply.

This is occurring in Japan.
The nuclear power plant in Fukushima prefecture in Japan was heavily damaged by the quake on 11th, March.
Though the company as well as the government is trying to cool the plant, this does not mean the recovery of the nuclear plants.
This means the prevention effort from nuclear disaster.
Power supply is now short to meet the demand.
The company has decided to cut the power supply to some extent.
This is called "the scheduled black out".
They have divided the Kanto area (the south of the nuclear power plant, 200 km away) into 5 groups.
Day by day they decide what group should be cut the power supply and how long.

No exception about customers.
The trains would be shut the operation. Many stores would be forced to close.
Poor electric power supply might affect manufacturing of food, water,etc.
People those who are afraid of the shortage of foods rush to stores, supermarkets.
People tend to buy more than they need. This cause the real shortage of foods.
The goverment has announced that there are enough foods and people don't need to be afraid.
Worse than this, evacuatee can not buy the foods they need due to the shortage caused by non-evacuee.

This shortage is occurring on the gasoline (petroleum).
People drive around for it but gas stations don't have it to sell !

So the life like this goes around here in Japan.

good things and bad things about the disaster

2011-03-15T04:57:00.003Z

Good things:
- To understand that we are not alone.
- To know that many friends are concerning about us.
- To understand that many countries are sending troops, helping the quake area.
- To see the politicians stopped futile political fight temporarily.

Bad things:
- The nuclear plant is in danger.
- The scale of tsunami was more than you could have imagined in height, velocity.
- Tsunami will be able to kill more people than earthquake.
- The magnitude of the earthquake this time was the biggest on record.
- The quake could damage the power plants and caused the shortage of electricity supply.
- The public transportations even in central Tokyo are affected due to this shortage.

The life here

2011-03-13T05:08:00.001Z

Today, I drove my car to a gas station to buy petro but they have stopped selling it due to no petro they have.
So the life without petroleum, LPG, electricity,etc will start soon even here in the central Tokyo.
We will see.

Tsunami

2011-03-13T03:10:00.000Z

Now I understood very well that tsunami is more dreadful than the earthquake itself (its magnitude was 9.0 from recent report. This is the first value on the record.)

This time tsunami caused by the quake has swallowed the whole town and robbed the life of many people living near the sea.

Reportedly 200 people were found near the sea after tsunami was gone.

Tsunami was faster than you can imagine to evacuate.

You MUST go out of your house as sooner as possible and evacuate to higher places as soon as the official alert was given.

This time reportedly tsunami was 10-meter high, easy to climb over the sea bank or floodwall and left many people died.

The earthquake is not died down yet and keeping

Japan

shaking continuously.

The next is nuclear power plants in Fukushima prefecture.

They are in danger now.

The biggest earthquake

2011-03-11T23:41:00.000Z

Yesterday, the biggest earthquake has struck the north of Japan.
When it occurred, I was in a office located in the central Tokyo.
I could not sit in front of my desk. I saw the crack run the wall of the office.
The quake was more than I could imagine.
The decision was made that all employee were to go home with free taxi ticket.
But once I was out of office, no taxi was found only with many many people were walking toward their home.
All public transportation stopped operation.
So I had also decided to walk toward my home, more than 30 km from the office.
While I was walking, I saw some people buying bicycles but other people walking without talking, still no taxi of cource.
After 3 hours, the car of the woman's farther in my group came and picked us, I was lucky.
But traffic jam was terrible. Eventually I was at my home 6hours after leaving the office.
Though I was lucky, I was wondering if other guys in my office could go home in safe.

If the quake like this hits the central tokyo, I think I am not the one of men to survive.

Egret

2010-09-11T02:31:00.000+01:00

A egret on a stone lantern in famous KENROKUEN , Japanese old garden, in Kanazawa.

Rescue

2010-09-11T02:25:00.000+01:00

A chopper is now rescuing a injured man at a mountain.

A jet streamer over Jizodake

2010-08-19T09:04:00.002+01:00

While climbing Jizodake, a jet airplane created nice vapor trail.

A dayfly ?

2010-08-05T08:49:00.001+01:00

Dayfly ?

On the way to Mt.Naeba (Naeba-san)

2010-07-10T04:59:00.002+01:00

Toshi at the Mata-Suri lock.
Naeba-san is here.

大きな地図で見る

Lotus flower

2010-07-10T04:54:00.000+01:00

Lotus flower in Gyoda city

Oze in early summer

2010-07-10T04:52:00.001+01:00

Happy holiday !

2009-12-25T01:30:00.003Z

Santa Claus here is selling "Fried Chickens".

Something good words

2008-05-20T06:40:00.001+01:00

Sometimes we need to walk and look off the road.
Here's something good words from the DVD I saw.

"You can't just see the future. You make it."

Isn't this good ?

A Happy New year

2008-01-19T05:59:00.000Z

2008 has begun.

Flora and fauna - September -

2007-09-19T12:38:00.000+01:00

September began with Typhoon #4 hit Tokyo area directly.

Usually after typhoon passes, sunny days come.
This time, it was sizzling hot day come.
It looks like we are still in the mid of summer.
But whether you are aware or not, the sound of season is changing definitely.
Now the crickets are mainly singing in the evening though cicadas are still singing in the day.
And one more thing you may notice is the red dragons flying over your head.
This red dragons flying are the symbol of autumn. Seeing many red drangons flying around makes you feel coolness of autumn.

AWA odori to beat the sizzling summer

2007-08-28T12:10:00.000+01:00

AWA odori is used to be held only within Tokushima prefecture in Shikoku district.
Nowadays, this dancing style is getting very popular,eventually held in many prefectures in Japan.
This place (Koenji AWA odori) became famous for it in Tokyo area.
The folk dance is similar to that of Tokushima Prefecture.
You are so relaxed in this mood that even Japanese summer is tolerable for the moment.

Flora and fauna -August-

2007-08-20T12:24:00.000+01:00

August in Japan is very humid, or I would say "more than humid".
Typhoons come to Japan with much moisture from Pacific Ocean.
While typhoons are not born in the south of Japan, hot glaring sun covers
over this country.
Nevertheless, some of the insects are very active, enjoying this summer such
as Japanese beetles, stag beetles,cicadas.
How about birds ?
These days, you can hardly see them under trees with a plenty of leaves.
Only what you can notice is that they sing in a loud voice at the top of the
trees, enjoying the freedom from bird-watcher.
This is not good season for us, bird-watcher.
Plants:
Watermelons,peaches, Asian pears, etc are available in this season.
At the beginning of summer, there are lots of watermelons at stores.
But toward the end of the summer, you will find many Asian pears take the place of watermelons. Thus, you can see that the season is changing.

A firework

2007-08-12T23:39:00.000+01:00

If you ask about the popular August events, people
might say "matsuri" and "firework".
From large scaled fireworks to small one, there are many places where you can enjoy them.
This firework is called "Niagara Fall" named for that famous Niagra Falls in the North America.

Iris

2007-07-20T22:19:00.001+01:00

Iris (pictured at Suigo Botanic Garden in Sawara city in May)

Flora and fauna -July-

2007-07-20T21:56:00.000+01:00

The Japanese cicadas have started singing for the first time in this season near my office.
This was a bit strange to me because it has been a little cold these days.
It seems that they know the time to sing.

After strong typhoon raged over Japan, another big earthquake hit Niigata Prefecture Chuetsu Offshore on Monday.
There is a nuclear power plant where a radiation leak and transformer fire occurred that day.
All of the plant's seven reactors have been suspended under the order based on the Fire Service Law.

Well this is the Japanese summer where we are in now.
Cicadas are singing peacefully.

The plant of the month:
A green soybean (Japanese name is Edamame) is very popular vegetables in Japan.
People eat it especially in summer with a glass of beer.
This goes very well with beer.
A lot of protein is included in a young Edamame. Besides not expensive.
Healthy thing (Edamame) goes with Non-healthy (Beer).
This is the matter of balance ;)

The bird of the month:
Ficedula narcissina (Japanese name is "Kibitaki")
It is one of the best singing birds in Japan.
Though they are rarely spotted in due to many leaves on a tree, high tone of singing is heard in a forest.

***

Typhoon No4

2007-07-15T03:57:00.000+01:00

The fourth typhoon in this season is raging in Japan.
This photo shows this typhoon is now coming to Tokyo area.
Reportedly 3 people died, 73 injured so far.
Tokyo area will have 100 mm amount of rainfall.
Heavy rain will be expected in the afternoon today here.
Met office is warning tidal waves, strong wind and heavy rain along its path.

Flora and fauna -June-

2007-06-26T08:40:00.000+01:00

Though finally Met Office declared that Tokyo area got into rainy season, there has been less rain compared to normal season.
They say this is due to La Nina event which brings abnormal weather around the area.
Met Office will announce the rainy season will end soon and shorter than last year.
This seems to be good but I know that this means very hot, muggy weather will come.
That may also bring the shortage of water supply in Tokyo area.

The plant of the month:
Hydrangea. This plant bloom in this rainy season, changes the color of the flowers from pink to blue, purple under rain.

The bird of the month:
Blue-and-White Flycatcher(Cynoptila cyanomelana)

Flora and fauna -May-

2007-05-15T08:53:00.000+01:00

May is good season for plants, birds as well as people here.
Farmers begin bedding out young plants such as corns.
I have found swallows flying over my head.
New nest was also found at a station.
All those things are symptom of rainy season coming.

This is the photo of corn field near my house.
A farmer has planted baby plants, expecting many sweet corns grow.

The plant of the month

This is the photo of moss pink (Phlox subulata).
Perennial plant makes you delighted every year .
The flowers are small with 5 petals, and bloom in rose, white, or pink in late spring to early summer.
You can grow this under full sun and in well-drained soil.

The bird of the month.
Of course, the swallow is the bird of this month.
Swallows are considered as good birds in Japan.
Because, they eat bugs such as mosquitoes which annoy people.
You will find the nest of this bird at local railway stations, any places good for growing babies.
When you see this birds flying over your head, this means that the season is changing from spring to early summer (rainy season).

Golden Week in May

2007-04-24T03:58:00.000+01:00

One of favorite month of the year should be May.
That May has "Golden week" is one reason.
May will be followed by that notorious Baiu Season (rainy seaon ) in June.

Golden Week is consist fo several public holidays as follows.
- April 29
Greenery Day, or Nature Day
- May 3
Constitution Memorial Day
- May 4
People's Day, or Citizen's Day
- May 5
Children's Day

May Day (on May 1) is not a public holiday, but is nevertheless often granted as a holiday by many companies.
The rule is, when a public holiday is on a Sunday, the next day tbecomes a holiday for that year.

Flora and fauna -April-

2007-04-24T02:59:00.000+01:00

As usual year, April started with Japanese Cherry Blossom flowering against windy weather.
The life time of flowering of this blossom is very short, about one week or so.
This is why people here like this trees.
At the time I write this article, flowering ended, many trees are growing many leaves.
April starts with Cherry Blossom and ends with the beginning of so-called "Golden Week".

The plant of this month:
I would like the tiny plant, "Erythronium japonicdum".
This plant is also to flower at the beginning of April, does not last long.
It is not popular flower but grows at limited place like a sunny slope of hill.
You would notice that the flower petal is very unique.

The bird of this month:
It is Japanese Bush Warbler (Uguisu).
This birds will sing from April, therefore people think of this bird as a herald of springtime.
They are more often heard than seen.
Along with this uguise, great tit's singing is heard in many places.
Yes, spring has come with birds singing.
---

Yellow sand

2007-04-02T13:28:00.000+01:00

Today, Japan was widely covered with Yellow Sand from China.
This sand was carried on strong wind from China.
TV news said many cities in Japan were coated with annoying sand.

In this time of the season, this is the typical example of bad things here.
This climate phenomenon seems to become very heavy year after year.

That many woods are reportedly cut for houses, paper, etc in China is one of the reason which cause this heavy yellow sand to be worse than ever.

Erythronium japonicum

2007-04-01T02:21:00.000+01:00

Erythronium japonicdum.
You can see this flower in a grove but only for about two or three weeks.
Only this season.
I myself took this photo.

The cherry blossom

2007-03-23T21:20:00.000Z

Every year, Met Office make announcement when this pretty pink blossom of cherries will bloom.
This winter season was very warm and they forecasted it will bloom quite earlier than regular season.
But this prediction was wrong though they said it was due to a software bug of hi-tech computer program.
Anyway,cherry season begun. Many people will take a walk under those trees.
This time of the year is one of the best season in Japan.
Warm, little rain.

Flora and fauna -March-

2007-03-12T06:39:00.000Z

I was asked to write Japanese flora and fauna by Jim .
From this month, therefore, I will write what I am interested in Japanese plants, birds.

March.
The plants of this month:
I chose "daphne" as the plant of this month.
In the middle of March, sweet smell of daphne begins to hang over around the outskirt of Tokyo.
You can sense that long dark season will end, warm comfortable season will start with this smell.
As you may know, the North of Japan is still cold while the south of Japan is now very warm because Japan is vertically long country.
Tokyo are, where I live, is the centre of Japan and now this smell is going around with this reason.

The birds of this month:
I would like to choose (Japanese) White-eye as the bird of this month.
The eyes are surrounded with white color and its body is tiny, greenish.
They are seen on the branch of Japanese plum trees (Ume) with many flowers.
Those birds like to suck sweets from flowers of Japanese plum trees.
People like those tiny lovely birds and sense the cold season is beginning to end.

Too windy for an umbrella

2006-10-08T23:36:00.000+01:00

This is the debris after strong wind blew this area (Tokyo).
I clearly remember that I asked my friend why you don't use an umbrella there in stead of wearing rain-jacket when I was in UK.
At that time, I thought people in UK would NOT like them.
His answer was very clear. "too windy to use it here."

Although this type of umbrellas are very cheap to use under very bad condition (windy) in Tokyo, many people seemed to have been uneasy to use them on that day here.

2006-09-30T14:54:00.000+01:00

Wow ! This is me with many acupuncture needles on my back !
These needles are for the therapy of stiffness in my shoulder.
Other than these points, there are many good points in human body to relax those stiffness.
Many things to learn.

Matsuri

2006-08-11T13:17:00.000+01:00

Matsuri is a Japanese word for a festival.
This drum (Taiko) is used for that festival.

Another cicada

2006-08-11T13:13:00.000+01:00

Here is another cicada singing this season.
I found this on a tree near the office.

The ball made from Japan Cedar

2006-04-02T00:45:00.000+01:00

This balls are made from Japan Cedar.
At most of Japanese Sake Distllers, they hang these balls to show the process of making new sake start.
The color of balls is green but become brown at the end to imply the process end.
They hang balls but also to make a wish of success of the process.

A distiller of Japanese Sake

2006-04-01T22:06:00.000+01:00

A friend of mine living in Scottland took me to a distiller of Scotch Whiskey.
Now in return, I want to show him a distiller of Japanese Sake.

Tsuruga castle in Aizu Prefecture

2006-04-01T21:51:00.000+01:00

This castle was destroyed at the battle between conservative and radical of Edo Regime.
Though re-built, no more samurais but only the spirit was remained there.

Bandai San in Fukushima Prefecture

2006-04-01T21:45:00.000+01:00

This photo was taken near lake Inawashiro.

Mirror

2006-01-03T03:13:00.000Z

At every corners on the roads in Japan, there are this kind of mirrors ,which are very convenient for drivers as well as pedestrians.
T shape junctions are very dangerous and tend to cause many accidents.
Although this is very useful, I had not seen even one tiny mirros in UK.

Rush hour

2005-11-10T12:18:00.000Z

Would you like to see real RUSH HOUR ?
Here is one at a station in TOKYO.
This is the scene at near the ticket gate.
Trains are more packed than this.
Come and enjoy the life !

World PC Expo

2005-11-06T00:22:00.000Z

At World PC Expo held in TOKYO, there were many charming women like this, working busily, attracting many business men.

What this woman was showing was demo CD of a game.
Behind her were PC chassis, LCD, etc.

This is typical scene at exhibitions here.
It is good to see but sometimes it can be embarrassment.

Gift from a friend living in Highland

2005-10-03T05:35:00.000+01:00

When I tried to drink a single molt whiskey in UK, my colleague advised me not to drink this mixing with water and this whiskey.
Although this drinking style (mixing whiskey with water) is popular in Japan, you could lose good flavor of good whiskey by doing so.

This whiskey of photo is the gift from my friend living in Highland.
Should I drink this Japanese way or not ?

The sign of autumn

2005-10-03T05:25:00.000+01:00

The dragonflies with red tail are the sign of autumn in Japan.
After cicadas, you can see this insects flying in a grass field.

Buddha in Kamakura

2005-09-11T02:03:00.000+01:00

Kamakura is the city located in an hour train trip from Tokyo.
This big buddha made of bronze is in this city.
The height is 12.38m, made in 1243.
Then current, this buddha was made of woods.
Strong wind, several typhoons destroyed this budda since then.
Now rebuilt in 1495, sitting like photo.

Cicada

2005-09-11T01:50:00.000+01:00

This cicada I found at lesure park is the famous insect singin in the mid of summer.
We feel the hot summer when this cicadas start singing loudly.
This is very peaceful insect with no sting, just sucking juice from tree.

Earthquake again

2005-08-16T13:30:00.000+01:00

When the strong earthquake hit northeatern Japan (Sendai), I was on 10th floor of a office building.

I felt slight vibration followed by strong holizontal force of earthquake at that time.
It caused me a bit dizzy and made me lots of scared.

Attached is the newspaper article of Kyodo.

◆ Powerful quake strikes northeastern Japan, tsunami warning issued.
A powerful earthquake, registering a preliminary magnitude of 6.8, struck northeastern Japan just before noon Tuesday and a tsunami alert has been issued for the coastal region of Miyagi Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Many in the city of Sendai, the capital of Miyagi, were reported injured, according to the local fire department. The Japanese government has set up a task force at the crisis management center of the prime minister's office.

The quake, also felt in Tokyo, originated off the coast of the prefecture, the agency said.
JR Shinkansen bullet train services from Tokyo have been suspended temporarily, the train operator said.

The town of Kawasaki in Miyagi registered lower 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of seven, the meteorological agency said.

The Summer in Japan

2005-08-09T01:34:00.000+01:00

Popular events/things in the summer of Japan are,to my memory, big summer festivals such as "Nebuta matsuri", "Kanto matsuri".
But you might be able to find more interesting thing.
That is "many cicadas singing" in a park, forest wherever they can find to sing.
Without this pepole might be unable to feel that real summer has come.
I will try to take a photo of a cicada next time if I can catch it.

2005-08-04T18:18:00.000+01:00

My dog called "Baron" now is bone tired of too humidity.

Finally I am in Japan

2005-08-03T22:02:00.000+01:00

To be honest, when our plain took off Heathrow airport and saw the land around airport underneath,I felt some melancholy.
Possibly it was caused by those friends (English buddies,Irish,Welsh guy and a Highlander,etc).
But life goes on without me !

On the contrary,when I got out of airport to the bus station, that muggy air came to me,made me dizzy. What awful temperature (more than 30 degree,high humidity)!
So it is strange to say but what I am missing now is UK WEATHER !!!

Returning to Japan

2005-07-21T16:38:00.000+01:00

Wow,my D-day is coming.
I am returning to Japan after three years single life in UK away from my family.
8 days to go !

(^o^)/~~ see you ~~~

2005-06-04T17:02:00.000+01:00

My colleague got signed book (Terry Prachett, Hat full of Sky) for me !

2005-06-04T16:58:00.000+01:00

Oh Haggis !

2005-06-04T16:45:00.000+01:00

Edinburgh Castle

Look at this beautifil castle !
Although my friend,Gavin, said, Edinbugh is too sightseeing city, to me, this city is still enchanting city.

The Hitchhiker's Guide To the Galaxy, Marvin

2005-05-01T06:50:00.000+01:00

Left photo is Mr.Marvin in the movie, "The Hitchhiker's Guide To the Galaxy".
He always seems to be depressed !
His head, eyes give you this impression.
Well, then, appearance can speak more, I would say.
Cheer up, Marvin !

2005-04-18T21:21:00.000+01:00

The map for site walk around Ironbridge.

2005-04-18T21:11:00.000+01:00

Ironbridge in Shropshire

Sankan Shion

2005-04-17T22:17:00.000+01:00

This kanji character gives you the idea that three days are cold but the rest of a week is warm in spring season.
In March, April, the weather is not stable but changing cold season to warm or hot season. Old knowledge says in this transition period, typically this old sayings can apply correctly.

Earthquake

2005-03-20T14:39:00.000Z

Big earthquake hit Japan again.
This time it is island of Kyusyu, southmost island of Japan.

Peaceful Sunday morning became nightmare for the residents there.
TSUNAMI warning was issued but canceled at noon.
Newspaper said, one died, 400 people was injured.

Keichitsu - a signal for Spring -

2005-03-05T10:33:00.000Z

This kanji character,"Keichitsu", is pronounced like "Kay Ti Two", which imply a signal for spring coming.
During winter, all worms, insects sleep under ground but once they catch the hint of becoming warm, they will get up and out from underneath.
As a human being, yes, you can see many plants flowering around your home and know spring is coming. Amazingly, small worms can know it coming as well.

Even if there is more cold weather hanging around, spring certainly is coming near you.
When I hear this word on TV news program in Japan, I used to feel the season changing.

Today, 5th of March, is "Keichitsu" in Japan.

Now I see snowdrops flowering and crocus has started flowering around my home in UK.
Spring is coming in England, too.
Yes as worms do, you sense it and need to get up and out for --- holidays!!!

Highland, Wild but fascinating country

2005-02-14T11:31:00.000Z

Highland
I have just flown back from Inverness, where I have enjoyed very much seeing wild life, wonderful but severe nature. And I can never forget to have met friendly people who are struggling to live there.

Why this season ?
You might see lots of people going around there when it is warm or milder than now.
This is not my intention of visiting and seeing there.
In this season, of course, the weather was NOT nice but you have lots of view which you can NOT in good season in stead. Deer with big antlers, Highland cows, deserted loch with mountains. No visitors except us. Completely isolated but calm and quiet land.
My friend said the weather in Highland will change every 5 minutes and did indeed like what he said.
He said he likes the gradation of remote view of mountainous area, with which I was fascinated soon.

Friendly friend
My Scottish friend having moved from England invited me to Inverness.
He had been telling of Scotland, Scottish, Nature, Rivers,etc for about, yes, 2 years. So I was there in order to check what he said was the real before my imagination exploded inside my mind.

Gaelic information
My friend spotted at the street name, said if I can pronounce it. Of course not, it is very difficult to speak. Gaelic sounds like Russian to me. But this could add coziness to the scenes. Although there are NOT so many Gaelic info comparing to Wales, you could enjoy more if you got some knowledge of them in advance. Thanks to my Scottish friend I did not need it this time.

Good season or bad season
I wanted to see salmons jumping from low to high at small water fall but no chance this time. If you could choose the season to go around, then of course you could see it but with a plenty of sightseers from around the world.
I have never regretted to choose this bad season even if I could not see any salmons jumping. I hope people from other countries don't destroy good nature in Scotland.

Bad Scottish
Finally I need to write this.
My friend said that he found about bad Scottish manner. I remember he said three but only two I remember now.
- Chewing gums
In Inverness at some streets, you shall find many chewing gums spit and made stains on the pedestrian way. This is very bad.
- Bad Scottish drivers
I could not see many bad Scottish drivers but he insisted there are plenty of.
Bumper to bumper or drive fast or NOT change the lane are what he said I think.
Of course this is a bit of laughing things which you shall have the same in your own country.

At this moment they are living there under wild and severe weather in deserted area.
Nature is wild but people are friendly and tough.
I hope I could share this with people in Japan. Scotland ,where you need to visit.

Snow Festival in Sapporo, Hokkaido

2005-02-07T16:23:00.000Z

Sapporo Snow Festival
The Sapporo Snow Festival, the biggest winter event in Sapporo, began on 7th Feb 2005 up to 13th Feb, 2005.
This festival is dated back to 1950. Then current, students of local junior schools and high schools built 6 big miniature models made from snow on high street in the city.
Since then, building such models became favourite event for citizens in Sapporo in Hokkaido and also one of big attractions across Japan in Winter.

This year is the 56th Festival.
During this period, you can see over 100 snow models varied from small crab of ice to big scale castle of ice.

In Winter, the temperature in Sapporo usually remains less than zero but this festival surely can make you warm.

The book by fans for fans

2004-11-25T21:13:00.000Z

The book titled [The Plot Thickens... Harry Potter investigated by Fans for Fans.] is the compilation of essays written by fans,that is an array of people with different backgrounds.
You might ponder deeply while you read this.

Hi Hi Puffy

2004-11-24T11:56:00.000Z

Do you like Japanese cartoon ?
Here's latest one from U.S.A !

You can see LIVE scene they are singing and dancing on that website.

The title ? [ Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi ]

Crap Jobs

2004-11-11T15:20:00.000Z

According to the book titled [Crap Jobs], followings are in the top 3.
Have you noticed that ?

1: Phone Sex Line Operator
2: North Sea Ferry Cabin Cleaner
3: IT manager

IT manager is the 3rd in the position !
Hmm, interesting ?

What is a ‘barrier-free’ vehicle?

2004-11-11T10:57:00.000Z

One of my colleagues asked this question, which is ”What is a ‘barrier-free’ vehicle?”

Here's my answer and I hope I should be correct.

---
This "barrier-free" means "no blockers or no obstacles”, especially in using vehicles in this case.

Recently in Japan, the percentage of senior persons occupied in population has been getting bigger and bigger.
Every manufacturer of any vehicles takes account of this fact.
Seniors can be dominant customers to those vehicle manufactures in very near future.

So eliminating any obstacles for a senior to use a car must be essential.

For example, any gauge in front of you must have larger letters.
The sensors to sense a wall, car, children playing behind the car when you drive backward might be help for seniors.

"barrier-free" is a Japanese coined word, I guess.

Tokyo Motor Show

2004-11-02T21:39:00.000Z

The 38th Tokyo Motor Show opened to the public on Wednesday.
This time, it's featuring commercial and barrier-free vehicles.

The earthquake

2004-10-23T21:42:00.000+01:00

The quite heavy earthquake hit the north west area of Japan ( Niigata Prefecture ) on the 23rd October.
What's going on in Japan ? Typhoon and the earthquake ! Too much !
I have put the info on my website as well as the map of Japan. But I believe many residents there thought that one is enough !

UK weather ? It is heaven !

Halloween

2004-10-22T09:54:00.000+01:00

This season, toward the end of the month, I think many people here are alerted.
In addition to an umbrella, you might need to wear water-proof coat as well !

Asda, the big superstore here, allegedly, will ban the teenager to buy eggs this season with the concern of abusing them.

I hope this will not come up in other countries or otherwise bring the egg-proof coat together !

Following to the previous day

2004-10-20T21:00:00.000+01:00

Mega-typhoon heading for Honshu

A large and powerful typhoon that has brought strong winds and heavy rains to Kyushu and part of Shikoku Wednesday may directly hit Shikoku and Honshu later in the day, the Meteorological Agency said. As of 10 a.m., Typhoon No. 23 was located about 100 kilometers east-southeast of Miyazaki and moving north-northeast at 45 kilometers per hour, according to the agency. The atmospheric pressure at its center was 950 hectopascals, and it packed winds up to 40 meters per second.

The typhoon is expected to approach Shikoku and central Japan to the Kanto district that includes Tokyo Wednesday night, and may directly hit one of these areas.

Over a 24-hour period until Thursday noon, the typhoon is expected to bring 350 millimeters of rain to the Tokai district comprising Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures, 250 to 300 millimeters to Kanto, Koshin, Kinki that includes Osaka and Kobe, Shikoku and Sanin, and 100 to 150 millimeters to the Sea of Japan coast of Tohoku region and Sanyo in western Honshu.
(from Mainichi Daily News)

The 23rd !

2004-10-19T16:59:00.000+01:00

According to Mainich Daily News in Japan, the season's 23rd typhoon is set to approach the Kansai area after hitting Kyushu on Wednesday, the officials said.

How awful it is to have 23 typhoons in one season !
Worse than this, it is not the end of season, having another one is likely.

Don't forget you can experience an earthquake as well there ;)

A pint over your head

2004-10-16T12:55:00.000+01:00

This is a typical campaign photo used by CAMRA.
I got this at CAMRA beer festival.
You can put your pint on your head because the English warm beer ;)
Japanese beer pubs would serve very cold beer poured into very cold glass even if the season is winter. People want to enjoy its coldness as well as its taste when the brown liquid goes through your throat.

WNC

2004-10-16T05:00:00.000+01:00

WNC stands for "Wednesday Night Club".
The other day, one of my colleagues invited me to join this club with him. In another word, it simply was that let's go to a pub or pubs with him or them.

Around a decade ago, in my company, "Wednesday" had the special meaning. At that time many employees, wether you liked or not, tended to work longer. It was because you earned more money according to the hours you worked overtime.

Then the company decided to force any employees to go home after 17:00 every Wednesdays allegedly due to the consideration of employees health.
Reality was the company wanted to reduce the cost.

Another reality was that many employees went to Japanese pubs just for chatting and getting rid of day's stress. Thus every Fridays became the day for the purpose of it.

When I heard "WNC", suddenly it reminded me of that going-to-Japanese pub day.

Now "WNC" in UK ended up with a dancing club after drinking after drinking British warm beers. I have to confess that my body can NOT put up with this "WNC".
Next time, I am sure that they will go somewhere WITHOUT me, please.

Don't hog the middle lane

2004-10-12T13:05:00.000+01:00

When I was driving on my way to a office, I notiched one sign on the motor way saying that Don't hog the middle lane.
What can you expect from a hog but a grunt?

Koromo Kae

2004-10-10T21:37:00.000+01:00

I have almost forgot about this special day in Japan.
So I wrote the article about this day on my web site.
This is due to good weather in Britain ? Who knows !

Beer Festival

2004-10-07T18:09:00.000+01:00

I need to write this so as not to forget that I went to "Beer Festival" last Friday.

Here's my drunk beers - Real ale
-1st drink was UPTONs medium dry Cider 7.1%
-2nd was Williams of Eglinton in alloa Gold 3.9%
-3rd Hampshire of Romsey in Hampshire Ironside 4.2%

Spain was shining

2004-10-07T07:40:00.000+01:00

From 2nd Oct for 3 nights I had been in Spain to see my old friend.
The weather was hot, dry and gorgeous.

Bad weather ?

2004-09-30T21:05:00.000+01:00

Typhoon No 21 hit Japan and killed at least 5 people. So far 21 typhoons were born around Japan while 19.2 is average number (1951-2003).
Bad weather in UK is no longer bad enough.

Started

2004-09-29T21:18:00.000+01:00

My diary started from today.