The ball made from Japan Cedar

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

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

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

This photo was taken near lake Inawashiro.

Mirror

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Finally I am in Japan

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

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 ~~~

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

Oh Haggis !

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

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 !