Kayaking on the Chuzenji-ko lake, Nikko, Tochigi prefecture

Hi! Long time no see. How have you been? All of my family, including Lee, are all OK.

It's already been mid September, but even now the highest temperature are over 30 degree Celsius here in Tokyo. Zee. Where is autumn?
喂，好久不见了。你好吗？我们一家，包含Lee，都很好。
已经九月中旬了，可是天气还闷热，在这儿东京最高温度还是30度以上啊。嘿, 秋天在哪里呀？

To escape from such hot weather, I went to Nikko Chuzenji-ko lake with my daughter and her friends on September 2nd, yeah, just like a teacher of a summer school. We joined a Kayaking school there.
为了逃避这些闷热的天气，9月2号我带我女儿和她朋友去日光中禅寺湖玩玩儿, 对了，好像暑期学校的领导老师。在那里我们参加了皮艇班。

We joined a beginner class. At first, we learned how to use a paddle.

The weather of Chuzenji-ko area was cool，but unfortunately, heavy rain, but it was no problem, we were going to get drenched to the skin on the lake anyway.

我们参加了初学者班。最先，我们学了怎么划艇。

那天在那里的天气比较凉快，但是很遗憾，下大雨了，可是没关系，反正这几分之后我们在湖上成了落汤鸡。

   

The beginner's kayak is very stable and easy to control. You can enjoy it from the beginning.

初学者用皮艇是非常安定，容易活动。你肯定从开始高兴地划艇。

It was calm and beautiful on the water, I was satisfied wonderful nature, felt relaxed,,,,

湖上又非常平静又很漂亮，我高兴地欣赏了大自然，觉得很放松，，，

,, then, suddenly, girls and kayaking staff started a water battle!
，，然后女儿们和导游突然开始打水仗了玩儿了！




You can join this kayaking course from the website below.
要是你们想参加这个皮艇班，从下面记的网页能预订。

Tochigi Kayak Center  (Sorry! Japanese only)

They provide a half day course for beginners, and a full day touring for experiencer. If you have any experience of riding kayak, you can join a full day touring.
他们提供“初学者班（半天）”，和“有经验者班（整天）”。你只要有只一次的划皮艇的经历，就可以参加有经验者班。

Well experienced and trained staffs support our activity safely. Oh, I almost forgot to add very important thing. They kindly take photos during the kayaking. All of the photos placed here are provided by them. Many thanks for all of your support, Tencho and Yukarin!
有多经验的、培训的导游安全地陪我们去到湖上玩儿。对了，我差一点忘记了很重要的事情。划艇之中他们给我们拍照。这儿的照片都是他们拍的。Tencho, Yukarin, 谢谢你们的帮助！

You can enjoy kayaking from the end of April to early November. Chuzenji-ko area is very famous for that beautiful autumn leaves. Enjoying the red and crimson colored mountains from the center of the calm lake, that must be gorgeous!
皮艇班的营业期间是从4月底起到11月上旬。中禅寺湖地方以那儿的红叶也很有名。从湖上欣赏漫山遍野的红叶，那一定让人陶醉了！

(Today, I tried to write this blog in English and Mandarin. I’d very appreciate it if you would point out my grammatical error or inappropriate word usage for both descriptions (English/Mandarin). Xiexie!)

Sakura trees were full-bloomed / Edogawa park, Bunkyo ward

I have abandoned posting for a long time, and received some concerning message. Many thanks for your concern. I am OK. I’d been just,,,,, loafing, sorry!

Usually, here in Tokyo, Sakura (cherry blossom) season would be the end of March, however this year the cold weather remained even in the beginning of April. Last weekend, at last, Sakura trees were full-bloomed.

Lee and I visited Edogawa park for O-Hanami.

It was around 9 am, but a lot of people already came to enjoy Sakura.


I heard that a lot of people gathere here and have a O-hanami party here in the evening.

Last Octorber, Lee became 9 years old. Getting older a little bit, but he is still Genki. Even now, he likes walking.

The closest station: Edogawabashi (Tokyo Metro, Yurakucho-line)Other Edogawa Park postings: 2008/05/03, 2010/03/24 , 03/29

Tenso Jinja Shrine/ Komagome, Bunkyo ward

It's November already, but not getting so cold here in Tokyo.
I think, in an average year, this weekend would be the best days for enjoying yellow colored ginkgo trees, actually the Ginkgo Festival was held in Jingu-Gaien today. But, at least in my neighborhood, gingko leaves have not turned bright yellow yet.


Komagome Tenso Jinja Shrine. According to the sign board, this shrine was established in 820 years ago,,, really?



There are some big ginkgo trees in the shrine yard. It's slightly colored yellowish green. I'll visit here next weekend to get the bright yellow ginkgo leaves.

La maison du chat noir / Koishikawa, Bunkyo-ward

To tell the truth, I hadn't known the presence of this unique building until my friend ブライアン(Bryan) who lives in the US told me. He said he run across this cat accidentally during his Sanpo when he lived in Tokyo.

This building is located in near the Konnyaku-Enma. It's a neat and quiet residential area. (Regarding the Konnyak-Enma, please visit my previous posting)

Recently I found that the owner of this building is a famous journalist, nonfiction writer, Takashi Tachibana. I like his article because he is very good at introducing a cutting-edge of science or political things with his plain wording.
I heard that he used this building as a library. As I learned this information, I feel the face of this cat seems to look intelligent, , , don't you think so?

Azalea / Nezu shrine

Azalea festival is held at Nezu shrine.

These photos were taken on 24th April. I guess they are full bloomed now.

This shrine has 3000 trees of Azelea. So gorgeous! Don't miss them.


The azalea festival will be held until the last day of the Golden week.

Regading the history of this shrine, please refer to the previous posting (click!).

For a long while, we hadn't walk such a long distanse. It became two and a half hours walking. Lee looked tired a bit... Me, too.

The closest station of this shrine is Nezu or Sendagi of Tokyo Metro Chiyoda-line. It takes about 5 minutes from these Metro stations on foot.

The other Nezu shrine postings:
The celebration of 300 aniversary (Sep. 2006)
Fallen leaves (Dec. 2006)
Azalea (May. 2007)
Ume (Feb. 2009)

Tokyo Skytree reached 634 meters high

Tokyo Skytree reached the highest altitude, 634 meters high, on March 18th
,,, just a week after the earthquake.





It should have been a big news if that didn't come.





The construction will be finished in the end of this year, and they will open in the spring of next year.
I hope that the news of the opening will be featured in a front-page next spring.

Earthquake

March 22nd. Eleven days have passed since a big earthquake, but even now, aftermaths often have been hitting North East Japan. The actual picture of estimate of damage has not been revealed yet. The total count of deaths and reported missing persons hit 21,911 people yesterday noon, and it has been increasing day by day. Around 350,000 people evacuated into the shelter, and they are confronted with the lack of foods and fuels. Yes, I know, you might have seen and known these information already via News or web, but, sorry, I cannot stop writing and doing something. Please pray for them to get over the difficulty, and look for something you can do for them. Thank you for your kind attention. Babies and their moms are experiencing tough days in the shelter. I found this site that solicit for entries of accepting home-stay of babies, kids and their families. http://www.mamatomama.info/ (Japanese site)

Art event / Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower

A strange object appeared suddenly on the 2nd floor in Mitsui Tower Building.

What's this? Sea shells? Cokkies? Macaroons?

From Feb.15th, An art event has been held in Nihonbashi area. On the public floors of "Coredo Nihonbashi", "Koredo Muromachi" and "Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower Building", a lot of art works created by young artists are being displayed.

... I didn't know that the 1st and 2nd had been held here.

Melted chocolate ice popsicle? (1st floor / Mitsui Tower Bldg.)

??????????? (1st basement / Mitsui Tower Bldg.)

The sign board says "please sit down and feel this art" and I felt my butt hurts.... oops, sorry.

I'd like to check the other works displayed in the other buildings before the installation ends on March 14th.

The closest station is "Mitsukosi-mae" of Tokyo Metro Ginza line.