2018.6.30

It was fine and very hot.

Yesterday there was an announcement of the end of the rainy season in Kanto area which is relatively early.

Today I stayed home to receive the re-delivered goods in the morning, then walked to the sushi restaurant to meet my friend's daughter for lunch. My friend and I worked at Expo 92 in Seville, Spain together. She got married American.
So her children are bilingual. I asked her how she learned Japanese. She said she did not go to the Japanese language school. At home she talked Japanese with her mother. She watched Japanese TV program with subtitles. Her brother  speaks more because he watched and read anime and manga, she said.After lunch I walked to the station and went to a kimono shop to ask for loundry.

Then I went to Kanda Myojin (神田明神). There is a special ceremony called Nagoshi no oharae (夏越の大祓え) which is held on June 30. There is a big circle made of thatch in front of the shrine. There is a custom to walk around it by the letter of eight, which is called Chi no wa kuguri (茅の輪くぐり). All the bad things done during the past half year will be cleared by doing this.

Then I walked to Kanda to attend a seminar. It was very inspiring.

After that we had a party. I enjoyed meeting new  people.

It was a fruitful day.

2018.6.29

It was fine and hot.

We had a farewell luncheon at a Japanese  restaurant. It's been a while since I went  there. There were 12 of us at a table, and it was rather hard to talk but we enjoyed eating, talking and taking pictures.

There was a place I wanted to go tonight if I could finish my work earlier. Unfortunately I was too busy to go today and had to overwork nearly until 10 pm in spite of the premium Friday.

2018.6.28

It was fine and hot outside according to the weather news, but I was in the office all day long and there is an air-conditioning, so I am not sure how hot it was.

In the afternoon I had a meeting which went well.

In the evening I attended the English workshop. It was about "Punctuation." It was very interesting and informative. To our surprise I was the only one that signed up. How lucky I am! I enjoyed the workshop and learned a lot.
I knew there are many differences between British English and American English and Canadian English.

It is the fullmoon tonight. There are clouds and it is windy, and the full moon looked so beautiful.

2018.6.27

It was fine.

There were many things to do at office and I overworked again.

After work I saw the beautiful moon in Roppongi, but in Miura it was covered with clouds.
Now it is very windy.

I hope to see the beautiful full moon tomorrow.

2018.6.26

It was fine.

Before going to the office I went to the post office to pay annual fees for some associations. The other day I tried to transfer from other ATM in Yokosuka-chuo, but I could not find the way to tranfer by bill. The ATM I used today is in Roppongi and very easy to transfer. This incident reminds me of the Bank of America in WA and Florida. They say the system of both states is quite different and I could not use the cash card, I made in WA, in Florida.

At the office I had a weekly meeting in the morning and bi-weelky meeting in the afternoon.

At lunch time I called my teacher of high school to confirm about the Great Reunion of next weekend.

In the afternoon I attended the English seminar which was very useful.

Then I overworked until nearly 8 pm. I will be busy for the next few weeks.

2018.6.25

It was fine and rather hot.

I overworked and came home later than expected.

Today I ordered the second photobook. Every month I can make a photo album of 20 pictures from the smart phone. I only have to pay for handling charge yen216.

Last month I went to my ex-colleague house and she introduced me of this service.

In May I went to Dubai & Kuala Lumpur so I made a travel album.

This month I wore kimono for three times and made an album for kimono-style.

I am looking for the theme of July.

2018.6.24

It was raining in the morning but became fine in the afternoon.The sunset was so beautiful.

I went to Kimono-style Miya in Sakuragi-cho to have hairset and dressed in the morning.

Then I went to Ginza to see the Photo Exhibition titled "Bi Nihon  Kimono no Josei (｢美･日本｣ 着物の女性: Beauty Japan Women in Kimono) " by Mr. Koji Eto (江藤耕司). This exhibition lasts for two weeks, but there are two different sessions. My picture is exhibited until today.

After looking at the pictures, I was taken to the Imperial Hotel by Jinrikisha (人力車), the man-powered vehicle. Then I was invited to the delicious lunch at Nadaman (なだ万), one of the most famous Japanese restaurants. I enjoyed the special treatment.

After lunch the Sun started shining and I walked around the Hibiya Park. There were beautiful flowers there.

Then I went back to Shinagawa to attend a seminar.

After coming back I went grocery shopping.

I had a fruitful day.

2018.6.23

It was cloudy in the morning, but became raining in the afternoon.

I went to Yokohama to get massage in the morning. This is my once a month body treatment to be healthy. My shoulders were very stiff this time too.

Then I went to Shinjuku to attend a lecture of Mr. Makoto Ohki who is a CEO of the Morinda Japan. This is once in two months event. Morinda's Maxidoid is another way of myself keeping healthy and energetic. Whenever I go to Morinda building I measure my AGE by TruAGE scanner. It is free. If you take this test at clinics it costs like yen 5000 to yen 10000.This time I was 6 years younger than my biological age.

After that I went to Yokosuka-chuo to have organizers last meeting before the Great Reunion of the high school. There were about 25 people out of 450. We practiced the songs and gymnastics and decided the details.

2018.6.22

It was cloudy.

I was rather busy at the office.

This morning I walked to the station to drink tonight.

After work I went to Ginza to have dinner with an adviser of the graduate school. He is from Yamanashi. To my surprise in Yamanashi the business of the funeral is a big issue. We usually wrap the money called okoden (お香典), but they don't wrap. There are about 1000 people to attend the funeral which was really surprising. Japan is a quite small country but there are many different cultures in it. Isn't it interesting?

2018.6.21

It was cloudy.

Today is the summer solstice. It is the day when the daytime is the longest in a year. According to my friend's post, it is the day when your wishes are easily granted because the center of the sun, the earth and the galaxy are in line. What do you wish?

After work I went to Shinjuku to attend a seminar. I do not remember how it happened. Maybe I was attracted to the title of the seminar or the speaker. I have never heard about him but his book seemed to have got the No.1 at the Amazon. At the seminar we were presented the book. I enjoyed the seminar itself.

On my way back to the station I happened to pass near the Hanazono (花園) shrine where I have been interested in visiting on Tori no ichi (酉の市). There was a tent and seemed to have any performance at the precinct of the shrine.

2018.6.20

It was raining all day long.

We stayed inside today. We felt lucky because it was fine and we could see the beautiful view from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory which is located on the 45th floor.

On my way back I dropped at Yokosuka chuo to go to banks.

2018.6.19

It was fine.

We went to Shinjuku.

At first we visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Hall, then we went up to the 45th floor of the North Tower of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. After eating lunch we went back to the Assembly Hall to observe the plenary session. To do so we have to get the number ticket first and change it to the observation ticket from 12 noon. There are 186 seats. The session started at 1 pm. This was the first time for me to observe.

After that we went to the National Diet. At first we booked the English tour at the House of Representative (Shugiin: 衆議院), but it was canceled and we decided to visit the House of Councilors (Sangiin: 参議院). It took about an hour. In spite of Japanese language tour there were some foreigners and the guide provided the English recorded explanation at the hall. It's been about 7 years since I visited there last.

It was a very interesting experience.

It is free of charge for these three places, therefore I would like to recommend you to visit them if you are interested in Japanese politics.

2018.6.18

It was cloudy in the morning and became rain in the afternoon.

I went to two places in Kasumigaseki(霞が関), one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

We had a hard time to find a restaurant at lunch time, but could eat lunch at a Chinese restaurant.

I heard there was a big earthquake in Osaka this morning. I sent some messages to my friends in Kansai Area to ask if they are OK or not. Some replied soon, but there are others I have not heard from yet. I hope everyone is OK.

2018.6.17

It was cloudy but became fine.

I went to see a Japanese movie Manbiki kazoku (万引き家族) "Shoplifters" which got the Palme d'Or at the International Film Festival in Cannes this year. The director, Hirokazu Koreeda (是枝裕和) has produced many famous movies which dealt with social problems.

After the movie I went shopping and went to the next venue, Shinagawa. I visited two shrines there, and went to see my friends.

After that I went to Kamakura. First my friend and I went to Tsurugaoka hachimangu (鶴岡八幡宮) shrine, then ate dinner. On our way to the restaurant we happened to see the wedding couple.

After having dinner we came back to the shrine to see the fireflies. Today is the last day for fireflies viewing there. It was very beautiful. This was the second time for me to visit there. At first there was a long line, but we enjoyed walking around twice.

This was the fourth time for me to see fireflies this year.

I am glad to have done so.

2018.6.16

It was another cold rainy day.

I went to Sakuragicho to attend a seminar which was really nice.

At lunch I had a Today's value set at a Chinese fast food restaurant.

After the seminar I was invited to go to the station by taxi. At first we were going to Sakuragicho but after talking witj a driver we decided to go to Yokohama. I enjoyed talking with ladies.

Then I visited Kimono-shop and enjoyed wearing two beautiful kimono.

After coming back I went to see fireflies with my friend from primary school.

2018.6.15

It was a rainy day and rather cold.

I visited two shrines before going to work. In the morning there was a meeting at the office.

In the afternoon we visited two places; Bank of Japan and Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE).

There was a guided tour to see the outside of the building of the Bank of Japan. I attended the guided tour of inside the Currency Museum too. It was very interesting. Furthermore it is free of charge.

On our way to TSE, we ate Chanpon for lunch which reminded us of the Nagasaki, Kyushu tour of two years ago.

It's been 14 years since I visited TSE.  There was not so much change since then.

In the night I joined another meeting in Shinagawa which was very attractive.

2018.6.14

It was cloudy.

I took about 30 minutes earlier train than usual to go to Urawa, Saitama prefecture. It's been two years since we went last. We visited the Prefecture Government and Saitama City Office again but different departments from the last time.

At the prefecture government I heard a very interesting story. There is a long corridor between two buildings across the roads. It is wide and rather long. Therefore it is a popular film shooting place. One of the dramas shot there was Doctor X which I often watched on TV. When I see the drama next time, I will recognize.

2018.6.13

It was cloudy.

In the afternoon I attended another English lecture about the history of Japanese Modern Government. It was very interesting to hear about the Professor's own experience at the Ministry.

It is 150th anniversary from the Meiji Restoration this year.

2018.6.12

9It was cloudy.

On my way to the office I visited two convenience stores to ask about the mail delivery service. First one does not deal, second one deals. But it was somewhat different from what I used to use 6 years ago. Though I prepared the envelop, I needed to buy a special delivery envelop which you can post at the regular post. It costs yen 180, and I think it is the cheapest way to send a book.

I attended two English lectures about the decision making process of Japan and the relationship of Japanese Central Government and Local Government. Some information were as a matter of course as a Japanese citizen but others were something I have never thought and it was very intetesting.
attend the first part.

There were two big news: one is the historical meeting of the US President and North Korean Chairmam. The other is the 1st birthday of the Giant Panda in the Ueno Zoo.

2018.6.11

It's been raining since yesterday.
My morning train delayed because of rain.

I had rather busy day today having three appointments. One was held out of my office and had to go to Kasumigaseki. After coming back to the office, there were some paperworks.

I got a unique postcard from the owner of the restsurant I visited last week.

2018.6.10

It was cloudy in the morning but became rain in the afternoon. Not only it is a rainy season but also the typhoon No. 5 is coming.

Today I went to the Kimono-style Miya first to have hairset, makeup, and dressed. They had a limousine event and I could see the handsome Canadian models, Filip and Nicolas again after a long time.

After that I went to Yokohama to attend a luncheon. There were about 50 people who wore kimomos. We enjoyed eating.

If it was not raining, I would go to Kamakura to see hydrangeas and fireflies.
Instead I went grocery shopping.

2018.6.9

It was cloudy.

I walked to the station and went to Oimachi to attend a seminar about the law of attraction by Mr. Tadashi Nagura.

Then I went to Akasaka to have dinner at an Oyster restaurant. I was going there with someone but he canceled this morning. due to attend the funeral. After all I went there by myself but was introduced the group and had a good time.

2018.6.8

It was cloudy during the daytime, but it rained heavily with thunderstorm at night.

I started working earlier but finished later than usual to prepare the programs starting next Monday.

Today I received the photobook of Dubai Trip which I ordered through Internet. It is a free service but cost only for postage. It became a nice memory.

2018.6.7

They said the rainy season has set in but it was cloudy.

After three days business trip to Hokkaido, there were lots of things to deal with today and I overworked till 8:40PM or so.
 
I had a weekly team meeting and an English seminar in the afternoon, wrote a business trip report, made albums from the pictures taken at two venues and sent thank you enails with them, corresponded many emails, wrote an official letter and got signature from the program director and so on.
There was an extra work too. That is when I returned the PC set, we realized that something is missing. So I called at the hotel I stayed for two nights. To my lucky it was kept at the hotel and they offered to send it back to me. I felt relieved.

There were many souvenir snacks on my desk this morning. I gave two kinds of souvenirs from Hokkaido to my colleagues, one is Royce's milk & white chocolates and the other is potato snack. The former is my usual choice and the latter is the request from one of the colleagues.They enjoyed both sweet and salty tastes.

It was a long day.

2018.6.6

It was fine in Hokkaido but is raining in Tokyo.

I took onsen (hot spring) bath this morning. Since we don't have any free time during the business trip this time, my only pleasures are to take onsen bath and eat delicious local foods.To my lucky there was onsen bath at the top floor and my room was also in the same floor, so it was very convenient.I took onsen for three times in two nights stay.The names  of the door position were very unique there such as deer and rose.

At the Higashimuroran station I saw the Train Suite Shikishima for the first time. It is a very luxurious train including bar, restaurant, bathroom with tub, bed, observation room and so on. It is like a running hotel. There are some courses such as one night two days and two nights three days and so on. I asked the price.They say it costs like yen700,000 per person which surprised me a lot. I hope to travel with that train someday.

After arriving at Sapporo we went to a restaurant near the Hokkaido University. Since it was reserved by a professor there, on the cover of chopsticks there was the welcome message including his name which was also surprising.

The premises of the Hokkaido University was very big and beautiful. Dandelion puffs were dancing in the air.

We took off at 5:30 pm from Hokkaido. The sun set was so beautiful.

Unfortunately this plane did not have Wi-Fi and I could not use Internet inspite of installing the application.

We arrived at the Haneda Airport a bit earlier.

It was a nice business trip.

2018.6.5

It was fine. Temperature went up to about 30 degrees centigrade at daytime but it went down to 15 degrees centigradeat night here in Muroran.

W started the day early because there was only a few buses going to our destination. We visited a clinic to learn about primary care. We learned a lot from the lecture and discussion with doctors.
It was a fruitful sitevisit.

2018.6.4

It was fine.

In the afternoon I headed for Haneda Airport to go to Hokkaido on a business trip. It is about one hour from my office to the airport. After issuing the ticket and checking in the baggage, there were sometime and I used the lounge to have drinks and check emails.

Airplane is not so crowded that I could use two seats.
There was the inflight free Wi-Fi service but since I have not installed the application that I enjoyed the regular music, rakugo, and TV News program.

After arriving at the Shin-Chitose Airport, I took an Express bus to Higashi-Muroran which cost yen 1,570. The greens along the express way was so beautiful. So as the sunset.

We had delicious dinner at Izakaya.

2018.6.3

It was fine.

I stayed at home all day long.

I picked up butterbars from the garden and cooked. This is the second time for me to do so this season. Last time I cooked by ready-made seasoning. This time I used honey, soy sauce, sake and mirin. It was not so good as last time but it will be better tomorrow.

I received re-delivered goods.

I washed and pressed many clothings and prepared for the business trip from tomorrow.

I have done many things.

2018.6.2

It was fine.

I went to Shinjuku to attend Morinda's monthly meeting in the morning.

After eating lunch I went to Sakuragicho to have my hair set, makeup, dressed up, and my pictures taken.

Then I went to Sankeien (三溪園) with my kimono teacher by bus and enjoyed watching fireflies.There were so many people waiting in the line. After walking around the pond, there was a small restaurant. We tried to enter but it was closed about 10 minutes ago. Therefore we gave up eating there. But we found another small shop selling dumplings. So we decided to eat them. They were somehow different from what we expected.
We came back to Sakuragicho by bus and ate supper at a Chinese Restaurant.

We had a good time.

2018.6.1

It was fine.

A new month has started. June is rokugatsu (六月), the 6th month or minazuki (水無月), the month without water in Japanese.

June 1 is the time called koromo gae (衣替え) when students at junior and high schools change their uniform from winter to summer.

A new staff joined our team from today and I organized a welcome luncheon at a Vietnamese restaurant. I think everyone was pleased with my choice.

After coming back I went to see fireflies at Koajiro no mori (小網代の森) with my friend from the primary school. When I went there last year, I saw only a few of them, but today  I saw more than last year. I am glad to see them.