2019.1.31

It was cloudy in the morning and became rain and very cold. Maybe it will become snow depends on the place.

It is the end of January. One twelfth of 2019 has gone.

I wore kimono 6 times or so. I have visited many places and met many people. There were many events.

The biggest event was the travel to Monaco from 20 to 25.
It was very far. To go there it took about a day. I stayed there for three nights at a very nice hotel.We had a conference and dinner party. The venue was splended.
It's been 16 years since I went to Monaco last. How fast time flies!

2019.1.30

It was fine.

At lunch time I enjoyed talking about travels with colleagues. I really love traveling, and one of my colleagues asked me the advice to go to Australia.
The other colleague's future dream is to go to Antarctic. I have been there by Peace Boat before. And she was so amazed to know that. I really love to visit waterfalls and we talked about the three Greatest Waterfalls in the world. I have visited them all. One of them visited the Victoria Falls for their honeymoon, the other visited the Niagara Falls.
One of them asked me about the best waterfalls in Japan.I think it is Nabegataki (鍋ヶ滝) in Kumamoto (熊本). You can see the waterfalls behind the waterfalls from the cave too. It looks like a curtain.

We talked about the troubles during the traveling, and talked about insurance.
When my flight from Australia was canceled by typhoon last year, only Amex Gold card reimbursed the accommodation fee. Therefore I like the American Express Gold Card very much. It is really convenient. Whenever I go abroad, I send my suitcase for both way for nothing using the Amex Gold card.
My colleague used the privilege of two for one price at the restaurant for several times. I thought it is only once a year privilege and have never used it yet. I hope to use it near future.
I really recommend you because the annual fee of the first year is free of charge.  You can try without any risk. If you are interested in, please check the following link.

https://mgmee.americanexpress.com/refer/mgmee/jp/ja/RCGLRCGLG3S4S5/AAAFDxIeGhodDw==/v2?CPID=100333000&GENCODE=349992423153376&URN=AAAFDxIeGhodDw%3D%3D&CORID=k:i:m:i:k:o:v:2:B:U-1548855279674-226380124

Today I got the postcard I sent from Monaco. I usually buy some jewelries whenver I travel abroad, but this time I did not buy any souvenirs for me. Therefore pictures and this postcard are only souvenirs for me.

2019.1.29

It was fine and cold.

I attended the English training of "Negotiation Workshop" in the afternoon which was practical and interesting.

After work I went to Shinagawa to meet friends. Then two of us had dinner. She drank beer and I drank iced tea, and we shared pizza and pasta. To our surprise beer was cheaper than iced tea. Can you believe it?

2019.1.28

It was cloudy and very cold.

After the vacation this was the first day to work and there were many things to do and I overworked a little bit.

However it was not too much. Because I could read emails during my vacation. How convenient it is!

Last night there was a big news. A Japaese idol group Arashi announced that they would stop their group activity at the end of 2020. Their group leader Satoshi Ono will be 40 years in two years, and he wants to see the world he has not seen yet. They are very popular in Japan, and must have been very busy without having privacy.

2019.1.27

It was fine and cold. Mt.Fuji looked beautiful.

In the morning I went grocery shopping.

In the afternoon I went to Tamachi to attend the Report Meeting of the Conference in Monaco.  There were about 200 people. It started at 6 pm and lasted for two hours and a half.

After that we went out for dinner near the Mita Station.

I came back by the last train.

It was a long day.

2019.1.26

It was cloudy and cold. But the sunset was very beautiful.

I got up later than I wanted, but went to massage which is my once a month health treatment.

After that I visited the Iseyama kotai jingu and Narita san. They say today is a good day to visit the shrine.

In the evening I had two deliveries and a service man for the solar panel systen. He needs to come back  with parts.

There was the final set of Australian Open Tennis Tournament. Naomi Osaka became a champion. Congratulations!

2019.1.25

It was a moving day. I was almost inside, at airport, airplain, train, car, and house. It was fine but cold outside.

We left Dubai at 2:55 am and arrived at Narita Airport at 5:20 pm. 
There were two meals within 9 hours and a half.
I watched 2 and a half movies.

I took a train for 3 hours and have just got home.

It was a very special trip.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

2019.1.24

It was fine.

After getting up, I took a shower and had breakfast. There were less foods than the past two days I do not know why.

Today is a moving day.

We left the hotel at 10:30 am and headed for Nice by bus. We took the flight at 2:30 pm to Dubai. It took 5 hours and a half to get to Dubai, and I watched two Japanese movies.
There are three hour differences and we arrived around 11:30 pm. We moved to Terminal C by shuttle bus and waited for two hours.

We will fly at 2:55 am for Narita.

2019.1.23

It was cloudy and became rainy and very cold.

To my lucky I could join the one day tour to French Riviera which started at 9am and ended at 5 pm. There were only two of us and we visited Antibes, Cannes, St.Paul de Vence, Eze, Fragonard, La Turbie, and Monaco.

At Monaco I visited Exotic Garden with limestone cave guided tour.

At night we went to Cafe de Paris. The things we ordered were different from our imagination.

It was a long day.

2019.1.22

It was fine.

I enjoyed breakfast.

I hoped to join the one day tour, but since it is not a season and there was no application that if there appears somebody I could join but there was no body and it was canceled.

In the afternoon there was a conference. There were many guests.

In the night we had a dinner party. About 230 people attended with the beautuful costume at the Hotel du Paris.

2019.1.21

It was fine.

I left Narita Airport at 22:00 on Sunday and flew to Dubai for 11 hours and a half. After waiting for a few hours I flew to Nice for seven hours. I watched three Japanese movies.

From there we took a bus and visited the old town, Cathedral, and the Palace. The view from there was so beautiful. It might be about 15 years since I came here last.

I checked in the Hotel Hermitage which is a five-star hotel and very beautiful and spacy.

After changing to kimono we went to have dinner. While eating I was so sleepy.
After dinner three of us visited the Casino.  And we went to a bar.

It was a long day.

2019.1.20

It was fine.

I left home around noon and arrived at the Narita Airport around 3:10 pm and met my friend. She came earlier and enjoyed talking with strangers while waiting for me. We ate early dinner and enjoyed talking. To iyr surprise we have many things in common.

I go to Monaco via Dubai tonight. This is a big group tour of 227 people. I was going to carry on a carry case but Emirates accept up to 30kg and I could check in two luggages.

Before entering I went to the card lounge and drank soft drink and charged the battery.

Now I will board and fly to Dubai for 11 hours and a half.

2019.1.19

It was fine.

In the morning I stayed at home to get a re-delivered goods which was a choice gift from a company I inheritated some stocks from my father. I chose 2kg of koshihikari (コシヒカリ) rice.

In the afternoon I went to Kimono-style Miya to get hairset, make-up, dressed, and taken photos. There I happened to see old friends and decided to have tea at the cake shop of the  Royal Park Hotel. They are having strawberry fair and I decided to have Strawberry Pannacotta with tea. Night view of Yokohama was so beautiful with the moon.

In the evening I went to Shinagawa to have a new year party. All were delicious.

2019.1.18

It was fine but cold.

I took a day off.

I went to Kimono-style Miya to get dressed and hair-set. Then I visited the Iseyama kotai jingu (伊勢山皇大神宮).

There was a New Year Party at Iseyama Hills. There were more than 100 people. I attended with kimono. Meals were very delicious.

After that I went to Sugita to buy something and went to Shibuya to get free cconsulting from 6 pm  to 9 pm.

It was a long day.

2019.1.17

It was fine but cold.

It's been 24 years since Hanshin-Awaji Great Earthquake happened. They say the memorial service is held notonly in Kansai but also in Hibiya park, Tokyo from this year.

Now is the time for Australia open tennis tournament. After midnight games are on air. My favorite tennis player Kei Nishikori has been playing so good. I knew he won from the news. So I can watch the game with relief. They say it lasted for nearly four hours. Karlovic had 59 service aces.

I went to see Kei Nishikori's first International championship game in Delray Beach, Florida on February 17,
2008.

I hope to see the final games in lives someday again.

2019.1.16

It was fine and cold.

At lunch time I watched TV news and knew that Yokozuna Kisenosato(横綱 稀勢の里) decided to retire after losing three matches at Ozumo hatsubasho(大相撲 初場所), the first grand sumo tournament of the year. It's been two years since he became Yokozuna after 19 years of Japanese Yokozuna birth. Too short.

There was an announcement of two Akutagawa awards (芥川賞) and 160th Naoki awards (直木賞) which are prestigious literally awards chosen twice a year. Congratulations!

2019.1.15

It was cloudy and cold. It seemed to have rained in the afternoon.

Today is my father's 84th birthday if he is still alive.

On the 15th every month I make it a rule to visit shrines, one near my house and others near my office.
I got up a bit late and could not visit all before going to the office. So I visited the one near my house and went to the office, and at lunch time I visited the two near my office.

2019.1.14

It was fine.

Today is a national holiday called seijin no hi (成人の日), Coming-of-age Day. It used to be on January 15, which is my father's birthday. From 2000, it became the second Monday of January by the Happy-Monday System.

In Japan becoming 20 means to be adult. We are allowed to drink and smoke. We used to start voting, but now it became at the age of 18.

Each municipality has a ceremony on this day or one day before or other day. Women usually wear the very beautiful long-sleeved kimono called furisode (振袖). Some men wear kimono called montsuki hakama (紋付き袴), but others wear suits.

I participated in the TASAKI tour today. This time after enjoying the beautiful TASAKI pearl and diamond products we had lunch at The Lobby of the Peninsula Tokyo. Then we visited the State Guest House, Akasaka Palace and Exhibition of Vermeer and Dutch Art at the Ueno no mori bijutsukan (上野の森美術館), The Ueno Royal Museum. In spite of the time decided entry tickets, there was a long waiting line outside. Inside there were so many people and it was too crowded to look at pictures taking time.

It was a very reasonable tour enjoying beautiful things.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

2019.1.13

It was fine and beautiful.

I went to Kimono-style Miya to practice how to tie the sash.

Then I headed for Ariake to attend the Mrs. Japan International Global The Most Respected Married Woman Pageant. The slogan is BE B.R.A.V.E(Building Respect And Value for Everyone and let's put an end to bullying!) .

It was held at the 21st floor of the hotel and had a beautiful scenery. There were two parts, Mrs. Category and Classic Category. I do not know the difference. My young friend did entry and I went to support her. I am glad to see some mutual friends. What is more she became the winner and will go to Malaysia for the International pageant. I am very proud of her. Congratulations!!

2019.1.12

It was cloudy in the morning and became rainly in the evening. It was very cold.

I went to Shinjuku to attend Morinda's monthly meeting.

On my way at Shinagawa I tried to find a coin locker but could not and left the carry case at the counter where they keep the goods until 8 pm at yen 600 which is the same price as the biggest coin locker.

After the meeting I ordered the products for this month.

I ate udon noodle on my way to the station for lunch and went back to Shinagawa to pick up the carry case.

Then I went to Sakuragicho to learn how to wear kimono which lasted for one hour and a half.

Next I went to Sugita to go to beauty salon to have my hair cut and perm.

I went to another kimono shop to buy small things.

It was another busy day.

2019.1.11

It was fine.

January 11 is known as kagami biraki (鏡開き), literally mirror opening. It is a day to eat kagami mochi (鏡餅), round piled rice cakes  decorated at New Year. We usually eat as zenzai (ぜんざい) or oshiruko (おしるこ), sweet bean soup.

I ate it at night.

From tomorrow we have a three-day weekend.

2019.1.10

It was fine and cold.

In the morning I attended an English training class for staff. I like the training offered by the office.

After work I attended the monthly meeting which usually held in the first week of the month. This was also the first meeting of the year. There were much information.

After the meeeting ex-colleague and I went to Tokyo and had sushi dinner. It was delicious. The dish for soy sauce was shaped like a woman's face.

2019.1.9

It was fine but cold.

At lunch time when I talked with a staff from other office,  I happened to find that her family's grave yard is the same as our family's though her family lives in Kawasaki. To my interest her family bought the place long ago when nobody's bones were rested. At that time their place was in the top part.
When my mother passed away in 2002 our family bought the lot and gravestone.
Our place is on the top part now.

There was a new year greeting by President in the afternoon.

2019.1.8

It was fine but cold.

I got many souvenirs "omiyage (お土産)" from colleagues. Usually they are sweets such as chocolate or cookies. But today one of them was kelp "kombu (昆布)" which is used to get broth. Isn't it unique?

I was asked two things from two friends. One was to sign up the petition for Okinawa which became the news getting more than 200,000 names, the other was information about Japanese schools. I did the former, and I introduced my friend for the latter. I am glad to be helpful for them.

Regarding the former, my friend wants me to ask my friends abroad. Therefore here includes the links. If you like, please sign up.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/stop-landfill-henoko-oura-bay-until-referendum-can-be-held-okinawa

Thank you for your cooperation.

2019.1.7

It was fine but cold.

January 7 is known as nanakusa (七草), seven herbs.  We eat porriage with seven herbs for breakfast.This is good for your stomach after eating delicious new year's foods.

Today is the first day of my work this year.
There are many new staffs starting today and our office welcomes the one and had welcome lunch. It's been while since I went to the restaurant. We chose the main dish, and there are salad, dessert, and drink bar where you can eat as much as you like. There were a variety of desserts and we enjoyed.

It's been 30 years since the Emperor Showa (昭和天皇:showa tenno) passed away at the age of 87and Heisei (平成) era started.
How was your Heisei era?

2019.1.6

It was cloudy and very cold.

I wanted to see the partial eclipse but it was cloudy and I gave up.

I went to Toyopet which is a car dealer. Every year they have a present and lottery at this time of the year. I like their twelve zodiac sign hand towel. So I hope to get the one. To my surprise I got the best prize. They also gave me the towel.

I went to Shinagawa in the afternoon to see my friend. It's been a long time since we met each other last. He came late and he treated my drink.

My friend invited me to the big event next week.

Today is new moon and it is ichiryumanbaibi (一粒万倍日) which means one grain becomes 10000 times.
I feel very lucky.

From today the new NHK taiga (大河) drama titled "Idaten Tokyo Olympic banashi (いだてん 東京オリムピック噺)"
started. Next year there will be Tokyo Olympic. It might be a good time to know the history of Tokyo Olympic.

2019.1 5

It was fine.

I went to the Kimono-style Miya to get dressed and hairset.
I met some friends there. We were divided into two groups and had gorgeous sushi for lunch and headed for Iseyamakotaijingu (伊勢山皇大神宮) shrine, for hatsumode(初詣), the first visit of the year. After that we went to Naritasan (成田山) temple for the first visit. Everyone returned to eat a cake set. However I stayed there to attend a special new year's ceremony.

After coming back to the Kmono-style Miya, I went to Shinagawa. I happened to see some friends there unexpectedly and felt happy.

I usually order a cake set there. It used to be yen 1, 210 at least until the end of 2018. Drink itself and cake itself cost yen 800 each. So it is very reasonable, and whenever I go there in the evening, I enjoyed the cake with pot of tea. But they stopped the menu suddenly. I did not know about that and ordered the cake set as usual because the cake named "Rouge" looked very beautiful and delicious. It was really delicious. But it cost yen1,925! So surprised.

2019.1.4

It was fine.

Today is the first working day for rhe most people, but I took the comp of Saturday I worked in Myanmar last month.

I went to post office to send something to my friends in UK and USA. There were many customers andthe parking lit was so crowded.

Besides this I prepared many things.

2019.1.3

It was fine and beautiful.

I decided to visit seven lucky gods in Minato ward, Tokyo. This is called Minato shichifukujin meguri (港七福神めぐり) and it is open from January 1 to the Coming-of-Age Day. It is one of the New Year's events. There are many shichifukujin meguri all over Japan and I have visited here and there in my life. The reason I chose Minato ward today is because I work there and looked like I could walk in a few hours. I visit one of them every month and I have been wondering where other gods are.

I started at 10:30 am and it took about three hours to finish. Actually I visited  9 places, 7 shrines and 2 temples. Some were very crowded, others were not.

There were something I found today. There was a statue of Kimi-chan which was the model of the song "The Girl with Red Shoes" on my way to the third place. I did not know that her name was Kimi-chan, same as mine. The statue is in the  Yamashita park in Yokohama, and I did not know she came to Azabu jyuban later in her short life. There is a very famous bream-shaped sweets "taiyaki (鯛焼き)" shop in Azabujuban, and I finally found the place, though I could not buy because of a long line.

At the last place there was a gift which was a surprise.

After that I headed for Yokohama to see a friend. We went to a famous restaurant  where I found by a coupon site. We talked many things, and walked to the Yamashita park. There were roses which were nice.

We happened to see the street performance there. He said he was a champion at the Asian Competition or some events. His talk was interesting and performance was good. He may be very famous someday.

There was something I want to send abroad, but when I visited the post office in the afternoon there was a long line and I gave up. In the evening when I visited there it was already closed.

After saying good-by to my friend, I decided to see a movie "A Star is Born." It was good. While waiting for the time comes, I charged the battery and bought a step counter because it was broken when we were walking at the park. I used the coupon and points and did not have to pay at all.

It was a very nice day.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

2019.1.2

It was fine.

I printed new year's cards yesterday, wrote some messages and posted today finally.

To my surprise about one thirds live in Kanagawa prefecture where I live, about one fourth live in Tokyo where I work, about three fourths live in Kanto area.

There are 47 prefectures in Japan, but I have sent only 28 prefectures.

Regarding Christmas cards, 70 % is for USA and 30% is for Europe. Among USA there were only three States, Florida, Illinois, and Washington where I have lived.

To have lived is closely related to my human relationship.

These days I send less Christmas cards and New Year's cards than before and send e-greetigs or SNS istead.

It only took a few days. I wish I could have done before the new year.

Maybe next time.

2019.1.1

Happy New Year!

How is your new year going?

I went to a nearby shrine for hatsumode (初詣), first visit, after midnight. There was a long line waiting. This was the first time for me to visit there at night.
From 12  to 2 am they sell special talisman and charms and offer sake called omiki (御神酒) and red & white rice cakes.
I brought old talisman to burn there and bought one for kitchen.

In the morning I cooked ozoni (お雑煮) which is a typical new year's dish of vegetable, meat, and rice cake with soup, and ate the rice cakes I got at the shrine.

It was a beautiful day.

I got many new year's cards called nengajyo (年賀状). Some of them were very intetesting because they mentioned what they think I am doing. I like to see family pictures to know how big my friend's children became. Two friends said that they decided not to write new year's cards any more. That is sad but I understand.

Emails, Facebook, messengers, Line, WhatsApp are easy, quick and fun to send greetings, pictures or stamps. So I use them too but I like to receive the Christmas cards & new year's cards. So I will write them as long as possible even if it is a bit late.

I wish you a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year 2019!