2024.4.26

It was fine.

I stayed and worked at home in the morning, and took a half day off.

After lunch I went to Kimono Style Miya to have my hair set, make up, dressed up, and pictures taken.

My appointment was 3 pm, but I arrived earlier and decided to visit Iseyama kotai jingu shrine and Naritasan temple. At the temple there was the ceremony.

After all I had to wait for two hours or so.

This time I tried to wear Kimono like a western dress.

I am glad to do so finally.

After coming home I attended a zoom seminar.

2024.4.25

It was fine.

They say it became hot like summer.

It went up to more than 25 degrees centigrade,.

The day before yesterday it was 16 degrees centigrade.

Many flowers are full in bloom.

I hope they will last long.

I prepared Kimono for tomorrow. Different from the regular way of wearing, I will get dressed like westerm dress style. I have wanted to try for a long time. So I am looking forward tomorrow.

The golden week will start soon. I won't travel abroad, but look forward to going one  day trips.

2024.4.24

It was rain

They say today is the fullmoon of the Pink moon, but we can't see it unfortunately.

There were some paperworks at work. I applied for the seminar held at the University of Tokyo next month. I submitted the schedule of May.

 

After coming home I got a magazine of Credit Card Company. There were some interesting articles. 

One of them was about Umeko Tsuda who will be the picture of 5000 note from July this year. She was one of the first five Japanese girls who studied in the United States, and became a fonnder of the now Tsuda college. I studied about her at the Master's and Doctor's.

2024.4.23

It was cloudy and rainy today.

I came home directly and cooked dinner soon.

At night I attended a zoom session. It is hold by my friend who visited 88 temples in Shikoku for the second time.

Since most of participants have visited the 88 temples in Shikoku, .it was fun to talk  with the same interest.

 

There was a cancellation of dinner I was looking for next Sunday. 

Maybe I can plan other schedule.

2024.4.22

It was rainy and cold in the morning but became fine in the evening.

There were many paperworks.

After work I went shopping at two places.

After coming home I cooked dinner.

At night I watched some TV and zoom seminar programs I missed yesterday by NHK plus and YouTube. How convenient it has been!

2024.4.21

It was cloudy at first but became rain in the evening.

In the morning I attended two zoom sessions. First was nearly 60 participants and just listening. Second was just two of us, instractor and myself, and after talking many things for an hour, the instractor send me the prescription for success. It was informative and so useful.

After that I went to Yokohama to see a movie "Oppenheimer."

 

And I went to see the Great Gold Exhibition which I knew from the article of yesterday's paper. At the venue I noticed the recent TV news of the stolen golden tea cup.

I went to some ATMs.

At night while watching TV and zoom session, I fell asleep.

2024.4.20

Happy 32nd Anniversary of opening of the  Expo '92! How fast time flies!

It was fine.

I stayed at home all day long and got rested.

I prepared two Kimonos for the next week, ironing, sewing collar, and choosing accessories.

While ironing I watched the recorded movie "A Perfect Day" directed Clint Eastwood starring by Kevin Cosner.

At night I attended a zoom seminar.

2024.4.19

It was fine.

After one day off and one day remote work, there were many paper works waiting at the desk.

After work I had an appointment at the nearest restaurant and tried the new menues before going home.

At night I attended a zoom seminar for an hour and a half. There were 6 participants including the instructor. It was very interesting.

After that I watched two new TV dramas.

2024.4.18

It was cloudy but became rain in the afternoon.

I stayed and worked at home. 

 

During lunch time I harvested butterburs for the second time. 

I could received the delivery.

At night I attended a zoom event.

2024.4.17

It was fine.

I got up early, took shower, did TV exercise, ate breakfast, and checked out the hotel before 9 AM.

I went to Jingumae to see my friend and visited the Atsuta jingu and some shrines and temples.

After eating lunch we headed for the International Conference Center to attend a big event.

It lasted for 5 hours and a half with lots of information.

We came back to Nagoya and said goodbye and I went to have dinner.

I took 20:20 Shinkansen to Shinagawa and came home before midnight.

It was a fruitful trip.

2024.4.16

It was fine during the day time.

I went to work as usual.

After coming home I left home again around 6:30PM to go to Nagoya. 

When I left home, it started raining. 

I walked to the station and got on the 6:51 train and arrived at Shinagawa at 8:07 and took the 8:17 Shinkansen and arrived at Nagoya at 9:45.

I changed the train and came to Kanayama. When I arrived at Kanayama, it started raining heavily with thunder.

I used the Smart EX for the first time. It was easy and very convenient.

I am very looking forward to the event tomorrow.

2024.4.15

It was fine.

it was very hot outside, but not inside.

I went to the nearby shrine before going to work as a ritual of the 15th day of the month.

The dining room was open today.

After work I went grocery shopping and filling up my car.

At night I attened a zoom seminar.

2024.4.14

It was fine.

I got up earlier than I thought.

I took 9:50 train to get together at 10:30 at Keikyu Taura with my high school classmates. This was the second time for us hiking this year. We went up to Mt. Takatori where there were many rock climbers. After that we visited Jimmuji temple. 

We walked to the East Zushi station but could not find the place to eat, and moved to Zushi and had lunch.

I did not drink, but everyone enjoyed beer.

At night there was a zoom session of calendar reading.

2024.4.13

It was fine.

I was supposed to get on 5:05 train but I missed it.

So I took the plan B to take trains and bus to go to Hakone. I got together with the tour menber there and visited shrines.

There were so many participants at the monthly ceremony.

On our way back I talked with the person next to me, and we enjoyed talking and we decided to eat dinner. It was fun to know new people.

After that I went to Ginza to see the exhibition of a company which my ey-colleague works. I enjoyed meeting her too.

It was a nice day.

2024.4.12

It was rainy and cloudy in the morning, but became fine.

Dining hall was closed again, but from yesterday we were informed, so that I brought lunch from home and I could save time and money.

At night one of the neighborhood came to collect the community fee. I knew two years have passed. The period in charge is two years. Every month the person in charge has a monthly meeting and distribute city papers, and collect the communty fee for every three months. There are 7 houses in our group.

I was looking forward to seeing my old friend tomorrow, but I mistook her message. So we need to postpone.

This weekend I have many plans and look forward the events.

2024.4.11

It was fine, but I could not see Mt. Fuji clearly.

Today again the dining room was closed suddenly. So I had to go out for buying lunch. There is only one convenience store in the walking distance, so I feel sorry for those who commute by bus.

Tonight I received the redelivered goods which seemed to have delivered during the zoom session last night.

I got two messages from old friends who stayed abroad and is staying abroad and in Japan now. It would be very nice if we get together again near future.

I was surprised to hear about the sudden death news of the ex-Yokozuna Akebono at the age of 54 whose birthday is the same as mine on May 8. 

2024.4.10

It was fine, and Mt. Fuji looked so beautiful in the morning and in the evening.

In the morning I went to take pictures at the observatory deck near the work place and on my way home I went there again and at the scenic park too.

There were many cars parking at both places.

In a few days we can see the diamond Fuji.

Today the dining hall was closed, and I had to go shopping for lunch at the nearest convenience store.

At night I had a zoom session and got useful information.

I received the goods ordered recently.

2024.4.9

It was windy and raining heavily in the morning like typhoon and became cloudy　in the afternoon .

Today is the new moon. It is a good time to make goals. What goals do yot want to accomplish?

 

There was a big event event and we went to the station to pick up the participants.

Though cherry blossoms were full in bloom, but they fell due to strong wind and heavy rain.

At night there was a zoom seminar.

2024.4.8

It was rainy but became fine and warm.

I stayed and worked at home, and took two hours off to attend a monthly meeting in Tokyo.

After the meeting I went to see the cherry blossoms at Chidorigafuchi (千鳥ヶ淵), where is a very famous place for cherry blossom viewing.

Cherry blossoms were full in bloom and beautiful, but it was pity that there was no lighting.

Today is Buddha's birthday, and we call it hana matsuri (花まつり), flower festival.

I did not have a chance to visit any temple today.

I got some mails. One of them is a discount coupon for birthday dinner at my favorite restaurant. I hope to use it.

2024.4.7

It was rainy at first but became fine.

I wore kimono and went to Kimono Style Miya to have dressed, hair set, and pictures taken.

I went to Iseyama kotai jingu and Naritasan Yokohama branch and headed for Sakuramori Inari Jinja shrine to see the annual festival which happened first time after Covid 19. I happened to see my friends there.

Cherry blossoms were full in bloom and very beautiful.

After that I went to Nihonbashi to attend a tea party for 6 members.

After that 5 of us moved to the Civic Center and enjoyed viewing from the observatory lounge and went to attend a seminar.

On my way home I attended a zoom seminar.

It was an eventful day.

2024.4.6

It was cloudy.

I stayed at home.

Today is taian (大安) and ichiryu manbaibi (一粒万倍日). Both are auspicious days in Japanese calendar.

So I did many things.

Promotion campaign of my 118th ebook has started, and to my delight it's been No.1in Japan.

My new credit card has arrived so that I booked a flight to Miyako island next October.

I booked Shinkansen and hotel for the middle of April.

I harvested and cooked butterburs for the first time this spring.

2024.4.5

It was a rainy day.

At lunch time I called a securities company because I got a call yesterday.

Next week is due to pay for fire insurance for 5 year. So I sold some stocks.

At night there was a zoom seminar.

I watched two movies on TV.

 

I started checking the flight for October.

2024.4.4

It was fine.

Today is seimei (清明), one of nijushisekki (二十四節気), 24 solar terms. The last one was shunbun (春分) on March 20, and the next one is kokuu (穀雨) on April 19.

Seimei is the season when everything is fresh, bright and beautiful.

Cherry blossoms started blooming and very beautiful.

Today I published the 118th ebook which is about sunlight pictures I took during March.

To my delight it's been No.1 in Japan.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

I watched a recorded movie on TV at night.

2024.4.3

It was a rainy day.

I stayed and worked at home all day long,

Today is ichiryu manbaibi (一粒万倍日), when one grain becomes 10000  times.

So I made the 118th ebook. It is about sunligit taken in March.

I hear there was a big earthquake in Taiwan.

 

2024.4.2

It was fine.

At lunch time I had a chance to talk with a colleague who changed the status and position from April.

I was wondering why and every thing became clear.

She has been working as a temp staff for seven months and found a job opportuninity and appled for the position. 

At night I had a zoom session. After that I talked over the phone.

I felt it is important to talk directly. 

2024.4.1

A new month has started.

April is shigatsu (4月 or 四月) or uzuki (卯月) in Japanese.

In Japan April is a starting month of the Academic year and Fiscal year.

Before going to work I went to the nearby shrine as a ritual of the first day of the month.

There is a new staff from today.

I decided to write about the calendar once in the month.

2024.3.31

It was fine and became hot.

I got up darly to attend a one day seminar in Tanashi at 9:30.

 Before attending I listened to another seminar.

It was an interesting lecture.

At lunch time I visited the Tanashi jinja shrine.

There are five dragon shrines and there were two long waiting lines,

After the seminar I went to Shibuya to have Spanish dinner.

 

After coming home I had a zoom session.

It was an eventful day.

2024.3.30

It was fine.

I wore Kimono and went to Kimono Style Miya to have my hair set and dressed up.

I went to shrines and temples.

And I went to see my friends from high school tennis club and had afternoon tea.

After that we went to JICA Yokohama and learned about Emigration.

We took a walk and enjoyed seeing cherry blossoms and tulips.

At night I held the 31st fortune sharing tea party.

It was a nice day.

2024.3.29

It was raining heavily like typhoon in the morning.

It became fine in the afternoon.

I was rather busy at work doing new things and changing the desks too.

After work I went to post office to send a  letter pack.

After that I went to a Japanese family restaurant to have dinner with a colleague who left the office yesterday.

We enjoyed eating, drinking, and talking for three hours.

March is the end of the Academic year. From next week the new academic year will start.

Today was the last day for NHK's morning drama.

From next week the new one will start too.

2024.3.28

It was cloudy and cold.

Today I stayed and worked at home.

It is the last day for my colleague.

Though I could not see her today I will have dinner with her tomorrow.

After work I cooked beef stew after a long tiime.

 I prepared kimono for the weekend.

2024.3.27

It was fine.

Mt Fuji looked so beautiful.

After work when I got home I received the redelivered goods which was  a souvenir from the American Friend's son whom I guided last Sunday.

At night I attended the zoom seninar about luck and fortune. It lasted longer than I expected.

I attended another zoom seminar.

2024.3.26

It was another cold rainy day.

I sent some messages today.

One is about the seminar this weekend. The instructor seemed to forget sending the details, so he appreciated my email. 

He sent me the data and I am printing.  

The other was about a spoofed message about Facebook comment. He also informed people about it.

Another was from a college friend about pictures I sent recently. 

At night I prepared the Kimono for this weekend.

2024.3.25

It was a cold rainy day.

Though it is the full moon we cannot see it  unfortunately.

Today I left my smart phone behind at home though I brought the old one which I use for alarm and watching SNS.

After work I went some places and did grocery shopping too.

There is only one week left before the new academic and fiscal year.

How fast time flies!

2024.2.24

It was cloudy in the morning, and began raining in the afternoon.

I wore kimono and went to Kimono Style Miya to have my hair set, dressed up, and pictures taken.

I went to shrines and temples.

After that I went to Sakuragicho to see my old friend from the university and my first American friend's son, niece and nephews.

First we went to have blow fish lunch.

Second me went to the park to see cherry blossoms but unfortunately we could not see any.

After that I took them to the shrines and temples.

And we took a bus to the Yamashita park to enter the Gundam Factory, but since there was a long waiting line and we gave up entering.

Another nephew of my friend got together and we went to the trick art museum and enjoyed.

There we said good bye and my friend and I came home.

I had a zoom session at night.

It was a fruitful Sunday.

2024.3.23

It was a cold rainy day.

After all I stayed at home all day long.

In the evening I attended a zoom session of Heart Gram and Child Gram. 

I took the first monitor session about two years ago. Recently I had a chance to do it partially and know about the Child Gram. And my friend offered me to try. Since I decided to stay at home, we did the session today.

There are 25 questions and you need to answer yes or no instinctly. When answer is yes, it will be categorized into either one of five groups: Dog, Angel, Ant, Grasshopper, and Judge.

  

There were slight changes between two years ago and now.

I set my third and fourth grades when were the worst years of my school life for Child Gram.  There were some changes between now and then.

However I felt the tendency of my personality.

My friend and I have the same background of having been an English teacher at junior high school, so we felt sympathy.

It was a fun experience.

2024.3.22

It was fine.

There was a big event at work. We have this event twice in a year. I am glad it went well.

Besides this my section is very busy at this time of the year for paper work.

It is a season of the end of academic year and fiscal year.So there are many personnel changes too. 

We get shocked when we know someone that we can rely will leave for other places.

And we are worried who would come next, how long it would take until we can get used to the next circumstances.

In our section my colleague who started working together will leave at the end of month and someone new will come from April.

2024.3.21

It was fine but very cold, and Mt.Fuji looked so beautiful.

 

There was an earthquake in the morning.

I was busy at work and overworked for an hour.

After coming home I cooked supper and dessert.

At night I attended a zoom event. I entered late, but at the breakout room a leader followed up and I understand the missing part. It was nice to see some friends there.

2024.3.20

Today is a national holiday called shunbun no hi (春分の日), Vernal Equinox Day. It is a day when the length of Day time and Night time are equal.

It is also one of nijushisekki (二十四節気), 24 solar terms. Last one was keichitsu (啓蟄) on March 5 and the next one is seimei (清明) on April 4.

It is also known as the New Year Day of the Universe.

 

It was fine at first, became cloudy, rainy, sleet, and became fine again, but very cold.

I wore kimono and headed for Hie jinja (日枝神社) shrine first and got together 5 people.

We went to Hotel New Otani to have lunch and enjoyed eating, drinking, talking, and listening to diagnosis of personality based on birthdate, birth place, blood type, the order of birth of children, and so on.

After that we walked around the Japanese Garden.

After saying good bye to them I went to Shinjuku to see the theater play. I saw two plays. Both were good.

After that my friend and I went out for dinner.

On my way home I took a wrong train.

It was a nice holiday.

2024.3.19

It was cloudy and cold.

I stayed and worked at home.

I have had a back pain so I feel lucky to be able to stay home and save commuting time.

There was a big news about negative interest rate cancellation. It's been 17 years since the interest rate was raised last.

I prepared Kimono for this weekend, but may wear tomorrow too.

2024.3.18

It was fine.   

I have had a backpain.

I was  rather busy at work.

On my way home I dropped at a convenient store. Every I drive the same route. But the place I thougit was different one.

One of the TV program was over. There was an unexpected ending.

2024.3.17

Happy St.Patrick Day!

21 years ago I was in the Northern Ireland to see St. Patrick Day.

Today I just wore Green sweater.

It was fine but windy today.

I have had a back pain since yesterday.

I went out for lunch with my friend. I am glad to talk with her and have cake.

At night I attened a zoom seminar.

2024.3.16

It was fine.

I stayed at home all day long.

Today's biggest news was the opening of Hokuriku Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Tsuruga of 125km. It's been a 50 years dream.

There were big earthquakes on New Year's Day.

So I hope this good news will bring many tourists to Noto area to reconstruct.

I read a book I received yesterday.

At night I attended a monthly seminar.

2024.3.15

It was fine.

I went to the nearby shrine before going to work as a ritual of the 15th of the month.

I was rather busy at work and overworked for an hour or so.

On my way home I went grocery shopping.

From today present campaign of the117th ebook started. I got some feed back.

Today is 

Tenshabi (天赦日), 

Ichiryu manbaibi (一粒万倍日) 

and Tora no hi (寅の日).

One of the best  day of 2024.

What did you do?

I got a book from Mr. Ken Honda.

2024.3.14

It was fine and warm.

March 14 is known as White Day in Japan.

It is a day when boys and men give sweets to girls and women who gave them chocolates on St. Valentine's Day.

I was surprised to receive sweets from my boss and colleague though I only gave them a piece of chocolate. They said "Thank you for the souvenirs always."

I only distribute small presents whenever I go somewhere.

I thought it is a good time to show appreciation on this day.

Today I published the 117th ebook.

To my glad it's been No.1 in Japan.

Thank you, thank you. thank you.

2024.3.13

It was fine.

I stayed and worked at home.

The best part of remote work is to be able to save commuting time.

I could eat dinner earlier than usual.

At night I made the 117th ebook.

2024.3.12

It was a cold rainy day.

I felt lucky that we could go out for lunch yesterday under the good weather, and that we have a cafeteria at work and don't have to go out under the bad weather.

After work I went to the gas station to have my car filled up. To my lucky they gave me a bag of snacks.

Present campaign of the No.number 116 was over.

I hope you enjoy.

2024.3.11

It was fine.

It's been 13 years since the Great East Earthquake happened.

It is one of the days that most Japanese people cannot forget.

Many things had been changed since then.

I went out for lunch with three colleagues who started working there last year.

I asked today's pasta, and they answered cabbage peperoncine. So I ordered omu hayashi and rice. When my colleague's today's pasta arrived, there were many raw ham were on the top. I was shocked because raw ham is my favorite.

We had a good timd to have lunch, talk, and work around the garden.

2024.3.10.

It was fine.

I went to hiking with 6 friends of high school.  We climbed up mountains and visited shrine and temple.

Mt. Fuji looked so beautiful.

After hiking we went to have lunch at a soba noodle restaurant.

After that I visited shrines and bought seaweed and came home.

At night there was a zoom meeting.

2024.3.9

It was fine.

I went to the car dealer to have my car inspected which is the obligation of car owner once in every two years.

After that I went grocery shopping.

After that I went to another shop to buy stationery.

After coming home I cooked dinner.

I watched two recorded movies. 

2024.3.8

It was very cold.

It was cloudy, became fine in the afternoon, and slightly rained at night.

I stayed at home and worked until 15:30 and headed for Iidabashi to attend the monthly meeting.

After that I went to Shinjuku to see the projection mapping of weekday version at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building with my friend.

After that we went to have dinner at a Chinese restaurant.

It was a nice day.

2024.3.7

It was fine, but cold.

They say it would snow tomorrow.

From today free promotion of the 116th ebook started.

I informed about it by Facebook posts, direct messages by messenger and Line messages.

Some friends gave me replies with their impression of the book.

I am glad to hear that.

To my surprise there was the delivery by Post Office at night. It was a present from the company which stocks I have had since I took over from my father. 

I booked another bus tour next month.

I am looking forward to going.

2024.3.6

It was a cold rainy day.

At this season our section is very busy.

I published the 116th ebook, and to my glad it's been No.1 in Japan.

Since today is the day of snake which is close related with money, I decided to apply for the trip next month using 500 yen off coupon, buy some clothings using nearly 3000 yen off points and free shipping charge, order monthly healthy goods using the points, and so on.

There was a sales call about discount of telephone and Internet charge, but I decided not to accept.

2024.3.5

It was a cold rainy day.

Today is Keichitsu (啓蟄), one of nijushisekki (二十四節気), 24 solar terms. The last one was usui (雨水) on February 19 and the next one is shunbun (春分) on March 20.

Keichitsu means the term when insects icrawl out from the soil.

Today my colleague was off and I did some work she is in charge after a long time. It took time because I don't usually do.

At night I produced my 116th ebook.

There was a zoom session of calender reading.

2024.3.4

It was fine. 

They say the Nikkei Stock Average exceeded 40,000 which is the highest in history.

Today I received the stockholder benefit.There were four categories, quantity up to 100 and more than 500, and length less than 3 years or more than 3 years.

The more and longer stocks you have, the more presents you get.

What is your asset building strategy?

Deposit and savings at banks?

Stock investment?

National bond?

Cooperate bond?

FX?

Real Estate investment?

Crypt assets?

I think it's better to have different ways both in your country and other country.

2024.3.3

It was fine.

March 3 is known as Joshi no sekku (上巳の節句) or Hina matsuri (ひなまつり), Dolls Festival or Girl's Festival. Families with daughters decorates dolls and eat chirashi zushi (ちらし寿司), clam clear soup, hina arare (ひなあられ), hishimochi (菱餅) and so on.

March 3 is also known as mimi no hi (), Day of ears.

I had a zoom meeting in the morning.

After lunch I went to Yokohama to see a Japanese movie "Perfect Days"  and went to Sugita to have my hair cut and perm.

At night I had another zoom session.

2024..3.2

It was fine.

I got up early to get on the 5:26 train to go to Shinjuku to attend a bus tour from 7:30.

There were  35 participants. There were three places to visit: Hina dolls festival at Makabe, Tsukuba Plum Blossom Garden, and Tsukuba jinja shrine.

All were good.

After coming back to Shinjuku I went to the Metropolitan Government Office to see the guinness world records projection mapping. There were two versions.

In between I went up to the 45th floor observatory.

On my way back I attended the zoom events.

It was a fruitful day.

2024.3.1

It was cloudy and became rain.

A new month has started. March is sangatsu (3月 or 三月) or yayoi (弥生) in Japanese.

I changed plants, rice and salt of the in−house shrine and 5 dishes of mounted salt and I went to the nearby shrine before going to work as rituals of the first day of the month.

After work I went to a supermarket to buy some foods.

I saw the garlic from Spain for the first time.

To my glad my 115th ebook became No.1 in the USA.

I watched a movie on TV and while I was watching the second one, I fell asleep.

2024.2.29

I was cloudy and cold.

After work I went grocery shopping.

I cooked dinner with new rice.

At night I held the 30th Bilingual Tea Party by Zoom and four friends joined.

I made the Nohana album.

2024.2.27

It was fine, but cold.

Mt. Fuji looked so beautiful covered with snow.

My 115th ebook has become No.1 in Japan.

I went to ATMs and supermarkets on my way home.

There are many supermarkets here and there. I went two of them today. I went to both of them after a long time.

First one was for business purpose but individuals are also welcome.

They sell everything very cheap with great amount.

I used to go to the other one on weekends.

But these days I go other places on my way home after work on weekdays.

To my surprise I could use T−points for payment.

At night I attended a zoom seminar.

2024.2.26

It was fine.

I stayed and worked at home.

Present campaign of the 115th ebook has started.

It is about the bus tour to Chichibu in Februry 2019 to see icicles.

I wanted to see them this year too but unfortunately the public opening season was over.

2024.2.25

It was a cold rainy day.

I got up early and wore kimono and went to Kimono Style Miya to have my hair set and dressed up.

I visited some shrines and temples and had lunch with friends.

At night I attended Miya's 11th Anniversary Party.  There were more than 100 ladies who wore beautiful Kimono.

We enjoyed watching the show and having delicious dinner.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

2024.2.24

It was fine, but very cold.

I stayed at home all day long.

I published the 115th ebook.

I watched a recorded movie at night. It was the one I missed when it was showing at the theater so I am glad to see it.

Today is the fullmoon.I saw the beautiful one.

2024.2.23

It was a cold rainy day.

Today is a national holiday called Tenno tanjobi, the Emperor's birthday.

He became 64 years old.

Happy Birthday!

I stayed at home all day long. I cleared the kimono and prepared for another one for next Sunday.

I prepared for the pictures of the next photobook. It is a book about the bus tour to Chichibu to visit icicles. 

I felt like going to somewhere during this three day weekend and wanted to visit the icicles. But unfortunately the festival season has just finished. So I decided to publish the book about icicles.

I went there on February 10, 2019. I remembered the month but could not remember the year.

First I checked the 10 years diary but could not specify the date. Next I checked the Nohana photobook which I started since May 2018. So I could find the date, and read My Book diary and remembered the day.

I cooked oyako don for dinner. Oyako means parent and child and don means bowl. It is a rice bowl of chicken and egg.

2024.2.22

It was a cold rainy day.

At work I attended the Webex meeting for the first time.

Nikkei Stock Average has hit the new all-time high of yen 39098.68 since December 29, 1989 when hit the highest price of yen 38957.44. It's been a long time.

They say today is the day of cats because of the pronunciation of 2.22 which sounds like meow's of a cat.

From tomorrow we have a three days weekend.

2024.2.21

It was a cold rainy day. Since it was warm yesterday the difference is big.

To my glad the 114th ebook is No.1 in the USA.

I got a comment from a friend who told me that she visited Daiosaki light house last year and I visited there this year. 

Daioh-zaki is famous for the town of painters, and she is one of them.

I got another comment that she was happy to know there are many places to visit where she has never been and wanted to visit next time.

I am glad to be somebody's inspiration.

2024.2.19

It was cloudy and rainy.

Today is usui (雨水), one nijushisekki (二十四節気), 24 solar terms.

 Last one was risshun (立春) on February 4, and the next one is keichitsu (啓蟄) on March 5.

Usui literally means rain water.

It is a time to melt snow and snow becomes rain.

It's been warm these days.

It is actually becoming warm.

2024.2.18

It rained during night, was cloudy in the morning, became fine, but it seems to have rained during daytime at my place.

I wore kimono and went to Kimono style Miya to have redressed.  I visited shrines and temples and went to Iidabashi to meet my American friend's best friend and her daughter to show around Tokyo.

I chose two places, the 42nd red plum festival at Ushitenjin shrine and Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens. We got pork soup, green tea with sweets, and sweet sake. 

After getting the special red stamp they offered small cup of plum wine.

We enjoyed watching Japanese dram performances.

I got a twig of plum.

After the festival we went to the Koishigawa Korakuen Garden. There were plum trees too.

After saying good bye to them I went to Harajuku to see my friend to have dinner.

It was a nice day.

2024.2.16

It was fine and Mt. Fuji looked so beautiful covered with snow in the morning.

In the afternoon it became cloudy and we could not see Mt. Fuji.

I stayed and worked at home.There were lots of things to do.

I cooked French toast for lunch.

They say the Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Tsuruga will open and tickets purchasing to Fuki started and the seats for the first train were sold out in a minute. Fukui is very famous for Echizen crab. 

There were big earthquakes in Noto peninsula on January 1.

I hope the area will be recovered by tourism again.

2024.2.15

It was fine and rather warm.

I went to the nearby shrine before going to work as a ritual of the 15th of the month.

They said Haru ichiban (春一番), the first strong southern wind after the first day of spring, blew in Kanto area.

I have been busy at office these days.

After work I went grocery shopping.

2024.2.14

Happy St.Valentine's Day!!

How do you celebrate this day?

In Japan it has been a day that girls and women give chocolates to boys and men they like. In return boys and men give sweets to girls and women on March 14 which is called White Day.

These days many girls and women buy special chocolates for themselves or for anybody.

I got some chocolates this year. They were delicous.

It was fine today. They say it will be warm tomorrow. 

2024.2.13

It was fine.

Mt.Fuji looked so beautiful with white snow.

After 5 days off there were so many things to do at work, and I overworked for a while.

I got a present from England.

I have been wondering if I would go to seminar tomorrow or not, but after all I gave up. Maybe next time.

2024.2.12

It was fine.

Today is a transferred holiday, and the last day of the three day weekend.

I stayed at home all day long.

I made a new contract of fire insurance for 5 years.

I enjoyed the sweets my cousin gave me with green tea.

At night I watched my favorite TV program of the 99th Zennihon kaso taisho (第99回全日本仮装大賞) after three years.

2024.2.11

It was fine.

Today is a national holiday called Kenkoku kinen no hi (建国記念の日), National Foundation Day.

After checking out the hotel I headed for Atsuta jingu shrine.  At the Jingu mae station I got together with my cousin living in Gifu, and we went to Atsuta jingu shrine.

Since today is National Foundation Day we could see the special shinto ceremony and traditional archery performance. 

We got together another relative and had lunch.

After that we went to Shiratori Garden and enjoyed walking around and having sweets.

After saying good bye I went to have dinner at a famous restaurant. There was a long line about 30 to 40 minutes. I ate a square meal.

I went to pick up the suitcase and took 19:38 Shinkansen.

It was a nice trip.

2024.2.10

Happy New Year!!

I got up early and attended the morning tour to the Ise shrine for an hour and a half.

After having breakfast I changed to kimono.

We went to Naiku and offered okagura performance and went to inside the fence for the formal visit. There were so many people today because of the new year.

After that we came back to Jingu kaikan for lunch, and we visited the shrine again.

After the tour three of us went to have Akafuku, very famous sweets in Ise. To my lucky they took me to the station by car.

I came to Nagoya, had dinner, and came to the hotel.

To my delight my 113th ebook became No.1 in Australia.

It was a nice new year's day.

2024.2.9

I got up early to see the sunrise but couldn't.

I went back to the hotel to change to kimono and went to visit the shrines.

I happened to see a friend there.

I went back to the hotel to check out and went to Jingu kaikan via Life long learning center and visitor center to see the hina dolls. Since I visited all 6 places and I got a small present.  At the visitor center I got a useful information and headed for Jingu kaikan.

After leaving a suitcase there, I headed for Ise city to visit the Tsukiyomi gu shrine, and took a bus to visit the Yamato hime gu shrine, and headed for the meeting place.

There were 72 participants today for Mr. Fujimoto's tour. We visited two shrines, had dinner, and a lecture.

It was a nice day.

2024.2.8

It was fine. 

I arrived at Ise in the morning.

After leaving the suitcase I visited Futami okitama jinja (二見興玉神社) shrine first, took train to visit Hakuryu daimyojin (白龍大明神) waterfalls next, took another train and walked for half an hour to visit Yokoyama ishigami jinja (横山石神神社) shrine next, and tooked a bus to Daiosaki todai (大王崎灯台) Light House and visited the park and shrines there. The view from there was beautiful. They say there are 16 lighthouses where you can climb up in Japan.

I walked more than 22000 steps today.

It was a nice day trip.

2024.2.7

It was fine but cold.

There were some snow remained at the roadside and in the shadow.

I was rather busy in the evening and overworked for half an hour.

On my way home I stopped at the gas station. This past month  I have used air conditioning a lot and it ran less than usual.

I was asked to add LINE, and they gave me three boxes of tissue paper.

After having dinner I walked to the station and headed for Yokohama to get on the night bus to Ise.

To my delight my 113th book has been No.1 in the USA.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

2024.2.6

It was cloudy and cold.

I worked at home in the morning, and tooj a half day off to go to Tokyo.

There were four places to go. 

Firstly I went to Hebikubo jinja shrine to receive the special red stamp for January 6.  

Secondly I went to Ana hachimangu shrine to return the old amulet.

Thirdly  I went to Hoshoji temple to visit the mini version of the 88 temples in reverse way.

Fourthly I went to Akihabara to attend the monthly meeting. It was informative.

After the meeting I had tea and cake with my friend.

My 113th ebook present campaign has started and it's been No.1 in Japan.

It was a nice half day off.

2024.2.5

It was cloudy in the morning and sleeting when I got to the office. 

We had an alert of heavy snow, and our department decided to go home and work at home.

I came home after having lunch and started working at 14:00. There was an alert again, and the school decided everyone to go home.

At my area it did not snow, but it is cold today.

To my glad my 113th ebook has been No.1 in Japan.

2024.2.4

It was cloudy and cold.

I stayed at home all day long.

Today is risshun (立春), one of nijushisekki (二十四節気), 24 solar terms. The last one was daikan (大寒) on January 20 and the next one is usui (雨水) on February 19.

Risshun literally means stand spring, it is the start of spring. It is considered as the start of the new year.

They say it is good to write RISSUN DAIKICHI (立春大吉) on the paper and put it at the entrance. So I did.

I planned the schedule of my trip to Ise this week.

2024.2.3

It was fine.  

I stayed at home all day long.

Today is setsubun (節分), the day to divide the seasons.  There are four seasons, and there are four setsubun. It is a day before risshun (立春), first day of spring.

On this day we scatter roast beans to drive away demons.

We eat a rolled sushi called Ehomaki (恵方巻き) facing the good luck direction of the year.

I published the 113th ebook about sunlight pictures taken in January 2024.

2024.2.2

It was cloudy and cold.

After work I went grocery shopping for tomorrow's setsubun.

I received three deliveries at night. They were Internet ordered clear boxes to clear Kimono related goods, a return gift for hometown tax, and a renewed credit card.

This was the third time for me to receive the return gift for home town tax.  This time I chose 1k of broken assorted chocolate.

I also received a notice from JASSO that said I have completed paying back for student loan when I was borrowing during graduate student. In Japanese it is called scholarship but after all we have to pay back, so it is a long term loan with no interest.

At night there was a zoom session.

2024.2.1

It seemed to have rained during the night, but it was fine and cloudy in the daytime.

A new month has started. February is nigatsu (２月 or 二月) or Kisaragi (如月) in Japanese.

On the first day of the month, there are something I do. To change the plants, rice, and salt at the Shinto altar and to change salt at 5 places at home, and to visit the nearby shrine.

After work I went to have dinner with my colleague for the first time since I started the new job about 10 months ago. There were many choices, and I chose the recommended food of the day by a mail magazine. I enjoyed eating and drinking and talking a lot.

From this month I will try to drink soy milk.

2024.1.31

It was fine.

The last day of January.

How was your January?

I have three ways to look back the past month.

1.  To make a photo album by Nohana. I choose 20 pictures and make a photo album. There is a coupon of free album, therefore I can get the album by just postage of 290 yen.

2.  In the evening of the last day of every month I have a zoom meeting for two hours or so to share the good things happened in a month. It is a fun meeting to practice to speak English.  Today there were four people and we enjoyed talking.

3.  To make a photobook of Sunlight pictures of the month by Kindle Direct Publishing.  It is free.

My events of this month were to see the first sunrise, first visit to the shrines and temples, visit seven lucky gods in Ebara, and have a reunion of the high school in China Town in Yokohama.

I published two books and they became No.1 in the USA and Japan.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

2024.1.29

It was fine but cold. During the daytime it became warm.

At work I had a chance to talk with a colleague. It was fun to know each other. We decided to have dinner near future. 

There was an interview with Division Manager for the next contract.

After work I went grocery shopping just for a few items, but I bought too much. 

There has been an offer of a chance of cultural exchange, but it was canceled.

2024.1.29

It was fine. 

Mt.Fuji looked very beautiful.

I stayed at home all day long and worked.

 

In the evening I cooked dinner.

At night I ordered the boxes and some clothings through Internet.

2024.1.28

It was fine.

There was a big earthquake this morning.

I was surprised to receive the registered mail in the morning. It was a set of gift certificate I applied for the other day.

I walked to the station and got one day ticket in Yokohama. I went to the China Town to attend a luncheon of high school classmates. 10 people attended.

This was the third time for us to use the restaurant. There were 10 dishes with all you can drink and It cost yen 8000 for cash only. It was fun to see old friends.

After that I went to the Artrick Museum and Guan Di Miao Temple in Yokohama China Town.

It was a nice day.

2024.1.27

It was fine.

I stayed at home all day long.

In the morning I received the redelivered registered mail.

Around noon a buyer came to evaluate and buy things I do not need any more.

I just wanted them to take everything, but they could not.

Only they could buy were some bags, some watches, and many ties by a very small amount of money.

They say their salary depends on how much they could buy. After they buy, they clean everything and resell or make donations.

There are so many things I want to throw away. So some day I will ask them again.

At night I attended a zoom seminar about February calendar. It was fun.

2024.1.26

It was fine, and Mt. Fuji looked so beautiful in the morning.

There was an accident and the road was so crowded on my way to the office.

Sky after sunset was so red and beautiful in the evening.

Wolf full moon is so bright and beatiful at night.

It may be because of coldness.

I was surprised to receive the goods I ordered last night.

I attended a zoom meeting at night.

2024.1.25

It was fine and Mt.Fuji looked so beautiful with white snow. 

Color of the Sagami Bay was so blue, and

color at the sunset sky was so red.

Tomorrow is the fullmoon and the white moon looked so beautiful.

What a beautiful world we are living!

I was going to make a new book, but after all I watched TV dramas, and I could not.

2024.1.24

It was fine. 

It seems the bottom snow of Mt. Fuji was melted.

I stayed and worked at home.

To my delight my 112th book became No.1 in the USA and Japan.

At night I attended a zoom meeting  about travel abroad.

2024.1.23

It was fine, but there were strange clouds too.

Mt. Fuji looked so beautiful covered with snow all the way to the base.

It was warm during the day time.

Now it is windy.

The color of sunset sky was so beautiful.

Today free promotion of my 112th ebook started.To my delight it's been No.1 in Japan before I announce the promotion.

Isn't it great?

After work I went grocery shopping.

2024.1.22

It was cloudy in the morning, and became rainy in the evening.

I published the 112th ebook this morning. It became No.9 in Japan around noon.

After work I went grocery shopping.

I cooked dinner but while I was checking the mails, it was overcooked, and the pot burned. I could manage to have it cleaned.

At night I watched some TV pqograms.

2024.1.21

It was cloudy and cold.

I stayed at home all day long.

I cleared in the morning, and made the 112th ebook in the afternoon.

I watched some TV programs at night.

My 112th book is just released.

2024.1.20

It was a cold rainy day.

Today is Daikan (大寒), one of nijushisekki (二十四節気), 24 solar terms. The last one was Shokan (小寒) on January 6 and the next one is Risshun (立春) on February 4.

Daikan literally means big cold and it was really cold today.

In the morning a salesman of the fire and earthquake insurance company came to explain the plan and tried simulations. I decided the insurance amount for household goods to be reduced.

In the afternoon I tried to make a book.

2024.1.19

It was fine.

Five years will be passed. 

Since when?

It's been almost five years since I made the contract of fire and earthquake insurance.

Before that my father did and pay.

After my father passed away and the contract expired, I had to purchase insurance for the house by myself. 

It is rather expensive. It is possible to pay annually but if you purchase for five years you can save for 10% or so.

Japan is a country of earthquakes and there were big earthquakes on January 1 this year. So I feel the necessity of having the insurance.

Recently I received the documents and a call today. The person in charge will come to explain tomorrow.

I hope I can negotiate the reasonable one.

2024.1.18

It was fine.

Yesterday there was the announcement of the lucky numbers of Otoshidama new year's cards. Today they were on the newspapers. So I checked my new year's cards. 

No. 1 is yen 300,000 in cash or yen 310,000 by electric money or special stamps with yen 200,000 in cash.

 

No.2  is a mail order gift.

No.3 is a sheet of stamps.

I got 2 postcards of No.3.  There were three numbers, but both were 00.

Many people stopped sending the new years cards. And the postage will be raised from yen 63 to yen 85 this year. So more people will stop sending next year. But I hope to keep sending as long as possible.

2024.1.17

It was fine.

I stayed and worked at home.

Good things of the remote work are to save time for commuting and money for lunch. I cooked French toast today.

After work I went to cafe for an appointment. I tried the new menu.

I got a Christmas letter from my first American friend's family whom we have become friends in the summer of 1983. Their son and nephews and niece will be coming to Japan in March.

I am looking forward to seeing them.

2024.1.16

It was fine but very cold.

After coming home, I cooked dinner and ate in a hurry.

After that I had a zoom session as a gift, but it seemed she has totally forgotten. 

So the purpose has changed, and after all I consulted about the publication of the book. It was fun.

There was something I promised to make on Sunday, and I did.

2024.1.15

It was fine.

I went to a  nearby shrine before going to work as a ritual of the 15th.

Today is my dead father's 89th birthday.

There was an online meeting with colleagues in many different locations. I expected to see their faces but they were too small to recognize.

After work I went grocery shopping.

I listened to the recorded radio program of Kansai area in which my teacher appeared as a guest speaker by podcast. How convenient this world progressed!

2024.1.14

It was fine.

I got up and wore kimono and went to the Kimono Style Miya to have my hair set, makeup, dressed up, and pictures taken.

I went to Iseyama kotai jingu shrine and Naritasan temple Yokohama branch for the first visit of the year.

After that I went to Waseda to visit Anahachimangu shrine to receive the special amulet called "Ichiyo raifuku (一陽来復) ” which is only given from winter solstice to setsubun (節分), a day before the first day of spring, and there are only three timings to put on the good luck direction of the year. 

This is the fourth year for me to visit there with friends and have afternoon tea. It had been crowded for the past three times, but this year it was not so crowded.

We visited Hojoji temple, Ryusenin temple, Horinji temple, and Hosenji temple after that, and we headed for the Garden Lounge of RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo to have Afternoon Tea.

It was a nice day.

2024.1.13

It was fine but cold. 

I saw the beautiful sunset.

I stayed at home all day long to prepare for tomorrow and make the next book.

To my delight my 111th ebook has been No.1 in the USA and Japan.

Tomorrow I will visit Anahachimangu shrine and have Afternoon Tea with friends. This is the 4th year event. I am very looking forward to seeing them after a long time.

2024.1.12

It was fine.

　　

I stayed at home and worked at home.

Promotion of the 111th book started yesterday. When I checked the rank, in the USA it was No.1 in Star Gazing, No.2 in Japanese Travel, and No.3 in Nature and Wildlife Photography and No.1 in Japan in many sections.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I was going to publish the 112th ebook but did not but at least started preparing.

Today I received the return gift from Hekinan City in Aichi.

2024.1.11

It was cloudy and very cold.

January 11 is known as kagami biraki (鏡開き),  opening mirror.

It is the day to eat the kagami mochi (鏡餅), mirror rice cakes, which are round piled rice cakes decorated for new years.

I ate as oshiruko (お汁粉), sweet red bean soup.

Present campaign of the 110th book was over, and of the 111th has started. It is a collection of sunlight pictures I took in December 2023.It was released on January 1, and it's been No.1 in Japan since then. How nice!

I hope you enjoy it too.

I watched a recorded movie on TV, but it was not recorded everything. How disappointing!

I am planning a shrine visiting and afternoon tea event next Sunday. This is the 4th year. I hope everything will be all right.

2024.1.10

It was fine and cold.

On my way home I dropped at the gas station I went to yesterday to register the credit card information which I could not do because I did not bring the card.

After dinner I revised the manuscript of the No.110 book which is now on promotion.

My ex-colleague found the typo and let me know. How kind!

At night I attended a zoom meeting, which my friend wanted to let me know the benefit.

Indeed it might be good, but I don't feel like becoming a member now.

I got pictures taken on December 23, 2023.

2024.1.9

It was fine but very cold.

The other day when I went to Meiji jingu shrine, I bought a bag of my favorite candy and I distributed it to my colleagues. It was a very small one, but two of them gave me another sweets in return saying ''thank you always." They were very delicious.

On my way home I went to a gas station to fill up the car. I used the Key to pay. They said if I use the application, I can save more. So I registered, and they gave me a box of tissue paper.

I received many new year's cards after three day weekend today. Most of them were return messages of my new year cards.They admired my activities of 2023 which I summerized. I am glad to hear that they looked forward to reading my new year's card every year.

The postage will be raised this year, and I will reduce the number of cards I send next year but I hope to keep sending as long as possible.

At night I attended a zoom event but fell asleep.

2024.1.8

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, but it has become the second Monday of January since 2000.

In Japan to be 20 years old was to be an adult, but from April 1, 2022 adult means to be 18 years old. 

How old is an adult in your country?

Today is the last day of the three day weekend.

I went to Sugita to have my hair cut and perm, to a kimono shop, and to see a Japanese movie.

2024.1.7

It was fine.

I stayed at home all day long and watched some recorded movies.

January 7 is known as Nanakusa, seven herbs. At new year we eat lots of delicious foods and drink too much.

Therefore we eat seven herb porridge to rest our stomache.

I cooked  porridge for lunch.

My 109th book campaign was over and the 110th started. To my delight it became No.1 in Japan.

It's been a week since the Great Earthquakes in Noto peninsula. There are still earthquakes happening and it's been raining and snowing and very cold.They need support.

2024.1.6

It was fine and very beautiful.

Today is shokan (小寒), one of nijushisekki (二十四節気), 24 solar terms. The last one was toji (冬至) on December 22, and the next one is daikan (大寒) on January 20. Shokan means small cold. It is the beginning of coldness.

I went to Aomono yokocho to visi the Seven Lucky Gods in Ebara. It is about 6.5km and takes about 2 hours. However one of the shrine was so crowded that I had to wait for two hours before entering the precinct.

After that I went to the Meiji jingu shrine.

Then I went to Ochanomizu to attend the monthly meeting.

Three of us went to have dinner.

I walked and walked and got tired.

2024.1.5

It was fine and cold.

I got up early, did TV exercise after a long time, made lunch, read newspaper and went to work.

After work I went to grocery shopping.

After coming back I cooked dinner and ate.

I attended a zoom tea party of my friend, and since there was only myself we enjoyed talking. 

After that I attended another zoom semimar.

2024.1.4

It was cloudy and fine and very cold.

Today is the first day of the work this year. 

I got up early and prepared for lunch.

To my delight my 109 ebook became No.1 in the USA. 

I am glad to receive an email whom I sent the new year's card but who stopped sending the new year's card.

2024.1.3

It was fine.

Today is the last day of my winter vacation.

I stayed at home all day long.

The 100th anniversary Hakone Ekiden Day 2 was ended by the new record of Aoyama gakuin University. Congratulation!

My present campaign of 108th ebook was over and of the 109th has started. To my delight they became No.1 and No.2 in Australia.

I watched many TV programs.

I attended the zoom session by my friend which was very interesting.

2024.1.2

It was cloudy.

I stayed at home all day long.

In the morning I attended a zoom meeting of new yeas's gift presentation.

There was the first half of Hakone Ekiden road race. After the race I happened to see my friend who is an alumni of the winner university.

I watched a movie and a drama on TV.

There was an accident at the Haneda Airport.

2024.1.1.

Happy New Year 2024!!

After midnight I went to the nearby shrine for the first visit.

I received red and white rice cakes and a small cup of sake,  I saw  the charm for the first time so that I bought it.

After coming home I went there again to return the amulets of the last year to burn.

I took a bath and went to bed, and got up early to see the sun rise.  

It seemed to have rained before I went to the shrine, but it was fine all day long.

I saw the beautiful sunrise and sunset.

I published the 111th ebook.

I got new year's cards early morning, and I prepared the ones I did not and I went to the post office to post.

 After that I went to the Kainan jinja shrine. It was so crowded. I bought the charm I saw on the Town news.

There was lion dragon dance performance and I attended.

I happened to see my friend.

After coming home I cooked Ozoni by the rice cakes I got at the shrine.

I watched three movies on TV.

It was a nice New Year Day for me.

But there were big earthquakes in Hokuriku.

2023.12.31

New year's eve.

It rained in the morning but became fine in the afternoon.

We can expect to see the first sunrise tomorrow.

I stayed at home and prepared for the New Year such as inhouse shrine and new year's cards.

How was your 2023?

Mine was another impressive year.　

From January to March I studied calendar reading and tour conducting.

From April I started the new job. 

Almost every month I went somewhere.

I enjoyed visiting waterfalls, having Afternoon Tea wearing Kimono, meeting friends, watching movies, publishing 50 ebooks, and so on.

I