Just watch...
May 5 is said to be a day of the "Super-Moon", so I took some shots at it from my balcony.
Here's the best shot, with a little re-touching done.
The original, uploaded to Flickr.
An explanation of a "Super-Moon", by NASA :
Two weeks before Golden Week, some of Cycle Tokyo! members went out riding along the Tone River located north of Tokyo, started from Kurihashi and headed for Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture.
A one way ride just around 90Km total, was a very smooth one thanks to light follow wind. We packed our bikes and took them on the train to Kurihashi, and on the way back home from Takasaki.
A continuous carpet of very bright yellow Cole Flower (Celery cabbage) spreads along the cycling road, in full bloom just about now.
View 2012/04/21 Kurihashi to Takasaki Cycling in a larger map
April to May is a very good time to cycle here in the Kanto area.
Since my last posting in 2008, I had been focusing my English blogging activity on Cycle Tokyo!. I will also admit that my primary means of communicating on the internet has been on Facebook. Thus, my Japanese blog has been lagging as well.
During the rainy days of golden Week, I went ahead and updated my weblog system (Movable Type) for the first time in 2years. (Should have done so long ago, as there security issues that were addressed)
This update gave me a chance to clean up the system and get the blogs back "online". The English blog did have some issues with article posting not going well, which had also decreased my motivation.
With this done, I have decided to reactivate this blog and resume posting articles once in a while.
Living Abroad In Japan is a really nice book about everyday life, travel and culture in Japan. Just about everything you'll want to know (and need to know) about Japanese life. In addition to detailed and up-to-date (second edition, published September 2008 !) information about life in Japan, the book gives the reader a very good veiw of all parts of Japan by covering all regions of Japan. A great read whether you're planning a trip to Japan, or you're just dreaming about one !
The book recommends bicycles as a very good transportaion method, and mentions Cycle Tokyo! as a good resource for Tokyo biking information. Guess what... the book is written by Ruthy Kanagy, our Bike Friday advisor ! :-) Since she has experience living in Japan herself, the book is really down to earth in terms of living information.
A good map to Tokyo with all locations in English and Japanese.
With the coming of summer in Tokyo, the season of fireworks start with the peak of the season from the end of July to the middle of August. Japan is famous for it's variety size of the fireworks, as well as the stage effects. If you're in Japan this time of season, it's a must-see.
I went to see the fireworks at Showa Memorial Park, near Tachikawa last night. There were a ton of spectators out to see the hour and a half show, but we were able to get some good seating on the green, and spend a relaxing time. Beautiful, powerful, and exotic. Come to think of it, I hadn't watched fireworks live in about 5years. Must have been living life too busy.
Here's a list of links that provide useful information on fireworks in and out of Tokyo :
- Japan Reference - Tokyo Guide : Fireworks in Tokyo & Yokohama - http://www.jref.com/practical/fireworks_tokyo.shtml
- Fireworks :: Tokyo Essentials :: Tokyo Tourist Guide - http://www.tokyoessentials.com/fireworks.html
- New to Tokyo?｡Enjoy Tokyo!:HANABI - FIREWORKS FESTIVAL 2007 - livedoor Blog - http://blog.realestate-tokyo.com/archives/50869090.html
Some states in the US have license plates with a "Share the Road" message and design for for bike concious drivers to put on their cars. Tokyo needs to get the same message accross and educate to the drivers that bikes have their spot on the road, and are vehicles that belong on the road, not just the sidewalks.
Though this is one good way to do so, the Japanese traffic authorities needs to first authorize designed license plates :- (
- BikePortland.org : "Will Oregon Get a Share the Road Llicense Plate?"
There is an editorial out on the English version of Asahi Shinbun on the topic I raised about the law change leading to bicycles being forced up on the sidewalks. Satoshi Hikita is a well-known advocate on bicycle culture, especially bike commuting.
The issue has caught interest of the Japanese media as well, several newspapers and magazines plan to publish articles and editorials on this subject, Hikita says. Several TV programs are expected to follow.
謹賀新年...."Kin Ga Shin Nen" is a phrase meaning "Celebration of the New Years"
2007 is the year of the boar in Japan.
Hope things go well for everyone !
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