There is a lot of frost on the buckthorn in the garden, and it is finally winter in Kita Shinshu.

Roppongi Walk

Went to Hachioji over the weekend and had a blast exploring the area. We were able to check out the Musashi Imperial Mausoleum Emperor Taisho and Emperor Showa's Burial Sites, eat some amazing food at a restaurant called "Gonsuke" ごん助 and a bunch of other stuff. The Musashi Imperial Mausoleum was really amazing, it reminded me a lot of Meiji Jingu Shrine with the wide gravel paths through the forest, although I have a feeling this forest is natural and not man-made. Also the burial mounds seemed really traditional and reminded me of the burial mounds from the Kofun Period. The restaurant Gonsuke was so incredible. They had all sorts of different course menus and it was my first time trying boar meat too lol. I haven't had game meat in a long time so it was really cool getting to try it again and cook it over an irori I think it's an irori with actual coals. Can't wait to go back and explore the area again more. I'd love to hike up Mt. Takao and see everything else the area has to offer. Beautiful city

I went to Oshino Hakkai for the first time. It is easy to access from Kanto, and it is a tourist spot that feels just right because you go around almost outside without entering any facilities.

It is the illumination of Roppongi Keyakizaka. The night walk was very nice. Canon EOS R5 Canon RF35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM Black Mist No.05 Filter

Freezing morning with the first frost

【In the Urban Forest】

[English/Japanese] In this issue, I will continue to introduce some of the things that were popular in Japan this year. 1Showa/Heisei Retro Boom This year, things that were popular in the Showa 1926-1989 and Heisei 1989-2019 eras are booming again. Mainly, old townscapes and tableware from the 1960s, characters and accessories that were popular in the 1980s and 1990s became popular among the younger generation as "new things. For the young generation that has had digital things since birth, they feel that retro things are incomplete and warm. An amusement park in Saitama Prefecture reopened this year, recreating the streets of the 1960s, and it is bustling with visitors every day. You may feel as if you have gone back in time. 2 Oatmeal Oatmeal sales have boomed this year, even doubling from the previous year. The reason seems to be that more and more people are eating at home due to the new coronavirus, and easy and healthy meals have become more preferred. Japanese people are famous for their culture of eating rice, but recently more and more people are eating staple foods other than rice, such as oatmeal and bread. Rice takes a long time to cook after it is washed. Busy Japanese may have come to prefer something more easily eaten. 3 Imperial Family News This year, the Emperor's niece got married, and various news during the engagement period were broadcasted on TV every day. News about the Imperial Family mainly interests the older generation, but the news about the marriage attracted the interest of various age groups. Did you find out what was popular this year? At our school, we sometimes have students research and present what is popular in the classroom. It's a great way to learn more about Japanese culture. This time, as in the previous article, we will introduce some of the things that were popular in this Japan. 1 Showa-Heisei retro boom This year, what was popular in Showa 1926 ~ 1989 and Heisei 1989 ~ 2019 has re-boomed. Mainly, old townscapes and tableware from the 1960s, characters and accessories that were popular in the 1980s ~ 1990s became popular among the younger generation as "new things". For the younger generation, who have been digital since birth, they feel that retro things are incomplete and warm. An amusement park in Saitama Prefecture was reopened this year, but it reproduces the cityscape of the 1960s and is crowded every day. You may be able to experience going back in time. 2 Oatmeal This year, there was such a boom that sales of oatmeal doubled from the previous year. The reason seems to be that more people are eating at home due to the influence of the new coronavirus, and easy and healthy eating has become more preferred. Japan people are famous for their culture of eating rice, but recently the number of people who eat staple foods other than rice, such as oatmeal and bread, has increased. It takes a long time for rice to be cooked after washing. Maybe Japan busy people have come to prefer things that are easier to eat. 3 Imperial Family News This year, His Majesty the Emperor's niece got married, and various news during the engagement period was broadcast on TV almost every day. While the news of the imperial family is mainly of interest to older people, the news about this marriage attracted the attention of various age groups. Did you see what was popular this year? At our school, students may research and present what is popular in class. You can learn more about Japan culture.

Beautifully illuminated rainbow bridge during christmas. The photo was taken from Tokyo Tower.

Was shopping the other day in Nihonbashi and saw this akabeko and thought it was really cute so I decided to take a photo of it. The name was quite funny to me as well. Instead of the usual "akabeko" this was a "nemubeko," or "tired-beko" basically, and you can see how the eyes are actually half way shut instead of the normally wide-open eyes, giving it the tired look lol. I've always wanted to try an akabeko experience as I love traditional Japanese crafts and akabeko in particular seem really fun to make. I've read a few posts in another places of people trying akabeko workshops and having a really fun time. I haven't used papier mache since I was a kid either so it'd probably be a nostalgic experience for sure. If I do try an akabeko workshop, I think I'll make a "nemubeko" as well lol

Kisarazu factory area

【 The setting moon 】

The majestic view of Tokyo tower during winter illumination in Keyakizaki avenue.

The view from the stage in Shimizu is also good.

Taken from near my home. The moon seen through the trees where the leaves had fallen was a very fantastic night.

Iwatsuki Castle Ruins Park Reflection after rain. The scenery reflected on the surface of the water created a world that looked like a painting.

Group attendance at school on a snowy day. Colorful rain gear was shining in the snowy landscape.

Dondo grill in the snow country

Asakusa Nakamise on New Year's Day. Every year, it is crowded with many first-time visitors.

The winter morning sun shone in the park where the first snow fell, and the long shadows of the trees were very beautiful.

Cleaning up a dondo-yaki fire in a mountain village in Niigata Prefecture. The "Suminuri Festival" was also held, so my face is black with charcoal. Even though it was snowing, the old-fashioned appearance was impressive.

The New Year's event "Sumi-zuki" can be seen in various parts of the Japan. "Sumi-zuki" is a strange festival that burns the god of sai and prays for a good harvest and disease-free life that year. The photo shows the locals who really enjoyed the "Son-in-law Throwing and Suminuri" festival at Matsunoyama Onsen in Niigata Prefecture.

"Jewelry Ice" The ice covering the Tokachi River in Hokkaido flows into the Pacific Ocean, It is a natural phenomenon in which the ice blocks washed up on the Otsu coast at the mouth of the river shine beautifully.

"Jewelry Ice" The ice covering the Tokachi River in Hokkaido flows into the Pacific Ocean, It is a natural phenomenon in which the ice blocks washed up on the Otsu coast at the mouth of the river shine beautifully.

We have lost 😅 sight of the season due to the sudden winter Autumn-like leaves are falling. Beautifully sprouting and green leaves appearing It glows mysteriously in the sunlight It's going to get colder and colder, and I'm🥺 withdrawn.

The beautiful minami alps. While travelling to matsumoto we git this beautifully view of minami alps from limited express train.

Stopped by Saizeriya for lunch and got a cod roe and shrimp doria たらこと海老のドリア. Saizeriya is always a great place to stop by for lunch as it's generally quick and cheap. It was a set meal so it came with a soup and salad as well, but I forgot to to photos of those. The soup was a sort of consommé soup and was nothing special, but it tasted good and was all-you-can-drink so that was pretty nice. I ended up getting a few cups of it. The shrimp and cod doria was great and I love the nori on top - plentiful and tastes great. The best part is all of this was only ¥500 so it's really reasonable, as you'd expect of Saizeriya. Just thought I'd share this today, nothing too special

Merry Christmas!!

【Cloudless Evening】

Was in Kanda the other day for an errand and stopped by this place called "Soba Dokoro Kameya" そば処 かめや outside of Kanda Station. It says "立食い" which means "standing noodles," but I didn't actually see any places to stand and eat so maybe it just meant that it was simple and quick like a standing noodle shop. I've never actually experienced what it's like to eat at a standing noodle restaurant and actually stand while eating but I think I prefer sitting anyways. I like to relax when I eat so I suppose that's why, but I should at least try it once, who knows, I might like it. Anyways, the place seems really affordable. I ordered the Ten Tama Soba since it was the most popular dish and it tasted great. The soup was really good and the egg was perfectly cooked. The texture of the noodles was also perfect. It's definitely a place to check out if your in the Kanda area and looking for some noodles. I think they may only be open during the morning and night, but I went around 4pm so maybe they close around that time to prepare for dinner.