[English／日本語] Continuing from last week, I will talk about a crepe shop in Nishi-Hachioji. There is a crepe shop called Twin's Crepe just a one-minute walk from the school. The crepes here are so popular that they have been featured on TV many times. Each crepe is beautifully rolled in thin crepe batter and looks like a work of art. Of course, they taste wonderful. You can enjoy one as a reward for studying hard 😊✨ Continuing from last week, I will talk about a crepe shop in Nishi-Hachioji. A crepe shop called Twin's Crepe stands a one-minute walk from the school. This shop is so popular it has been introduced on TV several times. The crepes, rolled beautifully in thin crepe batter, are almost works of art. The flavor is, of course, very good. It’s a nice treat to enjoy after studying hard 😊✨

[Englsih／日本語] Nishi-Hachioji, where our school is located, is famous for its many delicious crepe shops. Among them, Crepe Anne opened in 1983 and has a long history and many fans. Most of the crepes are handmade. In autumn, you can enjoy eating while viewing the rows of ginkgo trees. Students who are tired of studying can refresh themselves with a sweet treat. Nishi-Hachioji, where our school is located, is well known for its numerous tasty crepe shops. Among them, Crepe Anne opened in 1983; it has a long history and many devoted fans. Most fillings for the crepes are homemade. In autumn, you can eat while strolling beneath rows of ginkgo trees. Students weary from studying often refresh themselves with a sweet treat.

Continuing from last week, here are some photos from Komagino Garden. The garden was magnificent. There was also a suikinkutsu (an underground hollow that causes the sound of falling water droplets to reverberate), which produced a very cool, refreshing sound. Continuing from last week, here are photos of Komagino Garden. The garden was splendid. There was also a suikinkutsu (an underground hollow that causes the sound of falling water droplets to reverberate), which sounded cool and refreshing.

[English/Japanese] I went to Komagino Garden in Takao as a preliminary inspection for a field trip. The hydrangeas were still in full bloom. The lotus flowers were about to bloom. I visited Komagino Garden in Takao to scout for a school outing. The hydrangeas were still at their peak. The lotus flowers were about to open.

Decorations for the Tanabata festival have appeared in front of Hachioji Station. The strips of paper fluttering in the breeze look very refreshing. Our school also holds a Tanabata event where students write wishes on tanzaku and make origami; it's a popular event.

[English/Japanese] We went to Hiyoshi-Hachioji Shrine, a five-minute walk from the school, to see hydrangeas. It was wonderful to see so many different varieties of hydrangea ✨. We went to Hiyoshi-Hachioji Shrine, a five-minute walk from the school, to see hydrangeas. Various kinds of hydrangea were in bloom, and it was truly beautiful ✨.

Continuing from last week, we discuss Hachioji and subcultures. We visited the famous Ryohoji Temple in Nishi-Hachioji. This temple is known as a "moe temple" and has original anime characters created by the temple. It is said that many worshippers come to see this unusual temple. I received another goshuin (red seal) this time! moe = feelings of affection, often toward an idealized anime character Continuing from last week, we talk about Hachioji and its subculture. We visited the well-known Ryohoji in Nishi-Hachioji. This temple is called a "moe temple," and it features original anime characters. Many visitors come to see this rare temple. I picked up a goshuin again this time! Note: moe… the feeling that finds an anime character cute.

[Englsih／日本語]In front of Hachioji Station, there is animate, a store specializing in anime goods. Here you can buy goods and books of popular anime. There are a lot of international students who like anime. There are many rare items here, so you may be able to show them off to your friends in your country ☺ If you like something related to Japan, you will be able to improve your Japanese quickly. Please try to find something you "like" too. In front of Hachioji Station stands animate, a specialty store for anime merchandise. You can buy popular anime goods and books here. Many international students love anime. This shop has lots of rare items, so you might be able to show them off to your friends back home ☺ If you enjoy things related to Japan, you can improve your Japanese quickly. Try to find something you "like" too ✨

[Englsih/Japanese] In Hachioji City, you can enjoy cuisines from around the world. The other day, I walked five minutes from Hachioji Station to Milis, a Sri Lankan restaurant, and tried Sri Lankan home cooking. The meal was a healthy, oil-free dish of rice topped with various curries and side dishes. It blended sweet, spicy, salty, sour, and bitter flavors in a way I had never experienced before, and it was very delicious. The presentation of the plate was especially beautiful and moved me. The staff were warm and welcoming ☕️Since our school sometimes communicates with Sri Lankan agents, I plan to ask them more about Sri Lankan food next time 😊. In Hachioji City, you can eat dishes from many countries around the world. The other day, I had Sri Lankan home cooking at Milis, a Sri Lankan restaurant a five-minute walk from Hachioji Station. It was a healthy oil-free dish with various curries and side dishes served over rice. The complex mix of sweet, spicy, salty, sour, and bitter flavors was something I had never tasted before, but it was very tasty ✨ Above all, the plate’s appearance was beautiful and impressive. The restaurant staff were warm in their service ☕️Since our school sometimes deals with Sri Lankan agents, I intend to ask more about Sri Lankan cuisine next time 😊.

Wanted to post this earlier this week, but better late than never I suppose. Was walking around Arakawa and they were having a rose festival sort of event it seemed like. Over by Arakawa Amusement Park there was a little area set up with some stalls. I didn't get to check it out but it seemed like there were a lot of people there. The amusement park was also open. I don't think I've seen it open for a while so it was nice to see people are able to visit it again. When I was passing the Arakawa tram I noticed there were tons of roses along the sides of the track that I'd never noticed before so I decided to snap this photo of the pink tram passing by with them.

Great way to enjoy the sakura season. I saw many people spent their day off on pleasure boats and enjoy the view of beautiful parks and garden near the river. At the same time few love to feed birds and fishes. This picture was taken exactly that moment when a pleasure boat was floating near skytree and one family was feeding those seabirds and you can see the blooming sakura in the background too.

In Hachioji City, you can try dishes from cuisines around the world. The other day, I had dal bhat at the Nepalese restaurant Naoya, a five-minute walk from school next to Hachioji Central Library. “Daal” means bean soup and “bhaat” means rice, so it’s like a Japanese set meal. Although Nepal is famous for curry, the dal bhat was not spicy at all and had a gentle flavor 😊 I was happy to finally try this dish, which a student introduced to me a few years ago ✨ For dessert, I tried ras malai (cottage cheese dumplings soaked in honey) for the first time and was surprised by how sweet it was! In Hachioji City, you can eat dishes from all over the world. The other day, I ate dal bhat at the Nepalese restaurant Naoya, located a five-minute walk from school alongside Hachioji Central Library. Daal means bean soup and bhaat means rice, similar to a set meal in Japan. Nepal is known for its curries, but the dal bhat was not spicy at all and had a mild taste 😊 I was glad to finally eat this dish that a student introduced to me several years ago ✨ For dessert, I tried ras malai (cottage cheese dumplings dipped in syrup) for the first time and was surprised at how sweet it was (laughs).

Japan has a deep rooted cultural heritage and the ethnicities of this country is versatile and beautiful. When my foreigner friends wore those vibrant and gorgeous kimonos they got so much appreciation from the people around them that was overwhelming. And yes it was also my first hand experience as a photographer too.. On that day we enjoyed a lot.

[English/Japanese] Hachioji has a market called the Hachioji General Wholesale Center. You can find rare fish and other items there. A shop specializing in halal foodstuffs is also available, making shopping convenient for international students. The school plans to visit this market as a field trip. Hachioji City has a market called the Hachioji Sogo Oroshiuri Center. Here, rare fish and similar items are sold. There is also a specialty store for halal ingredients, which is convenient for international students to shop at. The school plans to visit as an educational excursion.

Had a nice relaxing golden week and to finish it off I saw some carp streamers billowing in the wind at some park along the river near Kita-senju. Had some really nice weather the past couple days too, which was great. Hope everyone had a nice holiday/vacation!

[English/Japanese] May 5th is Children's Day. On Children's Day, people decorate the outside with fish called koinobori, or carp streamers. Koinobori are decorations that express wishes for children’s growth and success in life. The Asakawa River in Nishi-Hachioji is decorated with many koinobori carp streamers. The carp streamers flowing over the river are beautiful and very moving. It takes about 25 minutes to walk from the school, which is a bit far, but be sure to go and see them. May 5th is Children's Day. On this day, people display koinobori, fish-shaped carp decorations, outside. Koinobori are meant to wish for children’s growth and advancement in life. At the Asakawa River in Nishi-Hachioji, an event displays many koinobori. The stream of carp flying above the river is beautiful and very moving. It takes about 25 minutes on foot from the school; it’s a little far, but please go and see them.

A 300-year-old ginkgo tree at Kotokuji Temple in Akiruno City, Tokyo

Goshawks in Koganei Park. It is less than 20 minutes from the nearest station of the JR Chuo Line to Shinjuku, and although there are many users, there is a rich nature.

[English/Japanese] The Takao Komakino Garden is a 15-minute walk from Takao Station, the station next to Nishi-Hachioji Station where the school is located. Visitors can enjoy traditional Japanese gardens such as a karesansui dry landscape garden and ponds with Nishikigoi (Nishikigoi carp). The school plans to visit the garden in early summer as a field trip. This is Takao Komakino Garden, a 15-minute walk from Takao Station, the station adjacent to Nishi-Hachioji Station where the school is located. You can enjoy traditional Japanese gardens, including a karesansui dry landscape and ponds home to Nishikigoi carp. The school intends to visit as an early-summer field trip.

Went to Rikugien Gardens over the weekend! The weather was really nice and the flowers were beautiful. I was hoping to see the yukitsuri, but unfortunately they'd already been taken down. We bought some bikes recently so we decided to ride them to the park. It's been really nice to get a bit of a leg workout in instead of riding trains all the time. It was only about 25-30 minutes too and we were able to avoid all of the packed trains and get some fresh air. I was pretty happy that we got to see the popular view from the top of the hill 3rd photo. I've seen many photos of it before and finally was able to see it for myself. I never knew that the park had turtles in the pond either, so that was pretty cool to see. There were a bunch swimming all over the pond, sitting on rocks, etc. We managed to spot a crane as well, but it was in a spot were we couldn't really take a good photo of it so I decided to pass and just admire it without a photo. We stopped for a short break at one of the small cafes inside the park and got a quick snack. I'm not a fan of manju, but my girlfriend likes them so she got a coffee and one sakura manju. She seemed to like it, but decided to take off the flower from the top as she didn't want to eat the petals. The melon soda float was nice too. Definitely a nice place to visit and hoping to visit again in the fall to see the leaves after they've changed color.

Spring in Tokyo is a symbol of Japan I unintentionally released the shutter, the spring-colored city of Shibuya The pink nature of the city is still beautiful to look at. Location: Sakurazaka, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

This photo was taken in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. The Yae cherry blossoms next to the teahouse stood out and were beautiful.

Found a nice izakaya in Kanda today. The name is Kakuuchi Inagaki 角打 いながき. I think that's the reading for the kanji at least... The place had a really nice atmosphere and some really good food at very reasonable prices. I ordered the Saba no Shioyaki さばの塩焼き, salt grilled mackerel and it was really tasty and only cost 750 yen as well. Definitely a nice place to drop by for some after work drinks with a friend or coworker or just for lunch like I did. It seems like they serve nikomi and oden later at night as well, so if you like that I definitely recommend it.

[Englsh／日本語] Hachioji, where our school is located, is a city with a deep history. Here you can experience a variety of traditional cultures. Two students are holding kuruma ningyo (carriage dolls). School events offer experiences that let students engage with Hachioji’s culture as well as Japan’s. Hachioji City, where our school is located, is a historic town. Here you can experience many traditional cultures. The two students are holding “Kuruma Dolls.” School events provide opportunities to experience not only Japanese culture but also the culture of Hachioji.

Was nice weather over the weekend so I did a little exploring. Found this nice little temple near the Sumida River called Hozoin Temple 寳蔵院 in Arakawa. I wasn't sure where exactly I was allowed to go inside the temple, and I didn't have much time anyways, so I just took a peak through the gates and snapped a photo. It was a really quaint place and apparently it has some landscape paintings and itabi tablets. From what I saw, it looked like there was a garden across the ground. Maybe a rock garden or something of the sort, I wasn't able to get a good look at it though. The area around the temple was the hunting grounds of the Tokugawa Shogunate as well it seems. Pretty amazing to imagine there was enough greenery in the area to hunt in the past. Also managed to stop by a nice udon/soba restaurant for lunch. It was called Sunaba 砂場 I believe. I ordered the kamo duck nanban udon and it tasted great. Haven't had duck in a while, but it's always a treat. The lady taking orders was really nice as well. Overall a great place!

【English／日本語】 These are cherry blossoms at Shinshoin, a temple in Nishi-Hachioji. This temple was founded by the daughter of the famous warlord Shingen Takeda. Unlike ordinary temples, it features feminine decorations and a very glamorous atmosphere. Our school visits once a year. Before the visit, students study in class the tragic love story for which this temple was built. There are many historical buildings near the school. Nishi-Hachioji can be said to offer an excellent environment for learning Japanese. These are the cherry blossoms at Shinshoin, a temple in Nishi-Hachioji. This temple was founded by the daughter of the famous warlord Shingen Takeda. Unlike ordinary temples, it has decorations that feel feminine and is very ornate. Our school visits once a year. Before the visit, students learn in class about the tragic love story that led to the temple's founding. There are many historical buildings near the school. Nishi-Hachioji can be said to be a very good environment for studying Japanese.

One piece at Mejiro Garden Reflection on the surface of the water at dusk

Peeking into the Sky Tree from the cherry blossom frame The water bus that stopped at the Sumida River was also cherry blossom colored. Location: Sumida Park

It's finally starting to feel like spring. Loving the cherry blossoms around Tokyo already, it just needs to get a bit warmer. Temperature feels a lot more up and down this year, but maybe it's just my imagination. Hoping I can get out this weekend and enjoy some more views outside of Tokyo. I'm not sure how much the cherry blossoms have bloomed in Saitama, but I enjoyed seeing all the photos and videos of the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival. It's a bit too far/expensive for a day trip 6 hours on a train doesn't sound fun, but it'd be nice to see them one day. From my knowledge, the cherry blossoms tend to stay in bloom longer there so it'd be nice to see them eventually. Either way, I'm just happy spring is finally here!

[English/Japanese] The day before yesterday, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that cherry blossoms had bloomed in Tokyo. In Japan, this time of year’s weather forecast reports not only temperatures and conditions but also the status of the cherry blossoms. Hanami, a traditional Japanese event, began 1,300 years ago and is popular with foreign tourists. In this issue, we introduce hanami etiquette. 1 The star of the show is the cherry blossoms Cherry blossom viewing means eating and drinking under the cherry trees. Cherry trees are very delicate. When you eat, do not place a sheet at the base of the cherry tree. The base of the tree is where it breathes, so place your sheet away from it. Also, do not break cherry branches just because their blossoms are beautiful. Cherry blossoms decompose easily. If you break a branch, you may have to pay a fine for damage to property. Please be careful. 2 Park rules During holidays at this time of year, the number of people viewing cherry blossoms in parks increases greatly. Some parks are lit up at night and become popular date spots. Each park has different rules, so check the park rules before going to hanami. For example, some parks prohibit bringing alcoholic beverages, while others forbid the use of fire. Also, be sure to take your trash home and clean up properly before you finish your hanami. Even though it is spring, nights can get very cold, so bring warm clothing. 3 Cherry blossom motif goods Hanami is not limited to parks. During this season, you will see many cherry blossom–inspired decorations around the city and in stores. At cafes, you can enjoy cherry blossom latte art and pink cakes. At general stores, you can find products printed with cherry blossoms. Because they are available only during this season, they are popular as souvenirs. Look for them! Hachioji, where our school is located, has many famous cherry blossom viewing spots. Some parks are lit up at night, so be sure to visit them! Tokyo announced two days ago that cherry blossoms had opened, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. In Japan, at this time of year the weather forecast reports not only temperature and weather but also the condition of the cherry blossoms. The traditional Japanese event hanami began 1,300 years ago and is popular with foreign tourists. This time, we introduce hanami manners. 1 The cherry blossoms are the main attraction Hanami means eating and drinking under the cherry trees. Cherry trees are very delicate. When eating, do not place a sheet at the tree’s base. The tree’s base is where it breathes. Lay your sheet away from it. Also, do not break branches just because the blossoms are beautiful. Cherry trees rot easily, and breaking a branch can be punished as property damage with a fine. Take care. 2 Park rules On holidays at this time of year, the number of people enjoying hanami in parks increases greatly. Some places are lit up at night and become popular date spots. Park rules differ, so always check a park’s rules before having hanami there. For example, some parks ban bringing alcohol, and others prohibit using fire. Also, take your trash home and clean up properly when you finish. Although it is spring, nights can be very cold, so don’t forget warm clothing. 3 Cherry-themed goods Hanami is not only in parks. In this season you can see many cherry blossom–themed decorations around town and in shops. At cafes, try cherry blossom latte art and pink cakes. At gift shops, you will find items printed with cherry blossoms. Because they are seasonal, they are popular as souvenirs. Please look for them. Hachioji, where our school is located, has many famous cherry blossom spots. Some parks are lit up at night, so be sure to visit them!