Tiquer's Single-byte Diary

Train Trip to North India (Delhi ~ Bodh Gaya ~ Varanasi ~ Agra) (4 days)

2011-12-23T21:42:00.000+09:00

I posted in my own website. See http://tiquer.com/abroad/111017_India/index.html#tour2

Ajanta Ellora One Day Tour

2011-12-10T23:00:00.000+09:00

I posted in my own website. See http://tiquer.com/abroad/111017_India/index.html#tour1

Shikoku & Tokaido Bike Trip -- Day 10

2011-09-15T23:30:00.000+09:00

This morning I felt my body was not cured well. Seemed that compared to the long distance biking I had little time of sleeping. I forced my way back to Tokyo. Once arrived at the goal I could take a rest as much as I wanted.

I arrived at the goal, Nihonbashi (日本橋), the starting point of Route 1, at around 20:00.

When coming back home, compared to my ordinary biking, I easily found many parts of my body had problems. My eyes were very red and a bit bigger because dusts had been getting into them all the time while biking. My hip had many accumulated blotches. The biggest trouble above all was that my wrists had strange feeling of sensing. It seemed because the wrests kept absorbing shocks for ten days. I could not feel my left little finger when I move it up and down.

In spite of these physical temporary troubles it was a nice experience, especially the Shikoku part was.

Fuji river and Mt. Fuji (富士川と富士山)

A cycling road and Suruga bay (駿河湾)

Had a buckle wheat noodle and shrimp fritter (桜海老天そば)

Going up Hakone mountain

Arrived at Hakone pass! (The highest in this trip)

Visited Onshi-Hakone park (恩寵箱根公園)

Lake Ashi and pirate ship (芦ノ湖)

Otama no Ike (お玉の池)

Going Sagami bay area (相模湾)

Tokyo Tower

Finally arrived at the goal, Nihonbashi (日本国道路元標)!!!

Shikoku & Tokaido Bike Trip -- Day 9

2011-09-14T23:30:00.000+09:00

Since I knew that fact that the man I met the previous day came from Tokyo to Nagoya in one day, I revised a plan from spending three days (staying in Hamamatsu and Mishima), to two days (just staying in Shizuoka) to Tokyo. It would be possible if I bike 200km per day. Coming back to ordinary Tokaido, my trip purpose had changed from sightseeing to just a challenge.

Despite my decision, I visited Okazaki castle and Tokugawa Ieyasu museum. I spent more than an hour to repair my flat tire and buy a new spare tire in Hamamatsu. Taking a lot of detours was also time consuming. It was already dark when I was passing Sayo-no-Nakayama (佐夜の中山) pass. I couldn't see famous Ooi river (大井川) well. It might be better to travel more slowly like my original plan.

While Kobe, Kyoto, Nagoya have cheap guesthouses, Shizuoka city doesn't. I had to stay at an expensive but not not good quality accommodation.

Nagoya Castle (名古屋城)

Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮)

Okehazama battleplace (桶狭間古戦場)

Tomb of Yoshimoto Imagawa (今川義元の首塚)

Okazaki castle (岡崎城)

Tatsuki Shrine (龍宮神社)

Stature of Ieyasu Tokugawa (徳川家康)

Pacific Ocean again

Lake Hamana (浜名湖)

Misokatsu bowl (味噌カツ丼)

Shikoku & Tokaido Bike Trip -- Day 8

2011-09-13T23:30:00.000+09:00

Without sightseeing Kyoto I headed to east. From there was a trip of Tokaido to Tokyo. Instead I decided not to go Route 1 but chose a course of going lake side of Biwa (琵琶湖) and then to Nagoya.

On the lakeside cycling road, I met two cyclists who came from Nagoya. They said my choice was right. Suzuka course is smoggy and has nothing particular to see. One of them came from Tokyo to Nagoya in one day from midnight by cross bike. They said some braves can bike from Tokyo to Osaka within 24 hours including time of buying water and foods. I was impressed that there are more and more challenging cyclists.

That night I stayed at here a famous reasonable price dorm expecting meeting travelers. But the day they have only me in the dorm. Autumn holidays for students were over. Instead of seeing travelers I could occupy the large place alone watching Dragons baseball game program.

Arrived at Lake Biwa

Biwako Bridge (琵琶湖大橋)

Nagahama castle (長浜城)

A monument saying Mitsunari Isida born here. (石田三成出生地)

West Squad Base in Sekigahara (関が原西軍陣地)

Sekigahara battlefield (関が原古戦場)

East Squad Base in Sekigahara (関が原東軍陣地)

Going across Nagara river (長良川)

A facitily to dam water of Kiso river (木曽川)

Had curry noodle (カレーきしめん) for dinner

Shikoku & Tokaido Bike Trip -- Day 7

2011-09-12T23:30:00.000+09:00

This day was a cleaning day. I made a haste travel until now so that I can help my brother clean his room on Monday, a off-duty day for him. I arrived at his place in Kyoto-city (京都市). On the way, I bought arm covers to protect my arms from sunlight. It seemed too late because they already were filled with blisters, but better than doing nothing. I forcibly unveiled his bedding cloth which had been laid for years. The floor was almost rotten. I wiped many times until it became clean. In evening, him and me and my elder brother enjoyed talking at a restaurant near Kyoto station. I stayed at this cheap guesthouse.

Starting point of Route 2 and ending point of Route 1

500km to Tokyo

Toji Temple (東寺)

Shikoku & Tokaido Bike Trip -- Day 6

2011-09-11T23:30:00.000+09:00

Woke up at six thirty, I found my isotonic drink taste strange. As I opened the bike bottle, I found it was green by mold. It was because I forgot to wash the previous night. Capsule hotel is so dangerous that you cannot be away from your belongings. Because of this mistake, I had to drink isotonic drink without putting it into the bottle until the end of this trip.

After sightseeing Akou City, I basically went along with Route 2. It has, as well as other trunk routes, a lot of by pass. They allow only cars and prohibits bikes from entering, which forcing me to feel that I came back to the busy mainland. I like countryside, like Shikoku, which has little budget and no necessity to build bypasses.

On the day, I stayed at a guesthouse expecting to see foreign travelers. Unfortunately I was the only one customer because collage autumn holiday was over. The staff said the previous day had a lot of guests. We talked how interesting to communicate with foreign people on that night.

Visited Korakuen (後楽園)

Bullet train going across Yoshii river (吉井川)

Bizen potteries at a hall near Ibe station (備前焼伝統産業会館伊部駅前)

Entering Hyogo prefecture

Ooishi Shrine (大石神社)

Salt noodle (塩うどん)

Akashi municipal planetarium (明石市立天文科学館)

Akashi Chanel Bridge (明石海峡大橋)

Had a Western meal here

Shikoku & Tokaido Bike Trip -- Day 5

2011-09-10T23:30:00.000+09:00

Hiwasa, now called Minami-town is famous for tortoise spawning. The hotel I stayed last night has a name "Umigame-sou" meaning "Tortoise Hotel". Next to the hotel is a museum for tortoise. It was still seven, two hours before the opening time, so I left the small town heading to Tokushima city (徳島市). From Tokushima-city to Takamatsu (高松) was the same way as I drove this May. Setonai Sea (瀬戸内海), surrounded by islands, was silent and less impressive. I already missed the rough water of Pacific Ocean in Kochi. From Takamatsu I took a ferry back to Okayama. I said goodbye many times to Shikoku in my mind, on the ferry with viewing a sunset scenery of Takamatsu and a number of little islands.

In Okayama (岡山) I stayed at a capsule hotel. Because it was autumn vacation for university students, I met many young travelers there. One German traveler was searching a travel information of Kyoto from the next day. As a man who is from Kyoto, I made a 3-day sightseeing plan for him.

Tortoise at a tortoise museum

Oohama Beach (大浜海岸), famous for tortoise spawning

A hotel I stayed the prev night

Arrived at Tokushima city

Tokushima noodle at a famous shop

Tokushima central partk (徳島中央公園)

Crossing Yoshino river (吉野川)

Yoshino river

Entering Kagawa prefecture

Pine trees in Tsuda (津田の松原)

Add caption

Visited Ritsurin garden (栗林公園)

Ferry to Okayama

Good bye Takamatsu

Shikoku is disappearing...

Seto Bridge (瀬戸大橋) was over there

Shikoku & Tokaido Bike Trip -- Day 4

2011-09-09T23:30:00.000+09:00

I got up at six because this day I had to bike almost 200km. I was afraid biking in the dark in the country side. Weather forcast said this day was rain, but it didn't and rather sunny in the afternoon. From Cape Muroto to the border to Tokushima was the most impressive part of this trip. There were no houses, people. Just mountains in the west and wavy sea in the east. Cars and trucks just went through with high speed. The same scenery went on for 40km. I fully enjoyed Kochi coast line under the sun for two days since the previous day.

The hotel chapel with rising sun

Looking down Usa fishery port (宇佐漁港)

Niyodo River (仁淀川)

Kuroshio Line (黒潮ライン)

Katurahama (桂浜) with my bike

Aki cycling road (安芸サイクリングロード)

was broken by big waves...

Aki Dome (安芸ドーム for 阪神タイガース)

Had a bowl with minced fish and egg at a road station

Found an ad for a concert by a then popular composer.

A characteristic stone paved wall at Nahari town (奈半利町)

Arrived at Cape Muroto (室戸岬)

The observatory of the cape was for lovers...

Raging waves of Muroto

A scenery from Minami-Awa Sunline (南阿波サンライン)

Shikoku & Tokaido Bike Trip -- Day 3

2011-09-08T23:30:00.000+09:00

When rode on the bike and made the first pedalling, I felt pain around my hip. Biking two consecutive days made me already difficult to keep sitting on the saddle. Since this day until the end of the trip, I had to put my towel between my trousers and pants. Pain reduced but just halved. I biked slowly going downstream along Shimanto river as if I tried to get used to bike with pain. From Nakamura city to the hotel I biked along with Pacific Ocean.
At an ocean view bath of the hotel, I enjoyed talking with a motor-bike tourist who was retired but still energetically trains his body a few hours every day to keep his physical strength.

Canoe facility I stayed last night at Shimanto

Bridge broken by typhoon

Iwama Chinka Bridge (岩間沈下橋)

Under the bridge

Sada Chinka Bridge (佐田沈下橋)

Eel Bowl for lunch

West Tosa Park (土佐西大規模公園)

Going on and on Route 56

Looking down Pacific Ocean

This road was the best for biking in this whole trip.

Very tough Yokonami Kuroshio line (横浪黒潮ライン)

Shikoku & Tokaido Bike Trip -- Day 2

2011-09-07T23:30:00.000+09:00

This day's destination was a camping bungalow facility locating at Shimanto river (四万十川). I had to reach there before 17:30. At a MacDonald's in Matsuyama city, I got a flat tire for the first time this trip. Parking a bike at sunny place was likely a cause. After repairing it at a nearby bike shop, I had to go quickly to reach there. There were a number of nice scenery but I had no time to took pictures. This day I passed the highest mountain pass (390m) in Shikoku area and the second highest including whole itinerary next to Hakone in this trip, which was 390m high. The destination was near the border from Ehime prefecture to Kochi prefecture. It was countryside and relaxing place. Every students greeted hello to me. I took a bath at a nearby hot spring, where I made the first cloth washing; I had to wash every another day because I brought only two-day cloths to reduce my baggage. I had two glasses of beer at a local Chinese restaurant, which were enough to make me feel comfortable staying at a bungalow.

Dogo hot spring (道後温泉)

Botchan Train (坊っちゃん列車)

Ehime Prefecture Office

Sunset Line (夕やけこやけライン)

Going up Hiji River (肱川)

Fried rice at a local restaurant.

Shikoku & Tokaido Bike Trip -- Day 1

2011-09-06T23:30:00.000+09:00

I planned to use Nozomi (a Bullet train service) from Tokyo to Fukuyama at 6:00 but when I woke up it was already later than six.
I ended up using later Nozomi departing Tokyo at 8:30 instead. It took less than fours and arrived at Fukuyama at 12:14. From Fukuyama it will take 10 days to go back to Tokyo by bike.

The biggest mistake was that I could not give up Tomonoura (鞆の浦) even I woke up late.
Because I went to Tomonoura, it was already night when arrived at Shikoku so I had to ride in the dark to Matsuyama even the road is called (夕焼け小焼けライン) and should be famous for its sunset.

I arrived at a hotel near Dogo hot spring (道後温泉) at 22:00. Luckily the onsen was open until 23:00. I enjoyed the hot water so much. This hot spring has been popular since ancient before Nara period. A famous ancient poet Yamabeno Akahito (山部赤人) made a poem appreciating its healing power. With no transportation at that age, people had to walk to the hot spring. I imagine people felt far more healed after long distant travel by themselves, so did I after biking through Shimanami Street (しまなみ海道).

Scenery of Tomonoura from Iouji (医王寺)

Iouji Temple

Use a ferry to Mukaishima (向島)

Innoshima Bridge (因島大橋)

Ikuchi Bridge (生口橋)

Tatara Bridnge (多々羅大橋)

Oomishiba Brdige (大三島橋)

Hakata-Ooshima Bridge (伯方・大島大橋)

Kurushima Channel Bridge (来島海峡大橋)

Sun setting Setonai Sea (来島海峡)

Yabitsu Pass, My First Challenge

2011-04-17T23:30:00.004+09:00

Guess how long did I take to get the peak? (going up 659m in 11.7km (grade: 5.6%))
This site shows results of bikers ordered by time.
My time was 1h08m31.2s! Very slow! This was my first long ride this year, my physical condition was not good yet.
It was so hot in the beginning of climb but it got colder. I mistook in conditioning plan.

Had Sauced Raw Tuna here

Mexican Xmas Party

2010-12-24T12:31:00.018+09:00

I had a Christmas party with Mexicans. They cooked Mexican food eaten on Christmas occasion. They said they don't put chili or spice to keep dishes pure and white. A dish in a Japanese big pot is scrambled apple, pineapple and raisin, a very popular cuisine among Mexicans.

Thank you for invitation. Merry Xmas!

Kyoto Tour -- Day 4

2010-11-23T23:30:00.014+09:00

Enkou-ji Templ -- Shisen-do Temple -- Renge-ji Temple -- Sanzenin Temple -- Jissoin Temple -- Kyoto Station (23:20)itinerary

Enkoji (円光寺) was in fact the finest-view temple in this trip. I like this kind of miniascape than large and open space. On the other hand Shisend which I went next was not nice at all; just crowded with people.

I biked north to Rengeji (蓮花寺) and then visited Oohara by Kyoto bus.

Sanzenin (三千院) was also very crowded and not impressive at all.

Jissoin (実相院), having a lot of document on the last days of shogunate, was not look like a temple but rather like a historic site. The famous red leaf floor was truly reflecting light of the maple red from outside.

The old residence of Iwakura Tomomi (岩倉具視幽棲旧宅)

Lit up autumn leaves at Grand Prince Hotel

After this excursion, I helped my brother configure his computer he bought yesterday. I said goodbye at Marutamachi station, but he came to Kyoto station by his bicycle to see me off. Thanks my bro!

Kyoto Tour -- Day 3

2010-11-22T23:30:00.049+09:00

Kurama Temple -- Kibune Shrineitinerary

This day I woke up late because of the previous day I came back to the hotel late.

Eizan Train (叡山電鉄) going through maple leaf tunnel (もみじのトンネル)

Kurama-dera temple (鞍馬寺) was not so crowded because this day was not holiday and weather was not nice.

Me at Gikei-do (義経堂)

Kibune shurine (貴船神社)

貴船の川床

Kibuneguchi Station (貴船口駅)

This night I went to downtown to help my brother buy a laptop. It's the first time for him to have a computer. I let him come to my hotel room to do configuration. The mobile service didn't work at all. Connection was so slow that 500 kbyte data took 10 minutes to download. Having no solution, I taught how to email using computers at the lobby instead. It was midnight when he went back his home.

Kyoto Tour -- Day 2

2010-11-21T23:30:00.095+09:00

Myoshin-ji Temple -- Saga Shaka-do Seiryo-ji Temple -- Daikaku-ji Temple -- Jojakkou-ji Temple -- Houkyou-in Temple -- Tenryu-ji Templeitinerary

Myoshinji (妙心寺), the headquarter of Runzai sect (臨済宗), was one of the largest temple I have ever visited in Kyoto.

On the way to Daikakuji, was a good looking temple, Seiryoji (清涼寺).

Daikakuji (大覚寺) remains imperial atmosphere, because it had been Emperors' residence for a few times.

Jojakkouji (常寂光寺) was so crowded but red leave condition was nice. The one who provided me with an accommodation joined here.

Togetsukyo bridge (渡月橋) filled with people passing across Katsura River

Tenryuji Temple (天龍寺)

Okonomiyaki at ジャンボ

This night, I went to a drinking bar with my elder and younger brothers, enjoyed exchanging eath other's latest news. My elder brother pledged that he will pass national exam of salesperson. I also vowed that I will pass national exam of system architect.
After that, went to karaoke with my younger brother, sang until 2 o'clock AM.

Kyoto Tour -- Day 1

2010-11-20T23:30:00.086+09:00

Kyoto Station (08:00) -- Kyoto Imperial Palace-- Tofuku-ji Temple -- Sennyu-ji Temple -- Kiyomizu-dera Templeitinerary

Originally, I could not book hotel in Kyoto so I booked hotel in Osaka. A friend of mine, however, gave her reserved room near Kyoto Imperial Palace to me. I thank her so much.

Traditional music performance

Shishin den (紫宸殿)

Kyoto Imperial Palace was open to public specially and this day I enjoyed Heian tranditional music performance at Shunkouden (春興殿) place.

Obanzai lunch at 山ふく

I joined with my brother and went to Tofukuji Temple (東福寺) together

Sennyuji garden (泉湧寺)

Sennyuji (泉湧寺) was not crowded but its garden was far more impressive than Tofukuji. Red and yellow vivid colors of maple leaves were harmonized in the well-maintained zen-style garden.

Then I went to Kiyomizu Temple to experience how is lit-up temples. My brother didn't join since he knows it's too crowded. Maple leafs were not red. I felt a little tired after the excursion going up and down the hillside temple.

Udonsuki at 権太呂

Mt. Takao to Mt. Jimba

2010-11-14T23:30:00.001+09:00

I hiked from Mt. Takao to Mt. Jimba to enjoy red leaves, but this year, because of the hot summer, leaves were not so red. they were either a bit dark with small spots or already gone.

At the peak of Mt. Kagenobu (景信山), I had wild vegetable fritters and nameko noodle

Mt. Jimba (陣馬山) with Mt. Fuji

Medical Checkup at St. Luce's

2010-11-11T23:30:00.031+09:00

Took a medical checkup at St. Luce's International Hospital.
Very happy to find that cholesterol values ()have decreased into normal range of values.
They show that I have chronic gastritis so they told me to have gastric camera checkup every year.

Cycle Mode 2010

2010-11-06T23:30:00.001+09:00

I went to Cycle Mode, the largest bike exhibition in Japan, at Makuhari Messe.

Foldable bikes (very compact and easy to drag)

My bike, 2011 Model

Piccoro's bike shirts

Venue is about to close

When I visited last year, my knowledge about bike was little. As my knowledge and experience increase, I was able to enjoy the exhibition in wider ways. What I found this time again is that I like going somewhere far than a bike itself.
When I tried bike on a rollers for bike racers, I was able to keep myself biking for a while until finishing. I hope it means my hard training in summer has made my pedaling form good and balanced.

Wondering Tokyo Port Logistics Terminal Area

2010-11-05T23:30:00.001+09:00

I left office noon to take an exam related to my work at Kamata.

Had tuna bowl at Tsukiji before exam

I went through old Tokaido (旧東海道) from Shinagawa (品川) to Oomori (大森).

After the exam finished at 3:40, I strolled around logistics port area of Tokyo.

Oota Stadium (大田スタジアム)

Ooi Dock Central Seaside Park (大井ふ頭中央海浜公園)

Haneda Airport view from Jonan Seaside Park (城南島海浜公園)

At Jonan Seaside Park are fishermen putting rods into the sea upper than than land level. On the other side sees lit-up Haneda Airport across the sea. Very impressive place except for so many come-and-go trucks. Around Truck Terminal was so scary for bikes because most vehicles are big logistics ones.

Visited Okinawa First Time since Moved back -- Day 3

2010-10-25T23:30:00.202+09:00

After the wedding day, I took a day off to enjoy cycling in Okinawa to re-realize places I have visited in a different viewpoint.

I rented a bike at this shop (NPO法人しまづくりネット). They rented me very small mountain bike even I asked them to prepare bigger one since I am big. A colleague I dined with the previous night said Okinawa Ringyo (沖縄輪業) rent a cross bike even the website doesn't mention it. The shop opens at eleven so I would have to rent since the previous day if I had known of it. Anyways, I had to bike around Main Island with a small and slow bike.

Over the sea sees Ie Island!

Renaissance Beach

Manza Beach still has people enjoying swimming

Mangrove near Nature Mirai-kan (ネイチャーみらい館)

To goats: Maeda and Shiro

I was exhausted most when I was around Agena (安慶名) going towards the sea road. The day was so sunny and air was clear. It was nice for being able to see islands far away until horizon clearly, but the strong sun light stole my power so quickly that I had to supply as many as six bottles of isotonic drinks. I underestimated Okinawan sunlight so much; still strong even in the end of October. I got a cramp in my legs more than once. I guess I almost got heat stroke. I could not give up my initial motivation of biking through Sea Road (海中道路) which is unique scenery here.

Sea Road (海中道路) to Henza Island (平安座島)

Hamahiga Bridge (浜比嘉大橋)

On the way back, the slope of route 81 going up Nakagusuku Village very tough.
The choice of going through Pipeline Street (パイプライン通り) was a big mistake. It's a very steep up and down way. I passed some long-forgotten restaurants which I used a few times: Cafe Romani (カフェ・ルマーニ) and Bambohe (バンボッシュ) and so forth.

Today's dinner, Daito Soba (大東そば)

I became very dark skin in one day. It was a nice fulfilling cycling day after all.

Epilogue: I could not take hot shower next morning. Arriving at office, many colleagues surprised at my dark skin. At night, the first cold blast blown in Tokyo easily got me catch a cold. My body was not durable to the temperature decline from 30 degrees to less than 10 degrees overnight.

Visited Okinawa First Time since Moved back -- Day 2

2010-10-24T23:30:00.000+09:00

It was the wedding day. The weather was so fine as if it had celebrated the couple as well.

Harbor view from 12th floor of the hotel

Okinawan cuisine buffet breakfast at the hotel

Course menus in reception banquet

It was first time to attend Okinawan style wedding banquet. It lasted three hours with variety of performance by friends and family members. More than 180 relatives and friends of bride attended the party.

Thank you for inviting! Was so happy wedding!

Visited Okinawa First Time since Moved back -- Day 1

2010-10-23T23:30:00.012+09:00

I visited Okinawa first time since I moved back to Tokyo three years ago. This time was to attend then colleague's wedding.

I arrived in Naha at 18:20. I stayed Kariyushi Urban Resort Naha (かりゆしアーバンリゾート那覇) annexed to Tomarin (とまりん), the main ferry terminal of Naha.

Fried dry gluten set for supper at a canteen (軽食の店ルビー)

Cosmos at Arakawa Cycling Road

2010-10-17T23:30:00.002+09:00

On the way down to Kasai, I found cosmos in full bloom near the Sobu-Line bridge.

Nepali Restaurant

2010-10-02T23:30:00.006+09:00

Had dinner here. Nan bread was doughy and yummy.

Northern Tohoku Tour -- Day 6

2010-09-27T23:30:00.100+09:00

Mutsu -- Osorezan Temple -- Yagen onsen -- Cape Ooma -- Hotogegaura Coast -- Aomoriitinerary

The last day is a Shimokita Sightseeing day.

Water of Rejuvenation (若返りの水)

Passing Sanzu River (三途の川)

Osorezan Temple

The scenery of Osorezan is very unique. A beautiful lake of Usori, a number of hells made by volcanic hills, and the temple -- each of them makes up one mixed scenery which is hard to find anywhere.

Yagen onsen (薬研温泉) was a very adventurous hot spring for mixed bathing, exposed to the nature and the stream. Felt so good!

海峡いさり火公園

North end of Honshu (本州最北端の地), Hakodate (函館) is seen over the channel.

Tuna-only bowl (まぐろだけ丼) here

Luckily we can eat tuna fished in Ooma only in this season (from Septermber to December).

Hotogegaura (仏ヶ浦)

Good-bye Aomori!

When I returned the car, they demanded 21,500 yen for the front spoiler, which was the maximum price I had estimated. I was so discouraged and walked Aomori harbor and downtown fow a while before getting on the midnight bus to Tokyo.

Northern Tohoku Tour -- Day 5

2010-09-26T23:30:00.001+09:00

Miyako -- Jodogahama Coast -- Ryusendo Cave -- Kitayamasaki Cape -- Hachinohe -- Mutsu (stay)
itinerary

Jodogahama Coast (浄土が浜) was rough because of the previous day typhoon

Ryusendo cave (龍泉洞)

Kitayamasaki Cape (北山崎)

Kurosaki observatory (黒崎展望台より)

Sembei Soup (せんべい汁) here

Northern Tohoku Tour -- Day 4

2010-09-25T23:30:00.048+09:00

Tamagawa-onsen -- Hachimantai -- Morioka -- Miyako (stay)
itinerary

In the morning after checking out Tamagawa-onsen, I walked around the source of spring part.
There were tens of people: some were sleeping in the small sleeping place for bedrock bathing and others were laying down reading books sleeping on a mat they brought in.

Very active volcanic steam emitting from the rocks.

Hot Spring of Tamagawa-onsen (water amount is largest in Japan!)

I drove my car up to the Hachimantai Plateau. On the top, rain and wind got strong because of a reaching typhoon. If it were fine, I could see Hachiman pond and Gama pond. Instead, the following was the only one picture I took.

Peak of Hachimantai

After leaving Hachimantai quickly, I drove down to Morioka.

Had cold noodle (冷麺) here

I went to South-Morioka Shopping Center to buy a few pairs of socks at Uniqlo.
Then, I drove route 106 from Morioka to Miyako.

Many kinds of fish from Sanriku Sea here

After all, it was a rainy day without so much activities. Kind of a rest day.

Northern Tohoku Tour -- Day 3

2010-09-24T23:30:00.121+09:00

Juuniko Refresh Village -- Juuniko -- Lake Tazawa -- Mt. Akita-komagatake -- Tamagawa Onsen (Stay)
itinerary

Log houses in Refresh Village

Ao-ike (Blue Pond: 青池)

Wakitsubo Pond (沸壷の池)

Juuniko (十二湖) was for me the most disappointing place in the whole trip. Ao-ike was fantastic but overall every place was not so mysterious than Shirakami deep forest. I felt it was kind of typical place for sightseeing.

Driving through ocean-view Route 101

Driving through farming area

Arrived at Seven-color Tree (七色木) at Lake Tazawa (田沢湖)

Arrived at eighth station of Akita-komagatake (秋田駒ケ岳八合目)

Volcanoic part

Looking down the drive route to the station

Amida pond (阿弥陀池)

Way to Mt. Oname-dake (男女岳)

Reached the top!

Looking down Lake Tazawa (most impressive scene in this trip!)

Leaves already turned into red in highland!

Scenery of Akita-komagatake was one of highlights in the trip. Amida-ike, Lake-Tazawa, autumn leaves, alpine plants made it very impressive!

In the night I stayed at Tamagawa-onsen. I took the hot spring three times until midnight. The pure spring water is very acid (pH 1.2) but when it's hot you don't feel so stimulus. As it becomes cold in the air, you start to feel stimulus. You have to shower yourself before finishing bathing.
Many guests wore equipped bathrobe. It looks as if it were a hospital. Some stays many days to cure their body.
After a few days, I realized my skin became cleaner and felt my insides work fine. Even though those who studied medical science might not be able to explain, I can say the effect is real. I strongly recommend to visit this hot spring.

Northern Tohoku Tour -- Day 2

2010-09-23T23:30:00.112+09:00

Hirosaki -- Shirakami Mountain Area (Anmon Waterfall -- Tsugaru Pass) -- Juuniko Refresh Village (Stay)itinerary

Viewing Mt. Iwaki (岩木山) from the car

Stopped at a supermarket to buy foods for dinner

I visited Shirakami-sanchi Visitor Center, where they told me that Shirakami line is not paved and takes three and half hours and the way to Anmon Waterfalls was closed because of stone fall.

Third Waterfall of Anmon (暗門第三の滝)g

Second Waterfall of Anmon (暗門第二の滝)

First Waterfall of Anmon (暗門第一の滝)

Beech Forest of Shirakami Mountain Area

Had Shirakami soba at Aqua Green Village Anmon

Mother Beech Tree near Tsugaru Pass

From Anmon Waterfall entrance to Juuniko was unpaved way (called Shirakami line). I had to drive 42km through the road. It was just few days after hard rain and the road condition was not good. After the driving, I found the front spoiler had been removed somewhere in the line. It seemed that my car was caught in the dint made in the road made water of heavy rain. I was speeding a bit so when the car was bounding, the spoiler was damaged.

Tonight I stayed at a log house in Juuniko Refresh Village, where I realized I found seasoning and rice to cook here left home.

The two bad incident made me sad at the night. Went to a nearby onsen to comfort my feeling. Luckily it was a discount day for onsen fee.

Northern Tohoku Tour -- Day 1

2010-09-22T23:30:00.002+09:00

Aomori Station (08:50) -- Mt. Hakkoda -- Sukayu Onsen -- Oirase Gorge -- Lake Towada -- Hirosaki (stay)itinerary

Had a fried scallop menu for breakfast here

This time I used a very cheap rental car service. It's about 10000 yen cheaper than ordinary services; just 19000 yen for six-day rent and 2500 yen for optional navigation. The site was 3 km away from Aomori Station. The car stereo was broken and the navigation was attached low-quality small one. Everything cheap has its own reason!

Used city bus to go to rent-a-car place

Driving the used Funcargo I first visited Hakkoda.

Kayano Plateau (萱野高原)

Used Hakkoda Cableway (八甲田ロープウェイ) and enjoyed short hiking around Mt. Tamoyachi (田茂萢岳).

Sukayu Onsen (酸ヶ湯温泉)

I was afraid of feeling mordant because of its acid spring water before bathing, but I found it very nice. It was not stimulus too much but I felt it good for body. After bathing my skin was obviously smooth. While other hot springs I ever had might just have rather mental heeling effect, I can say this is real. It was first time for me to do mixed bathing as well.

Suiren pond (睡蓮沼)

Enjoy Oirase photos!

Turbulence of Asura (阿修羅の乱れ)

Ninety-nine Islands (九十九島)

Nine-column waterfall (九段の滝)

Choushi waterfall (銚子大滝)

When arrived Lake Towada, it was already sunset.

Lake Towada (十和田湖)

Special rolled sushi for dinner here

Fried Organic Vegetable with Curry

2010-09-14T21:00:00.006+09:00

Today I attended "Health Promotion -- Cooking Seminar" held by my company general affair sector. They said having five vegetables and two fruits per day (called "vege fru seven") is a key to a healthy balanced diet.
They gave organic vegetables: an egg plant, a potato, green peppers (a big and a small). I cooked them with pork and curry powder. Some Potato was hard because I didn't add enough water, but it was yummy.

P.S. one of the teacher was sooo cute!

Kasumigaura Cycling Road

2010-09-12T23:30:00.103+09:00

For muscle training and exercise I went to Kasumigaura by bike. My challenge was to bike 200 over kilometers in a day.

I went across many railways: Keisei Line, Musashino Line, Hokuso Line (Oomachi: 大町), Shin-Keisei Line (Kunugi-numa: くぬぎ沼), and Tobu-Noda Line. There were a lot of pear fields around this area. At a roadside station (道の駅しょうなん) near Teganuma Bridge (手賀沼大橋) sold many species of pears.

Tega Bog (手賀沼)

Passed Ootone Bridge (大利根橋)

Ushiku Bog (牛久沼)

Arrived at Tsuchiura Station (土浦駅)

Lake Kasumigaura (霞ヶ浦)

Kasumigaura Cycling Road (This went on for 50 kilometers!)

Kasumigaura Cycling Road (霞ヶ浦自転車道) is very nice. The road goes on a higher bank surrounding the lake so you can see the scenery of the lake and the farming fields everywhere on the road. I many times biked as birds flew parallel with me. Someday I would like to complete the cycling road round.

Stopped near Kasumigaura Aquarium (かすみがうら水族館)

Kasumigaura Bridge (霞ヶ浦大橋)

North side of the lake from the bridge

Road still goes on...

Shirahono yu (白帆の湯)

The hot spring has fine wide view of Kasumigaura. So nice to wash my sweat and heal my muscle.

I was so glad to see my weights was less than 70km first time in 10 years!

Kitatone Bridge (北利根橋)

I went back through Tonegawa-Suigo Line (利根川水郷ライン), which was too dark to see small pebbles on the road shoulder.

In this touring I had six bottles (3500ml) of sports drink and four rice balls except a dinner at the onsen.

The whole trip took 12 hours (10:00 AM to 10:00 PM).

(Exact start/end points omitted.)

Minobu Pilgrimage Tour

2010-09-05T23:30:00.007+09:00

I came up with going to Minobu-san Kuon-ji Temple (身延山久遠寺) using my last remaining Seishun 18 Ticket.

Shinjuku 09:02 -(Holiday Rapid View Yamanashi)- 11:17 Kofu
Kofu 11:33 -- 13:01 Minobu
 (Lunch) (Kuonji Temple visit)
Minobu 17:03 -- 18:15 Fuji
Fuji 18:31 -- 19:13 Atami
Atami 19:27 -- 19:32 Yugawara
 (Dinner) (Onsen)
Yugawara 21:45 -- 22:41 Ofuna
Ofuna 22:45 -- 23:32 Shinjuku

Had yuba set for lunch

Sammon (三門)

Cedar trees between Sammon and Bodaitei

Bodaitei (菩提梯)

Main Hall (本堂)

Memorial Hall for Founder (祖師堂)

Garden of Visitor's Hall

Writer's Room with the slogan, "Save Country with Right Teaching"

Five-story pagoda

Grave of St. Nichiren (日蓮聖人)

In the treasure hall, I observed so many well known historical figures including Emperors had transcribed Lotus Sutra (法華経), which is believed the supreme teaching of Buddha, believing the transcription itself provides ultimate merits.

I also transcribed an excerpt from Lotus Sutra

After visiting the temple, I moved to Yugawara to have dinner and onsen here. But the restaurant was full. I had to have dinner outside. With a map of tan-tan fried noodle, I tried to find a tan-tan noodle restaurant. But one was just closed because of food shortage, another was not open regardless of the written operation hour. The last one I visited is just closed because it's Sunday.
I had very bad feeling. I thought they are not eager at all to make this town famous by the noodle.
Finally I had a normal noodle.

Had normal noodle here

After all, I had to take onsen in just 40 minutes.

Reunion of music circle in college days

2010-09-04T23:30:00.015+09:00

I joined the party of a music circle I belonged in college days for the first time after I graduated.
I was a bit nervous to meet those who have not seen for a decade. But my worry soon went away. They were very kind and accepted me with highest hospitality.

We exchanged our latest news each other. Some still play in their band with the original members. Some created his own company. Some changed his academic career and just finished his medical doctoral course. One of the members is now a professional voice actress and a story writer. I heard that one then member has become a professional song writer.

My current occupation is not so bad, but I didn't make effort to seek what I really want to do and to make it. In my my latest news introduction, I realized what I can proud in my job is only the three-year career in Okinawa of doing a computer training instructor to foreign learners. I can honestly say that it's great pity not to do something related to music now.

Thanks to their kindness I had a great time with them. Hope I will see them again at the year-end party.

Thank you everybody! (at this shop)

BBQ at this shop

P.S Sorry for talking too much about conspiracy today even meeting after a long time.

One Day Trip to Urabandai by local trains and bike

2010-08-29T03:09:00.007+09:00

Ikebukuro 05:02 -- 10:38 Bandai-machi
Tour includes:
 Bandai-san Gold Line (磐梯山ゴールドライン) (70 yen),
 biking around Lake Hihara (桧原湖),
 Bandai Azuma Lake Line (磐梯吾妻レークライン) (90 yen), and
 Bandai Azuma Skyline (磐梯吾妻スカイライン) (150 yen).
Fukushima 18:49 -- 23:45 Ikebukuro

This time I went the furthest than the previous tours. I had only seven hours to go 120km with 2364m up in total. It was the most challenging tour. I became confident about my physical power because I was not tired at all in Kamikochi. At first my itinerary was in reverse order: from Fukushima to Bandai-machi, but thinking about the tough initial climb to Konroku pass made me afraid of getting tired going up 1600m from the beginning.

I could easily climb the gold line. Going around the lake was fun.

Bike towards Mt. Bandai

Kitakata noodle for Lunch at Urabandai Road Station

Aizu river flows into Lake Hihara

Bike around Lake Hihara

From the initial climb of Lake Line became very tough. I already ran out my energy by going up the Gold Line and going around the lake.

Lake Onokawa from the Lake Line

Lake Onokawa (小野川湖) and Lake Hihara over there

When I complated the Lake Line I already totally run out my energy. My muscle no longer kick pedals strongly. It was already four; only two and half hours to go to Fukushima Station, which I didn't know the location well. I had a choice to use Route 115 to Fukushima, avoiding the Skyline saving about 20km. But I was too childish to accept this workaround. My new challenge against time and my muscle began!

Going up the Skyline...

Arrived the highest point on 17:30

Mt. Issaikyo (一切経山) keeps fuming with sound

I was not in time but couldn't resist my desire to climb up Mt. Azuma Fuji, which crater was empty.

Mt. Azuma ko-fuji

Bleak landscape filled with volcanic gas

I went down the Skyline at highest speed. Climbed down 25km in 30min. Some part of the road had anti-snow equipment which shook my bile and made it out of control. I have I finally acquired some secret of how to go down mountain pass by bike. I arrived at Fulishima station at 18:45. Not enough time to pack my bike. But I don't want to bother train staff and passengers. I gave up the last local train and got on Shinkansen at 19:05. I was not sure where to catch the local train and bought Shinkansen ticket to Shin-Shirakawa, but I could catch it at Kooriyama. I paid extra 2010 yen...

This time I could not see Goshiki numa (五色沼) and I couldn't take a bath at a hot spring (あったか湯). I would like to revenge this road someday.

Day trip to Kamikochi by local trains and bike

2010-08-23T23:30:00.115+09:00

This time I didn't feel tough to go 1000 meter up to the destination, except for the last very steep Kama Tunnel (釜トンネル; 1310m 10.9%).
Kamikochi was nicer than expected. I wanted to stay one night just listening to the sound of the stream without thinking about daily life. Water of Azusa river was clear and yet still, because of its flat land form at 1500 meters above sea level. I think it's very noticeable characteristic which realize this unique scenery.
Taking the previous bitter experience of the way back from Oze last time into consideration, I left the site a bit earlier. I got soon stuck in a traffic jam. I thought it's because of the cars of the leisure visitors going back home. I was very worried about missing the last train from Matsumoto. After a while I saw police treating a car crushed on a mountain side. After passing the accident site, I could go smoothly down the mountains. I biked as hard as possible. It was just 6 minutes before when arrived at Matsumoto station. I had to pack my bike so quickly.
In fact I didn't learn so much from the previous lesson. Next time, I swear I should leave well before the train departure time.

Midono Dam (水殿ダム)

Kappa Bridge (河童橋)

Lunch at Kamikochi Alpine Hotel

Took a bath at Kamikochi Onsen Hotel

Kamikochi Imperial Hotel

Today's best photo!

Bare trees reflected on water surface

Monkey in bush

Taisho Pond (大正池)

Azusa River (梓川)

Good bye, Kamikochi

This time, my new challenge was to only depend on iPhone 4, which I bought this month, for confirming a train time table, gathering the site info, taking photos, checking the current location in a map, and so on. It was successful overall, except for the quality of camera; the lens cannot collect so much light that the green was not saturated, and the speed of loading and showing a downloaded PDF sightseeing map in iBooks; it could show the buffered image when launching the application.

Day trip to Oze by local trains and bike

2010-07-20T23:30:00.009+09:00

Itinerary

[Train] Ikebukuro 05:02 == Omiya == Takasaki == Minakami 08:13

[Bike] 8:45 Minakami (484m) -- r63 (Minakami-Katahina Line 水上片品線) -- Konroku Pass (坤六峠) (1626m) -- Hatomachi Pass (鳩待峠) (1588m) 12:35 (46.6km)

[Oze Hike] 12:40 鳩待峠 .. 山の鼻 .. 牛首 .. ヨッピ吊橋 .. 竜宮十字路 .. 牛首 .. 山の鼻 .. 鳩待峠 16:55 (19km)

[Bike] 17:10 -- (30.0km) -- 18:30 Hanasakinoyu 19:30 -- (33.4km) -- 20:50 Numata (334m)

[Train] 21:27 Numata == Takasaki == Akabane == Ikebukuro 24:20

Photos

Fujiwara dam

Konroku Pass (坤六峠)(1626m)

Oze (尾瀬) in a summer sunny day

Soup curry with local vegetable for dinner

The most challenging part of the travel was going up from Minakami station to 1150m upper Konroku pass. The road went along with an upstream of Tone River. The sound of water and number of a small waterfalls brought coolness and comfort to me. As it became higher, the road was apart from the river, only the sound of water was heard from distance. Even the mountain ridge appeared nearer little by little, I didn't feel the pass was closer. I was so tired and I had to push my bike many times. It was about noon when arrived the pass.
When I arrived Oze (Hatomachi pass) I already had muscle ache. Hiking in the bog was still fun. I enjoyed special local flowers, clear water of ponds reflecting mountains and summer sky, and bristle different types of grass. I walked until my feet got fully stiff. The last 1km to go up back to the entrance pass was so tough every step.
I lost my way for a while before arriving at the hot spring and didn't have time so I had a bath for only 10 minutes.
It was already night from the hot spring place to Numata station. Gumma prefectural roads 267 and 62 were so dark without any street lamp nor town light. I had to go in the darkness only by relying on my small LED front light. I frequently felt uneasy thiking about the possibility of having passed turning points.
Finally arrived Numata Station one hour later than estimation.
I still had more than 20 minutes time to pack my bike before the last train.

What I learned:

Finish biking before sunset in countryside.
Don't make a too tight schedule; you have to be time-pressed and hurry every moment.
The fact going up by bike takes double than going through a level road doesn't mean going down takes just half. You are not moving all the time.

Prime Minister Kan Naoto at Shin-Urayasu

2010-07-10T23:30:00.002+09:00

Mizumoto Park

2010-06-12T23:30:00.020+09:00

On the way, stopped in at Nishiarai Taishi Temple

Iris flowers are in full bloom

Gold fish in a fishery institute

Enjoyed cycling at the largest water park in Tokyo

After that I went to a nearby public bath. One thing I was annoyed was the behavior of kids: they were freely jumping in a bathtub, running here and there at a canteen. Their moms, enjoying chatting with other moms or addicted to handling cellphones, didn't taking care of their kids at all. The quality of the bath was nice.

Furukawa Garden and Rikugien

2010-06-05T23:30:00.022+09:00

Lunch at an udon restaurant

Furukawa Garden with Roses, (which are a bit overbloom)

Rikugien Garden

Splendid Performance!

2010-05-31T20:00:00.004+09:00

I like Mitsuko Uchida; each tone is clear and yet powerful, performance is emotional, and interpretation is very convincing!

Hakone Cycling

2010-05-17T22:30:00.010+09:00

Finally I achieved one of my dream "go over Hakone by bicycle", I went to Odawara by train carrying my bike an a bag.

Started at Odawara

Azalea (again) in Horai-en (蓬莱園), Kowakudani (小涌谷)

Highest point of National Route 1

Hakone Shrine

Lake Ashi from a road

Today's lunch was wakasagi soba

Going through Sengokuhara

Scenery of Lake Ashi, Golf courses and Mt. Hakone from Nagao pass (911m high)

Very unfortunately, couldn't see Mt. Fuji clearly because the light was from behind

Mt. Fuji from Ashigara pass (759m high)

Prefectural Route 78 (a road to Ashigara pass) was so steep that I had to walk my bike up.
After the pass the downslope was so steep as well that I had to break almost all the time. After going down the pass, Route 78 in Kanagawa side was so nice. It's straight and going down but not so steep; Transportation is no so much.

Sunset of Sakou River

I went back from Shin Matsuda Station. It was very tough. I biked 84.49km and passed the three mountain passes... I was so tired. I don't wanna do this again for a while :P
What I find today is , it's gradient, not altitude, which counts.

Kyushu Tour -- Day 6

2010-05-09T23:00:00.001+09:00

Homemade Yogurt with soy powder, green tea powder, blueberry jam, citrus jam and banana inside

A fairly maintained garden of my Family home.

Sakurajima erupted and my car was heavily covered with ash.

Kyushu Tour -- Day 5

2010-05-08T23:00:00.032+09:00

Express Hayate arrived at Karegawa Station

Hisatsu-line (肥薩線) was build inland to avoid canons in Japan-Russia war, according to my dad.

Kirishima-Jingu (霧島神宮) shrine

Kirishima soba here

Prayed at the power spot of the former Kirishima Shrine

Ebino Plateau (えびの高原)

This night we enjoyed BBQ at Family home garden.

Kyushu Tour -- Day 4

2010-05-07T23:00:00.043+09:00

Kumamoto Castle

After visited Kumamoto Castle, I decided to "revenge" Aso, since the forecast said afternoon would be fine.

Wide view of the field of Daikanbo

Today volcano activity was very active. Shortly I felt sick and coughed a lot. Just after I saw everything, the danger level shifted to the maximum and everybody including the staff evacuated from the crater.

Komezuka

This day, I saw my dad for the first time after six years in Kagoshima. Here are what he told me:

Don't change your mind easily; strongly stick to your belief: apologize sincerely if you find it wrong,
Don't speak of a taboo topic even to your close friends, even if it might be true.
Have natural salt, sesami, and use G.U.M before tooth-brushing.

Kyushu Tour -- Day 3

2010-05-06T23:00:00.014+09:00

Colorful azalea (tsutsuji) on the hill of Twister-Hell (Tatsumaki-Jigoku), Beppu

Driving Yamanami Highway.

Kokonoe "yume" big suspension bridge

After a while stated raining, so I just went to Aso-shrine: I gave up going to Mt. Aso and Takachiho...

Aso Shrine in rain

Kyushu Tour -- Day 2

2010-05-05T23:00:00.038+09:00

Dazaifu-Temmangu (大宰府天満宮)

I'm very impressed at the fact that they gathered many additional place, an amusement park for kids and even a national museum next to Dazaifu. The main street to the shrine was crowded lively with those who enjoy souvenir shopping.

Kinrinko, Yufuin

Yufuin has so many foreign visitors, mainly from Korea and China. I think here already has become too famous and lost its isolated feeling.

The room in Suginoi Hotel, Beppu was unnecessarily gorgeous. This hotel also had a lot of foreigners.

Kyushu Tour -- Day 1

2010-05-04T23:00:00.030+09:00

Sara-udon (Chinese hotchpotch with crispy noodles) at Kotoki (紅灯記)

Statues of saints left broken and meltdown, damaged by the atomic bomb, at Urakami Cathedral

Sunset scenery of Kuju-ku_Islands (九十九島) from Ishidake observatory (石岳展望台)

Mizutaki at Iroha (いろは)

This day was on the very day of Hakata-dontaku but I missed it because I spent a lot of time for a trip to Sasebo...

Sakura coming into bloom

2010-03-22T23:02:00.001+09:00

Sakura near my place started to bloom 6 days earlier than average year.

Sakura at Zenkoji-river Greenbelt (善福寺側緑地: Zenkoji-gawa Ryokuchi)

Inokashira-pond (井の頭池)

Starting point of Kanda-river (神田川)

Saigoyama Park (西郷山公園: Saigoyama-koen)

Had char-grilled chicken here

Biked along R134

2010-03-21T23:30:00.000+09:00

I went to Enoshima and Kamakura to practive composing/decomposing my bike and putting it into a carry bag bought few months ago.

Took more than one hour to decompose and put into a bag the first time for practice.
I realized that a stand should be removed as well. I decided not to bring the stand.

It was already 14:00 when arrived at Katase-Enoshima Station.

Composing my bike at Katase-Enoshima Station

I didn't master how to set the rear wheel yet so I had to struggle at the windy station for a while. I lost a tiny spring, a part of a stabilizer of the rear frame after using only once.

Today was so windy that I could see a lot of splash of sea waves from above the cliff of Enoshima Island. The wind was so strong (30 meters per second!) that I once couldn't kick the pedal and had to get off on the flat road of Enoshima shopping mall.

Me in Enoshima

I biked along Route 134 from Enoshima to Kamakura. It was sandy and I sometimes cannot open my eyes well. The condition was bad, but I found riding different place is very fun. Imagine the first pedaling when you rent a bike at a sightseeing place and the bike is yours! The wind followed me strongly on the way so I could go faster with passing so many jammed cars. I enjoyed it very much.

Big Buddha in Kamakura

Kawagoe Visit

2010-03-13T23:14:00.006+09:00

I went to Kawagoe by Seibu Shinjuku Line.

Semba Toshogu (仙波東照宮)

Go-hyaku Rakan (五百羅漢: Five Hundred Ahrats) in Kitain (喜多院)

View of Edo (江戸図屏風) in Kawagoe City Museum

This panel places Kawagoe Castle in the upper right; the distance of Kawagoe-Kaido is omitted to show the castle in the view of Edo indicating the importance of the city at that time.

Old style houses remain since before W.W.II

Toki no Kane (Bell of Time) rings electrically at 18:00.

Next time I would like to go by bike.

Year-crossing touring 2009-2010

2010-01-02T23:28:00.015+09:00

This is the year-end and new-year touring by bicycle.

Dec-30 (43.9km) Home -- (Route 20, Route 411) -- a friend's place in Hachioji .

Dec-31 (65.2km) His place -- (Route 20 (Ootarumi Pass), Lake Sagami, Lake Tsukumi) -- My relative's place .

Ootarumi Pass (Border between Tokyo and Kanagawa) --- the highest place I ever pass by bicycle (392m); very tough with my hybrid bike.

Katsuse Bridge (勝瀬橋)

Border between Kanagawa and Yamanashi.

Year-crossing noodles for lunch.

Sagami River

Lake Tsukui (津久井湖)

Jan-02 (74.5km) My relative's place -- (Yaen Kaido --- Tama Cycling Road) -- Kawasaki Daishi (川崎大師) -- Home .

Tama Cycling Road

Tama River

Kawasaki Daishi Annex for praying transportation safety --- wanted to pray for bicycle-riding safety but gave it up because they said it costs 5000 yen.

Kawasaki Daishi (川崎大師) --- very crowded. Had to wait the queue before making a new year praying

Yakushi Hall of Kawasaki Daishi --- contrary to Main Hall, there were only few people. Could confortably make a wish.

On the way back, Tokyo Tower showed 2010 on its digital displays.

Cycle Mode 2009

2009-12-14T00:57:00.000+09:00

I went to Cycle Mode 2009, a biggest bicycle exhibition, like a motor show, at Makuhari Messe.
(I forgot to bring my camera...)
I test-rode a few bikes: a few rode bikes, a recumbent, and a battery bike.

Now that bicycle is very in fashion, there are so many visitors that sometimes I have to wait for tens of minutes for a ride. What I newly know today is that Bridgestone established their brand, anchor, and Daisuke Imanaka, the first ever Tour-de-France Japanese rider, founded his new trading company Interfax to introduce really nice bikes and parts to Japanese riders.
I hope Japan will become nice country for cyclists and recover Japanese self-sufficiency ratio of bicycle.

Ostrich presenter demonstrated how to disassemble a bike and put the parts into a carry bag (輪行袋). It was easier than I imagined. I'm sure I will buy a bag. I might also buy a helmet; OGK's helmet is designed for Japanese.

Those who I went with were far more knowledgeable and interested in bikes. They said they would come to the show again.

After that I had Japanese sake with them. I like Denshu (田酒) for its standard taste.
Dassai 23% (獺祭磨き二割三分) was super rich.
I thank them for inviting me for the show and drinking!

Table Event Handler

2009-12-10T23:54:00.015+09:00

I made a code to handle button events and click event to edit the contents set to an SWT TableViewer. Sadly, however, my code was not adapted to my project officially.
I would like to put it here after generalizing confidential parts.

All you have to do is to create your own inherited handler by overriding newTableElement() and editTableElement() methods and set the table and the buttons to your handler.

package com.example.dialog.handler;

import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;

import metamodeling.generic.kernel.UMLNamedElement;
import metamodeling.generic.kernel.UMLNamespace;

import org.eclipse.emf.common.util.EList;
import org.eclipse.jface.viewers.DoubleClickEvent;
import org.eclipse.jface.viewers.IDoubleClickListener;
import org.eclipse.jface.viewers.ISelectionChangedListener;
import org.eclipse.jface.viewers.IStructuredSelection;
import org.eclipse.jface.viewers.SelectionChangedEvent;
import org.eclipse.jface.viewers.TableViewer;
import org.eclipse.swt.events.SelectionAdapter;
import org.eclipse.swt.events.SelectionEvent;
import org.eclipse.swt.widgets.Button;
import org.eclipse.swt.widgets.Shell;

public abstract class TableEventHandler {

   private Button        newButton;
   private Button        editButton;
   private Button        removeButton;
   private Button        upButton;
   private Button        downButton;
   IStructuredSelection  selection;
   TableViewer           viewer;
   List<Integer>         indexes = new ArrayList<Integer>();

   public void setNewButton(Button newButton) {
       this.newButton = newButton;
       this.newButton.addSelectionListener(new SelectionAdapter() {
           public void widgetSelected(SelectionEvent e) {
               newTableElement();
           }
       });
   }

   public void setEditButton(Button editButton) {
       this.editButton = editButton;
       this.editButton.addSelectionListener(new SelectionAdapter() {
           public void widgetSelected(SelectionEvent e) {
               editTableElement();
           }
       });
   }

   public void setRemoveButton(Button removeButton) {
       this.removeButton = removeButton;
       this.removeButton.addSelectionListener(new SelectionAdapter() {
           public void widgetSelected(SelectionEvent e) {
               removeTableElement();
           }
       });
   }

   public void setUpButton(Button upButton) {
       this.upButton = upButton;
       this.upButton.addSelectionListener(new SelectionAdapter() {
           public void widgetSelected(SelectionEvent e) {
               for (int i = 0; i <= indexes.size() - 1; i++) {
                   getElements().move(indexes.get(i) - 1, indexes.get(i));
               }
               viewer.setSelection(selection, true);
           }
       });
   }

   public void setDownButton(Button downButton) {
       this.downButton = downButton;
       this.downButton.addSelectionListener(new SelectionAdapter() {
           public void widgetSelected(SelectionEvent e) {
               for (int i = indexes.size() - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
                   getElements().move(indexes.get(i) + 1, indexes.get(i));
               }
               viewer.setSelection(selection, true);
           }
       });
   }

   private EList<UMLNamedElement> getElements() {
       return ((UMLNamespace) viewer.getInput()).getTheContainedElements();

   }

   public void setViewer(TableViewer viewer) {
       this.viewer = viewer;
       viewer.addSelectionChangedListener(new ISelectionChangedListener() {

           public void selectionChanged(SelectionChangedEvent event) {
               if (event.getSelection() instanceof IStructuredSelection) {
                   selection = (IStructuredSelection) event.getSelection();
                   if (selection.size() < 1) {
                       if (editButton != null)
                           editButton.setEnabled(false);
                       if (removeButton != null)
                           removeButton.setEnabled(false);
                       if (upButton != null)
                           upButton.setEnabled(false);
                       if (downButton != null)
                           downButton.setEnabled(false);
                   } else {
                       if (upButton != null && downButton != null) {
                           indexes.clear();
                           for (Object each : selection.toList()) {
                               indexes.add(getElements().indexOf(each));
                           }

                           if (indexes.get(0) > 0) {
                               upButton.setEnabled(true);
                           } else {
                               upButton.setEnabled(false);
                           }
                           if (indexes.get(indexes.size() - 1) < getElements()
                                   .size() - 1) {
                               downButton.setEnabled(true);
                           } else {
                               downButton.setEnabled(false);
                           }
                       }

                       if (selection.size() == 1) {
                           if (editButton != null)
                               editButton.setEnabled(true);
                           if (removeButton != null)
                               removeButton.setEnabled(true);
                       } else if (selection.size() > 1) {
                           if (editButton != null)
                               editButton.setEnabled(false);
                           if (removeButton != null)
                               removeButton.setEnabled(false);
                       }
                   }
               }
           }
       });

       viewer.addDoubleClickListener(new IDoubleClickListener() {

           public void doubleClick(DoubleClickEvent event) {
               if (event.getSelection() instanceof IStructuredSelection) {
                   selection = (IStructuredSelection) event.getSelection();
                   editTableElement();
               }
           }
       });
   }

   protected Object getFirstSelectedElement() {
       return selection.getFirstElement();
   }

   protected abstract void newTableElement();

   protected abstract void editTableElement();

   protected void removeTableElement() {
           getElements().remove(getFirstSelectedElement());
   }
}

My Girl (2)

2009-12-02T00:56:00.000+09:00

After a little investigation, I know that the composer of the song "My Girl" respects KAN very much.
http://www.tadashinya.com/profile.html

I guess that's why the melody makes me feel nice.

My Girl

2009-11-30T23:32:00.002+09:00

Very nice song!
In my opinion, the consonant-emphasized vocal rhythm is originated by Kazutoshi Sakurai (桜井和寿), who is truly genius. I like this rhythm.
It's after I sang along with the subtitle that I know it's a song for his important person who passed away. I hope they (嵐) will sing this song in Kohaku (紅白) :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxQM6ywiJa4

So Many Typos

2009-11-29T23:52:00.001+09:00

It's a menu of a buffet at the top of Mt. Mitake.

Mt. Mitake

2009-11-28T23:38:00.007+09:00

I went hiking at Mt. Mitake (御岳山) for the first time.

Leaves are not red in city of Tokyo yet now; a few had red leaves and the others didn't have leaves already in this highland.

I visited Musashimitake-jinja Shrine (武蔵御岳神社). They say the name "Musashi" is derived from the legend that Yamatotakeru (日本武尊) built a warehouse (蔵) of his weapon (武) at the top of this mountain when he conquered the east of Japan. This mountain has been a spiritual center of Musashi region since that age.

After visiting the shrine, I enjoyed hiking around Rock Garden area.

Ayahironotaki waterfall (綾広の滝)

Rock Garden was very healing with the harmony of mossy rocks and clear water of upstream. I like it very much. I enjoyed sightseeing and trekking so much today.

Newly Translated Books on Music Theory

2009-11-23T22:45:00.004+09:00

I went to Maruzen (one of the largest book stores in Japan), where I found
a few attractive newly translated books at a music book section.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/ピストン-対位法-分析と学習-ウォルター・ピストン/dp/4276105641/
and
http://www.amazon.co.jp/ピストン-デヴォート和声法―分析と実習-ウォルター/dp/4276103215/
They seem nice to me because they proceed explanations by referring to real works by great classical composers instead of using mechanical (boring) examples.
When I learned chord theory, I naturally made it by playing many Japanese pop songs by guitar.
Similarly, I should learn harmony and counterpoint by real works which I like.
Now I like all Invention works by Bach. I would like to appreciate them deeply using these books.

At the store, I also find this book but didn't buy it neither. I had only 2,000 yen at the time :P

[references]
One pity thing is there are too few translations for Japanese.
The Three Books by Piston
Harmony (Walter Piston)
Counterpoint (Walter Piston)
Orchestration (Walter Piston)
Schoenberg Books
Theory of Harmony (Arnold Schoenberg)
Fundamentals of Musical Composition (Arnold Schoenberg)
Other
Counterpoint (Kent Kennan)
At a glance, the last one seems very nice; it cites a lot from Inventions.

Cooked Tomato Spaghetti for the First Time

2009-11-22T21:55:00.004+09:00

Cut three tomatoes and put directly into a pan.
Boil with minced onion and garlic.

After that, I fried a minced chicken with olive oil and finally mixed them with boiled spaghetti.

I cooked without checking recipe so much so I was sure it's not yummy. But it was not so bad than it looks:) Probably tomato ketchup I put at last helped me a lot...

Ideally, I should have put to something green, like Italian parsley.

Explanation Skill

2009-11-21T22:16:00.002+09:00

They are ready-at-hand five tips from what I'm studying through this book.

1. Speaker's Request and Listener's Benefit

   +--------------------+
   |Intention of Speaker|
   +--------------------+
             V
   +--------------------+  +-------------------+
   | Action to Request  |<-| Scientific Ground |
   +--------------------+  +-------------------+
             V
   +--------------------+
   | Benefit/Disbenefit |
   +--------------------+

   Listener is motivated by benefit/disbenefit, not by scientific ground.

2. Goal, Challenge and Problem 
                       +-------+   +--------+
                     +-|Problem|---|Solution|
         +---------+ | +-------+   +--------+
       +-|  Issue  |-+
       | +---------+ | +-------+   +--------+
       |             +-|Problem|---|Solution|
+----+ |               +-------+   +--------+
|Goal|-+
+----+ |               +-------+   +--------+
       |             +-|Problem|---|Solution|
       | +---------+ | +-------+   +--------+
       +-|  Issue  |-+
         +---------+ | +-------+   +--------+
                     +-|Problem|---|Solution|
                       +-------+   +--------+
Issue  (課題): Something good to achieve
Problem(問題): Something bad which should not happen

3. Goal, Target and Policy

          +---------+   +---------+   +---------+   +------+
        +-|  Issue  |<--|  Issue  |<--|  Issue  |<--|Policy|
+----+  | +---------+   +---------+   +---------+   +------+
|Goal|<-+
+----+  |                                           +------+
        +-------------------------------------------|Policy|
                                                    +------+
Target(目標): (quantitative) target to achieve each challenge
Policy(手段): One of several ways to choose from to achieve a goal

4. 5W1H

Who
Why
Where
What
When
How
Whom
How much

5. Use, Function and Mechanism
   Three viewpoints usable when explaining a machine, or software.

When I wrote this, I found table-mode very useful.

This Is It

2009-11-20T23:30:00.003+09:00

I watched the movie tonight. It's a movie but I felt as if I had enjoyed a concert.
He already had so much experience in a large scale performances and so talented in music that he could picture how each intention would work in the real live and he could make precise decisions about tempo, echo, and lighting effects, based on his own imagination. His all decisions were very understandable for me through the screen.
Despite his age, his vocal was still powerful and clear. The performance in "Billy Jean" was so amazing even though it was a rehearsal.
No one can tell how he feels now for not being able to make it happen and instead being prevailed through this documentary format, but one certain thing is that he has become a legend.

As he wanted to do so, he gave audience extraordinary experience.
I forgot things happened in my job and became happy tonight. Thank you, MJ!

Word 2003 XML and Eclipse Compilation Problems.

2009-11-17T01:16:00.002+09:00

Today I processed one small customer support incident. I have to fix a MS Word document with too wide tables exceeding the paper width that is auto-generated using Word 2003 XML technology.
It was because the tables included too long words without any line break and occupied much space.
I found tag makes tables fixed-width and forcibly put such words within the width.
See http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa174899(office.11).aspx

It was easy until finding the solution and revising the source code. The following tasks of compiling it and generating its installer was unexpectedly troublesome.

At first I had to spend some time to configure JET.

[A Project] -> [New] -> [Other] -> [Java Emitter Templates] -> [Convert Projects to JET Projects]

[A Project] -> [properties] -> [Jet Setting] -> [Source Container]: gensrc

Secondary, I faced a version mismatch problem between eclipse subversive and client svn.
The project was checked out using subversive, which the build script is supported by another svn client program to write in a release version number.
The solution was written at http://subversion.tigris.org/faq.html#working-copy-format-change.
I had to downgrade some working copies I checked out using the latest subversive.

$ python change-svn-wc-format.py [working copy folder] 1.4

Very tricky! Even though subversion is so widely used, there are many different distributions which bother engineers around the world.

My Annual Study Plan

2009-11-16T00:27:00.065+09:00

Being already bored with Dragon Quest IX, I guess it's time to organize what I have to and would like to study now.
(Declaring this kind of commitment in public is nice to force yourself to do something.)

Eclipse-related technologies: EMF (Eclipse Modeling Framework) is heavily related to my current work. I would like to study basically based on this book or it's original. Having no experience of developing a plug-in, I need to strengthen this knowledge at the same time. It's a long way to go. I hope this book will be a nice guidebook.
Junit: I borrowed a book titled Eclipseプラグイン開発 (translated from "Contributing to Eclipse") by a co-worker, to cover knowledge of so-called agile software development and extreme programming. Having an opportunity of developing an Eclipse plug-in, I would like to experience test-driven development using Junit at the same time.
Frameworks: During I was in Okinawa from 2005 to 2007, software development style had very changed powered by many open source standard frameworks: Struts, Spring, and OR Mappers. At first, I should understand the mechanism how each framework works. I think then I can easily comprehend each component of terasoluna and how it collaborates with the others. A training course I took in last week was very awakening. I think now I can remake an e-tendering system, which I have refined little by little in my Okinawan career, as pilot web system with Struts, Spring and Hibernate using Domain Modeling.
Architecture: I join a study meeting on domain-driven design (DDD). The initial reason I joined the meeting was to get connected with those respectable co-workers highly skilled in software architecture. We have been reading the book (now we are at around p.100) through the meeting. Discussion with the informed engineers is very stimulus. At the same time I'm reading Pattens of Enterprise Application Architecture (PoEAA) to know the position of Domain Modeling among the several patterns in more general point of view.
Non-technical skills: The second branch is perhaps rather the more important for me. When analyzing a software/refinement requirement, my thought often goes beyond my assigned issue and gets disordered, blur and I miss critical points. In a last meeting of some requirement analysis, when I was still considering a solution for a issue, the other members were waiting for me to move on because they knew the issue was already solved. Even though I thought I managed to get by only with my own way of thinking so far, I realize I badly need a skill of critical thinking. If I can organize and simplify my thought, I can be more productive because I can cut off time to think about unnecessary topics which are not expected by my stake holders.

What I wrote here requires me a lot of time and energy. But there's no turning back. I deleted an onigiri game, which is very addictive and have robbed me of enormous amount of time, from my PC. I would like to establish a schedule how to proceed. I would like to do them in parallel not to be bored with a single subject quickly.

Restarting Blog from Today!

2009-11-15T23:50:00.016+09:00

I had a dinner at a near-by French restaurant, MACHON. The main dish, a cocotte of cod and potato from Hokkaido (真だらと北海道産じゃがいものココット), was very yummy. The third picture is it.

Reached the target score in my TOEIC.

2009-03-31T01:02:00.000+09:00

Finally my TOEIC score reached the target I had set long time ago.

I was so delighted when I found it!

In fact my score didn't improved so much since last time, but the fact just reached the target itself is important for me. Now I temporary am having positive feeling when writing in English:)

Soon after that, however, I lost my bicycle keys (very sad...) My hapiness didn't last long.

test

2009-03-28T01:15:00.005+09:00

this is my first blog in the blogger.

how does it look like?

Older posts are at http://www.tiquer.com/blog/.