Oyakuyoke Hachiman Sama Iyo Ozu

Today I went to Hachiman shrine in Iyo Ozu
to have my bad luck taken away due to my age. The arrow is a good luck charm.

Iyo Ozu Hanami

Hanami at Iyo Ozu Castle Ehime

ShioKaze Express

The salt wind train from okayama to uwajima with anpanman decoration and anpanman chime

Okamoto Sensei retires

Asahi High School Okamoto Sensei Retires

Today Asahi high school's art teacher Okamoto Sensei retired so the school orchestra played the school song and many students and staff formed a guard of honor as he left the school.
He is a very respected member of the Asahi High School staff by the students and teachers of Asahi High School.

Hanami

Hanami has reached Okayama

Set lunch

Kite artist Tetsuya Kishida - The Japan Times

Kite artist Tetsuya Kishida - The Japan Times

Okayama Shorinji Zazen Macha and Manjyu

After Zazen practice at Shorinji Temple in Okayma, the Hanayama family shares macha and manjyu with us. Great way to start a Saturday morning. Zazen, maccha and manjyu. The sweetness of the manjyu goes so well with the bitterness of the macha.

AED everywhere in Japan

Bento

The family is down in Ehime visiting Baba and Jiji, so I'm on my own. Therefore my first self made bento. It tasted OK.

Shingokan Mitsuishi Sunday Practice

Shingokan Karate Sunday all day practice. Once a month the Shingokan GojuKai karate group gather to practice at Mitsuishi in Okayama Prefecture. We use the local budokan. Check out the flexibility of the students in the background of the first photo. On the left is Hanshi Fushimi. 2 hours of kihon followed by 2 hours of kata then a short nomikai afterwards.

Fukuyama Castle from Fukuyama Train Station

Oyamazumi Jinja

Shimanami Kaido

Inushima Ohashi
Ikuchijima Ohash
Tatara Ohashi

Today I rode two thirds of the Shimanami Kaido, amazing scenery, something I have to do again.
Oyamazumi Jinja and museum was also good.

White Day

White day men give to women, valentines women give to men

Crow Castle

View on the way to work

Ushimado Icecream

Ushimado Olive Garden icecream

Seto Uchi Art Museum

Salt Project Hana Version

Okayama Pref Library Is great

Spent a very enjoyable Sunday afternoon in the Okayama Prefecture library. Hana and Tamara were able to participate in a book reading session. There is a also massive collection of English  language books both: fiction and nonfiction.

Japanese NomiKai

Had a great time at the Asahi High School Graduation Staff Celebration.
Ive been to many nomikais over the years but this was the best.
Speeches were short but heartfelt, the teachers enjoyed each others company, at the end of the nomikai there were two songs performed by staff: a solo and a duet. There was also a performnace of the schools Cheer by an ex student now teacher at the school.

Please Step Gently

Kurashiki Hina Matsuri