It has been snowing since last night, and the snowfall continues. Despite the weather, I went for a walk to Lake Megami on Sunday morning, December 22nd. The crunching sound of the snow under my footsteps was so satisfying—it made the walk even more enjoyable.
After my walk, I shoveled the snow from the driveway and walkway around my house three times on Sunday.
I woke up to a snow-covered morning on Saturday, November 30th.
Inside my house, the temperature was minus 3 degrees Celsius, while outside, it was a chilly minus 6 degrees. With the wind, however, it felt more like minus 10 degrees. This morning, I shoveled the snow from the walkway and cleared the outdoor deck.
Tabby is enjoying the perfect cozy atmosphere. He loves warmth and comfort, especially when the weather is cold, like this morning. Here is his favorite spot to see outside.
This morning, a couple of centimeters of snow blanketed the area around my home. Inside, the temperature dropped to -1°C, while outside it was a freezing -10°C. Despite the cold, the skies were clear, and the crisp, cold air was refreshing and invigorating.
This morning, I took a walk to Lake Megami, just 20 minutes from my home. The crisp crunch of snow underfoot and the calm, serene atmosphere made for a truly peaceful experience.
A month ago, I moved to Tateshina, a stunning region in central Nagano Prefecture known for its lush green mountains and serene natural beauty. My home is located in Yakkano Tsusujigaoka (八ヶ野つつじヶ丘), in the southern part of Tateshina, at an elevation of 1,500 meters. The area is rich in wildlife, with deer, ferrets, pheasants, and other animals frequently spotted nearby.
Close to my home, you’ll find Lake Megami and several family-friendly ski resorts. This region is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering year-round opportunities for hiking in the warmer months and winter sports when the snow arrives. It’s truly a place where nature can be enjoyed in every season.
After demolition and removal original wood deck.
The foundation and Framing for the deck
Almost complete, it took a month and a half.
Thanks for the weather cooperating on the day, Saturday, June 1st. Sachi and I enjoyed craft beers, food, and stage performances, including music, dancing, etc.
The ten craft beer stalls were lined up to serve unique taste beers at each stall. My favorite is a Haze IPA, it has a nice flavor and bitter taste.
The Thousand Cherry Blossoms Festival at Ueda Castle Ruins Park is truly a sight to behold! With approximately a thousand cherry trees now in full bloom, it’s an experience that takes your breath away. Walking through the park amidst the beauty of the cherry blossoms, both during the day and at night, is simply enchanting.
In Japan, spring holds a special significance, beginning around April. People nationwide eagerly anticipate the blooming of Sakura, or cherry blossoms, following the cold winter months.
Cherry blossoms, with their delicate pink petals, carry profound meaning in Japanese culture. They symbolize the beauty and fragility of life, deeply ingrained in the hearts of the Japanese people for centuries.
These blossoms serve as a metaphor for life’s transient nature, reminding us to treasure every fleeting moment. Their brief yet stunning appearance during Sakura season is a poignant reminder of this fleeting beauty.
Food stalls line up in the park during the festival.
I enjoy playing tennis and socializing with the H Juku Team members on weekends.
We had a celebratory party last weekend for one of our team members who graduated from high school and is now moving on to college in the Kansai region, Japan.
Spring is a time of goodbyes as well as a time to make new acquaintances, which graduation ceremony is held in March and the entrance ceremony is held in April across Japan.
Looking forward to new beginnings!
I would like to put my insight into the Japanese public education system based on my firsthand experience as a public elementary school teacher in Japan since July 2022.
In many schools today in Japan, there’s a noticeable shift towards praising schoolchildren to facilitate their growth, rather than scolding them. This approach, often dubbed “praising education,” isn’t inherently flawed. Praising Education involves positively reinforcing kids, which can nurture and uplift them.
When schoolchildren show good behavior in their schoolwork and activities, they’re rewarded with praise, which seems to bolster positive actions. However, on the flip side, negative behavior tends to be overlooked, almost as if it never occurred. This poses an issue where misconduct goes unaddressed, missing valuable opportunities for timely correction and education. Consequently, schoolchildren may not learn the crucial skills of problem-solving and conflict resolution. These are responsibilities that educators, parents, and educational institutions should address with sharing information. Essentially, educators should teach students what they can and cannot do.
As a result, schools overlook significant opportunities to teach their students vital skills such as navigating challenges, problem-solving, and developing resilience. This encompasses what is commonly referred to as “critical thinking,” which I personally translate to Japanese as “生きる力.”
What would you think about this?
This is how Japan welcomed New Year’s Day, what a terrible way to start this year, 2024. A powerful earthquake struck the Noto peninsula, central Japan around 4:10 pm on New Year’s Day, and it triggered a Tsunami on the coastline. Official says over 250 people have been confirmed dead, with 26 individuals still unaccounted for as of Tuesday. Additionally, about 16,000 people are currently residing in emergency shelters.
Severe winter weather has struck the Kanto region and central Japan this week, including the Noto Peninsula, which was among the areas most affected by the earthquake and tsunami. In the Kanto area, unprecedented snow accumulation of 20 centimeters has disrupted all transportation systems.
Meanwhile, the Noto Peninsula, one of the areas most devastated by the earthquake and tsunami, remains a major concern. Many elderly individuals in the evacuee centers have suffered from hypothermia.
Furthermore, the extent of the damage in this region remains unknown due to cut-off roads caused by landslides or infrastructure damage, compounded by heavy snowfall. This situation makes it challenging to provide essential aid, including water, food, medicines, and other daily necessities. Another significant concern is the potential deterioration of hygiene in shelters due to the lack of running water for toilets.
As of Today, over 37,000 households are still without water after the Noto Penisula quake. Over 100 workers from across the country are scrambling to fix it. But officials say complete recovery won’t happen until April at the earliest.
I believe in hoping for a speedy recovery for the resilient people who are facing these challenges.
Yesterday, on January 14th, I visited the Monji-no-Yu, Kakeyu Onsen in the small Onsen village. The overnight snowfall turned the area into a picturesque winter wonderland. Kakeyu Onsen is renowned for its therapeutic benefits, particularly for alleviating back pain, soothing joints, and treating rheumatism.
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