The FIFA World Cup has been very exciting now! Unfortunately, Japan lost the game, but I was very proud of our players. They played with great spirit and teamwork, and they gave us many unforgettable moments.
The rainy season has finally ended in Japan. It is so hot every day now.
Here are some of my memories from June.
<Rosa & Berry Tawada ↑
On the way to Hirugano Highland, I stopped at Rosa & Berry Tawada, a famous English garden in Maibara City, Shiga.
Just as I had heard, the beautiful garden was full of roses and many colorful seasonal flowers. I also rode a small train up to the hill, where I found some lovely places with wonderful views.
For lunch, there was an all-you-can-eat with fresh vegetables. We only had one hour, but since I love eating, I had plenty of time to enjoy everything!
I would love to visit again.
＜My Stay in Hirugano Highland
This time I stayed there by myself, so I enjoyed doing many things at my own pace. ↓ This is the view from the front of my lodge.
Thirteen years ago, the metasequoia trees were very small. Now they have grown into beautiful, tall trees. Every time I visit, I am amazed by how much they have grown.
I visited Kiyomi town in Takayama City and picked fresh lavender.
I also had lunch at my favorite restaurant, ↓"Financier," which has recently reopened.
One morning, a friend who lives nearby invited me for breakfast.↓
Later I enjoyed a lovely dinner with six local friends. We had delicious grilled eel (unagi) and tempura while chatting and laughing together. It was a wonderful evening.
<⛩ Chikubu Island
On my way home, I finally visited Chikubu Island, a small island in Lake Biwa that I had wanted to visit for a long time. It took about 30 minutes by boat from Nagahama Port. As soon as we arrived, I saw a long, steep stairs. To be honest, I was a little nervous! There were many people older than me, and some were even using walking sticks. Everyone climbed slowly and carefully because the island is famous as a spiritual power spot on the hill.
I visited beautiful shrines and national treasure buildings while enjoying the wonderful view of Lake Biwa.
<My 73rd Birthday
My husband, my son, and I went to an izakaya called "Uoden," which is owned by one of my former students. I thought it would be a quiet family celebration, but the owner had secretly invited two more former students.
They prepared many wonderful surprises for me. We enjoyed a large sashimi boat, fried oysters, sushi, several kinds of tuna dishes, and finally a beautiful birthday cake and delicious desserts.
It was the most luxurious birthday party I have ever had. More than happiness, I felt amazed and deeply grateful.
I also received lovely birthday cards from my friends and my grandson.
They made me very happy.
< A Wonderful Gift of Eucalyptus
I love flowers and trees that can be dried and used as decorations, especially eucalyptus. Near my house, there is a home with a beautiful eucalyptus tree. Every time I walked by, I thought, "I wish I could have some branches."
One day, the owner happened to be outside, so I gathered my courage and asked him. He smiled and said, "When it grows too much, I just cut it down and throw it away. You're welcome to have it." A few weeks later, he sent me an email saying, "I cut the branches today. Please come and take them." I was so excited to bring home some beautiful eucalyptus branches!
< Goodbye, My Dear Cat Mii
This month, our beloved cat Mii passed away at over 23 years old. That is more than 108 years in human years, so she died peacefully of old age. My eldest daughter found her under a bridge when she was a tiny kitten. She became good friends with our Shiba Inu.
When she was young, she loved climbing high places, chasing crows, and catching geckos and newts.
My husband took care of her almost every day. Even now, he sometimes calls her name, "Mii," without thinking. It makes us a little sad.
We thanked her for giving our family so much love and happiness for more than 23 years.
During her last four days, ↓she stopped eating and drinking and became very thin.
Even so, she kept to stand and was trying to walk until just before she passed away. She showed us what a peaceful and honorable life can look like.
Thank you, Mii. We will never forget you. On the day Mii passed away, my grandson drew a little star and put it on the calendar.
He wanted to remember that special day. His kind gesture touched all of our hearts. Thank you for reading about my June.
My family and I are doing very well. I turned 73 on June 10. Time seems to pass so quickly! I am actually much more active and energetic than I ever imagined I would be at 73.
At the same time, I have decided to simplify my life. I closed one of my exercise classes and reduced the number of newsletters and blog posts I write. I plan to make my English blog posts shorter from now on.
Now, let me share some highlights from my May.
<Carp Streamer Festival
In Japan, May 5 is Children's Day. Traditionally, families display colorful carp streamers called koinobori to celebrate children's health and happiness.
Nowadays, fewer families put up large carp streamers at home. Instead, my city, Takatsuki, holds a festival where about 1,000 carp streamers are displayed over the Akutagawa River.
The weather is usually beautiful at this time of year, so my husband and I have a picnic lunch and enjoy the festival every year.
<A Day in Kyoto with My Grandson
I took my grandson to Higashi Honganji Temple in Kyoto, a place I often visit.
( He has become good at taking pictures.) ↑？
Since it was his first visit, everything seemed exciting to him. He quietly put his hands together in prayer inside the huge temple hall and happily ran along the wide wooden corridors.
Later, we searched for four-leaf clovers in a clover field at the edge of the garden. To our surprise, we found the biggest four-leaf clover I have ever seen in my life! We both jumped with joy.
After that, we went to Kyoto Tower. My grandson enjoyed looking through the telescopes on the observation deck. I looked away for just a moment, and I suddenly realized he was gone! I walked around the circular observation deck several times looking for him and became quite worried. Fortunately, I found him near the stamp station.
Next, we took the subway to head back toward his house in Matsugasaki. Suddenly, the trains stopped running. The person sitting next to me said that this train wouldn't start moving again for about an hour, so we went up to street level. I thought we could simply take a taxi, and everyone else had the same idea. Taxi after taxi passed by without stopping. As I was holding my grandson's hand at a busy intersection, it started to rain. I was close to tears. After about ten or twenty minutes, an elderly taxi driver finally stopped for us. My grandson looked at him and said, "He looks like God." I completely agreed.
<Lunch with Former Students
Every year around this time, I have a lunch gathering with many former students. Some people who missed last year's reunion were able to join us this year, and we had many lively conversations. They will all turn 65 this year.
During lunch, they decided to visit my lodge in Hirugano Highlands at the end of August. I often invite people to the lodge, but this was the first time some of them agreed immediately and even chose the date on the same day!
<Strawberry Picking
Every year, my daughter, grandson, and I go strawberry picking together. This year it was difficult to find a suitable date, so we went at the end of May. There were still plenty of strawberries, but I felt they tasted better earlier in the spring.
By May, strawberries are no longer at their best. Even so, we each ate around forty strawberries!
<A Solo Trip to Nara
I recently took my fifth overnight trip to Nara. I invited my husband and daughter, but our schedules did not match, so I went alone by car. Traveling by myself gave me the freedom to explore wherever I wanted, and I had a wonderful time. First, I rented an electric bicycle and spent about three hours visiting famous sites such as Mount Wakakusa, Nigatsudo Hall of Todaiji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
In the evening, I returned to a beer hall that I had visited before and enjoyed a set menu with several different foods and drinks. Everything was delicious.
The next morning, I walked around Sarusawa Pond early morning and practiced my breathing exercises. Several deer stood nearby and watched me quietly.
Around lunchtime, I picked up my friend at Yamato-Koriyama Station. Together, we enjoyed lunch at a French restaurant ↓
and visited Isonokami Shrine.
< Omihachiman Guide
At the end of May, I attended my high school reunion. About 130 classmates gathered for the event. The next day, eight classmates who had come from the Kanto area wanted to visit Omihachiman. I offered to drive and show them around.
It was the first time most of them had visited Omihachiman, and they were delighted with the experience.
In Japan, we are now enjoying one of the most comfortable seasons of the year. After the cherry blossoms, wisteria flowers bloom, and many beautiful flowers can be seen everywhere.
Now, I would like to share my highlights from April.
＜ Libera
I went to a concert by Libera, a boys’ choir from England.
When I was a junior high school student, I watched a movie about the Vienna Boys’ Choir, and since then I have loved boys’ voices.
(This photo is from the official website ↑)
Even now, I often go to their concerts. This time, I bought a good seat, but it was on the second floor and far away, so I could not see their faces.↑
However, the sound was very clear, and their voices were beautiful.
I listen to their music every night before going to bed. It always relaxes me.
The cherry blossoms along the Nagara River were in full bloom, and we drove through a tunnel of cherry blossoms.
I really enjoyed the cherry blossoms again this year.
“Kodakara Onsen.”↓ had once been closed, but it reopened with support from crowdfunding.
It is now cleaner and more stylish. We love this hot spring very well.
(↑ This photo is from the official website )
I also enjoyed a delicious grilled eel bowl in Takasu town. The eel was freshly prepared and very tasty. ↓
In Hirugano, there was still some snow in the shade, but it was a perfect season for walking. The fresh green leaves and spring plants made me feel refreshed.
（Butterbur sprouts ）
On the way back, we had lunch at a restaurant in Omihachiman City where my second daughter works.
↑From the large windows, I could see cherry blossoms and Lake Biwa. It was a very beautiful place.
（Carpet of cherry blossoms↑）
<Watching a play
I went to see a play performed by a senior colleague.
My friend is three years older than me, and her performance, including long lines and local dialect, was wonderful. I couldn’t stop clapping.
This time, I also had the opportunity to support a blind woman who was looking forward to the theater performance. It was my first time doing this, but her charming smile and her “thank you” made me truly happy.
< Sore throat
Maybe I worked too hard taking care of my grandson with all my heart and soul, and I caught a cold again. I had a slight fever and then a bad cough. My sister told me that in our family, we often get sore throats when we are tired. I realized that we may have a weak throat as a family trait.
<Trip in Shiga
I stayed at my eldest daughter’s guesthouse, “Horitei 8” in Omihachiman City with some friends from Nara. We also visited a historic house named Nisikawa Jingoro’s Residence↑ and learned about its history.
<Grandson
I take care of my grandson every month.
He draws pictures for me. “Today, I’m going to draw your smiling face, Nosarin,” he said so casually—and got right to work. And the composition is always the same.
Right in the center… me! Around me are himself (on the left), his dad, his mom, his uncle, and Mi (our cat)…And for some reason, a tiny little grandpa tucked in there too (his usual spot!)
This time, he even added pink to the eyes. Looks like his style is getting more fashionable! Anyway, I somehow always stay in the center. I was glad to see that.
And recently he wrote his name for the first time.
<Baseball
The professional baseball season started in April. I enjoy watching games almost every day and cheering for the Hanshin Tigers and the Los Angeles Dodgers. It brings energy to my daily life.
Hello everyone! How are you? In Japan, the cold winter has finally come to an end, and the cherry blossom season is over.
This year’s Sakura were, as always, breathtakingly beautiful.
I hope you enjoy reading about my highlights from March.
🎿 A Longtime Dream Come True
I took a break from my studio and online exercise classes to join my grandson’s family on their first visit to the Hirugano ski resort. This was actually a long-held dream of mine. Thirteen years ago, we built a small lodge in Hirugano. In summer, it is a cool and refreshing paradise, but in winter, it becomes a quiet world covered in snow.
When I was a high school student, I joined a ski trip for the first time and fell in love with the crystal-clear scenery of white snow and blue sky. I remember thinking, “One day, I want to ski with my family.” That dream came true. Then I had another dream: “To ski with my grandchild one day.”
❄️ First Snow Experience in Hirugano
It was a 3-day, 2-night stay, and we were lucky to have wonderful weather. At the “Kids Land,” which felt almost like a private playground, my grandson had so much fun sledding and riding a snow bike. It was their first time seeing snow, and they were absolutely thrilled.
My husband and I also did a little skiing.
We think our grandson will want to try skiing next year, so we practiced a bit in preparation. For that, I need to keep my legs strong and healthy!
🌄 Bokka no Sato
On the afternoon of the third day, we visited Bokka no Sato during the winter season. The weather was perfect again, and we could clearly see the beautiful mountains— Mt. Hakusan, Mt. Bessan, and Mt. Dainichigatake. It was such a breathtaking panoramic view. My daughter’s family was also amazed and excited. I truly wish you could all see it too.
🦀 Crab Trip
We stayed at our favorite inn, “Kouya.” My husband has been visiting since he was 22 years old—that’s 53 years ago! And I have been going there for 45 years since we got married. It has been a very special family tradition, and we used to visit almost every year until COVID-19 happened.
The cheerful and warm landlady, who felt like another grandmother to us, passed away three years ago. We felt a little sadness, but the delicious crab and warm atmosphere remained the same, which made our hearts feel full.
And this time, I am proud of myself! For many years, I had the bad habit of eating too much crab and not being able to sleep…But this time, I managed to enjoy everything in moderation, and even had crab rice and miso soup for breakfast! ↑
The next morning, we took our usual walk along Satsu Beach and did radio exercises. And of course, I also collected a year’s supply of pinecones in the pine forest!
🏯 Izushi & Eirakukan Theater
On our way back, we stopped by Izushi as usual. We enjoyed the famous “Sara Soba,” and this time, we also took a relaxing walk around the old town. We visited the historic Eirakukan Theater, which has recently gained attention as a filming location for the movie Kokuhou. Even on a weekday, it was lively and full of visitors.
Many people seemed to be on an “excursion” to the film location, and everyone looked very excited! My son and I, who had seen the movie, kept saying, “This is that scene!” My husband, who hasn’t seen it, was also very interested.
We fully enjoyed the oldest traditional theater in the Kinki region.
As for the soba, we chose a restaurant called “Katsura” from among about 40 options. We waited for 30 minutes—quite rare for us—but it was absolutely worth it! It was the most delicious soba we’ve ever had.
＜My Grandson Learned to Ride Without Training Wheels＞
My grandson’s training wheels are finally off. On a peaceful riverside along the Kamogawa in Kyoto, watching him practice with his dad was so heartwarming that I found myself replaying the video over and over again. We had even borrowed the campus of Kyoto Institute of Technology (sorry about that!) to practice. So I had been thinking, “It’s only a matter of time,” but…
To our surprise, he managed to ride all by himself without anyone holding the bike even once.
Kids these days learn so quickly, probably because they grow up riding balance bikes without pedals. When we were children, there were no bikes made just for kids. We used to ride big, heavy bicycles, pedaling while standing. The joy and excitement I felt the moment I first learned to ride is still vivid in my heart even now.
< Punch-kun >
Lately, I watch a monkey named Punch-kun from Ichikawa City Zoo on Instagram. Once you start watching, you just can’t stop!
Thank you for reading today as well. I hope you’ll enjoy next month’s highlights too!
