Golden Week 2 - Retro Yamanote

Plans to motor bike to the beach went astray with the bike having a flat battery. Hiro shakes his head in dismay at the bike and wonders how he was ever seduced by the darkside - buying an American bike rather than a Japanese one.  It's not the most reliable piece of machinery ever... but never mind...
We ended up at the bike shop rather than the beach.  But, there was a definite upside  - I finally got to see the retro all green Yamanote line train.  The Yamanote line has been a "limey green" since 1963 - the train below is a 50 years commemorative train.
Better than the beach!


 

 

 

Golden Week 1 Chichibu

On Friday I took advantage of the Golden Week respite and took up the intrepid Rurousha on a suggested visit to Chichibu. I'd been there before, but not really been there temple hopping. It's one of Japan's more famous pilgrim circuits, but it's a place that there is very little English information about.  It's a very pleasant Tokyo day trip, or weekend or even a few days.    Thanks Rurousha for being so organised with maps and planning.  My effort is bread rolls and chilling the umeshu... Tune in to her blog if you want to learn anything about the place.

Kumagaya station - I've been told Kumagaya is one of the few places in
Japan where you don't have to actively look for trouble to find it.
The Chichibu line crosses the JR Takasaki line / Joetsu line at Kumagaya

As is often the case the human wildlife is as notable as
anything you might find in the forest...  This couple was
decked out in hikers uniform. (In Japan there is a common perception
that unless you have all the gear, you can do a hobby adquately.
I am not sure that microfibre leggings, hiking books, walking sticks,
strap on waterbottles etc are all that necessary for a stroll along a walking
path... but never mind..

Retro Chichibu line

Hagure station on the Chichibu line

Places in close / walkable proximity of Hagure station

Can't go on a trip without photographing the drain covers.

Very thoughtful labelling of the ways to the temples.
fortunately we didn't need to rely on English - especially
when you have a walking companion who is extremely adept
at planning and the use of google maps.

A Japanese version of a Tim Winton novel.  Wisteria draping over
the front fence and clothes hanging on the line.

White and purple wisteria, no pink.  It is abundant in the mountains here.
I don't think I'd ever considered wisteria as a plant that could grow naturally somewhere...

Beautiful Bamboo behind sho rin ji
Check ruruosha.blogspot.com for photos that might
come close to doing it justice.

Considering it was a national holiday, not a whole lot of
people about.

The map of the area

The fishing pond was peaceful, but more people than most places we came across.
Catching fish in a fishing pond seems a bit like baiting goldfish in a fish tank....
maybe I miss the point. 

Cheerful spring flowers

More hiking

More drains

Another 31 temples left on this pilgrim trail..

A cheerful start to the day

 

The other day walking up the stairs at one of the places I teach... I spotted a rainbow.  No stained glass, just a rainbow seemingly of its own volition -   a cheerful start to the day. 

 

 

The new school year

The other night I was invited to a rather fancy welcome dinner at one of the universities I am working at this year.  The view was impressive. The food was impressive. The open bar was impressive.  Four universities, three welcome parties (National universities can't afford welcome parties).  All of them impressive in their own ways.
I wish universities could also have impressive administration that accurately disemminated information about things like whether the class on the timetable was first years or second years, English majors or English non majors, a writing class or a speaking class, grading each semester or grading for the whole year.  The golden rule is fast becoming.... check with the students.... sigh....