Remembering Japan Winter Trip 2007: Tatebayashi, Chage & Aska Concert, & Hokkaido

I stepped off the bus from Narita Airport in front of Tatebayashi City Hall, where my sister was to pick me up. I was in a dreamlike state.





A statue of the badger, a symbol of Tatebayashi City. Japanese call the animal "tanuki." You will see more statues at Morinji temple, famous for the folktale "Bunbuku Chagama."



I soon recovered from my fatigue with a seafood lunch at "Shimazu."








What for dessert? Of course, strawberry shorcakes! "Fujiya" in Christmas mode reminds me of my childhood. Click here for a picture of their famous Strawberry Shortcake




Seafood dinner at "Sen no Mai."









"Itadakimasu" (I shall receive gratefully for my survival and pleasure...)


I don't remember the name of this big fish, but it was delicious.





Chage & Aska's Christmas concert in Yoyogi. Very popular musicians from my generation.





The hall was completely filled by the time the concert started.





Popular songs.

I am among the audience, sharing a great time.





This song "Onaji Toki Wo" in particular makes me feel that I am not that far away from Japan. Thank you, Aska, for writing this beautiful song.







Brave men cry, too.



They too were very young.




Another beautiful song Aska wrote.




And another...










This is New Year's Eve, and I'm at Kushiro Airport in Hokkaido.



As soon as I checked in my hotel, I was out to take a bus to "Tsurumi Dai" (Crane viewing platform). I won't forget seeing these magnificent birds in twilight for the first time. More images and an account of this experience are available in my first posting in January 2008.



The same night in front of JR Kushiro Station.



Around 11:30 p.m., I took a taxi from my hotel to Itsukushima Jinja (shrine) for the end-of-the-year ceremony with taiko drums and sake, and then "Hatusmoude" (New Year visit to a shrine or temple).



Despite the freezing weather, the place was lively with lots of people and the taiko drums.





A cheerful, friendly "miko-san" (shrine maiden), who served us warm sake.



I walked on a slippery road to a neighboring temple, which I believe was called Hongyou-ji. People were lining up for "Joya no kane," New Year Eve ringing of the bell at midnight.



It was past midnight. Now I had to go back to the hotel and get a good night sleep for a big adventure ...

I got up early on New Year's Day to take the only bus to be at Akan Tancho no Sato /Akan International Crane Center.



Yes, it's really, really, really cold.







From there, I took a taxi to Japan Wild Bird Society's "Tsurui-Ito Crane Sanctuary."











What a privilege it was to meet the chief ranger Mr. Otonari, who moved from Yokohama with his wife to live with the cranes and local people.



My plane from Hokkaido arrived at Haneda Airport, and my childhood friend and I were on the cell phones:

"Where are you?"

"Where are YOU?"

Then we almost walked into each other. How thankful I was even though she drives a little like a grand prix racer...

Highway.



On the Yokohama Bay Bridge.



Passing by Yokohama Minato Mirai...



Arigato, Tae-chan! Oyasumi nasai (Good night).



It is only because of the concerted effort of several people, including my husband, Taeko, and my sister, that this unforgettable trip to Hokkaido was possible. I can't list them all, but they know who they are.

Arigato gozaimasu.



More pictures to come.