Takao-san, Sunday April 25th

This week our Sunday outing was to Takao-san within the city limits of Tokyo. The weather was perfect, sunny, not too cold, not too hot. Climbing Takao-san felt more like a stroll in a busy park, the path was paved and it was packed! We decided to continue on to the next mountain which was not as busy. We followed a beautiful little path down the other side of the mountain to a nearby river and lake.






Surprise meeting with two Gaba coworkers at the top of Takao-san

beautiful mountains



happy, pink, peach (momo) trees



nap time



Into the woods ....





just around the river bend ...

Cycling through Tokyo

From Ebisu we cycled by Masa's office and past Tokyo Tower


Tokyo Tower







Hibeya Koen Sarah and tulips


Outer Gardens of the Imperial Palace cycling


A small park near Sumida River



Okonomiyaki and Monja

Trip to the Mountains - Yamanashi

View from the bedroom window, we could see Fuji-san but it was too hazy to capture on a photo!


Lunch venue


oldest Cherry Grove in Japan supposedly about 2000 years old


oldest tree - about 1000 years old


Daffodils


I love the weeping willow cherry trees, the Daffodils are a nice touch


Saturday afternoon/evening BBQ


fresh ice cream and foot bath


our friend's mountain house

April 8th 2010 ... Quarter Century and Happy Birthday Buddha

The day in reverse order, perfect end to a perfect day
Ebisu Yokocho for drinks and singing in good company


Sankeien Garden in Yokohama with Nathalie, Simon and Co.




















Chidori ga Fuji
In the am I went to the Yasukuni Shrine and around the Budokan, following one of my student's recommendations. It was absolutely beautiful!







I probably had one of the most relaxing birthdays I've ever had! Masa and I opened presents and cards at midnight Thank you! Unfortunately Masa had to work. I got up at 10am, had a leisurely breakfast and went to the Yasukuni Temple and Chidori ga Fuji, the moat around the Budokan (arena), it was exquisite! You can rent little boats, so that is what we will do next year. Then I went to the Swiss Residence for lunch with Nathalie & Simon and family, the three of us went to Yokohama to the Sankeien Park with Simon's sister and bf. Unfortunately we only had an hour at the park but it was gorgeous! Masa took me to a really nice Italian restaurant and ordered a special chocolate birthday cake, so sweet. We went to this traditional Japanese little indoor alley, Ebisu Yokocho, and had some plum wine. A guy came around playing the guitar and we sang Beatles etc. with him. Much better than normal Karaoke.