"Koi-nobori"

A series of holidays named "Golden week"（ゴールデンウィーク） in Japan has started. Generally, it starts on April 29 (the birthday of the former Emperor "Hirohito") and ends on May 5 or 6.

It is expected to continue a fine day during this period in Kyushu.

Yesterday, I enjoyed riding bike with my friend. We went to Iizuka city along the "Onga-gawa"（遠賀川） river.

I took this photo in this short trip. Generally, people in Japan decorate their houses with "Koi-nobori"（鯉のぼり） to celebrate the birth of a boy on May 5.

"Nanjya-Monjya-no-Ki"

Today, I visited "Oka-no-minato jinjya"（岡湊神社） shrine in "Ashiya-machi"（芦屋町） on my way with my bike. "Nanjya-Monja-no-ki"（なんじゃもんじゃの樹） trees in the shrine were in full bloom.

It is about two weeks earlier than last year. I think that this situation might be the effect of the global warming.

"Fuji"

Last Saturday, I really enjoyed riding bike because of a fine day. I could not find a cloud in the sky. The sea looked very beautiful.

On my bike way, I visited "Jyoukou-ji"（浄光寺） temple in "Munakata" city（宗像市） that has three 150-year-old "Fuji"（藤） trees for the first time.

"Nigao-e"

Last Wednesday, I attended a small farewell and welcome party. At this party, a woman who has a talent drawing "Nigao-e"（似顔絵） game me this "nigao-e". I think that it does not look me so much, but I like it.

"Nyugaku-shiki"

Several days ago, I attended two entrance ceremonies（入学式） with my wife. One was of my son's high school and another was of my daughter's junior high school.

My son's school is one of what is called "shin-gakkou"（進学校） that means most students go to universities or colleges. And, it is the same school that I went to about 30 year ago. I am a little bit proud of this fact.

"Udon no tabi"

From Friday to Sunday, our family visited Shikoku（四国）. The main goal of our this trip was to eat "Sanuki Udon noodle"（讃岐うどん） in Takamatsu city（高松市）. It is known for its unique taste. It is a thick and rather stiff type.

Friday's night, we rode on a ferry boat that brought us from Kokura（小倉）, the city of Kitakyushu（北九州市） to Matsuyama（松山市）, Ehime Prefecture（愛媛県）. We spent one night in the ship, but I could not get a good sleep because of the low sound of the ship's engine.

After arriving at Matsuyama-kankou-kou（松山観光港） port, we moved to Dougo-onsen（道後温泉） by a bus. At this onsen, people can choose bath and service among several combinations. We chose the high priced course that includes using a rest room for 80 minutes, green tea and "Botchan-dango（坊ちゃん団子）", and "yukata" printed with white heron（白さぎ柄の浴衣）. Of course, it includes using a bath named "Tama no yu"（霊の湯）.

After that, we took JR Shikoku to visit Kotohira-gu（金刀比羅宮） shrine in Kotohira-town（琴平町）. Unfortunately, it staretd raining when we arrived at the JR Kotohira station（琴平駅）. The shrine locates at very high place, so we must go up long stairs built made of a lot of stones.

And, we rode on a JR train again and arrived in Takamatsu city after 0pm.

Next day, Sunday, we visited three places that serve "Sanuki Udon noodle". At first, we had a plan to visit many Udon restaurant, however, we could not because several restaurant were off and shortage of time. But, we were satisfied with the result because we could really enjoy "Sanuki-Udon".

Afternoon, we got on a JR train to come back to Kyushu. We used Shinkansen（新幹線） from Okayama（岡山）.

Shikoku

like Obama

I have learned that Michelle Obama haves started an organic garden on the South Lawn of the Whitehouse from a VOA special English program. So, today, I introduce our organic garden in our house's yard. I will pick peas in a month. I am looking forward to eating rice with peas（豆ご飯）.

I don't know that the family really want to start the garden. It looks a kind of presidential performance for getting popularity. But, it is a good idea, regardless of their thought. I hope that more people become interested in growing vegetables in their garden.

BTW, I have heard that Michelle Obama has declared that she will play "Mom in chief". It sounds to me that she would not act as the first lady like Hillary Clinton. I thought that if she act like Hillary, the family would be more violently attacked by extreme racist. So she declared "Mom". I would like to know opinion of people in America on this issue.

"Chaku-uta"

I found this advertisement in JR train on my way to my work place. It says that the Coka Cola company gives "Chaku-uta"（着うた）(ringtone song) to people who buy Coka Cola.

"Buy a Coke and instantly get two ringtones (for your phone)!" translated by Jon-san.