Winter Sunrise 2025 !

by Kazu

The agro-experimental field of Hokkaido University was covered with snow and the white ground reflected the pale blue color of the sky and cloud. Cold air I inhaled energized and inspired me so much. The sunrise was so impressive on that day. 

Every time I saw this row of poplar trees, I remember the song "  Irrésistiblement "  in English, "Iresistbly" sang by the famous diva of France Silvie Vartan, to be honest. I am not sure the French lyric but the splendid landscape and blue sky is the image of the song for me. 

The rows of poplar trees seemed to be inviting us to the center of the premises of Hokkaido University but the trail may be a little bit complicated for the visitors. It was so nice to see this landscape and breathing on the white ground.

 

At the beginning of winter 2025!

by Kazu

As we expected, the agro-experimental field of Hokkaido University was covered with snow. No sheep could be seen there on that day. I am not sure where they get over the cold winter in the university.

The sunrise on that day was hidden by the white clouds but the bright light turned the world colored and alive. The cold winds blowing over the field made me feel so comfortable and inspired early in the morning. 

That is one of the reason why I make a point of jogging around for forty to fifty minutes every morning. The rows of poplar trees against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds also made me allured for years. I was convinced that I came back to the place I should be.

 

At the end of autumn 2025!

by Kazu

The temperature was getting lower day by day and soon the cold white season would conquer the Island Hokkaido. After my business jaunt to Tokyo, every creature seemed to be preparing for the monochrome season winter.

A herd of sheep were eating grass even in the cold wind at the end of autumn. Different from the weather in Tokyo, we sometimes had heavy snowfall even in November.

Before winter, we can savor amply the gift from the ground and ocean that energize, empower and inspire us. We tend to eat much more than other season. Please stay fit and sound in this cold winter. 

 

After Lobbying to the Central Government !

by Kazu

After completing our mission in Tokyo, we headed to Haneda International Airport and had dinner in the restaurant Azumino in the airport building. Azumino is originally the name of the place in Nagano Prefecture where my Gran Ma's hometown Komagane City is located.. 

With pints of beer, I had a dish of pickled aubergine and pork cutlet rice bowl with buckwheat noodle sourced in Nagano prefecture that had been called "Shinshu" until Edo Era.

Everything went well in Tokyo and we were so satisfied with the response of the parliamentarians and the pertinent government officers.  A herd of sheep were eating grass on the premises of Hokkaido University the next day.  

 

The Pilgrimage for the Coal Area in Hokkaido !

by Kazu 

The Coalmine Revitalizing Committee composed of  Hokkaido Prefectural Government, Members of the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly, the municipalities that have coalmine  in their area such as Kushiro City, Mikasa City, coalmine companies also visited the Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Economy, Trade and Investment and handed their requests to him.

It seemed that he understood the necessity to support the coalmine area and the industry even though the administration of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan had committed to the Net Zero Emission of carbon dioxide internationally.

The committee members also visited the members of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors whose riding were the coalmine area in Hokkaido. Every parliamentarian from Hokkaido committed to support to get the budget for the subsidies.   

 

For the Coalmine Area in Hokkaido !

by Kazu 

by Kazu

The Coalmine Area Revitalizing Committee that consists of Hokkaido Prefectural Government, Members of the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly, the municipalities that have coalmine  in their area such as Kushiro City, Mikasa City, coalmine companies handed their requests to the governing party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

The Committee visited the headquarters of the political party in Tokyo and handed their requests to the Acting Secretary-General of the Party Mr. Koichi Hagiuda whose riding was Hachiouji City of Tokyo. He kindly understood the necessity to support the coalmine area and the industry. 

On top of that, for the sustainable development of Japanese economy, coal was still important even though most of them were imported from overseas such as Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam, he said. Particularly, as international cooperation, the projects to be supported by the subsidies from the central government of Japan could also contributed to the development of the countries, he agreed. 

 

Yachigashira Tram Station !

by Kazu

Refreshing in the hot spring spa in the residential area of Yachigashira after long jogging in the woods on the hillside of Mt. Hakodate-yama, I took the city tram to go back to the hotel near the train station. 

After getting off the tram near the train station, I found I lost my mobile phone after buying some drink in the convenience store "Family Mart". I thought I dropped my mobile in the tram and took a taxi to catch up the tram I had taken.

 

Yahata Hachiman Shrine in Hakodate !

by Kazu

The gate of the Shrine Yahata Hachiman has the sign of "The Dignity of God" "Kamui" on the upper keel. We have to walk through the side, not the center of the gate because the center part of the gate is for the God.

Of course, we bow toward the sacred house before going through the gate. Basically, all the facilities of the shrine is supported by the donations of the devotees and believers.

The lanterns made of stone were also built with the donations of the citizens and the name of the donors were carved on the surface. The culture rooted in this country must be maintained by our descendants, I think.  

 

Worship early in the morning !

by Kazu

The premises of Yahata Shrine were surrounded by well-trimmed pine trees, spruce, Gingko Biloba. The contrast and balance of the colors of autumnal foliage was so comfortable and breathtaking.

The cobbled ground was also well-cleaned and wet with morning moist.The stairs made of stones led to the residential area of Yachigashira and hot spring spa where many senior citizens.

The wooden sacred house of the shrine seemed to have aged and seasoned absorbing the sadness, happiness, tragedy and various kinds of feelings of the citizens. The hand-washing area at the entrance of the premises was not decorated with flowers like other shrines in Hokkaido. 

 

Yahata Hachiman Shrine in Hakodate !

by Kazu

I went through the trail in the woods on the hillside of Mt. Hakodate-yama and reached the exit of the trail leading to the premises of Yahata Shrine in Yachigashira Area of the Port City.  

Fortunately, I had some coins to donate for the shrine and for the first time, I worshiped in front of the main sacred house of the shrine in appropriate manner of worship. Before that, I had not had wallet during my jogging to the area, I passed by the shrine after simple greeting to theGod.

I was so satisfied with my first official worship in the shrine and the landscape of the colored mountain and the shining ocean with rising sun that I lower the guard and made a mistake at the end of comfy exploration.