Kitafunaoka Station !

by Kazu

Kitafunaoka Train Station was so beautiful and surreal as usual under the blue sky against the backdrop of Mt. Usu, the Eruption Gulf on that day. Some train manias were taking photos and strolling around the station and residential area that had a small cafe and coffee roaster. 

The round horizon could be felt from the bridge of the station. Some small fish could be seen in the shallow tide pool around the wave-breaking blocks near the rails. The border of the sky and ocean was clear but the sky near the horizon seemed to be white. 

The ocean was so calm and no bird disturbed the calmness. The sound of the waves touched us so tenderly and nicely. We could not stay there long because it was a short break in our business jaunt to Date City and Muroran City.

 

Bokka Italian and Kitafunaoka !

by Kazu

I had to visit Date City to get the Japanese traditional personal stamp on the contract paper to use the real estate in the city to treat the waste-water from the abolished mine developed decades ago. We have to neutralize the acidic waste-water on a wide space.

We had lunch in the local Italian Restaurant "Bokka" run by Aleph that runs the most popular and famous hamburg restaurant chain in Hokkaido "Bikkuri Donkey". The chef's signature plate is Carbonara with a variety of topping choices. 

It sells also delicious yogurt that my wife loves. So I bought a small barrel of it for her on that day. After leaving the restaurant, we dropped by Kitafunaoka Station to see the beautiful landscape behind the Station. It was so fine on that day and the shiny sky made the surface of the ocean so bright. 

 

Ingredients sourced in Hokkaido !

by Kazu

After strolling around in Nihonbashi area of Tokyo, we dropped by a well-established hole-in-the-wall of Special Fresh Seafood Ricebowl named "Tsujihan"  in front of which a folded long line of people were waiting for their turn to have seats to eat.

We chose to take out the famous and popular ricebowl and savored it in our hotel room. The next day, we had Kyoto Obanzai Cuisine in a restaurant of Nihonbashi area. 

I chose the fried chicken plate with tasteful gel sauce and deep-fried aubergine and sweet potato. After the pilgrimage to visit Japanese traditional shrines, a pint of draft beer was so refreshing and inspiring.
 

Under the Bridges !

by Kazu

I recognized I loved the design of the townlight on the old bridge over the creeks in Tokyo. Some of them had the figures of legendary dragon like the gargoyles on the wall of church in Europe.

The cover glass of the townlights were colored orange that gave the circumstances exotic  atmosphere and scenery like dreams early in the morning. 

The design of the townlights seemed to be figured out when Japan was absorbing the occidental culture and technologies. The bridges had born harsh earthquakes and floods. They might have seen the lives of the people for decades.

 

End of the River Cruise !

by Kazu

We found a cherry tree fully blooming beside the creek in Tokyo. I think that was the only one protagonist as a plant in the River Cruise on that day. A cherry tree under the bridge seemed to be a symbol of the vibes of the city.

It was a little bit too cold for females on the boat but the landscape under the ground of the city was complicated and well-arranged.  Have you ever seen the video of a big space under the ground that accommodate plenty of water to avoid a flood on the ground? 

There is a magnificent space like a huge cathedral under the ground of the city. The construction of the city, particularly under the ground was so interesting and I admire the ideas of the designers and the architects so much.
 

Tokyo and Hokkaido !

by Kazu

We could not enjoy enough the blooming cherry blossoms but making the most of our imagination, we saw fully-flourished cherry blossoms along the river in our mind. It was so sunny on that day and the blue sky was playing the role of the backdrop of the skyscrapers.

A building like a huge gate stood beside the river. I really felt that it was so comfortable to stay in Tokyo before the rainy season. Even in winter, it is much warmer than in Hokkaido and almost no snow on the road.

The boat exited the small creek and went into the open space on Sumida River. Normally, I jog along this river every time I visit Tokyo but the first cruise on the river gave me something different on that day.  

 

From the surface of the River !

by Kazu

It was the first time for me to see Japan Bank from the angle below the ground.It seemed that each old bridge had an emblem at the center of them.The constructors might want to leave their sign or kind of milestone that supported the lives of the people. 

The guide of the cruise taught us a lot including the historical and geographical stories and facts. The cruise was so inspiring for us but the chilly breeze on the surface of the river was colder than we expected. 

The name of the cruise was "Cherry Blossoms Watching Cruise" but most of the cherry trees beside the river were not blooming yet, so the guide recommended us to make the most of our imagination.