Tomakomai in the morning !

by Kazu

 It was so fine in Tomakomai on that day. Slight hangover made my strolling around in the city tougher than l expected. The morning sunrise was strikingly bright and beautiful.

The jogging course on that day was almost the same as I chose the day before. Soon the seminar to build an inclusive society of multiculturalism would start soon. Tomakomai City led off to open the door to the future.

 

Business Jaunt to Tomakomai !

by Kazu

It was not so warm in Tomakomai City. There was a beach park near the port of the city. With the concrete blocks off shore of the park, I thought the beach was for swimming at first but I found it was prohibited to dive into the ocean there.

To be honest, the landscape under the water did not seem to be clear nor beautiful. Just before the binge drinking in downtown, I could be relaxed and refreshed so much.

I had  been invited to the same kinds of party with the official delegation from Hawaii in 2018 that visited Hokkaido to take part in the the 150th Anniversary of naming Hokkaido. I was so inspired and energized with the smell and the scenery of the ocean.

 

Cantonese, Sichuan shook us up !

by Kazu

We should stay on our toes and prepare for the striking spiciness of Sichuan flavoring. The hot and spicy dumpling was the most striking hot li likea hummer hit on our head.

The Cantonese sweets after the striking spiciness were like an oasis in the desert. We got almost full and satisfied with the chef' s skill and flavoring.

Literally, the Cantonese restaurant put the kitchen at the center of it like a stage where the top chefs showed their best performance. We really enjoyed their performance and arts.

 

The very best of China's rich culinary heritage irene Niseko !

by Kazu

My wife makes a point of checking up the skill of the chefs by ordering and savoring fried rice.  It seemed that the fried rice in Chinese Kitchen cleared the standard my wife set.

I am not sure if my wife's standard is correct or not but I agreed her verdict on that day. Shrimp dumpling, Cantonese sweet and sour pork were so fabulous. 

 

Pork and Japanese mushroom dumpling was topped with salmon roe. We had to make the most of the capacity of our stomach to savor the Cantonese culinary delights sourced locally.

 

Lunch Order Buffet in China Kitchen, Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono !

by Kazu

I really appreciate the new hotels that brought in top-grade chefs and run high-quality cuisine in Niseko area. We had nice lunch in Chinese Kitchen of Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono. 

The order buffet reminded me of the China Town in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where we had used so frequently twenty years ago. A Cantonese restaurant in Somerset Street and Mandarin Ogilvie were our favorite as well as the one in Byward Market.

The Cantonese spareribs with blackbeans sauce gave us the flashback on the spot. It costed fifty thousand Japanese Yen per person. We were so satisfied with the taste and quality .

 

Governor IGE met Governor Suzuki !

by Kazu

We've got the official shaka signs from both Governors of Hokkaido and Hawaii as the symbol of the solid, beneficial and everlasting relationship between the regions. 

The official Hawaiian Delegation headed by Governor IGE paid a courtesy call on Governor Suzuki and took memorial photos.
 

After the courtesy call on the Governor of Hokkaido, the Vice Speaker of the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly  paid by the official delegation from Hawaii, I took my friends to the Port City Otaru. 

The former fishermen's dormitory in the season of Pacific Saury fishing which is called "Pacific Saury Palace" near the Otaru Aquarium is now a museum . We had nice lunch in the seafood eatery "Aotsuka Shokudo" near there. 

Yabu Soba Dinner in Otaru !

 

Friends from Argentina and Hawaii !

by Kazu

After being paid a courtesy call by a descendant of the emigrants from Hokkaido to Argentina, who was so handsome and cool, I took my friends from Hawaii to the port city Otaru. 

The seafood eatery "Aotsuka Shokudo" was my choice on that day. I had taken late Irene Inoue there with her staff a few years ago. They were so impressed with the quality and the atmosphere of the popular eatery. 

I had fresh sushi-grade  sliced squid, grilled green conch and grilled Hokkaido Surf Clams. They were so nice to have for lunch. My friends chose grilled atka mackerel and squid.

 

Hokkaido-Hawaii Forever !

by Kazu

The Governor of the State of Hawaii Mr. David Yutaka IGE will not run next election. Neither Senator Brian Taniguch nor Mr. Ren Endo. It must have been a nice occasion for them to get together.

XThe President of the Hokkaido Club in Hawaii Mr. Kevin Kyoji Koitabashi also also sat on the seat of the Speaker. I was so happy to see them smiling in the chamber of the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly.

We couldn't imagine such scene in 2015 when our relationship was in frailty. I was so relieved to see the solid, beneficial and everlasting relationship between the regions.

 

Out-going Statesmen !

by Kazu

I am not in charge of the international exchange now but as the former Director for International Exchange, I took part in the courtesy call and escorted one of my friends to the popular spots to visit in Sapporo and Otaru.

The official Hawaiian delegation headed by Governor IGE was offered a private tour to the chamber of the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly. Senator Brian Taniguch stood at the Speaker's desk.

XXXThe former Speaker of the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly Mr. Ren Endo had exchanged seasonal greeting cards with Senator Brian Taniguch. They took a memorial photos at the current seat of Mr. Ren Endo.