Dec. 9th 2007 : Last Autumn leave --- Sagamihara city, Kanagawa

*Please click photo for larger image
Me and the climbing circle 11 member went to Jinba-san (mountain).
We started Fujino station at 9:15 am under clear sky.
This Jinba-san is a mountain of 857m high located between Hachioji city in Tokyo and Sagamihara city in Kanagawa prefecture. They have good view at their flat top, they have settled as Tokyo metropolitan Takao Jjinba Natural Park / Kanagawa Jinba Sagamihara Natural Park and also 50 best view in Kanagawa.


Photo left : A stone monument at starting point, center : A residence at starting point,
right : maple in bright yellow

There was a residence beside the starting point. Under their roof edge,
persimmons were aligned nicely. (Above photo center)
Please look at a photo above right. Isn’t it bright yellow?
They were shining under the sun. I took a photo right away.


Photo left : The Fuji mountain could be seen behind the clump of trees, right : the top is almost there!!！

When I climbing up a wide skirt of the mountain,
I looked up through the clump of trees and found Mt. Fuji at a distance!
I also took a snap of members climbing steep route at the point near the top.
The top is above these wooden steps.

Photo left, center : A view from the top, right : Gathered shot in front of white horse statue.

We reached the top at 11:30!!
The view from 857m high was great 360 degrees panorama.
I could see row of Warusawa-dake mountain with clouds covered in distance.
This row of mountais is all 3000m high. It’s a grand view.
We could see a Mt. Fuji covered with snow on the top under clear sky.
What a gorgeous view!
There is a statue of white horse. This snap shot will be our memory of this summit.


Photo left : Red fruit, right: Fruits of Nandina shining as if it’s lighted up

We took a time to enjoy our lunch at the top and left there.
On the way, I found a red cute fruit of ivy-lily. In the cedar forest,
I recognized a tree shining with a red Nandina fruit. It looked like spot lighted.
When we walk in the mountain, there were many things we’ve never seen
and I receive a comfort from them.


Photo left : Yose-Jinja’s (shrine) stage, right : Sagami Lake

There is Jigen-ji (temple) , and further you go the slope and you’ll find Yose-Jinja.
Yose-Jinja has enshrined Yamato-takeru-no-mikoto who is a prince of ancient Japan
and this shrine is moved from Sagami River area.
This shrine is famous for their steep slope from entrance to main building.
Please be careful, there’s no hand rail! (There is another route)

After passing a bridge of Chuo Line, We had a wide view underneath, Sagami Lake hemmed by colored leaves. We are almost final point.

Photo left : Trees near residence

I could see the last moment of Autumn leaves by coming to Jimba-san today.
At last we even could see Pyracantha and Azalea in bright red color looks like their saying “This is Autumn!”. We all raised cheers of joy!
We had 20,000 steps of walking today. It was meaningful day for me.

Dec. 9 th 2007 : Fascinating ballroom dance --- Shinagawa-ku

*Please click photo for larger image


Photo left : Waltz, Center : Mixed dance.

My neighbor invited me to the “Christmas Dance Party” of her dance club.

They started the basic waltz (Photo above left) and continued to mixed dance by many pairs dancing with their beautiful costume. That was gorgeous. (Above photo right)


Photo left : Instructor’s splendid dance, right : Presents from Santa Clause

After instructors Mr. Kimura and Ms. Ogane’s perfect dance Cha Cha Cha,
they had a lottery time which everybody’s waited for.
Santa Clause and my friend were giving presents to the winner.



The dance of my friend was so lovely.
She danced elegantly in her light pink dress. (Photo above)
I took a photo of finale and gathered photo of latter group.
I’ve got a power from the dance of their youthful dance of waltz and tango.
3 hours seems passed so quick.

* This club is having class on every Wednesday, 13:00 to 16:00,
with 15 members of “L&G” at Higashi-Shinagawa Cultural Center.
If you are interested in, please visit them.

Dec. 4th 2007 : Autumn color of Iikura area --- Minato-ku

*Please click photo for larger image


Photo left : Christmas tree at Tokyo Tower, right : shot from pedestrian bridge at crossing at Shiba Park.

I decided to walk around the office to see leaves in autumn color.
As usual year, Christmas tree which almost has 15m high has set at Tokyo Tower and I started to think “2007 is almost gone” because Christmas is coming.

There is Seisho-ji (temple) on the way to Atago mountain from Shiba Park’s path.

Photo left : 2 guardians at left side of the gate, center : Another 2 on the right side,
Right : Bright red color of Azalea (doudan-tsutsuji) and the gate

Azalea, Japanese maple and Gingko.
The contrast of their yellow and red colors are so sharp and beautiful. Both side of the gate,
there are 2 each guardians.
I found a fountain of a child pointing the sky and small elephants. I felt at ease with them.s


Photo left : Statue of Kannon , right : A child and small elephants’ fountain

If you turn left at the corner of Forrest Tower,
there is Atago tunnel just next to Seishou-ji before you get to
Sakurada-dori leading to Kamiya-cho Station.
To the right of entrance of the tunnel, you’ll find Atago-yama elevator
and get out side at 2F and will arrive at NHK Broadcasting Museum and Atago Shrine.


Photo left : Atago tunnel, center : Atago elevator, right : NHK Broadcasting Museum

I didn’t have enough time to spend in museum so I visited shrine this time.


Photo left : Atago Shrine main building, center : Small boat floating on the moat,
right : The white cat approached to me

They used to be supported more from samurai
because this was built by Ieyasu Tokugawa and
also there were a lot of residence of samurai around here.
The stone made steps in front of the building is called “Steps for success of career”
since Edo era. Because it has sort of scene in traditional old story teller “Kanei-san-bajutsu”,
a story about horse rider Magaki Heikuro and this is so steep.
I also found a boat floating on the moat which I was wondering what this is for.

When I looking at the garden, a white cat approached to me friendly.
It looked so happy when I stroked him, show me his tammy up. It is so peaceful moment.


Photo left : Lucky stone brings is good fortune, right : Embassy of Holland with grand beautiful gingko tree.

There is a stone called “Bring in Stone”. The shape is like famous cat brings in luck.
The placard was saying luck will bring in if you pray so I definitely did!
Hoping the next year is another happy year!!

I took a Atago elevator again and went back to the place I came from.
I turn right at the Atago-mori Tower this time, turn left at Shiba Academy crossing,
climb up the slope in front of Temari Green Park and headed to Embassy of Holland.

I was so impressed with their grand gingko tree in beautiful yellow color. I took a photo here as you know.


Photo left : A log house at St. Andrews Tokyo Church. Right : Tokyo Tower and beautiful maple in red color.

I walked through Shiba Water Supply Park ( the one I wrote in July’s diary)a> and walk in front of Tokyo Tower, turn right at there and reach to St. Alban’s church. Trees around log house in the site may finish dropping all their leaves soon. They are piling in front of me after flying around by wind. I liked this photo’s angle I could see the Tokyo Tower behind those red colored tree.

My lunch break is almost finish and our office in only one min away from here!
Let’s go back then!!