Yesterday we had an opening ceremony of Sakura (Cherry blossom) Festival here in Izu peninsula.
In Japan the most famous Sakura blooms in April, which is called "Someiyoshino".
But Kawazu Sakura is different from them and it blooms for about one month!
Yes, it is very famous for its long blooming and pink color.
This Kawazu Sakura festival is taken place from February 5th to March 10th in Kawazu town and Minami-Izu town every year.
Today it was sunny and very warm here in Shimoda, so I went for walking.
I took this photo at the tip of Mihogasaki cape.
It takes about 20 minutes by walking from Sakuray.
As the air was very clear I was able to get the beautiful scenary with Izu seven islands on pacific ocean.
Of course we can see Shirahama beach on the other side.
This season it is very good for walking, because we can take good photos of the ocean and the naturre.
This morning, as I woke up a little later than usual, I took my daughter to her school by car.
When I left my house the sun had just risen up on the horizon.
So I went to the beach behind Shirahama shrine to take photos.
By the way, now in Shimoda there are many people who got influenza after last weekend.
My daughter had already got it on last Friday or Saturday, so this had prevented her from going to school.
And my wife has had fever at last.
Are you going to visit Japan this winter?
Please be careful not to get influenza.
You should bring or buy a flu mask and wash your hands every time.
I took this photo at around 7:30 am at the different place from yesterday.
It was sunny this morning, and there was no big cloud in the sky.
That's why I was able to take a photo with shinning sun and there was a golden road on the sea.
Do you see the island under the sun?
That's called "Toshima" island.
It takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes by ship from Shimoda harbor.
Do you know what the circumference of that island is?
It is only 8 kilometers and only 300 people live there.
80 % of that island is covered with camellia trees and the amount of production of camellia oil is best in Japan.
There is no beach in that island, so the most popular sports are diving and fishing.
Would you like to go there?
Last night we had a lot of thunder at around midnight.
I cut the power of my computer in a hurry, but it was not big deal and there was no problem.
And this morning it still was cloudy here in Shirahama, but I was able to see Izu Seven Islands on the horizon.
It was sunny over those islands, I guess.
By the way, when I went to kindergarten to pick my son up I found out the flowers there.
We were really surprised.
Have you ever seen this?
I haven't seen and read it because I live in Shimoda, not in Tokyo.
We got a parcel by mail in the morning the day before yesterday.
When I got it I didn't remember the name written on it and I didn't know what it was, and also I didn't understand why it was sent.
After opening it I found out a letter like this….
Several days ago we got a postcard from Wien in Austria.
They stayed at Sakuraya at the beginning of last April.
They came to Japan for a wedding ceremony of their friends, which was held in Kobe.
How did you feel a Japanese wedding?
I think it was great experience for you.
By the way I have been to Wien when I was a student of university….
This morning I went to the primary school with my daughter and children for walking.
After we arrived at the school I went to Itado area in Shirahama alone.
When I was walking on the small road in the farmer's field ithe pink tree has appeared suddenly in front of me.
This tree has already had a lot of blossoms and buds.
This tree is called "Kawazu Sakura".
Next month we will have Kawazu Sakura festival around Shimoda.
It means one year would had already passed since last festival.
"Time flies like an arrow."
Today it was sunny too.
The air temperature was going up and up and very hot at last.
This morning I went to Shirahama post office and went a little futher to Ogasaki Wing.
Ogasaki Wing is located at the entrance of Shimoda city on Rout 135, and this is one of good view points in Izu peninsula.
From this points we can look over Shirahama Beach, Suzaki peninsula and Izu seven islands.
I show you the photo of Shirahama beach taken from this point. …….
When I went to Shimoda I went to Shimoda park to check the blooming of cherry trees.
This year it has been cold in these days, so Sakura trees started to bloom slowly.
But I was able to see some trees have already bloomed in this park.
There are a lot of cherry trees on the river side in Shimoda downtown, but I don’t know if I can go there soon because we will be busy this week.