Happy New Year !! 2021

Happy New Year !!!

This is May in Japan.
Today we enter 2021 year.

 

This year is the Year of the Ox.

May this year be a wonderful one for you.

Kotatsu !!

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

It is getting colder these days.
I prepared a kotatsu.

The kotatsu is one kind of home heaters which is indispensable in winter in Japan.
It is table frame covered by a futon, upon which a table top sits.

I love the kotatsu !!

Obon vacation 2020

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

This week, most Japanese people are on vacation because of Obon. 

Most Japanese people return to their hometowns during Obon.
However, this year, many people will stay at homes, because of COVID-19. 

I hope that people can go travel everywhere soon.

The birthday of the Emperor Reiwa

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

It is "the Emperor's Birthday" today.
February 23 is a birthday of the Emperor Reiwa.
It is one of Japanese national holidays.

February 23 of the last year was not a holiday.
Because it was still Heisei period last year.

Today is the first Emperor's Birthday of Reiwa.

The limitation holiday

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Today is a national holiday.
But it is the limitation holiday, only this year.

The Enthronement Ceremony was carried out on today.
People celebrate the enthronement.
So, today is a national holiday.

Obon vacation

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

From today, most Japanese people have Obon vacation.

It looks most Japanese people will have ten consecutive holidays in mid-August this year.
During this Obon season, the highways are congested, and the tourist attractions are so crowded.
Unfortunately, a typhoon is coming to Japan.
Please be careful.

There's one year, until beginning of the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

A year from now, the Olympic Games will begin in Tokyo.

Japanese people worry about heat stroke.
It is worry about not only the Olympian but also people of watching games.

The summer in Japan is very hot and humid.
Please be cakeful !!

A fan is essential for summer in Japan.

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

I prepared an electric fan, today.

A fan is essential for summer in Japan.
Because it is still early to use the air conditioner, so I stay cool with this electric fan for a while.

A month has passed

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

It is June from today.
A month has passed since the Reiwa era has started.

Japanese people were bewildered the new era at first.
But now, the Reiwa era is familiar to us.

The last day of the Heisei era

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Today is the last day of the Heisei era.

Emperor Akihito stepped down today.
It is the ending of the Heisei era.

Most Japanese people feel sad, but they want to thank the Emperor.
Good-by Heisei !!

Ten consecutive holidays !!

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Japanese people will have a consecutive holiday from today.
This is "The Golden Week" !!

Most Japanese people will have ten consecutive holidays from April 27 through May 6.

It is particularly long consecutive holidays this year.
Because Emperor Heisei will abdicate and Emperor Reiwa will be enthroned this week.

It will be the special Golden Week !!

Next imperial era is Reiwa.

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

The new name of next imperial era was announced by the government, yesterday.

This is the name, "Reiwa".
Emperor Akihito is 85 years old.
He is going to step down at the end of April.
Crown Prince Naruhito will replace him May 1.
It is the beginning of the new era.

In other times, Japanese people were unhappy over the new name of next imperial era, because Emperor passed away.
However, Japanese people feel so happy, because the Emperor's abdication is possible while an emperor is still alive.
Because many Japanese people respect Emperor Akihito.
So do I.

By the way, May 1st is my birthday !!

Proverb : Hana yori Dango

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

I introduced that one of the Japanese-style confectioneries, Dango last time.
Today I'd like to introduce a proverb of Dango.

Proverb : Hana yori Dango.
The meaning is people are more interested in the practical over the aesthetic.

It is a proverb used for a glutton person like me.
However, I love both of flower and dango.

Daikan

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

It is Daikan, today.

Daikan menas the coldest season.
However, it is very warm today.
I think that it is influence of the global warming.

Anyway,  Spring is just coming around the corner.

Marugoto Ishigo

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Today I'd like to introduce a limited-time product of desserts.



This is it, Marugoto Ishigo".
It is sold by Yamazaki.
This product is limited to the winter season.

Marugoto means "whole ", Ichigo means strawberry.
It is sold by Yamazaki.
This product is limited to the winter season.

This is a sponge cake containing fresh cream and strawberry.
There are 3 strawberries whole.

It is so delicious !!

Culture Day Holiday

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Today is November 3, it's Culture Day Holiday in Japan.
Japanese people will be two holidays today and tomorrow.

Because autumn is the good tourist season, there will be many crowds in the holiday resort.
It is fun !!

Summer vacation ended

Hello.

This is May in Japan.

In Japan summer vacation ended today. 

Schools will start tomorrow.

It was the hottest summer this year.

Many people died of heatstroke. 

I am worried about abnormal weather. 

Obon festival

Hello. 

This is May in Japan.   

It is the Obon festival from tomorrow. 

A fireworks display was held tonight in my hometown. 

Because the fireworks mean the requiem of the soul, so the fireworks displays are held in Japan during a Obon festival.

It is beautiful. 

Summer vacation has started !

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Summer vacation has started today.

Japanese children have summer vacation until the end of August.
I'm jealous of them !!

Three-day weekend

Hello.

This is May in Japan.

In Japan, we have a three day weekend from today. 

Because Monday is a holiday on Marine Day. 

The weather forecast says it will be fine three days,but there is a high temperature warning issued. 

Please be careful not to get heat stroke.