I Go To Kouunkaku In Matsue City

Kouunkaku was constructed in 1903 on the upper platform of the Ninomaru bailey of Matsue Castle, next to Matsue Shrine.

In 1907, the then Crown Prince, later Emperor Taisho, used the building as accommodation.

Matsue Castle is one of few remaining feudal Japanese castles that retains its castle tower keep in its original wooden form and not a modern concrete reconstruction.

The tenshu and attached turret of Matsue Castle have been registered as a national treasure of Japan since July 9, 2015.

I Go To My Brother's Home In Matsue City

These are collections of beautiful flowers blooming in my hometown Matsue.

All flowers except for the lotus are blooming at the house garden where my brother and sister live

Mt. Fuji Viewing From An Airplane

I went to my hometown, Matsue city, several days ago.

The view of Mt. Fuji from the airplane was splendid.

Water City, Matsue

When I went back to my hometown Matsue, I walked around the city and took lots of pictures as usual.

Tourists were far fewer than usual due to COVID-19. 

But, sightseeing boats were still in operation.

I Go Back to My Hometown, Water City Matsue

After finishing my six-month-long school term, I have come back to my hometown Matsue city for the first time since eight months ago.

Everybody here my family members welcomed me very much.

Mastsue city holds two big lakes and lots and lots of rivers with hundreds of bridges.
That's why it is called 'Water City.'

I feel that the time here is passing slower than that in Utsunomiya city.

I Come Back to My Hometown, Matsue City

A camellia flower is blooming in a backyard of my mother's house

I arrived at a riverside bus stop in my hometown Matsue city in the early morning today.

It was an looooong overnight bus trip.

It took about eleven hours from a Tokyo bus terminal to the city.

It was raining and sometimes snowing today here in Matsue city.
But, my family members warmly welcomed me as always they had done so.

We Visit Ashiyu; Hot Water for Foot

When I went back to my hometown, we went to ashiyu.
An ashiyu is different from a normal hot spring. At a hot spring the entire body is immersed in the water, but at an "ashiyu" (foot bath) only the feet and legs up to the knees are immersed.

Ninety-two year old my mother uses a wheelchair. It is almost impossible for her to go outside by herself. It is hard even with our full assistance because she gets tired easily recently.

When I went back home this summer, I thought my mother enjoyed going outside with us very much.  But, even so, we also have to pay special care for her weakened body.