I Go to Shinji-ko Lake in Matsue

We had the first anniversary of my mother's death at a hotel viewing Shinji-ko lake.

Most of my family members gathered at the party of the anniversary.

We went to Shimane Art Museum before going to the party.

The garden of the museum was beautifully matched with the scenery of the lake.

I See 'Izumo Kagura' Performance

Hinomisaki shrine is located half an hour drive from the center of Izumo city or quarter an hour from Izumo Taisha shrine.

After we payed visit to Izumotaisha, we went to Hinomisaki shrine to see Izumo Kagura performance with my wife, my daughter and her husband.

Is is said that there are two major types of kagura: mai and odori.

Mai consists of slow circular movement, stressing quiet and elegance.

Odori consists of quick leaping and jumping, stressing activation and energy.

I Get On Board A Sightseeing Ship in Shimane

When I went to Hinomisaki seaside town in Shimane, we got on board a sightseeing ship early in the morning.

We could see a beautiful white lighthouse, called Hinomisaki-Toudai and coastline, from the sea. 

The ship tour was free for everyone who stayed in the hotel, called Vila Izumoya, near the port.

We enjoyed the thirty-minute ship ride far more than I had expected.  

I Land on Yonago Kitaro Airport

I landed on Yonago Kitaro airport. The airport is famous for the Japanese anime 'GeGeGe no Kitaro.' The author of the anime was born in Osaka and raised in the city of Sakaiminato, Tottori prefecture.

I rent a car at the airport, drove the car heading for Matsue city where my family lived.

I met my brother for the first time snice one year ago.　I ate sushi for dinner with him, my sister-in-law and my wife in Matsue city.

Then, I jumped on the car, drove to Izumo city and stayed in a hotel.

This is breakfast at the hotel in Izumo city.

I Head For Yonago Kitarou Airport at Tottori Prefectures

We went to Shimane and Tottori prefectures last week, enjoyed a four-night and five-day short trip there.

We also met my brothers and a sister-in-law there.

We held the first anniversary of my late mother.

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.

I Go to Fukifue River in Yamanashi Prefecture

Cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing technique.

Fishermen use trained cormorants to catch fish in rivers.

To control the birds, the fishermen tie a loose string around the bird's throat. 

The string prevents the bird from swallowing fish, which are held temporarily in their gullet.

When a cormorant has caught a fish in its throat, the fisherman brings the bird back to take the fish out from its throat.

We stayed at a hotel near the river, about ten minute ride by car, and had delicious sea food dinner.

After the cormorant fishing demonstration, fireworks were held near the riverside.