Turning Leaves

Hello Peoples!

Just put some pictures on to my computer that I took while I was chasing autumn colors(紅葉) around Aomori earlier this fall. Because Aomori is situated on the northern most region of Honshu(本州) it is home to some of the most beautiful autumn leaves in Japan. Before coming to Japan I wasn't aware of what a great thing going out to see the turning leaves is. I feel Japanese people make a special effort to go out and view the leaves. Whereas in America there is a ton of beautiful locations, but we seems to prefer letting the leaves just change before our eyes instead of turning it into a special outing, of hiking, picnicking, and tours. I guess this became apparent to me when some of my co-workers were telling how I needed to go out myself and see. This year I took so many pictures. I would love to post them all, but here are a few from Lake Towanda and Mt. Hakkoda.

A little island sprinkled with jagged rocks, autumn leaves, and a couple of shrines on top!

We found this shrine about an hour and a half hiking back in to the woods behind one of Lake Towada's scenic viewpoints. The only other people that seemed to be catching a glimpse were having to take a special jet boat cruise. They were still at least a hundred yards further out than us. Lucky!

As you can see Lake Towada hosts some of the clearest blue water in Northern Japan.

Here is a covered bridge hugging on of the many cliffs protruding from Lake Towada.

The little bright berries near the top of Mt. Hakkoda were displaying the most color when I went up.

Here's a close-up. As you can see I have no Macro Lens. But did my best.

Here is one of the few tricolored scenes I found on my way up Hakkoda.

Buddha's Halo - Mt. Fuji

It’s 5:30 already?! I’m so tired, it has to be at least 10 degrees warmer than it was yesterday, and my body already aches thinking about climbing this early in the morning. My group and I wake up, get ready, and head to the station to catch the bus from Gotemba to the bottom of Japan’s highest peak, Mt. Fuji.

Off to catch the bus. We are ready. Are you?

Mt. Fuji (con't)

“Excuse me could you please stop the bus?” we say. “You want to get out here?” says a baffled bus driver. “Yes please let us out here.” We reply. This would be the beginning of one of the most trying yet rewarding experiences of my life. “Is everybody ready?” “Quick, take a picture!” “Alright let’s do this!”

Everybody! Ready! Set! Let's Go!

Becareful of Poisonous mushrooms!?!?!?

Mt. Fuji (con't)

Prior to ascending Mt. Fuji I tried to gather as much know-how about climbing as one could to help me along the way. And with a full tank of energy, I start the climb. I kept a steady pace under the shade of the trees while they were still over me “1, breathe, 2, breathe, 3, breathe”. “Look it’s the 2nd station marker already! That went quick.” Enjoying the fresh air and nature all around me, I made my way up to the 5th station (the starting point for most individuals). After about 2 hours stopping only momentarily to rest I arrived. Once everybody had arrived at the 5th station, we rested for another hour before starting the most grueling portion of our trek.

Here's everyone just happy to reach the 5th station and take a breather.

Paul, our most prepared climber, takes time to double check his gear before starting out from the 5th station.

Mt. Fuji (con't)

As we start to climb towards the 8th station where we were going to stay for the night, I take another look up at the daunting yet almost perfect inverted volcanic cone. It wasn’t long before Fuji’s incline and each individual’s pace had separated our group in two.

Mt. Fuji's volcanic cone slightly covered by a patch of clouds.

Mt. Fuji (con't)

“Do your best!”, “Take Care!” Brisk words of encouragement from fellow climbers kept our spirits high and our bodies from tiring too quickly. Blessed with a clear day with hardly a drizzle of rain we reached the 6th station in just over 2 hours. The air was becoming noticeably thin and cool giving it a distinct fresh quality. By this time the intervals between stations had decreased and the upper stations were beginning to show themselves as specks near the top of the mountain.

A good picture of the Yamamoto brothers at the 7th station. They accompanied me for the majority of the climb.

A small flower managing to blume on Fuji's lava rock mountainside. Somehow life finds a way.

Mt. Fuji (con't)

After a quick rest and mini bowl of pork soup, we were ready to advance. The paths steepened and vegetation had decided to take a more comfortable seat watching climbers from the lower stations. Tromping our way up the lava rock paths the cold thinning air forced us into a slower pace and frequent breathers. But around 3:30P.M., almost 8 hours after we embarked, we reached the 8th station where we could rest before climbing to the peak.

Here's a shot of Gotemba from the 8th station.

A picture of everyone together at the 8th station.

Mt. Fuji (con't)

It was pitch black and freezing cold outside when we woke up to finish the final leg of our journey to the peak of Mt. Fuji. It was 1:30A.M., but surprisingly enough we were already a few hundred people behind the first climbers ascending the peak. Passing those stopped huffing on cans of oxygen and those regurgitating from lack thereof I think to myself how everyone around me has the same goal in mind; make a lemming like dash for the peak to catch a glimpse of Goraiko, or sunrise, from the highest point in the land of the rising sun.

Fellow climbers encourage each other through the dark cold morning.

Mt. Fuji (con't)

After reaching the peak above the clouds we stake out a suitable location to sit and wait for the sun to show itself. As the sun tried to peek out from between the clouds I couldn’t help reflecting on what this trip meant to me. The climb up was hard on my feet, knees, and back. But the spiritual and emotional sense of accomplishment overshadowed the aches and pains ten fold.

諺：虎穴に入らずんば虎児を得ず
(Koketsu ni Hairazunba koji o ezu)
Proverb: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

Finally, we reach the top (12,387.23ft.)

Our view from on top of Japan

Here is a 2nd year taking advantage of the shade to complete his worksheet.

I think this one... right... here needs a little attention.

Check out these blossoms! We were surrounded on all sides by them.

Here is the our guide filling up the kids bottles with pollen. It was bright pink.

One quick snapshot of Mt. Iwaki before we head out. I took this picture from the front door of the school.

Pollinating Flowers

Hello It hasn't been that long since I've posted but I have been pretty busy lately so there should be plenty to talk about. Just the other day I was invited to go on a field trip with the students at Tateishi Elementary. Tateishi Elementary probably has one of most well rounded programs in my area. Alongside the average science, reading, writing, and arithmetic, its academic spectrum also includes life studies and horticulture.

On this occasion the students, faculty, and I made our way to a nearby apple orchard to partake in pollinating(受粉) some of the apple trees. One of hundreds Aomori is so famous for. With the clouds in check a slight breeze kept us cool while neighboring Mt. Iwaki watched over our eager bunch. There really couldn't have been a better day to make this happen.

We were told by the resident farmers (one of which had been to Iowa) that they pollinate each to induce developmental stages of fruiting on the apple trees. The particular orchard that we were at also housed several bee hives to help in the pollination process.

So each student was given their own stick pollinator and a small vile (reused energy drink bottles) of last year's pollen. The older children were grouped with the younger as this had been their 5th or 6th time participating in this activity. Groups were assigned to ladders and the kids took turns pollinating the apple blossoms in full bloom.

We spent nearly 2 hours with 30 or so individuals helping pollinate 3 trees. Where some of the more experienced apple farmers and their helpers can get to 10 or more trees by themselves in one day, if you can believe that. Anyways, check out the pics!

This is our human chain allowing us to reach the moat and retrieve Chris' Frisbee without falling in. Yeah it was that steep!

A evening view of the moat as we made our way outside of the castle.

Here's the majority of our group enjoying themselves under the sakura.

A shot of the castle from right by our location.

Paul, Myself, Chris, Yuki, and Kevin making it happen early in the morning.

Hiraosaki Hanami

Hello People! I have just experienced probably the most enjoyable afternoon/evenings since landing on this island almost 9 months ago. Every year as Mother Nature starts to shift her seasons from winter to spring, inhabitants of Japan ready themselves for cherry blossom viewing, or Hanami(花見). Sakura(桜), or cherry blossoms, are probably one of Japan's most treasured flowers as well as the driving force behind the customs and traditions of Hanami.

The practice of hanami is said to date back several centuries to the Nara Period(奈良時代) in Japanese history. This was a time when Japanese customs were greatly influenced by the Chinese Tang Dynasty; one of which was the custom of enjoying flowers. Castles all over Japan were adorned with these trees. Often hundreds of species and/or thousands of trees line every inch of a castles courtyard and gardens. The tradition of actually going out and enjoying oneself under the sakura was first celebrated by the aristocratic class of Japan's court, and written about as an actual occasion in the famous Tale of Genji(源氏物語).

Today, Hanami is celebrated by anyone interested, young and old. On a beautiful day or day before a holiday several tens of thousands of eager flower watchers will head towards the nearest castle to partake this event. But, because of the delicate nature of sakura blossoms the blooms only last as long as they can stay attached to their respective branches. Often the flowers are stolen by strong winds or even the lightest rain. Therefore this fleeting beauty is forecasted, watched, updated several times a day, and reported with the national and local weather to utilize every possible moment one could be viewing the blossoms.

So that's little background information. How was my experience, you wanna know? Well, the morning of, Paul, Kevin, Chris, Yuki, and I woke up at 6:30 and made our way to Hirosaki Castle to go claim ourselves a spot for everyone to sit. A sunny high of 62 degrees with zero to minimal wind blessed us with some of the best weather I have seen since coming to Tohoku(東北). We were able to find a gorgeous spot right next to the castle moat with two sakura that already had countless flowers on them. Next all we had to do was wait until all our friends showed up. We made small talk with each other while Kevin read us some of the DaVinci Code. People started showing up around 12:00 noon, and continued to arrive all the way until 4 or 5 in the evening. In total there were around 30 people sharing the moment with us, and more people came, the more grins and laughter there was.

There was a group of gymnasts from Hirosaki University by us putting on quite the exhibition of stunts and flips. Children playing on either sides of us. I guy with an accordion charging people for accompanied karaoke. And we even had our own situation involving a Frisbee and the castle moat. We spent the entire day eating, drinking, and enjoying each others company. By the time we left, there had been a noticeable increase in the amount of visible sakura around us adding to the atmosphere. Altogether, we were within the castle walls for a good nine and a half hours, and when it was all said and done I felt that it had ended much too soon.

The infamous inspection checklist. Notice you are marked pass or fail on the left side.

Undercarriage Inspection.

Emissions Test

Here is the inside of the inspection garage.

Shaken

Shaken!

Hello Everyone! It's been awhile! Anyways, thought I would update my blog and let everyone in on one of Japan better kept secrets, Shaken(車検) or vehicle inspection. I just recently had the pleasure of taking this little test myself. Why would getting and auto inspection be fun you ask? Well let me fill you in some of the lesser known details about Japan's favorite checkpoint inspection, and how you too can enjoy having perfectly aimed headlights!

It starts off with your mandatory reservation no earlier than one week prior to the actual test itself. Now, if you're extra clever and have anticipated failing one, if not several portions of this assessment, your will have reserved a spot for yourself early in the morning. And this is all before the fun even starts.

Next, get your pocketbook ready because Japan's Land Transportation office is fully prepared to explain every application and fee you are responsible for before you can legally drive your vehicle again.

Now, you head over to the administration building next to the Land Transportation office where the real financial magic takes place. First you purchase all the necessary application forms you're going to need during, and after the test. After 10 to 30 minutes filling out the proper forms (Depending on Japanese Proficiency) you will be able to pay all pre-inspection fees. Hooray! Some cars are different, and depending on the expiration date of your mandatory liability insurance you will be paying either 3 or 4 fees. Insurance renewal fee, the weight tax depending on the tonnage of your auto, the auto inspection fee itself, then last and definitely NOT LEAST you pay Japan's new recycle fee. This law is part of the government's solution to meet the rising cost of disposing of car-related scrap as landfill sites become scarce.

Finally take all your receipts, and the reservation number you got last week over back to the Land Transportation Office to receive a checklist for inspection. Now, buckle your seat belt, you're ready for Shaken!

In my case, after waiting about 45 minutes in line, one of the certified inspection proctors starts your exam with a brisk round-the-car checkup that takes place just outside the long car wash looking garage. This test includes: headlights, parking lights, high beams, front and rear blinkers, reverse lights and hazards, tire pressure, window wipers and fluid, rev your engine, now HONK!

Proceed into the garage for emissions approval. You stick a long emissions probe into your muffler from the tail pipe, wait for the beep and stick your inspection checklist into the tester up to the dotted line and remove to see if you have passed emissions.

Next proceed to braking and acceleration. Depending on whether your car is front or rear wheel drive, advance until the proper set of tires are sitting snugly between the acceleration rollers and put your car in neutral. Keep your eye on the monitor now and on its command, shift into Drive and accelerate to 40kh. After this, brake back down to 0kh and throw it into Neutral again. Look BACK up at the monitor and engage your foot brake when it says. Then decelerate back to 0kh. Look back up at the monitor a final time and engage the parking brake on its command, and back down to 0kh.

Next, turn on your high beams and prepare to have your headlight projection tested. This is the easiest shaken test to take, as all you do is turn on your lights, yet also the most failed. After the mirroring system finishes checking your beams get out of the car and stick your inspection checklist into the next tester to see whether or not you have passed acceleration, braking and headlight tests. Isn't this fun? We’re almost finished!

Finally, you pull up to another set of rollers that will test you suspension. Make sure to keep your eye on the monitor because after this test, another proctor will be performing and undercarriage exam from the basement of the garage. Once this is completed, get out of the car one last time; stick your checklist into the tester to see if you have or have not passed your shaken. Then take your inspection checklist up to the Shaken supervisor in a glass booth at the end of the garage for his stamp of approval.

To trim an already long post, I did not pass my headlight inspection. I wanted to. But hey! What can you do? Well, I'll tell you. You can wait for the mechanics at the nearest auto shop to finish eating lunch! (This just happens to be right behind and funded by the Land Transportation office. What a surprise!) After they have made all necessary adjustments to your automobile, you get BACK into the Shaken line and wait your turn to go through it all again taking the tests you did not pass. Once you have passed all required inspections you receive a final "OK", certificate, and sticker for the front of your car, and you are free to go.

As I said before, each car and person's experience is different. So I'm not going to give out any totals on the internet, but I saved over US$200.00 by doing this all myself instead of having a mechanic do it for me. Yeah it's that expensive! But hey, at least you only have to do it every other year. Enjoy (^-^)