Hikone and Nagahama: May 1, 2019

I visited Hikone and Nagahama cities using the “Golden Week” holidays.

Today was the first day of the Reiwa era.

Hikone City locates at the east coast of Lake Biwa. It is famous for the Hikone Castle.

The main tower of the castle has been preserved for more than 400 years. (See also the top and the 2nd photo)

A  famous mascot character "Hikonyan" welcomed the guests at the castle.

It is one of the five castles (main towers) which are registered as national treasuries. Other fours include Himeji castle, Matsumoto Castle, Inuyama Castle and Matsue Castle.

It was built I the early 1600s by the Ii family, one of powerful families in the Tokugawa Shogunate government.

The castle stands on a hill quite near from the Lake Biwa.

Ii Naosuke, who was the head of the family in the 19^th century, was one of the important figures in the late Edo era. He was grown up in the castle.

He became the top official of the Tokugawa government in 1858 and decided to open the country after 200 years of isolation policy. He was assassinated in 1860.

They produce good “Omi” beef in the area. There are many good beef restaurant in the street near the castle. People made long queues.

The statue of Is Naosuke stands in front of the railway station of Hikone. 

Nagamhama locates about 15 km north of Hikone. It also faces Lake Biwa.

The original city was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the late 16^th century.

The original Nagahama Castle was developed in the late 16^th century, but was destroyed in the early 17^th century. A new concrete-made castle was made in 1983.

I saw the waves of the lake repeatedly arrived in the shore of the castle site.

I visited an area called “Kurokabe Square” in the city. There are tens of small museums, galleries, gift shops, craft shops, glass workshops and restaurants there. Retro buildings are used.

I found many tourists enjoying shopping and making their own glass works in experience workshops.

The re-development of the area started in the 1980s. It succeeded to attract many visitors. Now, the city accepts 2 million tourist every year. It is regarded as a good example of success story in the local development.

I also visited a railway museum. The country’s oldest railway station building is used as a museum.

At a beer restaurant in the city, I enjoyed local-brand beer and Omi beef.

The weather was not so good today, but I had interesting and meaningful time in the two cities in Shiga Prefecture

1st day of Reiwa era -- scenes in Shiga Prefecture: May 1, 2019

New era of Reiwa started as Prince Naruhito became a new emperor today.

During series of inauguration ceremonies in the first day of Reiwa, he made his first message to Japanese people as an emperor. He stressed that he would do his best as a symbol of the country and of the unity of Japanese people.

He promised to always think of the citizens and to stay with Japanese people.

He also expressed his hope for the happiness of Japanese people, the country’s further development and the peace of the world.

People celebrated the new era throughout the nation.

I was in Shiga Prefecture today.

I visited Hikone Castle in Hikone City. It is one of the five castles which have been registered as national treasuries.

There was a special corner set in the Castle Museum to make signatures to celebrate the new era. I made a signature.

The city’s mascot character “Hikonyan” was making his performances with a board of “Reiwa” in his hands for the visitors. (See also the 2nd photo from the top)

I found many massages of celebration in Hikone, Nagahama and Maibara cities. They were in the flags, boards and in other forms. (See the top photo)

Last day of Heisei era: April 30, 2019

Today is the last day of Heisei era as the Heisei Emperor steps down from his position.

New Reiwa era will start tomorrow (May 1^st) with a new Emperor succeeding his father.

Series of resignation ceremonies took place in the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo.

The Heisei Emperor sent his last message to Japanese people.

He expressed his gratitude to Japanese people for their support for him as a symbol of the nation’s unity.”

He also stressed his hope that the new Reiwa era would be peaceful.”

I visited the Imperial Palace in the afternoon.

Many people gathered in the park in front of the palace’s main gate.

TV stations set their cameras to report the historical time.

Visitors expressed their thankfulness to the outgoing emperor in their comments to reporters’ questions in the news programs.

The Heisei era started I 1989. Japan entered into the aging society in the 30 years of Heisei. The population started to decline after 2008. The economic growth slowed down. The rich-poor gap has widened.

There are many good points, too. The safety and stability of the society have been kept. It has become easier to change jobs than 30 years ago. Public nursery service started. We have not had any war in the Heisei era.

Thanks very much and good bye Heisei.

Welcome, Reiwa.

Cherry and spring flowers: April 7, 2019

It is spring.

Tokyo is in the peak of cherry blossom. Other spring flowers began to open.

I enjoyed cherry and other flowers several times in the past several days.

People enjoyed cherry in the Kitazawa River footpath on April 6. 

The sky was blue on the day. It made good contrast with the pink cherry.

Grasses started to grow along the creek.

Many people enjoy their walks and picnics.

I visited the Roka Park the following day. I found many families enjoying drinks and foods under the cherry trees.

The cherry was also fully open along the Karasuyama-river footpath on April 7.

The cherry trees stand around the tower in Gotokuji Temple. (See also the 2nd photo from the top)

I found various spring flowers.

The petals of cherry were falling on the dandelion flowers.

Violets and tulip were open.

The fresh leaves of the gingko and other trees started to grow.

Shimokitazawa: April 6, 2019

Shimokitazawa is known as one of fashionable towns in Tokyo.

It has many theaters. There are many trendy shops, restaurants and cafes in the area. Many young people, both Japanese and non-Japanese gather there to enjoy “young culture”.

A new Shimokitazawa station opened in March. It is used for the Odakyu line and the Inogashira line.

There used to be a retro-fashioned station there. Now the new complex is modern.

The re-development of the station and surrounding area started 15 years ago in 2004. They have moved the railways of Odakyu line from over-ground to underground. A new station complex has been built.

Old market near the station had been cleaned up. Now, a new open-air market is open.

I found many young people enjoying their times on the street.

It was a big fun to see the changes of Shimokitazawa.

Construction works in central Tokyo: March 25, 2019

When I was talking with my friends from Asian countries early this year, one of them said: “There are so many construction works underway in Tokyo. It is impressive.” Another one echoed: “The town is changing every year.”

Indeed, the changes of Tokyo are accelerating with the Tokyo Olympic Games scheduled in 2020. New public transportation system and other infrastructure projects are ongoing. Many new buildings are being constructed.

I walked around Tokyo station and Otemachi areas, both are in central Tokyo, to find such projects.

Mitsui Co. and other Mitsui group companies are building their new headquarters in Otemachi. The site is quite near from the Imperial Palace.

They start the works in 2016. Two buildings of 30 floors and 41 floors will complete by March 2020. (See also the top and 3rd photos) 

Marubeni’s new headquarters building, with 22 floors and 111 meter-high, is in Takebashi, next to Otemachi. It will be complete by November, 2020.

The “Marunouchi 1-3” project is underway near Tokyo railway station. A 29-floor building and an annex building will be built by September, 2020. 

There used to be buildings of the Japanese Bankers Association and of Mizuho Bank.

This is a scene of Otemachi area in March 2019. The 2nd photo from the top a scene taken taken near  Tokyo station.