Kawagoe Nakachyo Kosaten Crossing area

 Tha Kameya Japanese candy store

Lunch samples

Kawagoe special Hello Kitty store

Imokoi(steamed bun with bean-jam filling and sweet potatoes)

November 23, Happy Labor Thanksgiving Day!

It is a holiday today, Labor Thankgiving Day, different from Thanksgiving in the US.

I usually teach on Saturdays but I don't teach today. 

The wether has been beautiful. We are enjoying a change of season.

This is my favorite time of the year.

Lots of sun light gets into my south rooms, my living room and bed room.

My birds are very happy.

There are some autumn colors in my littlt garden.

Christmas cactus are about blooming on my porch.

Peas for next spring

November 4, Koedo Kitain Kikumatsuri, Chrysanthemun Festival in Kitain Temple

Chrysanthemums  are at their best now.

The 28th  Chrysanthemun show is being held at Kitain temple now.

I stopped by the show after my morning class with my student. 

The garden of Kitain temple was freshened by the rain we had this morning.

A treasure ship bearing the Seven Gods of Good Fortune.

Bonsai Chrysanthemums

One stem has three big flowers

I love these colors!

The Chrysanthemum dress

October 31, Happy Halloween!

Japanese Halloween is a little different from American Halloween.

Generally Children don't go to Trick or Treat in the night.

Some children learning English enjoy Truck or Treat with Halloween costumes in their English class.

Some young people in downtown Tokyo hang out with fancy Halloween costumes even before October 31.  

We don't  make jack-o'-lantern, because we can't get Halloween pumpkins.

I found these pumpkins in front of the store in Kawagoe.

October 28, Kawagoe Antique Market, Nominoichi

Kawagoe Antique Market is held on the 29th of each month.

I dropped in at the market after my morning adults class.

It was a beautiful early fall day. The market held at Naritasan Betsuin Temple where is on my way to my place. There were many people since early morning. They came to find clothes, tableware, books, old coins, and other antique items. 

Here is link to more about Kawagoe, 'A town with the traditional Feel of Edo/Tokyo'.

www.city.kawagoe.saitama.jp/www.contents/1304321103342/files/english

September 27, Rice harvesting in Kawagoe

It is rice harvesting time.

The rice fields ripe golden ears.

September 23, No summer's heat or winter's cold lasts over the equinox

Everyone said it had been extremely hot for days this summer.

Middle of August a severe heat wave across much of Japan intensified, with temperatures topping 40C (104F) for the first time in six years, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

FYI, the Tokyo Olympic 2020 will hold in August.

When I came back to Japan on September 13, it was still hot and humid.

Then big typhoon hit on 14th and 15th. 

The weather becoming cooler and cooler day by day.

It was beautiful and comfortable day today.

No heat or cold lasted beyond the equinox in Japanese proverbs.

Red spider lilies, or cluster amaryllises are beautiful now.

We call them equinox-flower.

I took those photos at Suijyo Ko-en Park in Kawagoe.

Sunday Morning, March 17, Sunny , 11℃/51℉

There is an interesting bakery, Toku in Kawagoe.
The Token only open 9 AM to 1 PM or until they sold out their bread.
Their bred are very good and reasonable price. Custermers are waiting as you see in the photos.

Thursday midnight, March 7, 14℃/55℉

It is becoming warmer and warmer.
I took these photos by a rice paddy field on my way to work.
The rice paddy is dry and resting in winter.
I like to see these small wild flowers.

I have one adult and five children in my class today.
All of them, except one child and I are allergic to pollen.
So, we need to blow our nose many times.

In early spring quality of air is worth. It is not only pollen, but also Yellow sand which is carried to Japan by westerlies, the wind from desserts on the Chinese continent. Also we are concerned about particulate matter 2.5.

Monday midnight, March 5, Sunny, 12℉/52°

Spring has come to Kawagoe.
I took those photos near my classroom.
The classroom is in the light blue house. The owner of the house lives in the house.
She teaches abacus for elementary children Monday to Thursday.
There is a temple near the house. It is one of tourist spot in Kawagoe.
It is one of the Seven Deities of Good Fortune in Kawagoe
The tourists make the rounds of the Seven Deities of Good Fortune.
The little rock garden in the temple fragrant with ume blossoms.
The temple also has a graveyards.