What's New in March and April, 1998
Graduation and Enter(Takeshi and Haruka)
Takeshi graduated Junior High School and entered High School. Haruka graduated Elementary School and entered Junior High School. Left photo is taken at the graduation party of Haruka and his friends. Right photo is taken at the entrance of Takeshi's High School on the day of enter ceremony. The Kanji Characters on the board means "Enter Ceremony".
The family made a graduation/enter celebration trip to Hakone. On the first day, they crimbed up Komagatake by rope way, there was snowing(Upper-Left). They spent the night at Kowakien Hotel and enjoyed various types of hot spring. Takeshi and Haruka enjoyed Yukata(Japanese traditional pajamas) wearing too(Upper-Right). Next day , the sky was clear up and they enjoyed the panorama view including Mt. Fuji from Owakudani Valley(Lower-Left). They also enjoyed billiards for the first time at the hotel named Symphony Hill, the private hotel for the employees of Toru's company(Lower-Right).
They held a dinner at Shonan Beer Restaurant. Shonan Beer is a special local beer in Chigasaki City.
Matsue Visit(Toru & Junko)
As the family will move to Palo Alto California, Toru and Junko visited Matsue City to say goodbye to friends and Toru's parents. In the visit they also enjoyed the round sightseeing boat tour of artificial digged river around the Matsue Castle constructed in Edo(Shogun) era. In the many bridges over the river, there are some narrow and low ones, where all the crew must bend their body(Lower-Right). It was also a fan.
At a dinner with Toru's parents held at Hotel Ichibata in Matsue City, where they had their wedding ceremony and party, they happened to meet with a traditional dancer in Kyoto, "maiko", who stayed at the hotel to dance for the opening event of a Department Store Ichibata in Matsue City(Left). They enjoyed her dance at the store next day also(Right).
Ohanami Party(Toru and Junko)
An aerobics club "Viva Angels", which Junko and Toru belong to, held annual "Ohanami Party" which celebrates cherry blossams. This year, the party was special because Toru and Junko will leave for 3 years. They enjoyed much.
Jazz and Rock(Toru and Junko)
Toru and Junko enjoyed jazz at a live house named "Satin Doll" in Roppongi town, Tokyo(Left), and Elton John/Billy Joel at "Tokyo-Dome"(Right).