Garbage problem? Divine intervention may help

I’m so frustrated by the amount of garbage in our front street. Today, on my way to the coin laundry, I picked a discarded nikuman wrapper from the neighbour’s box trees, and every evening when I come home, someone has stuffed an empty can or snack packaging into the gutter. Last week, I saw some [...]

What the heck is that animal?

On my way down the lane this evening, I looked up into the neighbour’s laruel trees to see a long tailed short legged creature walking on the elecrtical lines. Surely none of the potbellied, pampered neighbour cats could manage that feat? And it didn’t look the least bit like a monkey…
I tsked to get attention, [...]

Akebonoyama Farm Park

Can you guess where I shot this picture? The Netherlands? Nope, right here in Kashiwa City in April.  あけぼの山農業公園 Akebonoyama Farm Park near the Tone River levees has huge fields in which they grow seasonal flowers every year in front of the pond and the windmill. All October, you can see a vast fuzzy pink field [...]

Joban Art Line 2008

This year, once again, the Joban Art Line endeavours to raise the image of arts and culture in the area. Last year brought us painted objects in the front street, and even a shadow image project on the pavement itself. We saw Dairakudakan Dance Company of Tokyo perform in the station front street. This years’ [...]

安全第一 Safety First in Kashiwa

Everywhere you go in Japan, you see signs that say 安全第一, anzen daiichi, or Safety First. This slogan originated with US Steel corporation. In the interests of safety, the Kashiwa International Relations Association, or KIRA, has organized yet another disaster preparation event for foreign residents. On Saturday, November 18th, the group will take you by [...]

Otomachi Kashiwa

The Kashiwa Jimoto Project is hosting a free concert this Sunday, October 5th, on the banks of the Oborigawa River. Some of the performers were at The Tone River Jam a few months ago.
Like the Tone Rive Jam, this concert is free and kicks off at midday and runs until 5pm. There is a free bus [...]