Winter

 Compared to the past two winters in Toyama, winter has been pretty mild this year.

Looking forward to spring.

五箇山和紙の里

南砺市にいった時、和紙作りも経験しました。和紙の団扇を作るために、駅の道たいらへいきました。友達から和紙作りを聞いたことがありました。でも、行けなっかた。車がないし、工芸館が遠いし、行くのは大変と思う。

While we were in Nanto City,　I also experienced making Japanese Washi paper. To make Japanese fans using washi paper, we went to Eki No Michi Taira. I have heard about Washi paper making from friends. However, I could never go. It was because I had no car and the workshop was quite far and difficult to get to.

まず、好きな飾りを選びました。

First, we chose the decorations.

次和紙を作った。スクリーンを使って、のりのような水を抱き上げた。

Next, we made the paper. Using a screen, we scooped the water. The water was thick like glue.

そして、飾りは紙の上に置いで、マーシンでかけた。

After that, we placed the decorations on paper and used the machine to press the paper.

それから、かみを乾いた。

After that, we dried the paper.

紙を作ってありました！

The paper is made!

次は団扇の作り方。自分作ったの和紙で、団扇をつくった。

Next, we have to make the Japanese fan using our own washi paper.

終わりました！

Finished!

桂湖

今日は南砺市の桂湖へ行きました。長い間水上スポーツをしませんでした。今日カヌーにのるのがとても楽しみでした。天気が晴れよっかたです。水は鏡のようで、山が湖に映っていましたとてもうつくしっかた。一時間ぐらいにのんびりで、カヌーしました。カヌーしながら、きれいいな風景を見ました。

Today, I went to Lake Katsura in Nanto City. It has been a long time since I did any water sports, so I was looking forward to today’s canoeing session. It was good that the weather was sunny. The water was like a mirror, and there was a nice reflection of the mountains around the lake. For one hour, we leisurely canoed. While canoeing, I enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

伏木けんかやま Fushiki Kenkayama

昨日伏木けんかやま祭りへ行きました。道が込んでいました。遅かったので、いい写真ポイントが撮らない。二つの山車はけんかするのはおもしろかった。にぎやかな道は久しぶりです。

I went to the Fushiki Kenkayama Festival. The street was very crowded. As I was late, I couldn’t get a good photography spot. It was interesting to see the floats “fighting” (colliding) together. It has been a long time since we had such a cheerful and festive feel in Toyama.

The people in front of the floats were held by a piece of rope. It must have hurt a lot each time the floats collided.

There were people inside the floats. They were probably in charge of fixing the float after each collision. There were people playing instruments inside the floats too!

The collision part of the festival is called “Kacha”.

“KACHA!!”

KACHA!

After they decide the winner , there’s a short dance celebration.

となみ夢の平散居村展望台

今日は砺波市夢の平散居村展望台へ写真を撮りに行きました。私は運転ができないので、歩きました。砺波駅から展望台は２時間３０分ほどをかかりました。すごく大変でした。歩いていた時、誰もいませんでした。ちょっとさびしくて、こわかった。山を登る時、展望台近くで仕事するのをしている人はの車をが止まりました

展望台に着いた時、ちょっとがっかりしました。曇り天気なだったので、いい写真をが撮れなっかった。展望台でちょっと休んだ後に、すぐに山を降りました。

降りる途中、ツアーバスが止まりました。優しいおじさんにバスに乗せてもらいました。私は日本人の優しさに感動しました。

I went to the observation tower in Tonami City to take pictures today. As I couldn’t drive, I walked. It took about 2.5 hours to walk from Tonami Station to the observation tower. It was very tough. There are nobody around so I felt quite lonely and scared. When I was climbing the mountain, a man working near the observation tower stopped his car and gave me a lift.

When I reached the observation tower, I was a quite disappointed. Due to the cloudy weather, I couldn’t take any good pictures. I rested for a while and quickly descended the mountain. When I was descending, a tour bus stopped by me. The same kind old man gave me a lift again. I have met many good people since I came to Japan. I was very touched by their kindness.

庄川

山にのぼる

山の中

棚田

やった！散居村