If you have been to Tokyo in the spring you have probably seen some bushes with the colorful flowers. These are usually azalea and are all over the place. They look and smell wonderful and really add a nice touch of colour to the city.
(Thanks to John Fowler for letting us use this great picture.)
Definitely a mountain, not a molehill
This past weekend I went hiking up Mount Myōgi (妙義山) with some friends who also enjoy climbing and bouldering. It was one of the most challenging hikes I have done but I pushed myself to go further and climb higher and, as a result, it was also one of the most rewarding hikes.
It was incredible to get out of Tokyo and drive just a few hours to an area full of greenery and sharp, craggy rock formations. The day was sunny for most of it until it decided to rain just as we reached the peak. This did nothing to spoil the incredible view however!
We had lunch at the top before climbing back down the way we had come, using the chains attached to the rock in sections where it was too dangerous or difficult to climb unassisted. While these steel chains had initially been quite intimidating, by the time we were climbing down I felt far more confident in my own feet. The whole route was accompanied by gorgeous landscapes and interesting flora.
If you are looking for a challenge, I would really recommend Mount Myōgi for a complete change of pace from Tokyo!
It is always really nice to walk by this area by the station.
Our school (usually led by the volunteer group) plants and takes care of the flowers at this little spot.
Spring season is already nice but when you get all these extra flowers it just makes your day so much brighter.
Well, Sakura season came and went as fast as it always does. The misery that comes with the falling of the cherry blossoms follows the excitement of new beginnings and a new school year.
It was terrific to have an opening ceremony this year and meet all the new and current students. I managed to take a sneaky picture of the ceremony and I love how symmetrical and tidy the picture looks with all the students in the main hall.
I am looking forward to starting a new semester and speaking English with all the students. What are you most looking forward to for the first semester?
It is always a very busy time for teachers....
general meetings, department meetings, club meetings, grade meetings, and then all the preparations and follow ups related to those meetings so that we can greet the students and get things moving along nicely.
Then the health checks and orientations and the first classes.
There is so much energy in the air.
Students are not the only ones who feel the excitement of a new year.
Let's all do our best!!
And so another year begins here at Seiritsu!
We hope everyone has a wonderful year!!
Seiritsu Gakuen is a private co-educational high school created in 1925 and it is located in Tokyo, Japan.