This year we’ve resolved ourselves to climb Mt. Tsukuba. No big deal given the fact that we’ve lived near this mountain for past 10 yrs now. This mountain is one of the recommended mountain climbing choices in Japan. You can read more about this awesome mountain on Wikipedia.
The map to climb Mt. Tsukuba is available as a PDF file here. The Miyuki-ga-hara trail is the most arduous while the Mukaeba trail is easier & much more fun together for first timers.
Here are some photo memories from our climb up there – we chose Mukaeba trail to climb up, then used cable car down.
Our second climb was more prepared (we were looking forward to the tough one this time). This time we chose to go up through the Miyuki-ga-hara trail, then chose Mukaeba trail back down. We didn’t manage to take many photos this time, but some of them are here if you’re interested.
Definitely recommend this mountain should you choose to explore more from Japan!
Nicolas, Amrita, Elena performing at 聖母幼稚園 (Seibo youchien) Christmas 2013 gathering. Nicolas’s performance was very impressive, Amrita enjoyed being on-stage, and Elena was delighted to join her mother’s club live.
Mother’s Day, May 13th was a celebration in Lala Garden, Tsukuba. The junior jazzersice group had a dance performance where Amrita, and Nicolas gave the public a short sweet performance on music.
Enjoyed an extremely wonderful dinner party for Jose. Iain, Sasha, Sandy, Dinesh, kids and us enjoyed it alot. Was very interesting to meet new friends, have a nice little chat, mixed with rare Moldovan dinner, and special Moldova wines, of course! Second round was with Turkish, Indian sweets, and hot cup of delightful Turkish tea.
Got a warning ticket yesterday for parking in a “handicap” zone. (Well, it is convenient to park there, I admit). But look at the ticket content, you’ll be shocked !
Here’s how it translates (tried my best, since this is native Japanese and had to look up the dictionary many times) This parking place is for [physically handicapped], not [mentally handicapped] person like you. Can make out from a car like yours, a person like you won’t understand. You really think your car is too cool? Aren’t you ashamed to act like a complete idiot? Did you ever see your ugly face in the mirror? Pity you do not understand, thus I noted your car number, model and informed to the nearest police station. Don’t ever park in parking reserved for handicap again !
Pretty rude and forthcoming for a Japanese, don’t you think?
I wonder why didn’t this person put his number or contact in case I wish to “consult” to remedy my pitiful situation.
Hurray ! I received my bike license today in Japan ! In my first attempt itself ! Wish me congratulations !
My bike license in Japan
Ok some background – I had a bike license from my country. I had not converted it to International License, so I had to opt only for conversion into Japanese license – 外国免許切り替え. I do have a car license obtained in Japan, so I was exempted from written test (which by the way is too difficult, trust me). Instead, I simply had to appear an actual driving test (which is again difficult, mind you). I was required to produce a translated copy of my original license from my country, which can be done in 30 mins in JAF offices. Rest are your passport (both old, new ones), an application form, few stamps which you can buy right there. I live in Tsukuba, so I had to goto Ibaragi License Center, which is situated in Mito. You can go during weekdays, from 09:00AM. Believe me, you better arrive early. There is plenty of crowd, for all sorts of licenses, and usually you have to spend almost whole day there, in case you pass the test and obtain the license. I spent close fo 6 hours today, but in the end I was a happy guy.
Once they receive your application, they ask you few questions about your original license – How did you obtain it? Where did you practice? What kind of test did you appear for this license? How many cc bike? Learner’s license? etc. Unless there are any problems, you are then handed over a course map, and timings when your test will start. Mind you, the course map is given so that you “memorize” it, period. You are required to drive the exact course map, observing lane rules, traffic signs, signal, right or left indication, speed or slow. The usual advice is that you have some 45 mins in hand before your test starts. Thus, you should actually take the course map in hand, and walk the entire course by foot atleast once. I did that, making a mental note of the lanes, the distance around which I should turn on the indicator, and so on – till I burnt the course map into my brain cells !
The most difficult are – Ipponbashi, and Slalom – for me. And I did literally walk on foot imagining I was on bike before my test started.
I believe I was the only one appearing a bike test today – why I was alone sitting in the waiting room till my turn came. The instructor was kind enough to walk me (verbally) through the course map once again. He also gave me a brief about the bike – Honda CB750 – and for my own safety, in case I should fall, had me wear elbow, knee, body protector before the test.
When the actual test started, the instructor actually sits in a watchtower, from which he had a complete view of the course. Once he gave a go, I just drove the same path I had walked on foot earlier. I was particularly careful about slow down sign, lane change, and making sure that I move my head from left to right wide enough to show that I am taking visual confirmations before proceeding. At one point when making a turn I did step down, but I guess that was OK, because if I’d had done the same on Ipponbashi or Slalom, or even S-letter, or Crank, I am out without any further discussion. Phew, I did feel once the bike will stop during Crank, but I was lucky enough to make it till the final stop.
In the end, the instructor appraised my driving skills, and gave me the golden word – “合格” !
