Hanabi (Fireworks) in Summer - 夏の花火

In Japan, in the summertime, there are firework shows in various locations. As far as I can tell, these take place on riversides or bay areas. The biggest and most famous in Tokyo (and notoriously crowded) display is on the Sumida river. Not being into crowds, I've never been to that one. Last Saturday there was a display scheduled on the very big Tamagawa (Tama river). This river separates Tokyo from Kanagawa. It is a wide and long river with very nice grassy banks on either side. Our friends, Masaaki and Keiko Omori just bought a new condo about 1 1/2 blocks from the riverside there. So they invited us over to have a picnic outside and sit and watch the fireworks show (they kindly staked out a patch of ground for us ahead of time).

We decided to bring Daisy for her first time to go for a visit to someone's home. She enjoyed it alot but was really confused as to why she couldn't run around their home and get into trouble like she can at her own home. All in all, she was pretty good albeit a bit of work for Ken and I.

Here are some pictures from that evening. Ken was holding Daisy while we enjoyed the fireworks show and Daisy was peering over his shoulder at the people behind us. They were all lined up for as far as you could see (in the dark), so when you looked behind, it appeared as if we had an audience watching us. Daisy seemed to wonder why everyone was fixated on us all night.

Why are all those people looking at us?

It was warm but pleasant weather, we got a bit of sprinkles, which was actually quite refreshing, at the end of the evening, thus the spots on the camera lense (you may notice in the pictures below).

From left to right: Kenji, Daisy, Masaaki, Keiko

From left to right: Daisy, Kenji, Masaaki, ME!

Fun at the Dog Park with a new ball - ドッグランでおニューのボールとのひと時

Today Daisy and I went to the dog park nearby our home. I have put up some videos of a few of our previous trips there (can be seen on YouTube, just click on the link in the column on the right side of this webpage, under the heading "My Favorite Web Places", to get fast access to all Princess T's YouTube videos, YouTube member name is ptsrainbow).

It's a really nice little park provided by the city of Ichikawa for residents and their dogs. There are quite a few benches to sit on while your dogs play, and a covered area outside the dog runs with a picnic table near a pond with a little waterfall. The greatest part is it's FREE! We rarely get something for free in Japan.

There are 3 fenced areas, one for puppies, one for smaller dogs and one with the tallest fence, for large dogs. Daisy isn't so big yet (she has hit 15 lbs./7.2 kilos now) but she does best in the big dog area as larger dogs keep her attitude in check. That is, aside from the chihuahuas that scared her into a corner a few weeks ago!

During the week, hardly any one is there, so I bought her a frisbee and a squeeky rubber football (it's orange) to play with when it is just me and her. She had a great time today with the football. She hasn't got the idea of the frisbee figured out yet.

Enjoy the video!