I had a bit of a reunion of my elementary school tonight at a restaurant near our school.

This school is one of the oldest established schools in Japan, and present building was rebuilt in 1931.

When I was a kid, of course I didn't appreciate to study and play surrounded by this beautiful architecture. But now, I'm so glad that the school is preserved as an art center after it was closed down as a school, since there're not many children around this area.

http://www.kac.or.jp/

IKEA kitchen

My house in Kyoto has been on construction. The house is about 80 years old. It has been remodeled twice before, and now it's getting remodeled for the third time.

For kitchen, I decided to have Ikea kitchen. It came in 33! boxes and two construction guys put them together in 11 hours.

Looking forward to cooking in this new Swedish kitchen!!

New Year Day

OSHOGATSU, New Year is here.

Osechi (New Year's festive food), green tea and sweets, playing cards with family and visiting shrines and temples..

I had not had such a typical Japanese New year so long. So nice to have family close by and get together.