4)Saturday, June 30, 2007 Weather: Sunny then cloudy Takahata-Fudoson Temple

• We have very few rains during this rainy season so far.
• The weekend weather forecast was changed from rainy to cloudy at the weekend.
• I planned to visit temple by jogging after a long interval. The destination of this time is Takahata-Fudoson Temple in Hino City, Tokyo.
• I left home at 5:45 AM. It was sunny and the sun was already shining. It was hot and humid and I immediately started to sweat.
• I could not sleep well last night owing to hotness. The lack of sleep blew my body.
• Anyway, I ran alongside Koganei Highroad and New Koganei Highroad to the bank of Tama River.
• It was also hot on the bank of Tama River. I was almost suffering heat exhaustion under such hot and humid condition.
• First, I dropped in the Fuchu-Kyodo-no-Mori Park to see the lotus flowers in the Shukei Pond, because I read the newspaper saying that the famous Ohga-lotus flowers were in full bloom. However, to my regret, the flowers were already gone and I could see only one half-opened flower.
• There were many other kinds of lotus flowers, but none of them were so beautiful.
• Then I continued to run on the bank northward. I crossed the Sekido Bridge to reach the Kawasaki Highroad. I ran alongside the Kawasaki Highroad for 5 km to reach Takahata-Fudo Temple. It was so hot that I almost threw a seven. Spare me!
• Takahata-Fudo Temple is one of three Fudo Temples in Kanto District. (Others: Shinshoji Temple in Narita City, Chiba Pref. and Ohyamadera Temple of Aburisan) It is famous for ridding one of bad luck and prayer for traffic safety.
• After passing Deva Gate, you will see Fudodo Temple. There exists a substitute Fudoson.
• The main Fudoson is in the Okuden (Entry fee: Yen 300). You can also see many tresures there. The Fudoson is approx. 2.8 meters high. So big and you will get bowled over by.
• Going further, you will see Dainichido temple (Entry fee Yen 200). There exists Dainichi Nyorai. Just in front of the Nyorai, you can see the drawing of a dragon in the ceiling. And you will hear the sound as if the dragon was roaring if you clap your hands. (A kind of reverberating sound)
• The temple is also famous for hydrangea. I could see varous kinds of hydrangeas.
  
  
  Ohga lotus flower. Lotus flower Deva Gate
  
  
  Guide Plate Okuden Dainichido Temple
  
  
  hydrangea Five-storied tower.
  
  
  
• There are many tourist attractions and it is worth visiting.
• After visit, I did not have any energy to run back. I took on the monorail and train to get home. The total running distance was 30km, but I was completely exhausted owing to hot weather.

4)Sunday, June 3, 2007 Weather: Sunny Kitayama Park in Higashi-murayama City

• I read that the flowers of sweet calamus are now in full bloom and thus I decided to visit Kitayama Park famous for the flowers of sweet calamus.
• I left home at 6:00 AM.
• I arrived in Kitayama Park before 7:00 AM. Although it was early in the morning, a lot of visitors were already there. They were shooting photos or sketching flowers.
• The ratio of bloom was 5%. Someone said the flowers would be in full blossom in next weekend.
• I stroll around the park and took photos of flowers.
  
  
  Sweet calamus Sweet calamus
  
  
  
• When returning, I chose the different running course, but happened to lose my way.
• I was forced to detour and thus the running distance amounted to 22 km! I ran totally more than 60 km this weekend after a long interval.

3)Saturday, June 2, 2007 Weather: Cloudy occasionally sunny Tamako Cycling Road

• It's already June!
• I woke up before 4:00 AM this morning. It was already bright outside. I left home at 4:15. The destination was Tamako Lake for 30km running.
• I could hear a cuckoo singing very close to my house. I could see he was flying.
• While running the Tamako Cycling Road, I found that the flowers of hydrangeas were coming out. The rainy season is coming!
• I could also hear a little cuckoo singing in the forest of Sayama Park beside Tamako Lake.
• I completed 30 km run in the early morning.
  
  
  hydrangea
  
  
  
• Then, I ran again with my running mate from 10:30 after a long interval alongside Ochiai & Kurome River.
• I thought I could see spotbill duck with baby chicks, but I couldn't.
• The temperature was up and I sweated a little.
• After running 10 km, we directly went to Japanese pub just close to Higashi-kurume station, which was open at lunchtime.
• It was so nice to drink a beer after running! Chatting about marathon races, we also enjoyed drinking cold Japanese sakes.
• As scheduled, I could comple 40 km running.

2)Sunday, May 20, 2007 Weather: Fine Mt. Fuji Viewing Terrace of Higashi-Kurume Station

• It is fine today in contrast to the bad weather of yesterday.
• I started to jog alongside Ochiai River past 7:00 AM. Bright blue sky! Crisp air!
• Soon I could see snow-covered summit of Mt. Fuji clearly when looking back.
• I decided to detour to Higashi-Kurume Station to see the whole Mt. Fuji from the Mt. Fuji Viewing Terrace of the station.
• I could see wonderful Mt. Fuji in the clear sky from the terrace.
• It was early in the morning and no one was there and I could have marvelous view all to myself.
  
  
  Mt. Fuji Close-up Image of Mt. Fuji
  
  
  
• Then I came back to the running road to complete the jogging. I ran 12 km today.

1)Saturday, May 19, 2007 Weather: Cloudy and shower Nogawa River and Tama River

• Lately, unpredictable weather has continued.
• At Friday night, the weatherman said it would be rainy in the early morning to 9:00 AM on Saturday.
• Therefore, I intended to run after the rain would stop. However, when I woke up early in the morning on Saturday, the sky was bright and it seemed that the rain would not start.
• I had a plan to visit some temple by jogging this weekend.
• One of the destinations was Kuhonbutsu Temple in Setagaya-ku of Tokyo.
• I left home at 5:20 AM. I continued to run patiently alongside Nogawa River to Futago-tamagawa Station.
• It was after a long interval to run to Futago-tamagawa Station. On the way, I could enjoy then greens of Musashino Park and Nogawa Park.
• The sun sometimes appeared and the temperature was rising. However, I could see black clouds in the west sky. I was worrying about thunderstorm.
• As expected, the shower started just before I reached to Futago-tamagawa Station, but to my relief, it stopped shortly.
• Finally I arrived in Futago-tamagawa Station. The distance was approx. 29 km. I already felt tired.
• I crossed Futago-tamagwa Bridge and again started to run on the bank of Tama River to the downstream. Shortly, the shower started again! I was forced to stay under the girder bridge of Daisan-Keihin. I checked the map and found I lost my way! I made detour!! I did not need to cross the Futago-tamagawa Bridge.
• The rain continued and seemed not to stop. I completely lost my fighting spirit.
• After all, I gave up to visit the temple this time since the rain seemed not to stop.
• I decided to run back on the bank of Tama River toward Noborito Station.
• However, I already ran more than 30km and I felt hungry. I had to find out convenience store to buy rice balls. Fortunately I could find it and got two rice balls.
• When I reached Noborito Station, I was completely exhausted and gave up to run any more! I decided to go back home by train.
• I visited Noborito Station after a long interval. I was surprised that the building was so modern.
• The running distance of today was 42 km. I took my digital camera, however, I did not shoot today owing to bad weather. I will try to visit Kuhonbutsu Temple in the near future.