Selected photos for 2020

The first calligraphy for the year on January 2, 2020.

This photo was taken at a shopping mall in Center Kita (north), northern Yokohama. It says "laughter brings happiness"

Girls' day decorations at a traditional thatched roof house near Nakamachi-dai subway station in northern Yokohama on February 17, 2020.

Cherry blossoms in the Center Minami (south) area, northern Yokohama on March 26, 2020.

It's a welcoming sign for the warmer spring, wishing for the timely end of the coronavirus crisis.

Snow in my neighborhood, northern Yokohama on March 29, 2020.

Can you believe that the day before was in the midst of spring season with the maximum temperature reaching 23 degrees Celsius?

The fresh green scenery in northern Yokohama near the Center Minami area on April 14, 2020.

Red and white moss phlox in our neighborhood, northern Yokohama on April 23, 2020.

The Jike countryside, northern Yokohama on May 20, 2020

The preparation for rice planting is ongoing. A fishing pond is open now, observing "social distancing."

Saihouji, a Buddhist temple in northern Yokohama on May 23, 2020.

This temple is quite unique in that it has thatched-roof buildings. The temple was originally built in Kamakura, the capital of Japan from late 12th Century to early 14th Century; it was transferred to this place about 500 years ago; the present temple buildings were erected about 300 years ago.

Beautiful hydrangeas at Shogakuji, a Buddhist temple located in the Center Minami area, northern Yokohama on June 21, 2020.

Tomioka Silk Mill, located some 100 km northwest of Tokyo in Gunma prefecture, was established in 1872.

From then the mill produced quality raw silk mostly for export but after 115 years in operation it was finally discontinued in 1987. It became a world heritage site in 2014. These photos were taken on August 5, 2020.　

The Silk Road in Japan

The Silk Road museum in Hachioji, Metropolitan Tokyo on September 29, 2010

Raw silk was mainly produced in the northern Kanto region and was sent to Hachioji, which became a depot center; from there it was transported overland to Yokohama, sometimes on horseback along hilly sections. This road played an important part in the thriving silk business until the opening of a railway line in the mid Meiji era.