2026 Somei Yoshino Sakura blooms

Our Somei Yoshino Sakura tree in full bloom. 
 うちのソメイヨシノの満開です。

Trip back home to Malaysia (2026)

 ちょこちょこばなし

～庵治町とケダ州─遠くて近い「ふるさと」の今～

よろしかったら、読んでみて下さい。

Here is a translation of the Japanese write-out of my last trip back home to Malaysia. You are welcomed to read if you have time. 

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I returned to my hometown in Malaysia after two years. It was a short two-week trip, but I was able to escape the Japanese cold and completely relax.

This time, for the first time, I used Hong Kong Express from Takamatsu Airport, transiting through Hong Kong to Penang Airport in northern Malaysia. Previously, I had used Kansai International Airport or Haneda International Airport, but this route was far easier.

Malaysia is a country of eternal summer. Although I arrived in the middle of the night, the temperature was a comfortable 27 degrees Celsius. My hometown is in Kedah state, which borders Penang state. It's a peaceful region with vast rice paddies, and the rice was just growing, creating a green carpet across the landscape. Seeing this scenery soothed my soul. As a child, I often went into the rice paddies and helped with tasks like planting and weeding. I even caught fish in the paddies. However, I hated being bitten by leeches.

Back then, the population of my hometown was much larger, but now it's significantly smaller. Like Aji-cho, most of the residents are elderly, and children are rarely seen.

I stayed in my hometown for about a week, enjoying short day trips to nearby towns by car every day, savoring local cuisine and durian, often called the "king of fruits."

I stayed in Penang for several days. For me, Penang is a place I never tire of visiting. It has a rich history, and delicious restaurants are scattered throughout the city. It's hot during the day, but strolling around the city in the morning or evening is very pleasant.

Penang's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular long-stay destination for Japanese people. The reasons for this seem to be its warm climate, good safety record, friendly atmosphere towards Japanese people, and excellent Japanese language support.

Shakuhachi at Aji Wai Marche

Playing the shakuhachi at the Aji Wai Marche event. 庵治わいマルシェで、尺八を吹かせてもらいました。（写真提供：藤岡つよかず）

Outdoor photo exhibition Kaiganji Temple

Participated in an event at Kaiganji Temple with an outdoor photo exhibition of Beautiful Fish. Was happy that the members of the hula dance group Imua Noa Makani came to see it. 真魚のみた里山里海プロジェクト（会場：海岸寺）で、美魚の写真展示で参加させて頂きました。フラダンスImua Noa Makaniの皆さんは見て下さって、うれしかったです。（写真提供：Imua Noa Makani）

First time to change tire 初めてのタイヤ交換

67 years old, and first time in my life to change a flat tire by myself. Oh, the joy of learning new things... 67歳、人生で初めて自分でパンクしたタイヤを交換しました。あぁ～、新しいことを学ぶ喜び…

Metal-frame car shed re-assembled 鉄パイプ車庫の再組立て

 

Strong gales dislocated the metal-frame car shed the other day.

Lucky to have some good friends helping me to re-assemble it.

Thank you so much!! 鉄パイプで作られた車庫は先日の暴風に倒されました。

再組立ては、良き友人たちに手伝ってもらいました。

サンキューベリーマッチ

Balik kampong trip to Malaysia マレーシア、年に一度の帰郷

Just returned from a relaxing two-week vacation in Malaysia. Spent quality time in my village in Kedah, and drove around the small towns nearby for short day trips. Also spent a few days wonderful days in Penang.

マレーシアでの2週間の旅から戻りました。 故郷のケダ州の村でゆったり過ごし、近隣の小さな町を車で巡る日帰り旅行も楽しみました。 ペナンでも素晴らしい数日間を過ごしました。

Playing Shakuhachi at the paddy fields.... 田んぼで尺八を吹く

Lucky to be able to eat durians... 幸運でドリアンを食べれた

Eating tosai, idli, vadai at a restaurant in Penang... ペナンでインド風の朝食を食べた。

Tai chi is fun!

 Hello everyone, Happy New Year! Here’s to new challenges in the new year.

Last year, I shared about my morning walks. This year, I’d like to talk about starting Tai Chi. I’ve actually wanted to try it for a long time, but never quite had the opportunity until recently. Last summer, I heard there was a Tai Chi club at the Aji Community Center and decided to go check it out. I was deeply moved by the warm welcome from the instructor and the members.

The Aji Tai Chi group has about 15 members. At 67 years old, I was told—surprisingly—that I’m actually the youngest! The instructor teaches us with great care. As a beginner, I’m currently learning "Introductory Tai Chi" and "Ten-Form Tai Chi." The movements may look simple at first glance, but they’re surprisingly challenging to master. Each movement has a poetic name inspired by animals or nature, like "Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane," "Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg," "Cloud Hands," and "Playing the Lute," which makes it even more interesting.

We practice once a week, and every session leaves me feeling energized and looking forward to the next one. I also try to practice at home (almost) every day. In early December, I participated for the first time in a performance of "Ten-Form Tai Chi" at a health and wellness festival held at Hottopiano.

Tai Chi itself is incredibly enjoyable, but what makes it even more special is the camaraderie among the members. Everyone is cheerful, and the atmosphere during practice is so relaxed that jokes are often exchanged. Members also actively engage in a kind of "barter system," swapping items like fish, sudachi (citrus), snacks, cucumbers, bell peppers, winter melon, basil, persimmons, and more.

Tai Chi at the community center is truly a joy. I hope to continue with it for a long time to come.