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…