Volume 15, Number 3 |
The new train line to Tokyo, formally known as the "Joban Shinsen" (New Joban Line) has now been given an official name. A campaign to elicit name suggestions for the new line resulted in almost 45,000 entries, and from these, the committee selected "Tsukuba Express" as best representing the character of the new line.
Construction began in 1992 and is now proceeded at a rapid rate towards opening in 2005. The 58.3 kilometers between Tsukuba Station and the other end of the line in Akihabara (Tokyo) is projected to cost a whopping 1.5 trillion yen, which comes out to over 25 billion yen per km (probably making it the most expensive train line yet built)! A little "back-of-the-envelope" calculation suggests it would take a very long time for the trains fares to pay that off. One hundred thousand passengers a day averaging 1000 yen per ticket would generate an income of 100 million yen per day. At that rate, it would take 41 years to pay off the debt, and that wouldn't include operating costs and interests on the loans. So, obviously, this project wasn't conceived with the idea of being able to pay its own way - at least not from ticket sales. The economic payoff for the entire region, however, will be tremendous, and that is where the finances begin to make sense.
Construction of the Tsukuba Station is now well under way. It will be an underground station under Chuo Dori next to the Tsukuba Bus Center, and the line will continue undergound for some distant to the west where it will come above ground and be an elevated tract for most of the rest of the way through Tsukuba. The first station after Tsukuba will be the Katsuragi Station, just to the north of Tsuchiura-Gakuen Sen and the Matsushiro area. The second station will be the Shimana Station just to the west of the Western Business and Research Park (the old grounds of Expo '85), and the last station still in Tsukuba will be the Kayamaru Station to the west of the Yatabe Branch Office.
From there, the line continues on through Ina and Moriya on into Chiba, Saitama and finally Tokyo. Seven of the stations are already existing stations on older lines that cross the new line. Passengers on the Joso Line, for example, can transfer onto the Tsukuba Express at Moriya. Likewise, travel from Tsukuba to the Tokorozawa area west of Tokyo will be greatly enhanced as passengers can transfer to the Musashino Line and get there without having to go through Tokyo. At present, it's difficult to transfer onto the Musashino Line from the Joban Line even though they intersect as there is no common station. Transfers to numerous subway and train lines within Tokyo will be convenient, with stations in Kita Senju, Minami Senju and Moto Asakusa in addition to the final station at Akihabara.
Its maximum speed is to be 130 km per hour, and thus even with 18 stops between Tsukuba and Akihabara, the total trip will take only 45 minutes. The latest in train technology will be employed to increase safety. The station platforms will have fences along the entire platform so that it will be impossible to fall off onto the tracts. A person bent on suicide can always climb over, of course, but this will make it much more difficult. Only when the train pulls up to a stop do gates in front of the doors open up and allow people on and off the train. New construction techniques will also make the ride smoother and quieter than older trains.
Train Line to Spur New Growth
Needless to say, the transformation of Tsukuba into another Tokyo "bed town" is fast becoming a reality. Five specific areas of development are planned with a total growth of about 88,000 people just within those areas by 2020 (not to mention additional growth in other areas.) Three of these areas surround the stations to be built within the Tsukuba city limits with the other two somewhat more distant from the line. Work on four of these areas has already begun, and parts of these projects are to be open by the time the line opens in 2005.
The largest of the areas is the Katsuragi District with 484.7 ha. of land (mostly from what is now the automobile testing grounds). A projected 25,000 people are to be housed in this area. The Kayamaru District is the next largest with 292.7 ha., and its projected population is supposed to reach 21,000. Next in size is the Shimana - Fukudahei District with 242.9 ha. and a projected population of 15,000, with the smallest being the Kamikawaharazaki - Nakanishi District just to the west of Shimana, with 168.2 ha. and a projected population of 11,000.
The plans call for one more area of planned development in the Nakane - Konda area just to the north of the Sakura Branch Office of City Hall to be begun in 2003. It will have 189.9 ha. with a projected population of 16,000.
Needless to say, with the large numbers of new people coming in, traffic will continue to build up towards Tokyo levels. New roads are in the plans, of course, including the new expressway that will connect Tsukuba with Narita airport and then swing on around Tokyo connecting the various "spokes of the wheel" funneling into Tokyo by making the actual "wheel." This will greatly facilitate travel from one side of Tokyo to the other. (This will significantly reduce the traffic jams along the expressways in Tokyo since many of the cars and trucks on them don't want to be there anyway - they're just trying to get to the other side.) Likewise, the Highway 6 Bypass is to be extended along the Tsukuba Ushiku border to connect with what already exists in Tsuchiura to relieve the heavy congestion along Route 6 in Ushiku and Arakawaoki. Construction of the interchange between the two is already well under way.
Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, Tom Jobim and Jao Gilberto! If you know who they are, you must be a big fan of Brazilian music! And the next COFFEE HOUR is something you just don't wanna miss! In April, we'll invite Mr. Pierre Marcel Ussuy, A Japanese-Brazilian and the co-owner of the Millennium Language School in Ushiku. With some Brazilian CDs and videos of Brazilian Carnival of his choice, Pierre is going to talk about his country, where so many different kinds and styles of music with influence from Europe and Africa are produced. As everyone around him agrees, no one can beat this "king" Pierre when it comes to Brazilian music! "Music is such an important aspect of Brazilian society and culture, and so many musicians and composers have inspired many Brazilian people with their fascinating lives for years, especially during difficult times in the history of Brazil," he passionately argues. How has their powerful music touched the people of Brazil? And how does it affect them culturally, socially and psychologically today? For Brazilian music lovers, samba dancers and those of you who just can't wait for the summer to come, Pierre is going to make you feel the wind of Brazil that you'll never forget!
Come and join the crowd at the monthly Coffee Hour at the Tsukuba Information Center on Wed., April 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. and hear the music Pierre provides. Refreshments will be provided.
Norin-Danchi (National Agriculture Research Center) will have an open house on the 18th of April. Many exciting and attractive events for kids are planned there: flower maze, pony riding, petting zoo and so on. We're planning to have a picnic there. We'll meet at the parking lot of Ninomiya Public Hall and leave there at 10:30am.
If you're interested in this picnic event, please call us (Ishihara at 51-0284 or Sanada at 54-7174).
** No activity on the Monday of the 4th week **
As of April, you can no longer freely dispose of certain electrical appliances, namely television sets, air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines. If you are purchasing a new unit, then the store will take these items off your hands, but if you need to dispose of one without purchasing a new one, then things have gotten a lot more complicated. It will now cost you a "recycle fee" of \4600 for refrigerators, \3500 for air conditioners, \2700 for television sets, and \2400 for washing machines. Stores will do this for you for those fees plus a "shipping fee" that would vary from store to store. If you can take it to the "clean center" disposal place yourself, you can save the extra fee, but you need to first go to the post office and pay the disposal fee, and take that receipt with you to the disposal center just north of K.E.K. between Higashi Odori and the Northern Research Park (LSI Logic, etc.). Other items, including old computers, etc. are for the time being still handled in the old way.
The Ibaraki Hash House Harriers, the international drinking club with a running problem, will hold their next exciting event on Sunday, April 29th. Meet at the Frontier Bar at 2pm. Join them for a scenic 6k mystery course (walk, jog, or run) followed by the infamous down, down beer ceremony and party. Are you a virgin? In Hashspeak, that is a person who has never joined a Hash event. Once a year they have a special promotion: Virgins drink for free!!! That's right, all the beer or soft drinks you want for that popular price of absolutely nothing!!! So, join them for sun, fun, and a little exercise. ibarakih3.infoseek.ne.jp
An English language interdenominational worship service is held once a month normally on the fourth Sunday of every month at 2 pm. at the Tsukuba Gakuen Church near Daiei. There will be a special Easter service on April 15 at 2 pm following the Easter pot-luck dinner after the morning Japanese service. The regular monthly service will be the following week on April 22 at 2 pm. Both are followed by an informal fellowship time at the Tsukuba Christian Center next door. The Japanese language congregation meets every Sunday morning at 10:30, and the service is translated into English over headphones. There is also a Bible Study in English every Tuesday evening at 8:00 in the Christian Center. For more information or help with transportation, call Tim Boyle at 55-1907.
The Tsukuba Catholic Church has an English mass at 8:00 am every Sunday and the Japanese masses on Saturday night (6 pm) and Sunday morning (10 am) are accompanied by an summary of the message in English. There is even a Spanish mass on the 3rd Sundays at 3 pm. On the last Sunday of the month, there is a coffee social after the English mass. For information, call the church at 36-1723. The Tsuchiura Catholic Church offers an English mass on the last Sunday of each month at 3 pm (tel. 21-1501). There is also a Portuguese mass on the 3rd Saturday at 7 pm.
The Tsukuba Baptist Church offers an English language Bible study before the Japanese service every Sunday from 10 to 11 am. It is located in Inarimae just east of Nishi Odori on the street closest to the meteorological observation tower. Tel. 58-0655.
The Megumi Church in Tsuchiura (489-1 Kami Takatsu) also offers English translation of their 10:30 Japanese service over ear phones. An English Bible class is held every Sunday morning at 9:00. There is also an International Fellowship group that holds a monthly pot luck dinner usually on the third Saturday. For information on that, call Melissa Ishio at 38-1374. For more information, call the church at 22-2244 or e-mail LDN03144@niftyserve.or.jp (Also see their Tsuchiura Megumi Church Web Page at http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/ro/tmc/index.html).
The Tokyo International Church, Tsukuba Branch in Amakubo 3-3-5 (across from Tsukuba Univ.) offers a 10:30-noon Chinese (Mandarin) service interpreted into both English and Japanese. There is also an English language Bible study every Sunday evening at 7 pm. For information, call Rev. Huang at 52-6820.
The International Christian Assembly meets every Sunday at their new building just off of Tsuchiura-Gakuen Sen east of Tsukuba (just behind the restaraut with the dragon on the roof) from 10 am for Bible Study and 10:30 for worship. For more information, call Richard Swan at 57-9006.
The Nozomi Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tsuchiura (23-27 Komatsu 3-chome) also offers programs in English, including a worship service Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm and a Bible class on Sunday mornings at 9:30. English Bible information courses are available any time. For more information, call Glen Hieb at 0298-21-3578.
The Tsuchiura Christian Church offers an English message translated into Japanese every Sunday morning at 10:30 am. For information, contact Paul Axton at 56-2167.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Tsukuba ward is located at Sakura 2 chome 35-2. Services are translated into English over headphones. The Sacrament Meeting begins at 10 am followed by Sunday School at 11:10 and Priesthood and Relief Society at 12:00. A Gospel Doctrine class in English is also offered. For more information, contact 57-9795.
The Jewish Community of Japan, invites anyone of the Jewish faith in the Tsukuba area to feel welcome at any of their programs in Tokyo. Sabbath services each Friday at 6:30 pm followed by Sabbath dinner; Kosher Kitchen, Saturday morning, 9:30 am. Contact 3-8-8 Hiroo, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo 150; tel. 03-3400-2559, fax. 03-3400-1827.
Every year during the middle of April, the various research institutes in Tsukuba open up their facilities to public tours. This year, 43 institutes will be open to the public, some on all of the days and others on only specific days. Most of the institutes are divided up into three groupings determined by location in order to facilitate moving from one display to the next. These main groupings have their open days on the 18th, 19th, and 20th, with a free shuttle bus service from the Bus Center along a set route to the institutes for that day. If you are interested in seeing what kind of research is being done at the various laboratories, this is an excellent chance to have a look. The institutes are open to the public on the respective days from 10 am to 4 pm each day. The numbers accompanying the name of each institute correspond to those on the map in the Japanese pamphlet (light green cover) available at the Information Center and the Center for Institutes, etc.
The week begins on Monday, April 16 with several institutes opening their doors to the public for all or most of the entire week. Open the entire week is the Center for Institutes (5), which has literature on all the institutes. The Tsukuba Botanical Gardens and National Science Museum (11), which is a good outing anytime, especially when the flowers are out is open the entire week except Monday, their normal day off. The same is true of the Tsukuba Expo Center (35), which is half price during Science Week (\150 adults, \80 children). The Space Center (6) and the National Research Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials (3) are open to the public all days with special emphasis on children's events on the 21st. This is an excellent chance to wander through the numerous displays of satellites and rockets. Tours can be arranged at other times through the year, but in general, there is not the easy access to this institute that is available at most other institutes.
Open Monday through Friday are the Geological Survey of Japan (27), which has a very nice geological museum open throughout the year, the Tsukuba Research Gallery (14), and the Geographical Survey Institute (31).
Open only on the 18th are 20 institutes to the southwest of central Tsukuba. They are as follows: the Tsukuba Life Science Center (7), the Tsukuba Medicinal Plant Research Station (12), the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council Secretariat (13), the National Agricultural Research Center (14), the National Institute of Fruit Tree Science and the National Institute of Floricultural Science (15), the National Insitute of Livestock and Grassland (16), the National Institute of Animal Health (17), the National Institute for Agrobiological Resources (Kannondai Campus) (18), the National Institute for Agrobiological Resources (Ohwashi Campus) (19), the National Institute of Agro-Environmental Sciences (20), the National Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering (21), the National Food Research Institute (22), the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (24), the National Center for Seeds and Seedlings (25), the Tsukuba International Center (JICA) (34), and the Japan Agricultural Research Institute (41). Free shuttle buses will be available to transport people to and from the institutes, leaving the Tsukuba Bus Center (stop 6) at 9:40, 10:10, 10:40, 11:10, 12:40, 13:10, 13:40, 14:10, 14:40, 15:10, 15:40, and 16:10 stopping at the Agricultural Center 20 minutes later, the Tsukuba Life Science Center 7 minutes after that, JICA 3 minutes later, and then back to the Tsukuba Center 50 minutes after it left. As the Agricultural complex is so big, there are also two free shuttle buses going around inside of it ( in opposite directions), leaving every half hour beginning at 10 am from the main office building in the center of the complex.
On the 19th, 7 institutes located mainly in the Sengen, Namiki and Umezono areas will open their doors (in addition to the ones open all week). They are: the National Research Institute for Metals (2), the National Research Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials (3), the National Institute for Environmental Studies (8), the Meteorological Instruments Plant (28), the Meteorological Research Institute (29), the Aerological Observatory (30), the Technical Research & Research Institute (Kumagai Co.) (39), and the Hazama Technical Research Institute (40). The two shuttle buses leave the Bus Center, with one bus leaving at 9:40 going one direction around the loop and another bus leaving at the same time going around the route in the opposite direction. The two buses will repeat the same courses at 10;20, 11:05, 12:30, 13:30, 14:00, and 14:55, stopping at 8 stops along the 70 minute route. You are free to get off and on at any point along the way.
The next grouping of institutes are all located on the north side of Tsukuba, and will be open on Friday, April 20th. This group is made up of 5 institutes including the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (4), the National Laboratory for High Energy Physics (10), the Geographical Survey Institute (31), the Public Works Research Institute (32), the Building Research Institute (33), the Tsukuba Building Test Laboratory, Center For Better Living (37) and the NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories (38). As this day's route is shorter, the two buses will be able to make 5 round trips each, going in opposite directions around the route. The starting times at the bus center are 9:50, 11:00, 13:00, 14:10 and 15:20, and if you miss a bus, you can always take the regular bus service for a fee.
On Saturday, April 21st, 7 institutes will have special displays aimed at children. They are the National Research Institute for Metals (2), the National Research Institute for Materials Science (3), the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (4), the Tsukuba Life Science Center (7), Tsukuba University (9), and the Tsukuba Institute of Science and Technology (43) (also open Sunday). The two shuttle buses leave the Bus Center, with one bus leaving at 9:30 going one direction around the loop and another bus leaving at the same time going around the route in the opposite direction. The two buses will repeat the same courses at 10:40, 12:10, 13:20, 14:30, and 15:40, stopping at 3 stops along the 60 minute route.
by Joseph G. Robbie
Yamada Junior, the chairman's son, took it upon himself to guide Keri Canyon through the plethora of dishes laid out on the izakaya table: gyoza, octopus, soy beans, natto, sushi, yakitori, yakisoba, yakiniku, pickled veggies, tempura, curry, rice, and miso soup. With her fork, Keri tried some of each dish, loved some and liked the rest, except for the natto, which she vowed to avoid. Her beer glass was never less than half full, and she soon found herself pouring beer for others. Then the curious questions started.
"How was your flight?"
"What do you think of Japan?"
"Can you use chopsticks?"
"Do you have a boyfriend in Canada?"
"How old are you?"
"Is your hair really blonde?"
"How about Japanese food?"
"Etc....."
When Kubota sensei received instant service by pushing a green button on the table, Keri was impressed and wondered why they didn't have such a convenient system for calling waitresses back in Moose Jaw, or even Toronto. Yamada Senior ordered a bottle of sake and insisted that everyone try some, except the kids of course. Keri found the taste peculiar, not her cup of tea. By now, it was 9:30. Asuka and Hiromi, the office ladies, sneaked peeks at watches. Usually they were off by this time on Saturdays, but when invited to join the welcome dinner for Keri, they understood that it was more than just an invitation. It was part of their job, and nobody would leave until the chairman proclaimed the evening over.
Keri was getting understandably tired from the combined effects of her long, turbulent flight, the bottomless beer glass, and the overactive thrill/stress continuum at play on her nerves. She was only half listening as Yamada Senior droned on in his broken, and now slurred, English about the start of a new term at Nogo. Monday was to be the launch of their TOEFL/TOEIC classes, designed to help students score higher on those difficult academic and business English exams. As the new full-time teacher, Keri was expected to prepare a presentation, or sales pitch, for Monday promoting these courses, and then teach them starting on Tuesday.
Finally, after the children present started whining about going home, Senior picked up the tab. Outside, with much bowing and well-wishing, the party broke up. Kubota's wife, Rieko, took the wheel, as she was sober, and drove the exhausted Canadian back home. With promises of stopping by the next afternoon to take Keri shopping, Rieko then took her leave. Keri brushed her teeth, popped out her contacts, and was gone to the world.
The next morning was humid and sunny. Keri was awakened by blaring loudspeakers playing some kind of military music. Disoriented here in the Orient, she moped, then groped, then saw out the window a battleship grey sound van boasting numerous Japanese flags. It made its way slowly down the street, disturbing many, though none let it show.
So, she arose. Wanting to call Rieko, she looked around for the phone, which was not to be found. Funny. Her recruiter had told her that the apartment included a Telephone. Shoganai, for now anyway. Hungry, she searched the fridge and cupboards for nourishment. Nai. Nothing to be had. A restaurant, and then shopping were in order, but she was too timid to try alone. Donning her jeans and a t-shirt, Keri let herself out of the apartment. Down one flight of stairs and out to the busy street she padded, turning left towards where she had spotted a 7-11. The payphone was her target. Arriving there, she searched her bag for coin and number. Her coins were Canadian and the phone didn't take bills. The shop was, as always, open. She entered.
"Welcome to our shop!!!" The clerks peppy chant rang overused and insincere. Keri approached the counter. "I'm sorry, but can you break a bill for me? I need change for the phone."
The young clerks stared at her and then at each other. One asked her "#%~)#!*+>=&~?", but she couldn't understand a word. Putting her thumb in her ear and pinky in her mouth, Keri tried to pantomime making a call, while with her other hand she waved a 1000 yen note about. The help was aghast. Other customers were patiently waiting to check out as the Canadian explained, "Look, I just want you to give me some coins for this paper money."
Is that so difficult to comprehend? Apparently it was for speakers of their own language living in their own country. And really, why should they be expected to know Keri's native language? Isolation and national ego had long dictated the attitude of "Why should I have to speak English in Japan? Let the gaijin learn our tongue."
The wisdom of this attitude remains debatable, yet Keri felt that if the whole world spoke the same language, it would be great, wouldn't it? But that certainly wasn't the case in her present situation, as the quiet queue behind her lengthened. She felt acute frustration. She felt helpless.
Then, an older gentleman attired in a three-piece suit stepped out of line and neared the scene. "May I be of service?" he inquired. Keri almost kissed him. The stranger obtained the change then helped Keri make the call. Rather than using coins, he slipped a "Hello Kitty" phone card into the slot. Rieko was reached. They planned their rendezvous for one hour hence. Keri turned to her white knight and thanked him profusely.
"It was my pleasure," he answered, while handing her an elegant business card. "Please call me if I might be of further assistance, or if you are interested in making extra money." An inscrutable smile, and he was gone. Keri glanced at the bilingual card:
Toru Yamazaki
Manager
Super Snack
0298-21-9372
"Probably some kind of restaurant," she assumed, putting the meishi in her wallet. She couldn't imagine ever wanting to work for him, however a sixth sense suggested that they would meet again. As for now, having survived the ordeal of making her first phone call, Keri was looking forward to brunch and shopping.
To be continued...
After the Cherry Blossoms come the Azaleas and Tulips
Cherry blossoms in the Tsukuba area have ended their short existence and now in the latter part of April and early May it's time for the Azaleas. One variety of cherry tree, however, what is called "Yaezakura", does bloom later in April, with the most spectacular displays being along the entrance to the Meteorological Research Institute (next to the 210 meter observation tower) and just off the southern entrance to Tsukuba University off of Higashi Odori. The azaleas are everywhere, with no obvious first choice of sites.
Japan is famous for its beautiful gardens, though the typical image of Japanese gardens is more centered on shape and form than raw color, as in western gardens. Nevertheless, Japanese love flowers, and now is the time to see some really spectacular displays in and around Tsukuba.
Flower Park in Yasato on the backside of Mt. Tsukuba is probably the most spectacular, as it has rows upon rows of various flowers blooming throughout the Spring months. Roses are its speciality, but they don't bloom until late May. Nevertheless, brightly colored tulips, azaleas, etc. abound from late April on. It costs \600 to get in, but is well worth it. To get there, drive along route 125 about half way between Tsuchiura and the northern boundary of Tsukuba until you come to the road that leads over the mountain ridge. You will be able to see the road leading over the mountain. The park is easy to find, being on the left side of that road a few km after you've crossed over the mountain.
Another much closer garden you'll want to take a look at is the peony flower garden in Kukizaki. It specializes in "botan" (peony) flowers, which can be as big as 20 cm. across. They are at their peak during Golden Week in early May, but there are lots of other flowers as well. To get there, proceed down Science Odori towards the Yatabe Interchange, and turn left at the light just before Science Odori crosses over the expressway. There is a gas station on the left-hand corner. Proceed down this road over the expressway and straight on for about 2.2 km. (If you come to a fork in the road, you have gone a little too far). Turn right (signs on both sides of the road). The peony gardens are located a couple hundred meters ahead next to a cemetery. If you continue on the main road another couple of km, you'll come to the Takasaki Shizen no Mori in Kukizaki. Its speciality is fields of poppies which bloom from early May. It's located just past a large hospital on the right.
Tulip displays can also be spectacular, with three separate parks on the south shores of Lake Kasumigaura featuring tulips that bloom from mid to late April. The nearest is the Kasumigaura Sogo Koen on the shores of Lake Kasumigaura just south of Tsuchiura Station. The entrance to the park, which also features a Dutch style windmill, is about 1 km from the junction of route 125 and the road leading south from the station. Though more distant, the displays in Miho and Sakuragawa are even bigger, with the latter boasting 230,000 tulips in bloom! The Miho display is in the Kihara Castle Park (just northwest of the Texas Instrument Plant), while the Sakuragawa display is in the Wada Park on a little peninsula jutting out into the lake on the east (far) side of the town. It is a bit off the beaten path, and so you'll need a map to figure out which unmarked back road to take.
Spring Festivals
The Kasama Azalea Fair; held from late April to mid May, features 35,000 azalea bushes in bloom peaking around early Golden Week. It is located to the east of downtown Kasama (famous for its pottery). Ask for "Tsutsuji Koen." The Kasama Pottery Festival will also be taking place from May 1 - 5, and so the two would be a nice combo during Golden Week (though beware, the traffic during certain periods of Golden Week won't make you feel very "golden"!). The city of Kasama is also developing "Geijutsu no Mori Koen" ("Forest of Art Park"), a 54-hectare park featuring art displays, "hands on" art, etc, in a nature preserve atmosphere. Much of it is complete and now open, and it promises to be quite an attraction. Like many such facilities, it is closed on Mondays (or if that is a holiday, then the following day). The entrance fee is \300. In years past, numerous hillsides were planted with wild flowers that were at their peak in early May. Definitely worth exploring. It is located a few km due east of Kasama Station off of route 355.
The Ryujin Carp Streamer (Koi Nobori) Festival will be held 4/21 - 5/ 13. Along Japan's longest suspension walking bridge (375 m.), there will be 300 giant "koi nobori" suspended above Ryujin Lake. It is located north of Mito, about a 2-hour drive from Tsukuba, not far from the famous Fukuroda Falls, one of the most spectacular in Japan. Both are well worth a visit during Golden Week. To get there, drive up the Joban to the Hitachi Minami Ota Exit and turn left onto Route 6. Then turn left again on Route 293 (a few hundred meters up Route 6). It's about 5 km from there to the junction with Route 349 (in Yamashita Town). Keep on 293 for another 2 km until it bends sharply to the left. Exit 293 at that point by going straight ahead for another km or so until you come to a main road. That is the road you want. It's called the Hitachi Ota - Daigo Sen. Turn left and proceed about 20 km. The dam, lake and bridge are on the left. Fukuroda no Taki (waterfall) is located about 15 km farther to the north. Turn left at the first main road (about 12 km up) and go across the pass. On your way home, you might want to stop in at the new hot springs resort "Santa no Yu". Totally unrelated to the fat man in the red suit, "Santa" refers to a brave giant of Japanese folklore, and this new resort takes its name from its "giant" size. Located in Yamagata Machi, just south of Daigo Machi and the Fukuroda Falls. It costs \700 on weekdays and \1000 on weekends and has numerous different baths to try out. Closed first and third Mondays. If you like hot springs, it looks like a winner. Tel. 0295-57-4126. Bon voyage!
Author: Livineasy Reporter
Here is some common Medical lingo from the South.
Benign......................... What you be, after you be eight.
Artery......................... The study of paintings.
Bacteria....................... Back door to cafeteria.
Barium......................... What doctors do when patients die.
Cesarean Section............... A neighborhood in Rome.
Catscan........................ Searching for Kitty.
Cauterize...................... Made eye contact with her.
Colic.......................... A sheep dog.
Coma........................... A punctuation mark.
D&C............................ Where Washington is.
Dilate......................... To live long.
Enema.......................... Not a friend.
Fester......................... Quicker than someone else.
Fibula......................... A small lie.
Genital........................ Non-Jewish person.
G.I. Series.................... World Series of military baseball.
Hangnail....................... What you hang your coat on.
Impotent....................... Distinguished, well known.
Labor Pain..................... Getting hurt at work.
Medical Staff.................. A Doctor's cane.
Morbid......................... A higher offer.
Nitrates....................... Cheaper than day rates.
Node........................... I knew it.
Outpatient..................... A person who has fainted.
Pap Smear...................... A fatherhood test.
Pelvis......................... Second cousin to Elvis.
Post Operative................. A letter carrier.
Recovery Room.................. Place to do upholstery.
Rectum......................... Damn near killed him.
Secretion...................... Hiding something.
Seizure........................ Roman emperor.
Tablet......................... A small table.
Terminal Illness............... Getting sick at the airport.
Tumor.......................... One plus one more.
Urine.......................... Opposite of you're out.
Varicose....................... Near by/close by.