Happy Halloween!

Halloween continues to gain popularity in Japan but still isn't the big celebration it is in the United States. I enjoyed Halloween as a child - dressing up and going trick or treating and Halloween parties, but now it's not such a big deal to me. I have only two Halloween stitched items and I've shown them before, but since it is Halloween, I will show them again.  

Happy Halloween! 

Stitch Group Saturday

Our stitch group met yesterday, after taking a break due to the number of covid cases. The cases are down, and we hope they stay that way. I really missed stitching with my friends.  

First, some Show and Tell - - 

This Ukrainian patterned pouch is decorated front, back and under the flap.

This is a book cover - front and back closed, inside, and outside.

This Ukrainian pattern was also our project when we met back in the summer.

Another Ukrainian project that lacks just a few stitches.

Yesterday we began some stumpwork dragonflies.

At the end of our session, everyone had a good start on their dragonflies. Each person will decide on her own piece with flowers or leaves or other things.

It was great to get together again!

Theme Park Discount Tickets

Covid cases are down and Japan is ready to get the travel and tourism industry back on track. The government has intiated a program with discounts for various travel related things, including the recently added theme park discounts. 

The Event-wari campaign gives a 20 percent discount on event and attraction tickets through January 31, 2023 as a way to encourage people to visit places like theme parks. The discount is available to both foreign tourists in Japan and residents.  In order to take advantage of the discount, you need to be triple vaccinated or show a negative Covid-19 test on the day of your visit. 

Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea 

Discounted one-day tickets, available only via Tokyo Disney Resort's booking website. Depending on the season and the day of the week, with the 20% discount, the tickets cost: 

Adults: ¥6,320, ¥6,720, ¥7,120, ¥7,520   

Children aged 12-17: ¥5,280, ¥5,600, ¥5,920, ¥6,240

Children aged 4-11: ¥3,760, ¥4,000, ¥4,240, ¥4,480

FujiQ Highland, Yamanashi 

Discounted tickets, must be purchased by FujiQ's official app. 

Free Pass: ¥5,200, junior high students ¥4,800, primary students ¥3040, younger children ¥1,440. 

Afternoon pass (entry from 1 pm): ¥3,680, junior high students ¥3,440, primary students ¥3,040, younger children ¥1,440. 

Sanrio Puroland, Tokyo

Discounted one-day tickets, available only via the website. Depending on the day of the week, with the 20% discount, the tickets cost: 

Day e-Passport: ¥2,800 - 3,840, children aged 3 to 17 ¥1,920 - 2,960 

Gaku (student) Pass: University students ¥2,400 - 3,440; junior high and high school students ¥2,000 - 3,400.

Moominvalley Park, Saitama

Discounted tickets must be purchased via online booking page.

One day pass: ¥2,400; Children over 4 through primary school ¥1,440. Moominvalley Night Walk (entry from 5:30 pm):1,040, Children over 4 through primary school ¥480. 

The discounts aren't enough to make me want to visit these parks, but they could be good for a family fun day, especially for foreign visitors because of Japan's current weak yen situation.

Snow on Mt. Fuji

 One morning this week, I was surprised, but happy, to see snow on Mt. Fuji.

Hokkaido is Still the Most Attractive Prefecture

Every year since 2006, the Brand Research Institute has conducted its Local Brand Survey. It tallies the responses of around 35,000 people about Japan's 47 prefectures, with questions about respondents' knowledge of places and their desires to visit or live there. 

For the fourteenth year in a row, Hokkaido has been named Japan's most attractive prefecture. This year's rankings showed little movement in the top ten. I have visited the top nine of the top ten and agree with the results. Maybe this year I will be able to visit Ishikawa.

At the other end of the ranking, Ibaraki moved up one place to 46th, and Saga moved to the lowest of the 47 prefectures.

Work In Progress Wednesday

Progress on the fobs 

The cross stitch afghan progress

Little Toolie Tuesday - Crazy Quilt Set

This set, called the Victorian Needlework Ensemble, was designed and taught by Regina Madory Walter at the Chicago EGA National Seminar. The set consists of a draw string bag, a scissor case, and a needlebook. I made a heart shaped pinkeep myself and added to the set.

Third Time's a Charm

I was very happy to read that Kei Komuro, husband of former Princess Mako, passed the New York bar exam on his third try. After graduating from Fordham University Law School, he took and failed the first two attempts at the exam. The results of the the July exam (his third attempt) were just posted and Komuro's name was on the list. Mako Komuro and her husband live in New York City, where he works for a law firm and she is volunteering as a museum curator. Congratulations Mr. Komero and I wish them both much happiness.

My New Favorite YouTube Channel

I don't have a television but I watch YouTube on my computer.  I watch mystery and crime shows, the news, old TV shows, animal channels, all kinds of things. I recently discovered a new (to me) channel called the Museum Guide. https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMuseumGuide/playlists

The first one I watched was "The Strangest Objects in the Victoria and Albert Museum". There are also videos about the British Museum and others. So far, it looks like the videos are London and Paris museums, but the channel looks pretty new, so there may be other cities in the future.  If you like museums, check it out.

Here is the description from the channel itself:

DescriptionJoin me, Jessica the Museum Guide, and explore the most famous museums and galleries in the UK and beyond. Tour iconic objects and hidden gems as you dive into history and culture with a critical lens. Whether you're planning your own trip to these museums or you just want to relax and learn from your own home, I make you feel like you're there in person! Like and subscribe, and make sure you click the notification bell so you never miss a museum tour. I'm always happy to answer questions, so pop them in the comments section. Interested in booking a private museum tour in London? Email me at jessica@themuseumguide.com Want to ask questions and join a community of museum lovers? Join the Museum Tips Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/762985481524581

Four Years Ago Today

Sometimes "My Photos" on my computer will show me a picture that was taken on this day from some year in the past. Today's picture was taken in 2018, when I first moved into this apartment. It's strange to think I've been living here four years, and even stranger that it looks just the same now as it did then!

Maybe I am caught in a strange time warp.

Happy Birthday Empress Emerita Michiko

 

Yesterday was the 88th birthday of Empress Emerita Michiko. She continues with her daily routine of walking morning and evening with her 88 year old husband Emeritus Akihito. She also reads aloud from books after breakfast, according to the Imperial Household Agency. 

Due to the pandemic, she has refrained from holding birthday celebrations for the past three years. This year she received birthday wishes from her son, Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako at her residence.

Autumn in Japan

There isn't much in the way of autumn color yet where I live now, but here is a photo from the Bridge Park where I used to live in Hokkaido.

Autumn is my favorite season because of the gorgeous color.

Work In Progress Wednesday

Ten little snowmen - I finished the last two this week.  I have had a hard time putting down these cute little snowmen.  Next I will decide how to finish them.  Probably ornaments, but I will think about it more.

I started the second step of the eyelet fobs.

Little Toolie Tuesday - The Blue Toolie Set

I made this set and gave it as a gift to another stitcher. The set consisted of a pin cushion, a needlebook, a scissor fob, a needlethreader and fob, and another fob that I later added a Clover circular cutter.