Pain pour le weekend

A book of Swiss Cooking "Suisse Cuisine".

I was a bit sad this weekend, maybe because it is so cold in Japan! The weather forecast says that it is possible to have snow in Nagoya (I haven't seen it yet). So I decided to do an activity which makes me happy. I miss Geneva because I lived there more than four years. I have a book of Swiss cooking which was my supervisor's present when I got a Ph.D. As he knew  I like cooking, he gave it to me. It is also good for not forgetting French as this book is written in French.

I baked special bread for weekend and holidays in Switzerland. This is called "Tresse" in French and "Zopf" in German. Both means "Braid". You see the reason from the shape of this bread.

The dough of bread fills my small oven!

I have baked this bread when I lived in Geneva, and so there was no problem before baking. The dough leavened very well and looked nice. However, when I tried to put it into the oven, it touched the ceiling of the oven. My oven is mainly for the toast and very small. I managed to put my dough into the oven, while the bread was unevenly colored.

Baked Tresse

You see the bread is almost burned at the top center part, but edges are not even tanned. Anyway, the taste was good, as this includes a lot of butter (70g of butter used 500g of flour; two tresse as seen in the picture). I hope I can have a better oven next year and bake big Tress without worrying to be burned.

Actually, I can't eat so much bread only by myself. So I sent one (better colored) to my parents as yesterday was my father's birthday. Though he always says that he doesn't need anything for his birthday, I am sure he likes something we (my sister and I) bake. When we were teenager, my sister often bake a cake. Even though it was not very good, he liked it very much. Sometimes he requested my sister (and me) to bake a cake for special occasions.

Oh! and there is something interesting. I like to cook for the meal, but my sister liked cooking sweets. We don't have same taste nor similar brain...

Fuji volcano workshop

Scenery from the hotel room (Hotel Noborizaka in Kawaguchiko town)

"International Workshop on Strategy of Volcanic Disaster Mitigation 2013" is held at Yamanashi Institute of Environmental Sciences(YIES). I went to the institute which located near Mt. Fuji because I am interested in the risk assessment of volcanic disaster.
I arrived at the hotel near the institute the night before. It was very dark and I couldn't see the scenery. Next morning, I opened the curtain of my hotel room and I was surprised with the beautiful scenery.  Wow, Mt. Fuji is very very close!!

Workshop at YIES

The workshop was interesting with active discussions. We raised many topics such as effects of volcanic ash, lapilli, collapse of volcanic edifice etc. Personally, I was happy to see my friend from New Zealand and talked about our collaboration. And I could see many important people for the risk assessment field in Japan and in the world.

After the workshop, I had a chance to go to the restaurant around. I found a Fuji-shaped croquette. I think that they are trying to make "Fuji-shape" products, for example cookies and cakes, after this area is registered as a World Heritage Site.

So, we have many tourists from various countries now. We went to the 5th station of Mt. Fuji next day. And we saw many tourists even though we can not climb up to the top during the winter and it was very cold there! (-4 C =24.8F).

Fifth station of Mt. Fuji (half height)

I heard Chinese and other languages. Nature guides told us that variety of tourists countries are increasing. Especially, Asian and Arabic people are coming more and more. Hmmmm, I think that it is very important to put some explanations in different languages. Actually, there have been already some guides and staffs who speak different languages at the 5th station and the visitor center. I was very impressed. The nature guide whom we talked with is a retired diplomat for foreign services and he speaks Arabic. I am so impressed!! 

Entrance  of Fujiyama Onsen

Finally, I was alone to wait for the bus to get back to my city. I had five hours and so decided to take a bath in Fujiyama Onsen. An entrance fee was a bit expensive, but it was good place to stay. They gave me towels and wears only for inside of this building. They gave me also a wristband with a bar code.  It means that we can store our luggage and clothes in the locker and only take a wristband. We can buy things with a bar code and pay everything when we leave.

Houtou of the restaurant in Fujiyama Onsesn

There is a restaurant inside and I ate "Houtou" there. You can find what this is in my old post (http://kaes-diary.blogspot.jp/2013_05_01_archive.html). This is one of my favorites!

It was tiring to come back to my home with four hours of bus + 30 minutes of subway. However, these two days were precious for me as a volcanologist and as a tourist.

Kiso-Komagatake

There are several "Komagatake" mountains in Japan. One Komagatake is a volcano in Hokkaido. I know one in Hakone in Kanagawa, and this Komagatake is called "Kiso-Komagatake". "Kiso" means the name of the region around Nagano and Gifu.

Direction of Komagatake peak from the lodge "Tama-no-kubo".

Tama-no-kubo lodge from a bit higher position.

We arrived at a lodge called "Tama-no-kubo" which is located between the peak of Komagatake and Maedake on Sunday night. We walked in the dark... and when I found the light of the lodge, I was so relieved. How happy I was when I started to eat the dinner there!
Next morning, we started to walk around 9:00. It was late as a hiker but two of us worked for the observation of stars during the night (though I was sleeping). So we tried to stay until late.
The mountain is made by granite (igneous rock). So it is not a volcano. We could see many master pieces of nature around the summit of Komagatake.

Granite rocks along the trail of Nakadake

 When we were walking around Houken-sansou (another lodge), we saw a helicopter carrying something.

Helicopter coming to drop off the burden.

Again carrying another burden and departing.

I had thought a helicopter can store a burden inside. No! It carried burden hanging at the bottom. It was nice to see the helicopter flying against the blue sky.

"Senjo-jiki" is a topography made by glacier and its shape is like a bowl. Literally, Senjo-jiki means the place covered by 1000 tatami sheets in Japanese. Japanese tends to call broad place "Senjo-jiki". Therefore, we can also find Senjo-jiki along the coast somewhere in Japan. Here, it is around the middle slope of the mountain. We can find alpine plants and bushes there, and it turns to red and yellow in autumn. So we expected to see such colorful scenery there. However, the season of colorful trees had already passed because a typhoon which attacked Senjo-jiki one week before blew all leaves from the bushes.

Senjo-jiki field

Small red fruits (Its name is unknown)

I found small red fruits instead. I don't know the name but it was pretty!

And... the colorful leaves are seen from the gondola (we call it "Ropeway") and around the bottom station of gondola, "Shirabi-daira". It will be a climax at the Shirabi-daira in one week. Then, this region will be "winter" in November as the altitude is high. Anyway, we were very lucky with the weather.

Scenery from a ropeway gondola

Scenery around Shirabi-daira, the bottom station of the gondola

16 years in volcanology-Part 2

In year 2000: I started my master. I studied about the dynamics of eruption and numerical models.
In this year, there were two major eruptions in Japan. "Usu" and "Miyakejima". However, I couldn't see any of these eruptions by myself. I only listened to TV news.
For my study, many seniors of our group helped me.  Master's degree in Japan is two years generally. After that, I decided to work for a computer company.

2002: I started to work for a computer company. Fortunately, I could work for the systems and analysis for hazard mitigation. One of my important projects in this company was to make an educational tool "Volcanic Simulator" for high school student (all in Japanese). So, I worked for some volcanological projects.

2003: I attended Cities on Volcanoes 3 in Big Island, Hawaii. It was a conference for volcanic eruptions and its hazard mitigation. At that time, volcanic activity in Kilauea was active and we enjoyed watching lava flows around the foot of Kilauea. I am attracted by Pele a goddess of Hawaiian volcanoes even though she is a woman!

Field trip of COV3. We were on the lava flow of Kilauea.

2005: I decided to quit my job for challenging to study abroad. It was my sister and her husband whom affected me. They had just finished their MBA in France. I said "Wow, it must be really nice experience to study abroad. I would like to try one day".

2007: Finally I got a PhD offer from University of Geneva in Switzerland. It was fantastic to have a PhD opportunity with good financial support. At the very beginning of my PhD, I went to Ecuador for the field work with other members from Geneva and from Italy.

Cotopaxi volcano and our group of field work from Geneva and Italy.

2008: I attended the meeting of International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI, 2008) in Reykjavik, Iceland. At that time, I talked with many researchers from other countries, but I tended to stick to Japanese acquaintance. I was not very open to other people because I had a lot of stress by living in foreign country. I wanted to speak in JAPANESE! I didn't feel that I was sad or lonely. However, I felt frustration of communicating in foreign language at that time. 
  Later, I got used to live in Geneva. I enjoyed a life in Geneva because I could take good classes of ballet and found some friends and nice cafés to enjoy. Probably, the life got easier when I started to speak French.

2010: Cities on Volcanoes 6 was held in Tenerife, Spain. In this conference, I started to communicate other researchers from all over the world. I was very busy everyday for discussions. Until the last moment of the last day of the conference, I discussed with someone about my research. I thought this conference was very successful for my study and career. After this conference, I started to contact other researchers from other countries.

Columnar joint of lava like a rose flower in Tenerife island

Discussing with other attendant of COV6

Year 2011 was hard time for me because I was writing my thesis. Early 2011, Japanese were shocked by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I guess all Japanese had somewhat mental problem even we are out from Japan. This hard period continued until very end of the year.
I canceled to attend the IUGG conference but I participated in the conference about Lagrangian modeling of atmosphere. (Conference site is here) It was unexpectedly interesting conference!
I could meet many people working for atmospheric modeling. My presentation was poster presentation and we discussed until midnight! I was exhausted but felt so satisfied. 
I finished writing my thesis about numerical modeling of Tephra dispersal and ballistic bombs on 30th December. I sent it to my supervisor and had a warm new year party at my friend's house.

2012: I defended my PhD! I became a doctor.

However, I had some problems of revising my thesis. And so, even though I moved to Hawaii, I couldn't enjoy my life 100%. I used my time and money for healing myself. I guess this period was very important for me because I looked myself and tried to understand. With this process, I met many great people. The land of Hawaii healed me gradually. Finally, I noticed that I love this land very much! So, you can see my posts in this blog.

This year (2013), I moved back to Japan. 
Just before coming back to Japan, I stayed in  Big Island with Prof. Ui (professor emeritus of Hokkaido University) and Prof. Yoshimoto (assistant professor of Hokkaido  University). We had field trip together in Big Island and I could have chance to see many geological points where I wanted to visit. Actually, these two professors were supervisor and student. They are connected strongly. Although I was not in Hokkaido University, I feel strong connection with them probably because we all have a passion for hazard mitigation and geological work of volcanology.

Field trip around Green Sand Beach in Big Island with students and two professors from Hokkaido University.

Then, IAVCEI meeting was held in Kagoshima from 20 to 24 July.

My poster for IAVCEI 2013

Now, I have many friends in Japan and in other countries. They all support me. Otherwise, I would not be here as a volcanologist. I feel wonderful to work as a volcanologist and I would like to say THANK YOU to everybody who supported me.
My work and my life as a volcanologist continues...

16 years in volcanology-Part 1

I attended the meeting of International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI, 2013) in Kagoshima, Japan. 
One professor gave me photo files with a USB stick. When I opened it, I found a lot of photos in these 15 years. It reminds me of these 16 years since I started my volcanological career.

1997: I firstly joined the meeting of young volcanologist in Japan. It was in Unzen area.
I met Mr. Y, Mr. I, Mr. F, Mr. M, Mr. G, Mr. T etc... whom I met in the meeting this year. I didn't know anything about the volcanology, but they taught me a lot and I enjoyed this meeting. Especially, I was impressed by a guy who had already started the activity of hazard mitigation even though he was a young master student. He had an enthusiasm for hazard mitigation.

1998: This is a year I found my mentor. Prof. Okada was a professor of Hokkaido University and he worked in the Usu Volcano Observatory. I asked him for the internship during summer vacation. He accepted me and I stayed at volcano observatory for 10 days. He took me to many volcanoes in Hokkaido.

1998 Kid's school of Usu volcano

At first, we climbed up to the top of the volcano with kids. They repeat this summer school for an education of hazard mitigation for long years. (Maybe around 20 years) Some famous volcanologists joined this program and it was my honor to join this program.

Steam vent of Hokkaido  Komagatake volcano

We went to Hokkaido  Komagatake, which is located in the Oshima peninsula in Hokkaido. This volcano make really explosive eruptions and there are some steam vents on the summit area. We observed these vents with handy thermal camera. Jun, son of Prof. Okada joined this trip. He was a first year student of the university and I was a third year student at that time. Now, we are both researchers of volcanolgy!

Outcrop of Komagatake

As I was more geologist than geophysicist at that time, Prof. Okada showed me an outcrop of deposits from Komagatake volcano. Even though he has a meeting in Sapporo next day, he decided to stay around volcano in the night. In the next morning, we approached the outcrop. 

Kameiwa of Showa shinzan

Showa Shinzan is a special volcano for me. I read a book about Mr. Masao Mimatsu who observed the eruptive activity when the lava dome of Showa Shinzan is formed. I was moved his passion for observing the eruption and I started to think about becoming a volcanologist. On the day we climbed up to the volcano, we measured temperature of Kameiwa which is a part of volcano where we can detect high emission of heat.

Lava dome of Tarumae volcano

Tarumae volcano is mysterious. Its dome emerged in only two days of 1909. The top of the volcano was covered by cloud for two days and nobody could see how it formed. Lava of this dome is rich in plagioclase. When I saw the rock, I was happy to find a big crystal in it.

It was only 10 days but I felt it was like a month because I learned a lot. A passion for hazard mitigation of Prof. Okada was great!! I am very impressed by him and I thought "I would like to be a volcanologist like him". He tried to make a good relationship with people around the volcano. He talked to people and ask how they were. People know him and talk to him wherever we go.  He was a  "home doctor" of the volcanoes. I am very much impressed. I think this was my starting point. I started to think to be a professional volcanologist after this experience.

In year 2000, I entered graduate school of University of Tokyo for my master's degree.
Just one day before I start my master's degree, Usu volcano started its eruption.

Eruption of Usu volcano in 2000
(reference: http://factsanddetails.com/japan.php?itemid=867)

I chose University of Tokyo because I wanted to study numerical simulation. If I had chosen Hokkaido University, I could have worked for this eruption. I thought "Oh my god! I made a wrong choice!".

To be continued...

Miyajima, in Hiroshima

Itsukushima shrine in Miyajima is a World Heritage of UNESCO.  Some of my friends from other country came to see Miyajima. However, I've never visited. This time, as I went to Hiroshima University on Thursday and Friday, I decided to stay one more day in Hiroshima. From Hiroshima station, Miyajima is only 30 minutes by train. Then, I took a ferry from Miyajima-guchi to Miyajima.

Approaching to Miyajima

When the ferry approaching the Miyajima, it was hazy. So the gate of the Itsukushima shrine "Oh Torii" (Big Gate), was hard to recognize.

Welcome lady at the port

I arrived at the port of Miyajima. There, welcome ladies were distributing the map of this island. They wear traditional costume of this region. So cute!

Deer

Also deers welcome us around the port. They are not wild anymore because people feed them. So they come to see us or ask us for the food.

Oh-Torii from Miyajima side

After ten minutes walking, I could arrive at the Shrine. At first, we can find the Oh-Torii.

Oh-Torii and sweet couple deers.

I found sweet couples there. How I envy them! I wanted to come here with my boyfriend...

Shrine at the coast of Miyajima

 Anyway, Itsukushima shrine is at the coast of Miyajima. This is why the gate is in the water. Sometimes the shrine itself can be almost in the water.

Inside of Itsukushima shrine

 We can walk the aisle of the shrine. The floor is made by wood. If water comes, then the water can go through in between wooden pieces. Besides, the whole shrine can float. Therefore, this shrine is not destroyed and stays here for long years. This type of building is so rare and amazing!

After visiting the shrine, I went to the Museum of History and Folklore. 

Japanese garden of the museum

I couldn't take the photo of exhibitions, but I took the photo of the garden. The garden was very beautiful Japanese garden. There, I could learn when the shrine was built and how it became popular. Do you know "Tairano Kiyomori"? Actually "Taira" is his family name and "Kiyomori" is his first name. In Japanese we should pronouce "Taira Kiyomori" (without "no"). But we often pronounce "Taira-no-Kiyomori" (with "no"). And he was one of the most powerful governors in Japanese history. He was a Samurai but not related to the royal family. However, he got a power by his political technique. To show his power, he rebuilt the buildings of Itsukushima shrine which had been already in Miyajima. Some royal people visited this shrine after he rebuilt it.

Stairs to Daisho-in

This island is also famous with another big historical guy "Kobodaishi" or "Kukai". He was a high-level monk of Buddhism. "Daisho-in" is a temple built by Kukai. This temple is known as a temple with one-wish-realizing. It means if you wish something and pray there, this wish comes true. I wished one thing which I can't do anything by myself, and prayed for it. It is not directly related to me, but that's why it is impossible for me to work for that. So, it make sense to wish and prayed for it there.

Miyajima is famous for "Shamoji" which is a big spoon for rice. It became Miyajima's artisanal product in the end of Edo era (around 1789-1801) because this shape is similar to the instrument of Benzaiten (one lady god of Seven gods). Today, I found a guy who was drawing the portrait of tourists on the Shamoji. Anywhere in the world, we can find a guy of drawing portrait... I saw several in France (in Montmartre, Paris), and one in Hawaii (in Waikiki, Honolulu). I wonder if it is good for earning money ???

Momiji-manju

In Japan, if you go to touristic place, you can find at least one sweet which is popular in the area. It is Momiji-manju, in Miyajima. "Momiji" is a tree like a maple. The leaf of Momiji is similar to the maple but smaller and thinner. It also turns to red in fall. "Manju" is a type of sweet which has soft outer sponge and Anko (sweet red bean paste) inside. Normally, Anko is stuffed but there are lot of different paste inside such as chocolate, custard cream and cheese!
Today, I bought chocolate one.

Chocolate-stuffed Momiji-manju

Mmmm, yummy! I also found "Nama-Momiji" which has a little sticky outer sponge. The trick is to use some rice flour. This is goood, too. If you have chance to go there, please try some different types.

Shrine in the city

Today,  it was sunny even though it is rainy season in Japan. So, I decided to explore the city center of Nagoya. I left my home and walked to the nearest subway station, and took the subway to the station called "Yabasho". I was thinking to go to the cafe which is introduced in the tourist guide book of Nagoya. On the way, I received the phone call from my boyfriend in Hawaii. I can't talk over the phone in the subway. And then, I called back him at the shrine called "Wakamiya Hachiman Gu". There are many shrines in Japan and normally it is very quiet. That's why I started to talk with him by phone around the gate of shrine.

The gate of "Wakamiya Hachiman Gu"

The gate of Japanese shrine is called "Tori'i". You can maybe find it in Japanese garden somewhere in the world. People call the garden as "Zen Garden". However, "Zen" is one group or type of Buddhism and this gate (Tori'i) is one of Japanese original religion "Shintoism". So two of them are different!

Some other Tori'i gates in Wakamiya Hachiman Gu

There are many Tori'is in this shrine. It is interesting that some big shrine includes small shrines in their land. In general, they have many trees. So it is cool during the summer and it seems nice to take a break. However, you have to be very careful with mosquitoes. I was bitten several places by mosquitoes while I was talking (around 30 minutes). 

Main building of Wakamiya Hachiman Gu

 I was concerned that the god here would feel bad if I stay here and talk for a while without saying  hello to him/her. Therefore, I prayed at the main building before calling. It is like saying "hello" to the god here.

 Later, I went to the cafe near this shrine. It is introduced in the guide. I thought it might be very good cafe. However, I felt it is fine but not so so good. The taste of the food was moderate and the building was old. There were an air conditioner in the cafe making much wind because the building was old and the heat of cooking stays in the room. It was necessary to have such strong machine. For me, strong wind coming to my head directly and it was not so comfortable. Some people may think that "it is a cozy cafe in an old beautiful building". For me... hmmm difficult.

I started to read a book about psychology in the cafe. I became feeling like to read more and more... So I went to the book shop and bought the book about counseling. I am not counselor, while I guess the method for listening to someone's talk will be helpful for my professional and private life. I was happy to find a book which seems interesting. I also found the book about "Ho'oponopono". Ho'oponopono is a Hawaiian word means "practice of reconciliation and forgiveness". The book was close to the book of psychology. Hmmm, it might be interesting to read about Ho'oponopono. So I decided to buy one of the book about it next time. (It seems my mind is still in Hawaii even I am in Nagoya now).

Nagoya and Hawaii

I moved to Nagoya, Japan on May 29th. I organized inside my apartment which is much smaller than the apartment in Hawaii. I can't have a good view from the window. I don't have a big balcony. However, it is fine because I feel safe even without a security of the building. This is an amazing point of our country!

Today, I visited Nagoya Hawai'i Festival today. It was cloudy. In spite of such unpleasant weather, many people were enjoying this festival. I was thinking a reason why I visited this festival... I think I miss Hawaii even though I didn't really like to live in Honolulu. It's surprising for me to miss Hawaii!

I found several things which I liked in Hawaii.

Matsumoto Shave Ice from Haleiwa

When I visited Haleiwa with my friends, we bought some goods at Matsumoto shave ice. Shave ice is called "Kakigori (カキ氷)" in Japanese and I guess Hawaiian shave ice is imported to Hawaii by immigrants from Japan. "Matsumoto" is Japanese family name.

Garlic shrimp

I like several things among Hawaiian cuisine. One of them is this, Garlic shrimp! Whenever I went North shore in Oahu, I ate garlic shrimps. Also, I got garlic shrimp from the International Market place in Waikiki from time to time. I liked Blue Water's garlic shrimp. I also tried to cook myself. The secret of this taste is... Tomato! (just a little bit). I didn't eat garlic shrimp today, but I know it is delicious.

Hall for Hula concert and shops (Oasis 21)

 Not only foods, but also Hula dance attracted many people. Look, how many people were gathering in the hall! At that time, there were invited dancers from Hawaii performed Hula.

Hula dance of Hawaiian dancer

In Honolulu, I often saw "Hawaiian" dancers. However, it is very rare to see them here in Nagoya. That's why many people pay attention to their dance. The enthusiasm for Hula of people in Nagoya is amazing!! Actually, there are many Hula schools in Nagoya. It is very interesting because I didn't find any Hula school in Europe. Japanese likes Hawaii very much in general.

the Gallery of Heather Brown

I also found the interesting thing. Do you know Heather Brown? She is an artist living in Hawaii, but she is not Hawaiian. She is from mainland of United States. It was a bit weird to have a gallery only for her. There are many local artists in Hawaii and I like their works. However, masterpieces of others are not introduced here. I guess it is because Japanese company promotes Heather's work. One gallery in Honolulu who exhibit many Heather's work is owned by Japanese guy. It means... if an artist can catch the heart of this Japanese company, his/her work will be well treated with Japanese as a symbol of Hawaii, I guess...

Strangely, I found another place to miss... Switzerland!

Bakery from Switzerland

Look at the flag! It is Swiss bakery in the same building of Hawaii Festival. I went inside and found Japanese bread. Oh no! Where is "Tresse"? I couldn't find some typical Swiss bread. Tresse is everywhere in Switzerland especially during weekend. This bakery is too modified for Japanese. I found Anpan, Melonpan etc... which I can't find in Switzerland.

Chocolate café of Lindt

I found another Swiss shop in Sakae area (the center of Nagoya city). You know that Switzerland is famous for milk chocolate! One company opened a chocolate café there. I bought some milk chocolate which I often bought when I was in Switzerland.

I was exhausted today by walking a lot around Sakae area, but it was fun! I'd like to find more interesting things in Nagoya.