I came back to Tokyo last evening.
I've never stayed in Niigata longer than this time
since I came to live in Tokyo.
This time I had many things to do in Niigata.
I stayed in Tochio, my birthplace, three days.
Before visiting my parents' grave, the Shinto-ceremony
of the first anniversary of my younger brother's
and his wife's death.
I missed them very much. I felt so lonely.
After visiting my parents' grave, I went to Niigata City,
where my house is.
I took a local, not the Shinkan-sen.
It took me 75 minutes from Nagaoka Station to Niigata Station.
If you take Shinkan-sen, it takes you only 20 minutes.
My neighbors in Niigata welcomed me so kindly.
They always watch my house where nobody lives.
I don't know how to express my thanks.
I visited my husband's grave.
Oh, he has been sleeping here for 38 years and 5 months!
I can’t believe such a long time has passed since he said
to my daughter and me, " See you tomorrow(じゃ、また明日)."
“tomorrow” did not come.
I asked the 浄土真宗 priest to come to my house to chant
a sutra (読経).
During my stay in Niigata I was happy to see my good old friends.
I enjoyed talking and eating with them.
One of my friends invited me to 田圃花火大会.
I enjoyed the fireworks on the balcony of her house.
The fireworks reminded me of my childhood.
In the evening I often went to the beach—
ten minutes’ walk from my house.
The sea was completely calm.
Watching the sea always makes me calm.
I had a very good time in Niigata.
(Niigata City from the Observatory Deck of Hotel Nikko)
![](https://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/40/56/4ea7bd7e3534620d0dad797148a65873.jpg)
![](https://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/1a/4c/3fa96dd2b1f27db785fa4f8bfa164760.jpg)
![](https://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/6f/72/c505da0aa166fe49a55f50dc4eee1a17.jpg)
(to the beach)
![](https://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/4b/cf/28138404f2a10d1023355d154bc2b713.jpg)
![](https://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/0e/a7/79b1b0df8217b7faec38398d5c7c458e.jpg)
(on the beach)
![](https://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/7b/90/09cdfc94b366397c3d20e83b808c7f62.jpg)
![](https://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/4f/8c/673ec5b3448397864cd25e2c2fb11f2b.jpg)
I've never stayed in Niigata longer than this time
since I came to live in Tokyo.
This time I had many things to do in Niigata.
I stayed in Tochio, my birthplace, three days.
Before visiting my parents' grave, the Shinto-ceremony
of the first anniversary of my younger brother's
and his wife's death.
I missed them very much. I felt so lonely.
After visiting my parents' grave, I went to Niigata City,
where my house is.
I took a local, not the Shinkan-sen.
It took me 75 minutes from Nagaoka Station to Niigata Station.
If you take Shinkan-sen, it takes you only 20 minutes.
My neighbors in Niigata welcomed me so kindly.
They always watch my house where nobody lives.
I don't know how to express my thanks.
I visited my husband's grave.
Oh, he has been sleeping here for 38 years and 5 months!
I can’t believe such a long time has passed since he said
to my daughter and me, " See you tomorrow(じゃ、また明日)."
“tomorrow” did not come.
I asked the 浄土真宗 priest to come to my house to chant
a sutra (読経).
During my stay in Niigata I was happy to see my good old friends.
I enjoyed talking and eating with them.
One of my friends invited me to 田圃花火大会.
I enjoyed the fireworks on the balcony of her house.
The fireworks reminded me of my childhood.
In the evening I often went to the beach—
ten minutes’ walk from my house.
The sea was completely calm.
Watching the sea always makes me calm.
I had a very good time in Niigata.
(Niigata City from the Observatory Deck of Hotel Nikko)
![](https://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/40/56/4ea7bd7e3534620d0dad797148a65873.jpg)
![](https://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/1a/4c/3fa96dd2b1f27db785fa4f8bfa164760.jpg)
![](https://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/6f/72/c505da0aa166fe49a55f50dc4eee1a17.jpg)
(to the beach)
![](https://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/4b/cf/28138404f2a10d1023355d154bc2b713.jpg)
![](https://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/0e/a7/79b1b0df8217b7faec38398d5c7c458e.jpg)
(on the beach)
![](https://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/7b/90/09cdfc94b366397c3d20e83b808c7f62.jpg)
![](https://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/4f/8c/673ec5b3448397864cd25e2c2fb11f2b.jpg)