RED LEAF SEASON AT KARUIZAWA, JAPAN

It is autumn and the season of red leaves. We went to Karuizawa in mid Oct. to enjoy the nice weather and the wonderful view of autumn. The best way to travel around Karuizawa area is by a bicycle. Please be relaxed and enjoy the photos. With these photos, I do have to say any word about how beautiful Karuizawa it is.

Karuizawa Travel Guide
More photos of Karuizawa

MY LUCKY TONKATSU

Coming to Tokyo for a job interview four years ago. That was my first time ever in Japan (now 17 times!!!). On the day before the interview, I was walking around in Shinjuku area and looking for a place for lunch. Suddenly I saw a signage with a little pig on it and many food models of Tonkatsu (Japanese fried pork chop) meal set in the window. I decided to give it a try, since Tonkatsu is one of my favorite Japanese dishes. I was satisfied with the taste and the value. That was my first meal in Japan(except the breakfast in hotel). But I did not remember the name of the restaurant and never visited it again.

One week ago when we were in Tokyo, also in Shinjuku looking for a restaurant for dinner. Suddenly I saw the little pig signage again. So I and my wife had dinner there, and I told her this story during my Tokyo interview trip. I think I can say this tokatsu meal is my lucky tokatsu, since I past the interview next day and got this decent job.

By the way, this restaurant is named "とんかつ三太".

A DREAM FOR EVERY BASEBALL FANS

For most baseball fans, they would dream to have a chance to play baseball at a pro baseball field once in their life time. Even some of my friends play baseball frequently, they never dare to dream about that.

How lucky I was! After 20 years playing baseball in college, I had a chance to play baseball again at Seibu Dome, the home of Japanese pro baseball team - Seibu Lions. It was a very unique and touching experience. I felt I was so small at such a big baseball stadium and I could feel the proud of pro player.

This game was between Asia Pacific Division and mother company, the final score was 9 to 9. All colleagues enjoyed this game, because of playing baseball with colleagues from several countries and also for the wonderful dream baseball field.

FIRST TIME FOR JAPANESE SUPER EXPRESS TRAIN

Having taken TGV in France, Meglev train in China, and the Taiwan High Speed Rail, but never Shingansen in Japan. Again, train is the best transportation system for traveling in Japan. We bought JR East 3-day unlimited pass for only JPY10,000. We took Narita Express from airport to Tokyo, Tokyo to Karuizawa by Nagano Shingansen, then to Nagono, and back to Tokyo, and finally back to airport. That is really a super deal, and only for foreign visitors.

JR Shingansen has a very outstanding service record; safe, fast and on time. There are many types of Shingansen, and the one for Nagano is not one of the recent model, so I didn't feel it was comfortable as Taiwan High Speed Rail. Anyway, it delivered the service quality as usual. I would like to try other lines if I have the chance.

NEW NARITA EXPRESS

Narita Express E259

Narita Express 253

Because of business purpose, I need to go back to Tokyo office every 3-5 months. Narita Express became my favorite transportation system because of no concern about traffic jam. For trip to Japan this time, I found Narita Express changed the car model; from series 253 to series E259; the debute date was Oct. 1, 2009. I was pretty exciting to take the new train.

The new train looks trendy and slick. The interior design is nicer with more comfortable seats. I am sure all pessenger will appreciate the better service quality provided by E259. Also, I think the debut of this new train will attract many train maniacs to chase after it.