This week’s post is by a guest writer, a Japanese employee ‘Y.T.’, and translated into English by ‘N.M.’. The post is an introduction to the Ushiku Daibutsu, a famous Buddha statue in ‘Y.T.’’s home prefecture.

Enjoy!

這個週末，跟同事去老闆在富士山附近的別墅度假。早上從都內出發，接著在富士山附近的超市一起採買食材和酒，一行人熱絡地聊著天，可以感受到大家期待的氣氛。

　　说到日本的夏天，可能会想到刨冰、西瓜、和风浴衣（yukata）、海滨浴场、祭典与盂兰盆假期。而另一个颇具日本特色的夏日风景，就是每年自7月开始到9月初为止，在各地举行的花火大会（hanabi taikai）了。


　　花火，在日语里指烟花。与其他国家在国庆、元旦或是民族传统节日里放烟花有所不同的是，日本的花火大会似乎更单纯为了观赏而存在的。
　　关于为何日本更多地选择在夏季举行花火大会的说法有很多。有人认为作为岛国的日本，夏日里湿度较高，比起干燥的秋冬两季，燃放烟火更不容易引发火灾；也有认为日本各地在进入初夏后开始开放河川及海岸供人嬉戏，烟花大会是为了庆祝这一年一度的开放河川海岸；而另一种说法，或许更有公信力，在日本夏季常与祭祖、慰藉亡灵相关，因此会有不少祭典，而在进行祭典的同时燃放烟花则是自江户时代（1603-1867）就有的民间习俗。

In Japan, the number one marker of spring time is, of course, the cherry blossoms.

Cherry blossom viewing, hanami, is a popular activity when they are in bloom; because the window of time that the cherry blossoms are in bloom is short, it is important to set plans accordingly so you don’t miss out.

Today's post comes from guest writer 'R', about a weekend event he organised.

e-Jan Networks provides a subsidy program for weekend events organised and attended by employees. These events provide an opportunity for employees to interact and bond outside of the work environment. The subsidy program also provides an opportunity for the employees planning the event to grow as leaders and organisers.

'R' organised the trip to Sumida Aquarium, and described the event below.
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