Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 06/08/2026Exploring using OpenDisplay on the Xteink X4 to plot hourly energy consumption over the past 4 days with data pulled from Octopus Energy Japan's API. Unfortunately, there seems to be a significant time lag between the smart meter readings and the data showing up in their GraphQL DB. 130 3
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 10/05/2026I got to meet #Banio, the #mascot of the Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden. It started in the 1950s growing bananas, but has added 17 different species of alligators. #japan 000 0
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 10/05/2026Our local railroad company organized an express train excursion to the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Atagawa, Shizuoka. There were lots of food booths, a taiko performance, and hundreds of lanterns. 020 2
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 16/04/2026The scent of grapes was nearly overpowering as I crossed the plaza this morning in Ito, Japan. 020 2
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 10/02/2026My snowperson is learning to limbo in preparation for their dream vacation to Trinidad. (Over the weekend, Ito got its first significant snow in six years.) 020 2
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 21/01/2026Walking along the Ito River on a cool and very quiet evening. 010 1
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 22/11/2025The feijoa season has arrived in Japan. This is the (first) bag we received from a farm near Osaka. 020 2
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 16/11/2025I was back in my old Kichijoji / Mitaka neighborhood and noticed there is a new vending machine offering gyoza, steamed buns, sesame balls, and more. 020 2
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 10/11/2025It is November, and that means "Butt Sumo" (尻つみ祭り) time again at the local shrine here in Ito, #Japan. Contestants stand back-to-back on a raised dais and, at the signal, attempt to bump their opponent off. The winners are sometimes surprising. 023 3
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 17/10/2025Yesterday's silliness involved replacing the garish LENOVO BIOS logo on my old ThinkPad with the Tokyo Linux User Group emblem. 041 4
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 13/10/2025School kids have been practicing their drumming for the past two weeks for their ride in the float. Our community's dashi was hit by an elderly driver while making the rounds on Saturday, putting one neighbor in the hospital with broken ribs. We sat out most of Sunday's festivities. 010 1
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 13/10/2025It was festival weekend in Ito. More than a dozen illuminated floats with musicians are pulled and pushed around the neighborhood. 010 1
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 27/09/2025Wow, it's been years since I encountered a "you can only use this site with MSIE" alert... except now it is Safari or Chrome. 000 0
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 26/08/2025JG1GPY showed off a clever, compact multi-band antenna at the SOTA JP booth at the Japan Ham Fair this weekend. A switch allows selection of direct feed (for 1/4 wave on 40m, with trailing counterpoise) or through a 49:1 transformer for end-fed on higher bands. 250 5
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 10/07/2025I'm pleased that someone at Helsinki Airport was willing to have fun with their airport code. 120 2
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 30/04/2025Continuing my series of unusual post boxes, this penguin awaits your letters between the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium and the Antarctic Museum/Research Ship Fuji. 010 1
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 23/04/2025NZART (The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters) is the only amateur radio organization I am a member of that still insists on publishing its magazine on paper. The March issue has just arrived. It still punches above its weight for a small organization, but I wish it were digital. 120 2
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 17/04/2025Ito is hosting a ramen festival for the next four weekends. Within a five-minute walk, I can try 28 different kinds of ramen from around Japan. 110 1
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 16/04/2025I managed to get my @washingtonpost.com Keyword score back under 7. (It is harder to work on the average time statistic, since this is a "second screen" game.) 000 0
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 25/03/2025A (modern) programmer may own the parking lot around the corner since it is 0-indexed. 110 1
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 21/03/2025It was a lovely but cool day for the vernal equinox at Jogasaki-Kaigan Station in Ito. 020 2
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 18/03/2025My Atari Portfolio hard disk adapter prototype. The only problem was that the hard disk's power consumption was higher than the computer's, but it was fun to play with. 000 0
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 02/03/2025The JARL Ham Fair 2025 will return to Ariake GYM-EX (an Olympic venue repurposed into an exhibition hall) on August 23rd and 24th. www.jarl.org/Japanese/1_T... 010 1
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 12/02/2025Old rail car at Daiyuzan Station with a plaque celebrating Valentine's Day. The line will be 100 years old in October. 010 1
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 09/02/2025I enjoyed the food and folk dance at the Soga Plum Festival in Odawara, but the cold snap has delayed the blossoms so most areas still looked barren. 000 0
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 26/01/2025I enjoyed a percussive lunch today at the festival here in Ito: first, the local steel drum band, followed by a taiko ensemble. 010 1
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 06/12/2024I am starting to doubt my choice of amateur radio and retro computers as hobbies. Dr. Kazuo Moribe, a ship's doctor, traveled the world and ate 1.2 tons of chocolate to build this wrapper collection on display at the ROYCE' Chocolate Museum. 010 1
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 04/12/2024I saw my first wild Japanese fox yesterday. Wild might be overstating it, though, because he was standing at the intersection of two prefectural roads. When I pulled over to get a closer look, he trotted over to the driver's side and seemed disappointed I didn't offer any food. 110 1
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 30/10/2024Most people aren't as eager to visit the dentist as this cat. 000 0
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 05/10/2024Sault Ste. Marie Bridge silhouetted against a brilliant sunset. 010 1
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 15/09/2024A new personal record with a consecutive perfect week of the @washingtonpost.com Keyword. Either I have finally learned how to play, or the puzzle-setter has been taking it easy lately. 000 0
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 24/08/2024The Japan Ham Fair has moved to a new venue this year. It is being held in Ariake GYM-EX, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Gymnastic stadium that has been converted to an exhibition hall. #hamradio 020 2
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 09/08/2024Launching paper lanterns in the Ito River on the first night of the Adams Festival in Ito, Shizuoka, #Japan 000 0
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 22/07/2024Nice view of the moon tonight over the bay in front of Ito #Japan 000 0
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 07/07/2024Today was the annual washtub race down the Ito River. This "sport" was imported from our sister city in Italy. There are events for both individuals and teams (strings of 4 roped-together tubs). 010 1
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 14/03/2024This Kanazawa manhole cover has a nice Poké Ball theme. #drainspotting 020 2
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 01/01/2024Climbed the hill to the temple in the minutes after midnight to witness the bonfire cremating last year's amulets and people queuing to offer a prayer for the new year. 010 1
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 28/10/2023Hamamatsu, a city known for its eel, has reimagined the #Python snake logo with their eels. #PyConAPAC 000 0
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 20/09/2023The majestic view of Mt. Fuji as seen from Mt. Kasuragi today. Yeah, I couldn't see it in the haze either, even though I was only 40km away. 000 0
Jim on Japan @jimt.onjapan.net · 31/08/2023Kyoto has a riverside shaved ice stand for tourists in their rental rowboats. 060 6