City Hall

 I mentioned before that I got a bill from the city hall to pay my national medical insurance. I'm happy to pay it but I just don't have any extra money this month.  Our electric bill was high, about twice what I was paying before, gas was high as well plus we've been buying things for the house and the land. Most of these things David has been paying, Christopher and Mikey have chipped in, and I'm still making a bit but there still wasn't enough to pay my medical insurance as well.  

This has happened a few times. The amount you have to pay is calculated from your tax the previous year. But my income is very unstable, I can get a sudden influx of students, which is great but at the same time, I can lose a lot.  A few times I haven't been able to pay my medical insurance, when the kids were my dependents it was a lot and I would really struggle to pay.  A few times I've had to ask for help from the city hall. In the last city, they would ask how much I could pay a month until the debt was paid off! I thought it would be the same here. But this city is a bit stricter. I was hoping to pay 5000 yen four times but that wasn't possible. I asked if I could pay from March, and pay the amount over 3 months. The lady who I was dealing with had to go and ask about that. In the end that is what was agreed. It's still going to be tight but I think I can manage. I hope so!!!

I must admit that things went a lot more smoothly than I thought they would. I have bad memories of this city hall. It's a massive building, 20 floors. The few times I've been there it's been a nightmare of riding up and down in the elevators trying to find the right office!

After we finished (Christopher came with me to help with Japanese) we went to the top floor. There's an observation deck, the views are spectacular.

views from the city hall

Mikey had dropped us off in the morning but he had classes at a few kindergartens, so Christopher and I made our own way back.

From the city hall to the station is about 10 minutes on foot. Easy I thought! Not that easy but I managed it. 

On the way, I noticed a little shrine. 

At the entrance, the lion-dogs protect the shrine

the shrine

A bit of history

Tori Gates that have the names of people who donated to the shrine on them

This shrine was dedicated at this location in 1962.  The former location was near one of the largest factories in the area!

One thing that I love about this area is the way the old and the new seem to blend together.

old shrine and a new tower block

We finally made it to the station. Just in time to see the clock.

This plays on the hour and half hour. 

The story is of Hisashige Tanaka, who was nicknamed "The Edison of Japan".

I haven't been to this station in many years. Last time I went it was rather run-down but now it is really beautiful. lots of open spaces and places to sit, with information on the city and tourist maps to follow. 

Tire manufacturing is a big business here

The front of the station

Because I was busy enjoying the clock we missed the train. We had to wait for 45 minutes for the next one!

We found a cafe and had a little something. I was glad to get inside. Even though it was sunny the wind was very cold. 

Just a little something

We finally got on the train at 11:30.

two carriage train

I see this train going past almost every time I go out. It's very small but very noisy!

We got back to the local station where Mikey picked us up to bring us home. I did think about walking back but I was so tired and in pain by that time that a lift really helped me!

local station

I'm glad that I got my insurance sorted.  These things stress me out so much!