This page shows archived posts for Gary J. Wolff's blog from
January-March,
2026.
Enjoy...
Cheers,
Gary
Mar. 28,
2026 - God's magic colorful paintbrush
It's that gorgeous colorful season again, taking me back to that old
Chicago tune, "Colour My World." 😉 And it never gets old, even after
35 years. 😲 Cheers & thanks always to the guy upstairs with the
magical paintbrush... 🥰👏🙏
God's magic colorful paintbrush
Mar. 5,
2026 - 2026 Cherry Blossom Forecast
Cherry blossoms can be viewed virtually everywhere in Japan, but the
secret of catching them at full bloom is surfing the cherry blossom
front, as it progresses from southwest to northeast across the
archipelago, as seen in the map below.
The Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) released its 6th cherry
blossom prediction on Feb. 26, 2026, providing updated blooming dates
for approximately 1,000 viewing locations across Japan. Due to
warmer-than-expected temperatures throughout February, this forecast
shows cherry blossoms arriving earlier than previously predicted across
most of Japan.
This year in Tokyo the cherry blossoms are expected to begin opening up
on Mar. 18, 6 days earlier than average, with full bloom expected 8
days
later on Mar. 26 (5 days earlier than usual). Can't wait!
Feb. 17,
2026 - Amazing Projection Mapping at the 2026 Sapporo Snow Festival
One of the most impressive things I think I've ever seen...
Amazing Projection Mapping at the 2026 Sapporo Snow Festival
(If player above is not visible, you can view video
at YouTube.)
0:00 "A Thoroughbred Crowned with Glory" brought to you by JRA (Japan
(horse)Racing Association). Hokkaido is a major thoroughbred breeding
region with a long history dating back to the Meiji period.
Approximately 98% of thoroughbreds produced in Japan are born in
Hokkaido, with over 7,000 being born each year.
2:26 The Aizu Tsurugajo Castle was a symbol of the Aizu Domain, a clan
ruled by many famous generals and maintaining samurai pride until the
end of the Edo period. The 2026 giant snow sculpture was produced
jointly by Hokkaido Television Network (HTB) and the 18th Infantry
Regiment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. A total of 3,800
members of the Self-Defense Forces worked on the snow sculpture over a
30-day period, from January 5th - February 3rd, 2026.
Authorities in Fujiyoshida in central Japan have canceled a spring
cherry blossom festival at a popular Mt. Fuji viewing spot, citing
residents’ concerns over congestion and nuisance behavior.
The city in Yamanashi Prefecture on Tuesday announced its decision not
to go ahead with the Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival,
an event it has held for the past 10 years, attracting around 200,000
visitors each year with its views to Mt. Fuji.
With the weak Japanese yen and social media content driving a rapid
increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan, however, the
city is struggling to handle an influx of more than 10,000 visitors a
day during the peak cherry blossom season.
Incidents of bad behavior, the city said, have become commonplace and
pose a threat to the livelihoods of residents... (continued at
link above)
A 20-year-old Chinese student who ignored a winter climbing ban on Mt.
Fuji had to be rescued by police after injuring himself, sparking
debate in Japan about charging for such rescues.
The student, enrolled at a vocational school in Shinjuku, Tokyo,
illegally ascended the mountain via the Fujinomiya trail on January 18.
While descending, he fell and fractured his right leg at the eighth
station, prompting an emergency call at midday.
Shizuoka prefectural police dispatched a 10-11 member mountain rescue
team. They located him around 8:30 pm in severe weather with strong
winds and poor visibility. The team sheltered overnight in a mountain
facility before carrying him down on foot the next day... (continued at
link above)
The U.S. Health and Human Services has unveiled a new U.S. food
pyramid, with officials calling it the "most significant reset of
federal nutrition policy in history."
The new dietary guidelines emphasize whole, nutrient-dense foods,
prioritizing protein, dairy, and healthy fats while discouraging highly
processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars. This updated
pyramid aims to guide Americans towards healthier eating habits based
on modern nutrition science.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a simple, clear message: "Just
eat real food."
New U.S. food pyramid
(photo credit: U.S.
Health and Human Services)
Jan. 14,
2026 - Elvis songs sung by Japanese pro singers
These amazing guys shared their vocal talents at a special singing
party in Tokyo on Jan. 12, 2026 in celebration of Elvis' 91st birthday!
I loved listening to these guys & hope to hear them again in the
future...
🎵🎶🎼🎹🎤🎸🪕🎻
Elvis songs sung by Japanese pro singers
(If player above is not visible, you can view video
at YouTube.)
0:00 Unchained Melody, sung by Yay-yay
3:36 What'd I say?, sung by George
Jan. 9,
2026 - Beautiful Mt. Fuji in winter
I just love it when Fujisan puts on her beautiful winter white coat, as
I offer prayers in advance for any idiots (as in years past who sadly
met their maker) who might consider attempting to scale her in winter.
😉🙏
Taken by good friend Rob from the train while passing over the Tama
River, Fri. 1/9 at 10 a.m.
Beautiful Mt. Fuji in winter
(photo courtesy: Rob
Moreau)
Jan.
5, 2026 - US cuts the number of vaccines recommended for every child
Federal health officials today outlined sweeping changes to the U.S.
childhood immunization schedule.
The changes create a new framework that keeps all currently recommended
vaccines available and fully covered while moving several vaccines into
a category designed to emphasize shared decision-making between
families and clinicians.
The new recommendations reduce the number of vaccines recommended as
routine for all children to 11 from 17, a move The New York Times
called a “seismic shift” in federal vaccine policy.
Mary Holland, CEO of Children’s Health Defense, called the change “the
most significant change in U.S. vaccination policy in recent history.”
HHS said the change follows a directive from President Donald Trump,
who issued a presidential memorandum on Dec. 5, 2025, instructing the
agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to
review whether other developed nations protect children more
effectively.
After what HHS described as a “comprehensive, evidence-based
assessment,” the department concluded that the U.S. recommends more
routine childhood vaccine doses than peer countries without achieving
higher vaccination rates or greater public trust...
US cuts the number of vaccines recommended for every child
(photo credit:
childrenshealthdefense.org)
Jan. 1,
2026 - Tokyo New Year
Countdown to 2026
2026 in Tokyo arrived 14 hours before the east coast of the United
States!! Here's how they celebrated the New Year countdown with
colorful projection mapping against the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
building (Tochō, 都庁), featuring Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (小池 百合子)
(in her long white coat):
Tokyo New Year Countdown to 2026
(If player above is not visible, you can view video
at YouTube.)
And may 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse bring you good health,
happiness, & prosperity!! 🎊🎆🧨🎍🎎🥂🗻🎉🍾⛩
2026 Fire Horse (丙午, ひのえうま)
(photo credit:
pixabay.com)
If you've ever wondered what might happen if a major quake struck while you're undergoing surgery, here's how it looked last week in a hospital operating room during the M7.1 Kumamoto, Japan quake. Sc…
- Trees are whistling for dogs.
- The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
- Hot water now comes out of both taps...
...(click link to see rest of the list)
If you've found value on
this website,
please consider sending a donation of any amount
to help cover my web hosting expenses. I have intentionally limited ads,
have never used pop-ups, and do not collect email addresses
in order to provide visitors a pleasant, hassle-free experience. Thank
you!
(Please rest assured that when you click
the 'Donate' button,
your transaction will be encrypted and secure.
Your information is safe with PayPal,
one of the largest payment processors on the Internet.)
