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TOKYO ALBUM > Tokyo Photo News > Tokyo Photo News backnumbers > Tokyo Photo News 2007 > Tokyo Photo News March 2007
Aiming for the development of new fishing grounds with the completion of “Koyo”
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has built a fisheries research guidance vessel called “Koyo” to study the waters from the Ogasawara Islands to the Okinotorishima Islands, rich with valuable marine resources. A ceremony to celebrate the boat's completion was held on March 8 at the Ariake Ferry Terminal in Koto Ward. The “Koyo” is 33 meters in length, weighs 87 tons, and has a top speed of 14 knots. Equipped with the latest sonar and observation equipment, it has an outstanding capacity to conduct research. The “Koyo” will be based at a port on Chichijima Island and will be a capable force in the development of fishing grounds in the waters around Chichijima Island up to the Okinotorishima Islands approximately 910 kilometers away.
Famous opera scene depicted in sand
On March 12, an enormous sand sculpture 3 meters tall and 5.5 meters wide appeared in front of the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in Ueno Park. The sculpture, which was made by sand sculptor Katsuhiko Chaen at the request of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, depicted a scene from opera Tannhauser which was performed at the “Tokyo Opera Nomori 2007” music festival held from March 15 to April 4 at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan and other venues. Approximately 60 tons of sand was used for the sculpture. The overwhelming presence of the work had park visitors stopping and getting out their cameras.
“Hachijo Island Freesia Festival” caravan delivers a touch of spring
Ahead of the “Hachijo Island Freesia Festival” from March 21 to April 8 this year, a caravan carrying with it the warmth of spring paid a visit to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on March 16. The caravan, headed by the mayor of Hachijo and composed of Miss Hachijo Island, “freesia girls” and other participants, handed out lovely freesia flowers from the southern island at the Citizens' Plaza, proclaiming the arrival of spring.
Ume-no-Koen Park in Yoshino Baigo, Ome
Early March saw the Japanese plum trees in full bloom at Ume-no-Koen Park in Ome City. This is the “Yoshino Baigo” district - the greatest spot in Tokyo to view plum-blossoms. The area's extensive groves, which stretch 4 kilometers from east to west, were filled with the fragrance of 25,000 old and young plum trees. This year's warm winter had the flowers blooming around two weeks earlier than usual. The beautiful white, pink, and red flowers covering the mountain slope like a veil were a magnificent site to behold.
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