tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88994853353416704082024-03-14T00:53:33.694+09:00Rising SunA Chicagoan living in Tokyo since February 2013.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-6716560630009332182015-06-09T13:18:00.000+09:002015-06-09T13:18:12.509+09:00New KitKat! Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream!<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsYQY5f0aFAQmnmTPLsucVXb07-frWIM5B7jtUjQQ5FR11NHznIS-DyCASORCpRo0hC8dHijhFQo_nT6Z7U1OQcMtBW34819ENmQZhkaAwndUQcCiTCYBiYx5dp0PwCmSaPt3APgYMt69/s1600/IMG_455515862-720669.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6158224275975400306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsYQY5f0aFAQmnmTPLsucVXb07-frWIM5B7jtUjQQ5FR11NHznIS-DyCASORCpRo0hC8dHijhFQo_nT6Z7U1OQcMtBW34819ENmQZhkaAwndUQcCiTCYBiYx5dp0PwCmSaPt3APgYMt69/s320/IMG_455515862-720669.JPG" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-11462992223884321912015-05-02T16:57:00.001+09:002015-05-02T16:57:46.817+09:00Azalea-colored Ambience. The Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival, 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F717X3xHDJs/VUR-OUbK0TI/AAAAAAAAFIs/WlDtJy-Nayo/s1600/tsutsuji_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F717X3xHDJs/VUR-OUbK0TI/AAAAAAAAFIs/WlDtJy-Nayo/s640/tsutsuji_01.jpg" title="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GWkj4gnnx64/VUR-OTKhaoI/AAAAAAAAFI0/z48sVcgy0V8/s1600/tsutsuji_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GWkj4gnnx64/VUR-OTKhaoI/AAAAAAAAFI0/z48sVcgy0V8/s1600/tsutsuji_02.jpg" height="133" title="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" width="200" /></a></div>
Spring is in full effect in Tokyo, and at this time of year in Bunkyo City the Annual Azalea Festival at Nezu Shrine is the main event! This year my wife and I went to see the festival a bit later than usual and as a result had a totally new experience!<br />
<br />
We chose to go on the first day of the Golden Week holidays (4/29) which is something we usually avoid due to the heavy crowds. What we didn't know, however, is that the first day of Golden Week is a special day of the festival which includes special performances by local community performing arts clubs. It was definitely crowded, but the feeling of celebration that filled the shrine and spread throughout the atmosphere in our neighborhood made for a really great day!<br />
<br />
Despite a bit of light cloud cover, it was a beautiful day, and as always the azaleas looked extremely lovely and provided a gorgeous backdrop for our local shrine. Hearing the music and singing drifting from the shrine's performance stage added an extra special flavor to this year's flower viewing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oOvG_sy3ggo/VUR-WISEE3I/AAAAAAAAFLQ/wJUY_hYduSc/s1600/tsutsuji_21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oOvG_sy3ggo/VUR-WISEE3I/AAAAAAAAFLQ/wJUY_hYduSc/s1600/tsutsuji_21.jpg" height="266" title="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kzoQ9sE4Wk/VUR-VMKMARI/AAAAAAAAFK4/pYsQvJNTWQo/s1600/tsutsuji_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kzoQ9sE4Wk/VUR-VMKMARI/AAAAAAAAFK4/pYsQvJNTWQo/s1600/tsutsuji_18.jpg" height="266" title="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Three veteran dancers from our local community hula dance club</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P96pF9TroN8/VUR-VCLAwxI/AAAAAAAAFLA/MgEQOqXFTBo/s1600/tsutsuji_19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P96pF9TroN8/VUR-VCLAwxI/AAAAAAAAFLA/MgEQOqXFTBo/s1600/tsutsuji_19.jpg" height="266" title="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Pre-performance practice session</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ks71xGSCdEw/VUR-Qv3uyzI/AAAAAAAAFJc/j9kKp3R0aW0/s1600/tsutsuji_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ks71xGSCdEw/VUR-Qv3uyzI/AAAAAAAAFJc/j9kKp3R0aW0/s1600/tsutsuji_07.jpg" height="212" title="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_PMLNL3HzzA/VUR-SNOZttI/AAAAAAAAFJ8/id31BJHAMCY/s1600/tsutsuji_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_PMLNL3HzzA/VUR-SNOZttI/AAAAAAAAFJ8/id31BJHAMCY/s1600/tsutsuji_11.jpg" height="212" title="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TCVWCrz_LL8/VUR-UdwZhnI/AAAAAAAAFKk/Bs5vG0R8u6A/s1600/tsutsuji_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TCVWCrz_LL8/VUR-UdwZhnI/AAAAAAAAFKk/Bs5vG0R8u6A/s1600/tsutsuji_16.jpg" height="212" title="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4PvubSvQXU/VUR-PYBo-NI/AAAAAAAAFJE/atDcMSZ0XSI/s1600/tsutsuji_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4PvubSvQXU/VUR-PYBo-NI/AAAAAAAAFJE/atDcMSZ0XSI/s1600/tsutsuji_04.jpg" height="212" title="根津神社つつじ祭り, Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Want to see some more? Here is a <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249678476942235224/albums/6144174574096670753" target="_blank">link to the Picasa album</a>! As always, thanks for visiting! For my readers who are currently in Japan, you still have some time left! The festival continues until Wednesday, 5/6!</div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0日本, 〒113-0031 東京都文京区根津1丁目28−9 根津神社35.720233 139.760737999999959.8019004999999986 98.452143999999947 61.6385655 -178.93066800000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-56056799750925515082015-04-05T01:23:00.000+09:002015-04-05T01:32:36.684+09:00Cherry Blossom Splendor. Hanami 2015.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lk6uLtIMExs/VR_-qzpx5pI/AAAAAAAAE2o/pTKFZaVU5gE/s1600/hanami_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="不忍池, 桜 , Shinobazu Pond, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lk6uLtIMExs/VR_-qzpx5pI/AAAAAAAAE2o/pTKFZaVU5gE/s1600/hanami_2.jpg" height="426" title="不忍池, 桜 , Shinobazu Pond, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QADuPME-5SU/VR_-im6OCeI/AAAAAAAAE3c/hEON64uBXok/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="上野公園, 桜 , Ueno Park, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QADuPME-5SU/VR_-im6OCeI/AAAAAAAAE3c/hEON64uBXok/s1600/2.jpg" height="133" title="上野公園, 桜 , Ueno Park, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" width="200" /></a></div>
The Hanami season is starting to wind down here in Tokyo, so I thought I might look back on what was, once again this year, a lovely and gorgeous start of the spring season. This year’s hanami was actually a bit unusual in that it was was slightly delayed and was also unusually short. An unseasonable cold snap grabbed hold of Tokyo right at the start of blossoming which caused the sakura trees to hold back for a few extra days. When the warm weather returned, the result was a peak flowering which happened right at the start of the busy work week. Now, just a few days after the sakura came into full bloom, wind and rain are sweeping all the flowers away.<br />
<br />
Determined not to lose against this weird weather, I made the most of last weekend, and also set out to make the most of the cherry blossom season before and after work. I put together a collection of photos representing my best 2015 sakura moments, so I hope they convey the sweet splendor of fleeting beauty that is hanami.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This first set of photos was taken in Ueno Park and Ueno Shinobazu Pond.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjYh8fHj7NI/VR_-rQBRNaI/AAAAAAAAE24/bk3QWRbWxOc/s1600/hanami_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="不忍池, 桜 , Shinobazu Pond, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjYh8fHj7NI/VR_-rQBRNaI/AAAAAAAAE24/bk3QWRbWxOc/s1600/hanami_4.jpg" height="266" title="不忍池, 桜 , Shinobazu Pond, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got really lucky when this beautiful ring neck flew in and<br />
perched on the tree I happened to photographing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4_dFnYLt9Qg/VR_-iqhCY_I/AAAAAAAAE3c/SNee0Ou5HC4/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="上野公園, 桜 , Ueno Park, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4_dFnYLt9Qg/VR_-iqhCY_I/AAAAAAAAE3c/SNee0Ou5HC4/s1600/1.jpg" height="266" title="上野公園, 桜 , Ueno Park, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBfVAgoZbhE/VR_-iV20c2I/AAAAAAAAE34/nCL27XPDHm0/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="上野公園, 桜 , Ueno Park, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBfVAgoZbhE/VR_-iV20c2I/AAAAAAAAE34/nCL27XPDHm0/s1600/3.jpg" height="425" title="上野公園, 桜 , Ueno Park, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This group of high school grads was super popular with<br />
the tourists in Ueno Park; especially the teenage boys. (^_^)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MwsU28Mewrw/VR_-kPI4yrI/AAAAAAAAE1A/QPx_55SymIg/s1600/hanami3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="不忍池, 桜 , Shinobazu Pond, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MwsU28Mewrw/VR_-kPI4yrI/AAAAAAAAE1A/QPx_55SymIg/s1600/hanami3_1.jpg" height="133" title="不忍池, 桜 , Shinobazu Pond, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OL2SVoP0qFA/VR_-kfA6Z7I/AAAAAAAAE1E/XLwczkcAa0M/s1600/hanami3_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="不忍池, 桜 , Shinobazu Pond, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OL2SVoP0qFA/VR_-kfA6Z7I/AAAAAAAAE1E/XLwczkcAa0M/s1600/hanami3_2.jpg" height="133" title="不忍池, 桜 , Shinobazu Pond, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VKygTuE4Sxo/VR_-knRNfkI/AAAAAAAAE18/F47eEo7CTo0/s1600/hanami3_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="不忍池, 桜 , Shinobazu Pond, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VKygTuE4Sxo/VR_-knRNfkI/AAAAAAAAE18/F47eEo7CTo0/s1600/hanami3_3.jpg" height="133" title="不忍池, 桜 , Shinobazu Pond, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WYB_HOIsJA/VR_-mz7tqeI/AAAAAAAAE1o/euYN-BM52Aw/s1600/hanami4_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="上野公園, 桜 , Ueno Park, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WYB_HOIsJA/VR_-mz7tqeI/AAAAAAAAE1o/euYN-BM52Aw/s1600/hanami4_2.jpg" height="133" title="上野公園, 桜 , Ueno Park, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tvyygHVBPHQ/VR_-o56LX4I/AAAAAAAAE2M/gKdqTSxub1c/s1600/hanami4_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="上野公園, 桜 , Ueno Park, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms, 夜桜" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tvyygHVBPHQ/VR_-o56LX4I/AAAAAAAAE2M/gKdqTSxub1c/s1600/hanami4_6.jpg" height="133" title="上野公園, 桜 , Ueno Park, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms, 夜桜" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPjjuSHTT6A/VR_-pL30uOI/AAAAAAAAE2w/6Hvu0yicyGw/s1600/hanami4_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="上野公園, 桜 , Ueno Park, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPjjuSHTT6A/VR_-pL30uOI/AAAAAAAAE2w/6Hvu0yicyGw/s1600/hanami4_7.jpg" height="133" title="上野公園, 桜 , Ueno Park, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here are some pics from the Bunkyo Sakura Festival (文京さくらまつり) in Bunkyo City.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b6VI6-yyxcw/VR_-lS_cAUI/AAAAAAAAE1U/PQ6hmzQMGAQ/s1600/hanami3_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="文京さくらまつり, 桜, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms, Bunkyo-ku" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b6VI6-yyxcw/VR_-lS_cAUI/AAAAAAAAE1U/PQ6hmzQMGAQ/s1600/hanami3_5.jpg" height="266" title="文京さくらまつり, 桜, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms, Bunkyo-ku" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pg9qfInTwd8/VR_-k6yIz-I/AAAAAAAAE1M/PT6LY1A5-mA/s1600/hanami3_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="文京さくらまつり, 桜, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms, Bunkyo-ku" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pg9qfInTwd8/VR_-k6yIz-I/AAAAAAAAE1M/PT6LY1A5-mA/s1600/hanami3_4.jpg" height="133" title="文京さくらまつり, 桜, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms, Bunkyo-ku" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w-r6XYNy5jM/VR_-l_k4oXI/AAAAAAAAE1g/Hq4fHTY6RC4/s1600/hanami3_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="文京さくらまつり, 桜, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms, Bunkyo-ku" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w-r6XYNy5jM/VR_-l_k4oXI/AAAAAAAAE1g/Hq4fHTY6RC4/s1600/hanami3_6.jpg" height="133" title="文京さくらまつり, 桜, Sakura, Cherry Blossoms, Bunkyo-ku" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I really hope this was a nice look at this year's Cherry Blossom season. There are a few more photos in the gallery which <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249678476942235224/albums/6133901079231726833" target="_blank">can be viewed here</a>.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-82448370669981906632015-03-23T12:01:00.000+09:002015-03-23T12:01:58.759+09:00Tokyo Drifter: The Tokyo International Forum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Owx0DPG5uY/VQ92qizVzAI/AAAAAAAAEpM/EWP0BBWRRIk/s1600/intl_forum_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tokyo International Forum , 東京国際フォーラム" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Owx0DPG5uY/VQ92qizVzAI/AAAAAAAAEpM/EWP0BBWRRIk/s1600/intl_forum_18.jpg" height="426" title="Tokyo International Forum , 東京国際フォーラム" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1b3btgs4L8A/VQ92puj-vRI/AAAAAAAAEo0/jt14RKugQq4/s1600/intl_forum_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tokyo International Forum , 東京国際フォーラム" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1b3btgs4L8A/VQ92puj-vRI/AAAAAAAAEo0/jt14RKugQq4/s1600/intl_forum_15.jpg" height="200" title="Tokyo International Forum , 東京国際フォーラム" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Looking through the archives of my blog, I obviously gravitate toward exploring nature and history in Japan. These are not the only things I'm interested in, however, so for today's post I decided to feature something urban, new and modern. I chose a place I'd been wanting to check out for some time-- the Tokyo International Forum (東京国際フォーラム)!</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The International Forum building opened in 1997 in Chiyoda City (千代田区), just a few steps away from Tokyo Station, and is widely accepted as being one of the country’s premier centers of culture. It was designed by Uruguayan architect <a href="http://www.rvapc.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rafael Viñoly Beceiro</a>, who's also known for famous buildings such as the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan, the Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. The Forum is appreciated for its sweeping steel and glass structure, as well as exquisite use of sunlight which changes the feel of the interior space throughout the day. A multipurpose facility, housing numerous halls, meeting rooms, shops, restaurants and even a ballroom, the International Forum is used for a vast variety of conventions as well as public and private events. It’s even been decided that the weightlifting events for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be held here.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6bOFyjfM21o/VQ92nf-PpEI/AAAAAAAAEog/X-VfsLhjZUQ/s1600/intl_forum_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tokyo International Forum , 東京国際フォーラム" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6bOFyjfM21o/VQ92nf-PpEI/AAAAAAAAEog/X-VfsLhjZUQ/s1600/intl_forum_10.jpg" height="426" title="Tokyo International Forum , 東京国際フォーラム" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
This building is definitely a very energizing and dynamic piece of modern architecture! The interaction of people, sunlight and even sound have a transformative effect on the space, such that the building practically seems alive! Exploring and interfacing with it was really inspiring for me, but the International Forum is not only about an active experience for visitors, it also offers the passive indulgence of "watching" the sleek, elegant and expansive space unfold before our eyes. Truly magnificent!</div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2EUF0h6I_U/VQ92kWI4DUI/AAAAAAAAEsI/vD3W63lnTRY/s1600/intl_forum_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tokyo International Forum , 東京国際フォーラム" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2EUF0h6I_U/VQ92kWI4DUI/AAAAAAAAEsI/vD3W63lnTRY/s1600/intl_forum_01.jpg" height="212" title="Tokyo International Forum , 東京国際フォーラム" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Nmv6OQxWgE/VQ92kVIhMkI/AAAAAAAAEnk/MZ1uS14wPXA/s1600/intl_forum_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tokyo International Forum , 東京国際フォーラム" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Nmv6OQxWgE/VQ92kVIhMkI/AAAAAAAAEnk/MZ1uS14wPXA/s1600/intl_forum_02.jpg" height="212" title="Tokyo International Forum , 東京国際フォーラム" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZiOpQZynIQ/VQ92qF03M3I/AAAAAAAAEo8/swKkuIrIiFY/s1600/intl_forum_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tokyo International Forum , 東京国際フォーラム" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZiOpQZynIQ/VQ92qF03M3I/AAAAAAAAEo8/swKkuIrIiFY/s1600/intl_forum_17.jpg" height="212" title="Tokyo International Forum , 東京国際フォーラム" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FZtfbrWXS3Y/VQ92zStqxqI/AAAAAAAAErs/YVOuwOhjJgE/s1600/intl_forum_40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tokyo International Forum , 東京国際フォーラム" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FZtfbrWXS3Y/VQ92zStqxqI/AAAAAAAAErs/YVOuwOhjJgE/s1600/intl_forum_40.jpg" height="212" title="Tokyo International Forum , 東京国際フォーラム" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">There are lots more photos of this gorgeous facility. I hope my readers will take a look at the rest of them in my <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249678476942235224/albums/6129247982278963553" target="_blank">Picasa album here</a>.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com2東京国際フォーラム35.6764325 139.7640897999999735.67482 139.76156829999996 35.678045 139.76661129999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-18818467536416208462015-03-22T17:20:00.000+09:002015-03-22T17:20:00.837+09:00Today's KitKat Get!<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuEXsAxO22P1GSGlFCmN36jqayj2IYMU1wyg8NtYwuE48eqiwkaGeqwQjpqf0Xl8chyFZCSbxm9j3zpGR86CPFCj7Xxl_iyWqVKUS-9P6QGIXshG9DhYZNow4cbZG8Lso4jiTdjamNH-k/s1600/IMG_1194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="キャロット・アップルパイ・キットカット, Carrot Apple Pie KitKat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuEXsAxO22P1GSGlFCmN36jqayj2IYMU1wyg8NtYwuE48eqiwkaGeqwQjpqf0Xl8chyFZCSbxm9j3zpGR86CPFCj7Xxl_iyWqVKUS-9P6QGIXshG9DhYZNow4cbZG8Lso4jiTdjamNH-k/s1600/IMG_1194.jpg" height="640" title="キャロット・アップルパイ・キットカット, Carrot Apple Pie KitKat" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
I got my hands on two new exciting flavours of KitKat today! First, Carrot Apple Pie! This one is sort of a mystery because of the packaging, as it's clearly designed to be an Easter edition. In the top right, the text in the Easter egg says, "Your dreams are sure to come true. Get off to a good start this Easter!" Then in the lower left it's telling us to look for the "lucky" Kit Kat which is decorated with an Easter Egg-Bunny. Now, Readers, if you don't read Japanese, you'll have to trust me when I say that the first message is a bit more clever than it sounds because there's a pun in there that's lost in translation. But overall I'd say this is a pretty strange package design in a non-Christian country that pays no attention to the Easter holiday. But hey, whatever it takes to deliver a new delicious Kit Kat is fine with me.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g_mXfOqrOjA9PM0RnRwAG8MYhq7CYKFL9wPbaeAgqZCUV5kbWOe-gYCIKpgS__pEz4GS4HuZptskHRJORTtXIin1Rn4LIzb5FkxIV8kTRwlWIL6AFrjYBu3UljrFlmPpkbjXBNeZwszI/s1600/IMG_1193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="紅芋キットカット , Okinawan Purple Yam KitKat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g_mXfOqrOjA9PM0RnRwAG8MYhq7CYKFL9wPbaeAgqZCUV5kbWOe-gYCIKpgS__pEz4GS4HuZptskHRJORTtXIin1Rn4LIzb5FkxIV8kTRwlWIL6AFrjYBu3UljrFlmPpkbjXBNeZwszI/s1600/IMG_1193.jpg" height="640" title="紅芋キットカット , Okinawan Purple Yam KitKat" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Today's second find is a little bit lighter on the story, but is certainly a wonderful flavour! This one is the Okinawa special edition, Okinawan Purple Yam flavour. I'm sort of puzzled as to how this one made its way to Tokyo, but who am I to argue? Lucky for me!!</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-21955845063417881712015-03-21T20:22:00.000+09:002015-03-22T17:25:39.784+09:00Presenting the KitKat sandwich!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0weOyRPu2Os9MfC4gyLv_YvalU7Qf95WYLfSLmoAuewSR3RHiCaV8zhhyANKiw2JMxxi5Ep5bd1fz6YXSeZVhJkqZmN0KIv05J1YXfXaAmhzpijvQax01abut7P6n5IZsIAimw4WPGFgr/s1600/kitkat_sando_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0weOyRPu2Os9MfC4gyLv_YvalU7Qf95WYLfSLmoAuewSR3RHiCaV8zhhyANKiw2JMxxi5Ep5bd1fz6YXSeZVhJkqZmN0KIv05J1YXfXaAmhzpijvQax01abut7P6n5IZsIAimw4WPGFgr/s1600/kitkat_sando_1.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Today I decided to take a bike ride over to Ueno for lunch at the Japanese burger franchise, First Kitchen, although eating a burger was not the main goal. The reason for my visit was trying the new KitKat sandwich that's being offered for a limited time at First Kitchen restaurants nationwide!
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8qyNh5M-6J34LJ_Spnmaqm4wxgLBvyjurLMGfx3RJNaplk3dvvrWuG149D87ttXxXiSfZ7WD0m6Z4ghD7UhUW06vBGfHfnpkxQ2iXhhenu6O2BEQRmvwlXqUQP3pT7LID11ZqbGmy1IM/s1600/kitkat_sando_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8qyNh5M-6J34LJ_Spnmaqm4wxgLBvyjurLMGfx3RJNaplk3dvvrWuG149D87ttXxXiSfZ7WD0m6Z4ghD7UhUW06vBGfHfnpkxQ2iXhhenu6O2BEQRmvwlXqUQP3pT7LID11ZqbGmy1IM/s1600/kitkat_sando_2.jpg" height="160" width="160" /></a></div>
Without further ado, the KitKat sandwich! It's a simple dessert: an oblong piece of sweet milk bread topped with whipped cream and minced candied orange peel, then folded around a mini size Café KitKat. That's really all there is to it, but it's really very tasty, and has no need to be complicated. The bread is smooth and firm on the outside, but very soft and chewy on the inside. The whipped cream is light and airy. To be honest, I've never been a huge fan of candied orange peel, but the kind in this sandwich is not too sugary and actually I really liked it. Last but not least, the main ingredient, a KitKat! A Café KitKat is a milk chocolate KitKat that's made specifically for dunking in coffee, hot chocolate, warm milk, etc, and as such has a little bit more crunch than the standard variety. All together, these ingredients come together to make a really nice treat!
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZ3zsctMGxbXPs-TmAzWllBX_7kdOFcFChZaoZi4rmHZ_IL90hw4p1460awgWQZfIEBv_Aw-6SL_PF3vD6XMLzUhmpPKf7hG4u6jhJ9WAZpRrXQUB3h7wW6UfbUe24m_s6tkx2-ZtagxU/s1600/kitkat_sando_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZ3zsctMGxbXPs-TmAzWllBX_7kdOFcFChZaoZi4rmHZ_IL90hw4p1460awgWQZfIEBv_Aw-6SL_PF3vD6XMLzUhmpPKf7hG4u6jhJ9WAZpRrXQUB3h7wW6UfbUe24m_s6tkx2-ZtagxU/s1600/kitkat_sando_3.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I really can't say that this is a life-changing dessert experience; First Kitchen is a fast food burger chain after all. It's also probably not likely that I'll keep going back over and over again to eat it, but it certainly is delicious, and a KitKat fan like me would definitely feel a sense of loss had I let the opportunity pass. Great job First Kitchen! It's a great idea that's executed very well!
<br />
<br />
Thinking of trying one yourself? While you're there, may as well have a meal, right? First Kitchen also has another limited edition sandwich this spring-- the Chicken Nanban (チキン南蛮) burger. It was quite tasty and I definitely recommend it, I got mine with a side of buttered potato (ジャガバター) French Fries.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0ファーストキッチン 上野浅草口店35.7129458 139.7781345999999335.7000538 139.75796459999992 35.7258378 139.79830459999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-49026079338792654382015-03-20T18:16:00.000+09:002015-03-20T18:16:21.823+09:00Quiet down in there!<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNcKbh5uffDisAFGGuNPwTwwjxAUMi5jWyeHKQJ5Z15eL5eeXOsPtEAvgKunbt1SeJleQmaOZ5a3pqCoxI9QMvQPaFofQKZZlKN0SEql7BCuWm2RszGRwc1rgEkjRoVffCh52XlDHp3aE/s1600/IMG_1184-704122.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNcKbh5uffDisAFGGuNPwTwwjxAUMi5jWyeHKQJ5Z15eL5eeXOsPtEAvgKunbt1SeJleQmaOZ5a3pqCoxI9QMvQPaFofQKZZlKN0SEql7BCuWm2RszGRwc1rgEkjRoVffCh52XlDHp3aE/s320/IMG_1184-704122.JPG" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6127970020485356194" width="640" /></a></div>
At many modern construction sites in Japan, passersby will see one or more of these displayed on the outer wall of the construction area. The device uses a finely calibrated microphone to measure noise and vibration and the readout displays the readings in real time to inform the public of their exposure readings while they're in the area. This also helps construction site foremen to be sure they're operating within the set limits.
<br />
<br />
So even construction sites are courteous. Pretty damn kool, I think!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-13674158116164512512015-02-15T14:30:00.000+09:002015-02-15T15:21:14.713+09:00Pączki!! Aoyama Farmers Market / ポンチキ!青山ファーマーズマーケット<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eB-s4pdxuKc/VOAmss91IpI/AAAAAAAAEYI/uAEwWQQXr3Y/s1600/farmers_market_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pączki, Aoyama Farmers Market, ポンチキ, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eB-s4pdxuKc/VOAmss91IpI/AAAAAAAAEYI/uAEwWQQXr3Y/s1600/farmers_market_10.jpg" height="434" title="Pączki, Aoyama Farmers Market, ポンチキ, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mV1cAkJXh-s/VOAmtHtTt6I/AAAAAAAAEYE/208aq0yNJn0/s1600/farmers_market_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pączki, Aoyama Farmers Market, ポンチキ, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mV1cAkJXh-s/VOAmtHtTt6I/AAAAAAAAEYE/208aq0yNJn0/s1600/farmers_market_11.jpg" height="200" title="Pączki, Aoyama Farmers Market, ポンチキ, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy of Miho</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Life in Tokyo is not about doing exclusively Japanese things of course. Traditional international options, especially food, are available in great abundance. I found, In fact, that often times these items created or prepared with exceptional attention to detail and authenticity.<br />
<br />
The day after tomorrow is Fat Tuesday (a.k.a. Mardi Gras). Around this time of year, my Polish-American roots begin to scream out with a yearning to eat Pączki— those wonderful jam-filled polish doughnuts that make their rounds each year at this time, and have remained a favourite treat thoughout my life. Pączki happen to be one of those Western treats that are painfully rare in this part of the world, so needless to say, I was super excited to find a shop making them fresh this year! I couldn't miss this unusual opportunity, so I set out with my wife early this morning to go meet up with some friends at the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffarmersmarkets.jp%2F&ei=DCjgVMz_COWsmAXyiYDYBw&usg=AFQjCNFM81v3alUanG2Qo1yehhxX49ajZQ&bvm=bv.85970519,d.dGY" target="_blank">Aoyama Farmers Market</a> in the Shibuya area where, I learned, we could get our Pączki on!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk1ajrhUSfA/VOAmpCp2oKI/AAAAAAAAEXI/P_ArQCWc1fk/s1600/farmers_market_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Pączki, Aoyama Farmers Market, ポンチキ, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk1ajrhUSfA/VOAmpCp2oKI/AAAAAAAAEXI/P_ArQCWc1fk/s1600/farmers_market_01.jpg" height="133" title="Pączki, Aoyama Farmers Market, ポンチキ, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" width="200" /></a></div>
These Pączki turned out to be of those items that are made to perfection with great care for authenticity. Somewhat sort of surprisingly (well no, not really all that surprising), these turned out to be some of the best I've ever eaten! What’s more is, these Pączki we're obviously fried in lard, which, in my opinion is the only way it should be done! There were five varieties available: rose, raspberry, prune, chocolate and sesame. Sesame, of course, is not a particularly traditional flavour, but I figure that since the more customary poppyseed jam is not available locally, this new flavor was born, which certainly agrees with the palates of locals.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vnz_BDLpAwM/VOAmped6_lI/AAAAAAAAEXw/AhWWDMJFdQ0/s1600/farmers_market_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Aoyama Farmers Market, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vnz_BDLpAwM/VOAmped6_lI/AAAAAAAAEXw/AhWWDMJFdQ0/s1600/farmers_market_02.jpg" height="133" title="Aoyama Farmers Market, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" width="200" /></a></div>
After indulging in these wonderfully nostalgic delicacies, we hung out for a while to check out the rest of the farmers market. As farmers markets go, this is definitely one of the most gorgeous ones I have visited, even among those in America and Europe. The Aoyama Farmers Market was definitely a fun and very pleasant way to spend this chilly Sunday morning in Tokyo. I definitely recommend it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i05zLO5ggc4/VOAmpNMOVRI/AAAAAAAAEXM/i3z5AXTyW1Y/s1600/farmers_market_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Aoyama Farmers Market, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i05zLO5ggc4/VOAmpNMOVRI/AAAAAAAAEXM/i3z5AXTyW1Y/s1600/farmers_market_03.jpg" height="132" title="Aoyama Farmers Market, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2SHzn5NS7Q/VOAmqCm5pgI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/oT_y38QAnxw/s1600/farmers_market_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Aoyama Farmers Market, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2SHzn5NS7Q/VOAmqCm5pgI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/oT_y38QAnxw/s1600/farmers_market_04.jpg" height="132" title="Aoyama Farmers Market, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rb3CNLhwVeg/VOAmquO3gcI/AAAAAAAAEXg/1Oa3H53iiEU/s1600/farmers_market_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Aoyama Farmers Market, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rb3CNLhwVeg/VOAmquO3gcI/AAAAAAAAEXg/1Oa3H53iiEU/s1600/farmers_market_06.jpg" height="132" title="Aoyama Farmers Market, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQvdnjIoDss/VOAmqaDdBjI/AAAAAAAAEYM/eeIPt0nmRzo/s1600/farmers_market_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Aoyama Farmers Market, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQvdnjIoDss/VOAmqaDdBjI/AAAAAAAAEYM/eeIPt0nmRzo/s1600/farmers_market_05.jpg" height="132" title="Aoyama Farmers Market, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qVgYcBh8zNc/VOAmq5ufZSI/AAAAAAAAEXk/ET1hCDpt-Eo/s1600/farmers_market_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Aoyama Farmers Market, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qVgYcBh8zNc/VOAmq5ufZSI/AAAAAAAAEXk/ET1hCDpt-Eo/s1600/farmers_market_07.jpg" height="132" title="Aoyama Farmers Market, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wwemO8ip3uo/VOAmsNC85gI/AAAAAAAAEX8/-zRBBgnFW4U/s1600/farmers_market_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Aoyama Farmers Market, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wwemO8ip3uo/VOAmsNC85gI/AAAAAAAAEX8/-zRBBgnFW4U/s1600/farmers_market_09.jpg" height="132" title="Aoyama Farmers Market, 青山ファーマーズマーケット" width="200" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0Aoyama Farmers Market35.6623802 139.708308499999939.7440287000000012 98.399714499999931 61.5807317 -178.9830975000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-5715806616212277122015-02-08T01:22:00.001+09:002015-02-08T01:22:22.944+09:00Tokyo Drifter: Ueno Park (上野恩賜公園)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Pgjbf3b7lo/VNNKeAnda6I/AAAAAAAAETg/z5LQmE8ux3M/s1600/ueno_park_29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="弱電工事士, 上野公園, Electrician's Access cover, Ueno Park" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Pgjbf3b7lo/VNNKeAnda6I/AAAAAAAAETg/z5LQmE8ux3M/s1600/ueno_park_29.jpg" height="426" title="弱電工事士, 上野公園, Electrician's Access cover, Ueno Park" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Electrician's underground access panel, Ueno Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Regular readers of my blog know that Ueno Park (上野恩賜公園) is a place I visit often. Yet another blog post about this favourite spot of mine might, therefore, seem rather mundane. Ueno Park has so much to offer, however, that it's well deserving of continual appreciation. The vast park grounds are not only pleasing to the senses, but to the mind and body as well. Dotted with monuments, museums, fountains, places of worship, performing arts, a zoo, cafés and restaurants, the park is a complete destination in and of itself.<br />
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9nSmllhZf8/VNNKdoS1oYI/AAAAAAAAETY/YAR5YiaJ2SU/s1600/ueno_park_28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9nSmllhZf8/VNNKdoS1oYI/AAAAAAAAETY/YAR5YiaJ2SU/s1600/ueno_park_28.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="s1">On today's walk, I spent some time at the beautiful Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine (上野東照宮), built in veneration of Edo Period Shōgun, Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康). The shrine was built in year 4 of the Kanei Period (寛永4年 / 1627) and long ago was part of the expansive and very wealthy Kaneiji Temple (寛永寺) before much of the temple grounds were destroyed during the Imperial victory of the Boshin War (戊辰戦争) (1868–1869), resulting in the surviving buildings' being separated into smaller, distinct parts.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3Soh5FffII/VNNKP-Tp4bI/AAAAAAAAERg/2diY7aS-014/s1600/ueno_park_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3Soh5FffII/VNNKP-Tp4bI/AAAAAAAAERg/2diY7aS-014/s1600/ueno_park_10.jpg" height="212" title="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xt4o1vwYnII/VNNKYnSnP-I/AAAAAAAAESw/Zx0lFblwwpI/s1600/ueno_park_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xt4o1vwYnII/VNNKYnSnP-I/AAAAAAAAESw/Zx0lFblwwpI/s1600/ueno_park_12.jpg" height="212" title="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-buyhYqrmTYM/VNNKQev1JaI/AAAAAAAAET4/NVGztGZcX4w/s1600/ueno_park_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-buyhYqrmTYM/VNNKQev1JaI/AAAAAAAAET4/NVGztGZcX4w/s1600/ueno_park_11.jpg" height="212" title="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4G4o_KqMqGU/VNNKbcgLLrI/AAAAAAAAETQ/0LRtXB9u8SM/s1600/ueno_park_26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4G4o_KqMqGU/VNNKbcgLLrI/AAAAAAAAETQ/0LRtXB9u8SM/s1600/ueno_park_26.jpg" height="212" title="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span>
<span class="s1">The shrine is well-known for the long pathway lined with stone lanterns leading up to the gorgeous gold-leafed facade which is flanked by clusters of beautifully ornate bronze lanterns. The shrine's annual winter and spring peony festivals (ぼたん祭) are also quite famous.</span><br />
<span class="s1"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9mi0d5adPc/VNNKSad12NI/AAAAAAAAESc/k1V741_i2ng/s1600/ueno_park_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9mi0d5adPc/VNNKSad12NI/AAAAAAAAESc/k1V741_i2ng/s1600/ueno_park_14.jpg" height="212" title="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFV-iHUUD6Q/VNNKTCWtR2I/AAAAAAAAER8/HM9tWuKrZd8/s1600/ueno_park_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFV-iHUUD6Q/VNNKTCWtR2I/AAAAAAAAER8/HM9tWuKrZd8/s1600/ueno_park_15.jpg" height="212" title="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GnTrSjqgAeA/VNNKUdI9fYI/AAAAAAAAESI/QsVNXgxOBiE/s1600/ueno_park_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GnTrSjqgAeA/VNNKUdI9fYI/AAAAAAAAESI/QsVNXgxOBiE/s1600/ueno_park_17.jpg" height="212" title="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lz1_MkmPCJs/VNNKTh20IjI/AAAAAAAAESM/TeHctvjVqQM/s1600/ueno_park_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lz1_MkmPCJs/VNNKTh20IjI/AAAAAAAAESM/TeHctvjVqQM/s1600/ueno_park_16.jpg" height="212" title="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TwBq_RCbSA/VNNKVHquYhI/AAAAAAAAESQ/0SiAVGh-Meg/s1600/ueno_park_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TwBq_RCbSA/VNNKVHquYhI/AAAAAAAAESQ/0SiAVGh-Meg/s1600/ueno_park_18.jpg" height="425" title="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PYw-qK7A2dc/VNNKf6FqwQI/AAAAAAAAET0/toNhEIlF0TQ/s1600/ueno_park_22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PYw-qK7A2dc/VNNKf6FqwQI/AAAAAAAAET0/toNhEIlF0TQ/s1600/ueno_park_22.jpg" height="425" title="Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine, 上野東照宮" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tvEdqcawRjk/VNNKMje_2DI/AAAAAAAAERQ/KSEAVfTIO68/s1600/ueno_park_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Ueno Park, 上野公園" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tvEdqcawRjk/VNNKMje_2DI/AAAAAAAAERQ/KSEAVfTIO68/s1600/ueno_park_05.jpg" height="133" title="Ueno Park, 上野公園" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="s1">After my visit to the shrine, I spent much of the day wandering around, enjoying another famous Ueno Park pastime, people-watching. I became intrigued watching this man, a retired middle school art teacher, who was making sidewalk art by simply trailing water onto the pavement from a brush. Since he was able to speak some English, he seemed eager to meet someone with whom he could practice, so we chatted for a short while. Well I helped him to enhance his English vocabulary, he told me that his art was inspired by a form of Chinese calligraphy which employs the same technique. Due to years of practice, he is able to draw and write (in both English and Japanese) upside down so that his creations appear right-side-up from the perspective of his observers. His drawings were particularly popular with young children visiting the park with their families. He did a great job of appealing to their fascination by drawing lots of panda bears, which are a famous symbol of the park due to the bears' prominence as a cherished exhibit at the zoo.</span><br />
<span class="s1"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qxNMRLitjhg/VNNKLV6UPDI/AAAAAAAAET4/mHbhsAgMghk/s1600/ueno_park_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qxNMRLitjhg/VNNKLV6UPDI/AAAAAAAAET4/mHbhsAgMghk/s1600/ueno_park_03.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3jaSAoVy-U/VNNKMZInhzI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/H-N4OX0jh3c/s1600/ueno_park_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3jaSAoVy-U/VNNKMZInhzI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/H-N4OX0jh3c/s1600/ueno_park_04.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1">Here he drew my zodiac symbols on the pavement for me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytaKUqnJxU4/VNNKLYX9JgI/AAAAAAAAEQs/PDCiuNvzlsI/s1600/ueno_park_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytaKUqnJxU4/VNNKLYX9JgI/AAAAAAAAEQs/PDCiuNvzlsI/s1600/ueno_park_01.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5a4MVmqv1uQ/VNNKLg_gAWI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/WbdPTfWlzfs/s1600/ueno_park_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5a4MVmqv1uQ/VNNKLg_gAWI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/WbdPTfWlzfs/s1600/ueno_park_02.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Na4JOKBK3qI/VNNKPNothOI/AAAAAAAAERU/R7rwqJvncNc/s1600/ueno_park_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Prince Komatsu Akihito Statue, Ueno Park, 小松宮彰仁親王の像, 上野公園" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Na4JOKBK3qI/VNNKPNothOI/AAAAAAAAERU/R7rwqJvncNc/s1600/ueno_park_09.jpg" height="133" title="Prince Komatsu Akihito Statue, Ueno Park, 小松宮彰仁親王の像, 上野公園" width="200" /></a></div>
Here's a bronze statue commemorating the life of Prince Komatsu Akihito (小松宮彰仁親王 / Komatsu-no-miya Akihito shinnō) (1846-1903), a masterful military tactician in the Imperial Army, a prominent and higly decorated commander during the Boshin War, and former potential heir to the throne. The Prince led a fascinating life which included time as a buddhist priest in Kyoto, a term as Chief of Staff of the Imperial Army, and also an ambassador, of sorts, who traveled all over Asia and Europe as a representative of the Emporer. At one time he was even arranged to be married to Princess Kaʻiulani in order to seal plans of an Imperial alliance with the former kingdom of Hawai'i, but these plans never panned out.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQ27ofhjLlM/VNNKOuCebII/AAAAAAAAET4/gwF1F638SmU/s1600/ueno_park_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Prince Komatsu Akihito Statue, Ueno Park, 小松宮彰仁親王の像, 上野公園" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQ27ofhjLlM/VNNKOuCebII/AAAAAAAAET4/gwF1F638SmU/s1600/ueno_park_08.jpg" height="266" title="Prince Komatsu Akihito Statue, Ueno Park, 小松宮彰仁親王の像, 上野公園" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Ueno Park also features a small, aging children's amusement park, which is literally overflowing with a certain magnetic and wonderfully heart-warming nostalgia, which makes it an incredibly popular hang-out for families.</span><br />
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sg7vRisqbUs/VNNKNPTEA1I/AAAAAAAAERM/Tll9HFQFXEQ/s1600/ueno_park_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ueno Park, 上野公園" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sg7vRisqbUs/VNNKNPTEA1I/AAAAAAAAERM/Tll9HFQFXEQ/s1600/ueno_park_06.jpg" height="266" title="Ueno Park, 上野公園" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="s1"></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1">This kid is too cute!</span></div>
<span class="s1"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5aMOZg0WUAo/VNNKNRKGZDI/AAAAAAAAET4/sB4fjCd98T8/s1600/ueno_park_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5aMOZg0WUAo/VNNKNRKGZDI/AAAAAAAAET4/sB4fjCd98T8/s1600/ueno_park_07.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There are some more photos I didn't include here, especially of Ueno Tōshōgū Shrine. Anyone who's interested in having a look is welcome to <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249678476942235224/albums/6112310672110125377" target="_blank">visit my Picasa album here</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RK0ZcY739Go/VNNKewfKOZI/AAAAAAAAETs/5Y62bqfL4gY/s1600/ueno_park_30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RK0ZcY739Go/VNNKewfKOZI/AAAAAAAAETs/5Y62bqfL4gY/s1600/ueno_park_30.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0上野恩賜公園35.7141299 139.7726397999999835.701237400000004 139.75246979999997 35.7270224 139.7928098tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-4889590147480218252015-02-03T21:57:00.000+09:002015-02-03T21:57:10.072+09:00節分2015年 / Setsubun 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVs6pIoLiM8/VNDDpuKfatI/AAAAAAAAEPY/G4-FJ4BL3MI/s1600/setsubun_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVs6pIoLiM8/VNDDpuKfatI/AAAAAAAAEPY/G4-FJ4BL3MI/s1600/setsubun_1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Today is a holiday known as Setsubun (節分), which is celebrated every year on the 3rd of February. The holiday marks the end of the harsh cold weather, and reminds us to look forward to the coming spring and to embrace the joy and good fortune of the season. The word itself, means seasonal separation, and dates back many centuries to the time when Japan still used the lunar calendar.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SrG5iKYbUP4/VNDDpt5wUhI/AAAAAAAAEPU/roS-HxQm_MA/s1600/setsubun_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SrG5iKYbUP4/VNDDpt5wUhI/AAAAAAAAEPU/roS-HxQm_MA/s1600/setsubun_2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>Most importantly, Setsubun is a time for casting evil demons (鬼 / “oni”) out of one's home. This is accomplished by the ritual throwing of beans in a custom called “Mamemaki” (豆撒き, literally, “scattering beans”). Traditionally, roasted soybeans are used due to their being a symbol of purity, but any sort of legume will do. We chose to use peanuts, because they're delicious, and fun to eat. They also make for easy cleanup since they come in their own shell.<br />
<br />
My wife, as master of the house, is the one casting out the demons. The guy in the demon mask is not other than yours truly! I should note that we are doing a bit of role reversal here, since demons are traditionally cast out by the elder man of the house, but somehow it seems appropriate this way. Anyway, such practices are becoming common as Japan continues to modernize. She chased me around the house throwing peanuts at me and shouting “Oni wa soto!!” (鬼は外! “Demons, out!”) until I was suitably dispelled. So, let this be a lesson to all you real demons out there. If you come into our house, you can expect the same treatment! Stay away!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrcAZVNlpJc/VNDDqeLL9xI/AAAAAAAAEPk/EGAqIZBz6Lg/s1600/setsubun_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrcAZVNlpJc/VNDDqeLL9xI/AAAAAAAAEPk/EGAqIZBz6Lg/s1600/setsubun_4.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>To round out the fun, we also ate Good Luck Direction Rolls (恵方巻き), which we consumed while facing to the Southwest to ensure that the rolls achieve their maximum effect. I’d say we’re ready for the year!<br />
<br />
Being a busy working person, I'm wearing a store-bought mask. Making one's own mask by hand, however, is fairly common. While I was out shopping this evening, I saw many children wearing clever handmade masks, many of which were most likely school projects.<br />
<br />
If there was time, we might have enjoyed going to Nezu Shrine for their annual celebration, but I’ve still got work to do this evening so we decided to celebrate at home instead.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozvV0MTkZJY/VNDDpj6WrWI/AAAAAAAAEPc/GgIZEvqAVmw/s1600/setsubun_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozvV0MTkZJY/VNDDpj6WrWI/AAAAAAAAEPc/GgIZEvqAVmw/s1600/setsubun_3.jpg" height="170" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-48958494179432230622015-02-01T13:50:00.009+09:002015-02-01T13:50:53.076+09:00初梅花 / First Plum Blossoms of the Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h05U6nYBM4Y/VM2o8ibkXuI/AAAAAAAAEIk/nMcxqy9Kk2Q/s1600/hatsu_ume_37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h05U6nYBM4Y/VM2o8ibkXuI/AAAAAAAAEIk/nMcxqy9Kk2Q/s1600/hatsu_ume_37.jpg" height="426" title="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rq7XPWZmiF4/VM2o-ueaR0I/AAAAAAAAEJk/eN6KUgltMRA/s1600/hatsu_ume_42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rq7XPWZmiF4/VM2o-ueaR0I/AAAAAAAAEJk/eN6KUgltMRA/s1600/hatsu_ume_42.jpg" height="200" width="95" /></a></div>
It's quite early in the season, but still I decided to take a long walk and head over to Yushima Tenjin Shrine (湯島天神) (a.k.a. Yushima Tenmangu), in the Yushima neighborhood of Bunkyo City, for the start of the annual Plum Blossom Festival (梅祭り). There are very few blossoms to look at right now, but still the Shrine was alive with visitors enjoying the beautiful, albeit chilly day.<br />
<br />
Yushima Tenjin Shrine originally dates back to the mid-5th century, but has lived on in the current form that you see here since the late 1400s. The buildings that stand today we're all constructed in 1995 as part of Japanese Shrines' traditional renewal. The Shrine is particularly famous for its long history as a place of study for Confucian scholars during the edo period (1603-1868), but also for its annual Plum Blossom Festival.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Vs6U-67wHY/VM2o8wTmpYI/AAAAAAAAEIo/9lqKr9D_gvU/s1600/hatsu_ume_38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Vs6U-67wHY/VM2o8wTmpYI/AAAAAAAAEIo/9lqKr9D_gvU/s1600/hatsu_ume_38.jpg" height="266" title="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Yushima Tenjin Shrine has another, lesser-known claim to fame, which is that being directly adjacent to the University of Tokyo, receives thousands of student visitors each year. Students praying for success in their studies, write their wishes on these emma and leave them here for Tenjin (the primary God of the shrine).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0z9QZgaCy4/VM2o5D7Cr9I/AAAAAAAAEHo/Uc_ktQ7kp9Q/s1600/hatsu_ume_28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="湯島天神" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0z9QZgaCy4/VM2o5D7Cr9I/AAAAAAAAEHo/Uc_ktQ7kp9Q/s1600/hatsu_ume_28.jpg" height="212" title="湯島天神," width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySyG97pPNJI/VM2o5QkwE0I/AAAAAAAAEHg/nk_n5aknUoI/s1600/hatsu_ume_29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="湯島天神" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySyG97pPNJI/VM2o5QkwE0I/AAAAAAAAEHg/nk_n5aknUoI/s1600/hatsu_ume_29.jpg" height="212" title="湯島天神" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The flowering plum trees are still almost all buds, but I still managed to get some nice floral shots.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uNOXhIhZ63g/VM2oufN31PI/AAAAAAAAEEU/E_jf6zFUJZc/s1600/hatsu_ume_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uNOXhIhZ63g/VM2oufN31PI/AAAAAAAAEEU/E_jf6zFUJZc/s1600/hatsu_ume_02.jpg" height="212" title="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Soc-8juBNH8/VM2ouc8oHCI/AAAAAAAAEEc/4kKEMvEZ5FQ/s1600/hatsu_ume_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Soc-8juBNH8/VM2ouc8oHCI/AAAAAAAAEEc/4kKEMvEZ5FQ/s1600/hatsu_ume_03.jpg" height="212" title="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uEGwMnebpeE/VM2ovydkdoI/AAAAAAAAEGo/m8F-kHYyVnk/s1600/hatsu_ume_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uEGwMnebpeE/VM2ovydkdoI/AAAAAAAAEGo/m8F-kHYyVnk/s1600/hatsu_ume_06.jpg" height="212" title="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UmIE0PXMReI/VM2oypjDH0I/AAAAAAAAEFg/k_ST6Sm3BvM/s1600/hatsu_ume_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UmIE0PXMReI/VM2oypjDH0I/AAAAAAAAEFg/k_ST6Sm3BvM/s1600/hatsu_ume_13.jpg" height="212" title="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-rmFcKOaus/VM2ozzmD1BI/AAAAAAAAEF0/SvS3F2LfEcY/s1600/hatsu_ume_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-rmFcKOaus/VM2ozzmD1BI/AAAAAAAAEF0/SvS3F2LfEcY/s1600/hatsu_ume_16.jpg" height="212" title="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7fEsE6gESq0/VM2o0_y5WBI/AAAAAAAAEGk/Eq_wik6O96Q/s1600/hatsu_ume_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7fEsE6gESq0/VM2o0_y5WBI/AAAAAAAAEGk/Eq_wik6O96Q/s1600/hatsu_ume_18.jpg" height="212" title="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TmcXSESbOKo/VM2o7qwX_UI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/-xJXT3RWJw8/s1600/hatsu_ume_35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TmcXSESbOKo/VM2o7qwX_UI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/-xJXT3RWJw8/s1600/hatsu_ume_35.jpg" height="212" title="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z-6COU22qwM/VM2oyADUZnI/AAAAAAAAEFs/aTiUUuE3gBo/s1600/hatsu_ume_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z-6COU22qwM/VM2oyADUZnI/AAAAAAAAEFs/aTiUUuE3gBo/s1600/hatsu_ume_12.jpg" height="212" title="梅花, 湯島天神, 梅まつり" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you would like to look at the rest of the photos form this set, please <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249678476942235224/albums/6110725779207216657" target="_blank">visit my Picasa Album</a>. Thanks as always for visiting!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0湯島天神35.707742499999988 139.7682030999999435.707339499999989 139.76757259999994 35.708145499999986 139.76883359999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-45014056080584357112015-01-31T00:04:00.000+09:002015-01-31T00:04:05.435+09:00雪の東京2015年 - 根津神社 | Snowy Tokyo 2015 - Nezu Shrine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GmP25c0fVGs/VMubi0GgtxI/AAAAAAAAEBo/89DUZMFC3xk/s1600/snokyo_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GmP25c0fVGs/VMubi0GgtxI/AAAAAAAAEBo/89DUZMFC3xk/s1600/snokyo_02.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Snowstorms are a very rare occurrence for us here in Tokyo. I am definitely not complaining, but I enjoy some nice wintery weather once in a great while, so we've got to get out enjoy their fleeting beauty while we can! I decided to take my camera to Nezu Shrine this morning before heading in to the office to capture some of the scenery. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56guBfOKCjA/VMubjDIs8xI/AAAAAAAAEB0/UMePIGvspAM/s1600/snokyo_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56guBfOKCjA/VMubjDIs8xI/AAAAAAAAEB0/UMePIGvspAM/s1600/snokyo_01.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jq6dF2SDw0s/VMubjHaecBI/AAAAAAAAEBs/2eB_ADzlrRI/s1600/snokyo_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jq6dF2SDw0s/VMubjHaecBI/AAAAAAAAEBs/2eB_ADzlrRI/s1600/snokyo_03.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dxmuzlbtNt8/VMubkJwUDMI/AAAAAAAAEB8/F3Q_WPH7GsA/s1600/snokyo_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dxmuzlbtNt8/VMubkJwUDMI/AAAAAAAAEB8/F3Q_WPH7GsA/s1600/snokyo_04.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QCfto-eXNSo/VMubkL-1r5I/AAAAAAAAECM/mXw0Wb300HI/s1600/snokyo_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QCfto-eXNSo/VMubkL-1r5I/AAAAAAAAECM/mXw0Wb300HI/s1600/snokyo_05.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-91OAojc1KuI/VMubkV_FIbI/AAAAAAAAECg/jAX_1tKiW2Y/s1600/snokyo_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-91OAojc1KuI/VMubkV_FIbI/AAAAAAAAECg/jAX_1tKiW2Y/s1600/snokyo_06.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uhegmrfo7tk/VMublFsmlPI/AAAAAAAAECQ/3F6tY3x4irM/s1600/snokyo_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uhegmrfo7tk/VMublFsmlPI/AAAAAAAAECQ/3F6tY3x4irM/s1600/snokyo_07.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvCv8Q3D3yU/VMubloJLBkI/AAAAAAAAECY/_ggr5-H7Rfo/s1600/snokyo_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvCv8Q3D3yU/VMubloJLBkI/AAAAAAAAECY/_ggr5-H7Rfo/s1600/snokyo_08.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QeMXGM6TEBU/VMubl0P5cXI/AAAAAAAAECk/2WCaKlwMhH8/s1600/snokyo_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QeMXGM6TEBU/VMubl0P5cXI/AAAAAAAAECk/2WCaKlwMhH8/s1600/snokyo_09.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09wr95mw9P8/VMubmBTp_6I/AAAAAAAAECo/yoZbJsqbwyE/s1600/snokyo_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09wr95mw9P8/VMubmBTp_6I/AAAAAAAAECo/yoZbJsqbwyE/s1600/snokyo_10.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com2根津神社35.720233 139.760737999999959.801893 98.452143999999947 61.638573 -178.93066800000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-65094987588105586552015-01-01T15:41:00.000+09:002015-01-01T15:41:28.386+09:00Happy New Year! 明けましておめでとうございます!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X_-Avfj2yyk/VKTpVXBNODI/AAAAAAAAD-8/g0ryeerhYNE/s1600/otoshiake_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="根津神社, 初詣, Nezu Shrine" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X_-Avfj2yyk/VKTpVXBNODI/AAAAAAAAD-8/g0ryeerhYNE/s1600/otoshiake_1.jpg" height="426" title="根津神社, 初詣, Nezu Shrine" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">根津神社 / Nezu Shrine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Happy New Year! 明けましておめでとうございます (Akemashite Omedetō Gozaimasu)!<br />
<br />
This year the wife and I are enjoying a nice, quiet celebration of New Year (お正月 / O-shōgatsu):<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Ate sushi</li>
<li>Watched the NHK Red and White Singing Competition (NHK紅白歌合戦 / NHK Kōhaku Utaga-sen)</li>
<li>Ate New Year’s Eve soba noodles (年越しそば / Toshikosi Soba)</li>
<li>Went to Nezu Shrine for the first shrine visit of the year (初詣 / Hatsumoude)</li>
<li>Took a bath and went to bed</li>
<li>As I write this, my wife is making a traditional New Year soup containing a light broth, chicken, shrimp and mochi called Ozōni (お雑煮).</li>
</ol>
<br />
We’re pretty tired after an exhausting week of spending Christmas in America coupled with nearly 40 hours of travel, so we wanted to have a quiet and relaxing New Year, and that’s exactly what we’re doing!<br />
<br />
Happy New Year everyone!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onNtSU7lVEk/VKTpVRNqtEI/AAAAAAAAD_E/_zzYe089EP0/s1600/otoshiake_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="根津神社, 初詣, Nezu Shrine" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onNtSU7lVEk/VKTpVRNqtEI/AAAAAAAAD_E/_zzYe089EP0/s1600/otoshiake_2.jpg" height="426" title="根津神社, 初詣, Nezu Shrine" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDnecfViAHI/VKTpVXkJoHI/AAAAAAAAD_A/6SZvUiA90g0/s1600/otoshiake_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="根津神社, 初詣, Nezu Shrine" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDnecfViAHI/VKTpVXkJoHI/AAAAAAAAD_A/6SZvUiA90g0/s1600/otoshiake_3.jpg" height="426" title="根津神社, 初詣, Nezu Shrine" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0Nezu Shrine35.720233 139.760737999999959.801928 98.452143999999947 61.638538 -178.93066800000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-33222063325675234642014-11-30T23:51:00.000+09:002014-12-01T00:53:23.654+09:00Sheena Ringo in Concert!!! / 椎名林檎アリーナツアー!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqjr4HDTE1E5KaC20xz_f9OFoK0e25p3Y1RDES7fZuTAhmazeesqfzEdPdrvkp_jV-pTwn62GTGAXm3M8_72zh8h08-wySoHYLp1CISTTR7CRp3OpSQGyDeHfa729Fzfp0jzjIgyLkOv9/s1600/JPEG%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B7%E3%82%99-7358244A14DD-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqjr4HDTE1E5KaC20xz_f9OFoK0e25p3Y1RDES7fZuTAhmazeesqfzEdPdrvkp_jV-pTwn62GTGAXm3M8_72zh8h08-wySoHYLp1CISTTR7CRp3OpSQGyDeHfa729Fzfp0jzjIgyLkOv9/s1600/JPEG%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B7%E3%82%99-7358244A14DD-1.jpeg" height="640" width="637" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-cVNcqpvueTGpXn0vcknDZDcKjUA7q7ci5rDvS3ufxs_sUSRdt4NqSL8mAmqOS07EYQNVysp8W7U52c3IM_KFumxllrWCAL9pDcixAgHBjv_rGk68r0sPqS47ikxVK8pNQA9kBS3o48Y/s1600/JPEG%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B7%E3%82%99-1D9211778AED-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-cVNcqpvueTGpXn0vcknDZDcKjUA7q7ci5rDvS3ufxs_sUSRdt4NqSL8mAmqOS07EYQNVysp8W7U52c3IM_KFumxllrWCAL9pDcixAgHBjv_rGk68r0sPqS47ikxVK8pNQA9kBS3o48Y/s1600/JPEG%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B7%E3%82%99-1D9211778AED-1.jpeg" height="170" width="167" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Yesterday evening was one night that I'll never ever forget! I was able to cross an item off my bucket list so to speak. I finally got the chance to see my favourite singer-songwriter, Sheena Ringo in concert!! This is Ringo-chan's Arena Tour called "Ringo Expo '14 -Toshi Onna's Counterattack-" ** (林檎博'14 -年女の逆襲-), which my wife and I saw at the Saitama Super Arena (埼玉スーパーアリーナ). </span>As you can see the seats were pretty far away, but that did nothing to take away from the pure joy and excitement of seeing a musician of such incredible talent live in person. I have to admit, though I was a bit envious of the folks who had floor seat tickets when Ringo-chan made her entrance up the center aisle, riding on a boat, and then again when she was paraded up and down the center aisle riding on a skateboard!</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuGE7asVvd6j2_D-ykPndgVyR_K1Znb4v3jdVSVs7UpaYjCfZmPHo1267k8_Vg5uqIvWlTcj_l2oUfUt95LzXbG4POpoXhEvLiea5Oww67TUHFmcDaS7FyrS0LG-I1tf9aKwkU4R_faq7/s1600/JPEG%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B7%E3%82%99-B61E64452497-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuGE7asVvd6j2_D-ykPndgVyR_K1Znb4v3jdVSVs7UpaYjCfZmPHo1267k8_Vg5uqIvWlTcj_l2oUfUt95LzXbG4POpoXhEvLiea5Oww67TUHFmcDaS7FyrS0LG-I1tf9aKwkU4R_faq7/s1600/JPEG%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B7%E3%82%99-B61E64452497-1.jpeg" height="394" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The show was nothing short of amazing and literally moved me nearly to tears on several occasions. She performed most of the songs off her album from earlier this year, "<a href="http://www.hi-no-moto.com/2014/06/music-review-shiina-ringo-reverse.html" target="_blank">Reimports: Ports and Harbours Bureau</a>" (逆輸入 ~港湾局~), as well as some from earlier releases and even a couple of songs from her days with her band, The Tokyo Incidents (東京事変)! It was a profound experience.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The musicians she's touring with are incredible talents, including the orchestra and conductor doing much of the accompaniment. Shockingly, the drummer even performed his part in the song, "Vortex Boy" (渦中の男) live, and since that song is essentially hardcore drum & bass, this is no simple endeavor! Of course Ringo-chan herself put on a guitar and rocked along with the band for a few tunes, which I was eagerly anticipating, and was so happy to experience for myself.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The lighting and stage effects were also fantastic and perfectly complimentary, meaning that they never became too overwhelming to the point that they overshadowed the performance. This included plenty of live video so that even those of us way in back could get a good look at the star of the show and enjoy her four costume changes. When not utilizing live video footage, the stage was alive with impeccably-produced graphics that literally transformed the stage giving impression of being at different venues. Amazing.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">While leaving the stadium I said to my wife, "今死んでも満足だ。" "If I died right now I'd be satisfied." It's an extreme sentiment of course, but that's how fulfilled I felt after this concert. I'm still living in the afterglow even now.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b>Here's the Set List from last night!</b></span></div>
<div class="p1">
</div>
<ol>
<li>今</li>
<li>葬列</li>
<li>能動的三分間</li>
<li>決定的三分間</li>
<li>密偵物語</li>
<li>ちちんぷいぷい</li>
<li>望遠鏡の外の景色</li>
<li>殺し屋危機一髪</li>
<li>NIPPON</li>
<li>最果てが見たい</li>
<li>流行</li>
<li>自由へ道連れ</li>
<li>Between today and tomorrow</li>
<li>都合のいい身体</li>
<li>赤道を越えたら</li>
<li>走れゎナンバー</li>
<li>やっつけ仕事</li>
<li>遭難</li>
<li>渦中の男</li>
<li>私の愛する人</li>
<li>JL005便で</li>
<li>暗夜の心中立て</li>
<li>禁じられた遊び</li>
<li>主演の女</li>
<li>静かなる逆襲<br />Encores:</li>
<li>マヤカシ優男</li>
<li>ありきたりな女</li>
<li>BON VOYAGE</li>
</ol>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1">Some concert tour goods</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56IVr-SuOOWpQkz09y1WuhXsedBzKmDmM-QTh4CEiEh_EQI43YbbJCJPPMOM0Iqe2AjeoOvF2QlXvwxA3RFpDNFgx6hLy1Vy6KLZuMzSLlBRK2khwQwI8IhONNyg-dAm8dskH4oBz-57_/s1600/JPEG%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B7%E3%82%99-F528D679138A-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56IVr-SuOOWpQkz09y1WuhXsedBzKmDmM-QTh4CEiEh_EQI43YbbJCJPPMOM0Iqe2AjeoOvF2QlXvwxA3RFpDNFgx6hLy1Vy6KLZuMzSLlBRK2khwQwI8IhONNyg-dAm8dskH4oBz-57_/s1600/JPEG%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B7%E3%82%99-F528D679138A-1.jpeg" height="400" width="398" /></a></div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
**There's really no good translation for "Toshi Onna" so here's a basic definition: a woman who was born in the current year's sign of the Chinese zodiac (which of course would mean that Ringo-chan was born in the year of the horse). Also, please note that this is my own translation of the Concert Tour Name as I could not find an official translation anywhere.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Allow me to leave you with this video for "Vogue" (流行) from the album 3-Penny Gossip (三文ゴシップ) which was performed last night:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/" width="480"></iframe></center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com2Saitama Super Arena35.8949557 139.6307672000000435.891739699999995 139.62572470000003 35.8981717 139.63580970000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-34418597854138502612014-11-29T00:01:00.000+09:002014-11-29T00:01:51.348+09:00Part 2 : Autumn Leaf Viewing / 紅葉<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y430TiAMnDE/VHhZ2Lo3gsI/AAAAAAAADvU/tT2nrX_kxBE/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y430TiAMnDE/VHhZ2Lo3gsI/AAAAAAAADvU/tT2nrX_kxBE/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_34.jpg" height="427" title="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Part two of this year's autumn leaf viewing (紅葉) is all about the Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens (小石川後楽園), here in Bunkyo City (文京区), about a 10 min bicycle ride from my home.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EzJsWbiuw1A/VHhZphyiWZI/AAAAAAAADrw/2imq8gcasc0/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EzJsWbiuw1A/VHhZphyiWZI/AAAAAAAADrw/2imq8gcasc0/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_01.jpg" height="213" title="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzoSIilXwkg/VHhZpo0q_QI/AAAAAAAADrs/uLl0qYvxphI/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzoSIilXwkg/VHhZpo0q_QI/AAAAAAAADrs/uLl0qYvxphI/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_02.jpg" height="213" title="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
Kōrakuen is ranked as one of Tokyo's top autumn leaf viewing spots. The park was originally a residence built in the early 1600s by Tokugawa Yorifusa (徳川頼房), domain ruler of the Tokugawa clan division known as Mito (水戸). In the next generation, Kōrakuen was made into a permanent garden under domain ruler, Tokugawa Mitsukuni (徳川光圀), who was the subject of the long-running Japanese TV period drama, <a href="http://www.tbs.co.jp/mito/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mito Kōmon</a> (水戸黄門).</div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iBi4N-Zv5KY/VHhZ4l1iYZI/AAAAAAAADwA/EdNS_ccFgHM/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iBi4N-Zv5KY/VHhZ4l1iYZI/AAAAAAAADwA/EdNS_ccFgHM/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_39.jpg" height="133" title="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Kōrakuen is somewhat atypical as Japanese Gardens go because it borrows heavily from Chinese landscaping styles, as is evident from the use of the many hills, and intricately-patterned stone walkways. Other aspects of the garden that make it unique, are the subtle recreations of far-away lands, both Japanese and Chinese; not that they're meant to be exact replicas, but that the feeling is captured in these re-created landscapes.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1g1-RzkVdE/VHhZ1ce21PI/AAAAAAAADvI/gHgkNH5b10k/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1g1-RzkVdE/VHhZ1ce21PI/AAAAAAAADvI/gHgkNH5b10k/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_31.jpg" height="213" title="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pqc9AZjMCvk/VHhZ1kVPxfI/AAAAAAAADvc/0ZayjHGroLk/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pqc9AZjMCvk/VHhZ1kVPxfI/AAAAAAAADvc/0ZayjHGroLk/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_32.jpg" height="213" title="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
As time passed, the park grew to have special historical significance as it was very often used by the Tokugawa Shogunate and Mito clan as a gathering place, and for hosting meetings with many foreign dignitaries and domestic leaders alike. Today, the park boasts two official designations as both a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Special Historic Site, one of the few spots in the country to have this double-distinction protected by the constitution under the Cultural Assets Preservation Act.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HxSVzv3BQFU/VHhZ4HL5X8I/AAAAAAAADwk/liTsHVknGp0/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HxSVzv3BQFU/VHhZ4HL5X8I/AAAAAAAADwk/liTsHVknGp0/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_38.jpg" height="267" title="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hFPNv5NOyN8/VHhZ5EbQj5I/AAAAAAAADwM/FVWlzbJaDms/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hFPNv5NOyN8/VHhZ5EbQj5I/AAAAAAAADwM/FVWlzbJaDms/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_41.jpg" height="133" title="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i72mT__PAbk/VHhZ5sUnUbI/AAAAAAAADww/O46m4eumUE0/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i72mT__PAbk/VHhZ5sUnUbI/AAAAAAAADww/O46m4eumUE0/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_42.jpg" height="133" title="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eAuokvtIplc/VHhZ6ovh8DI/AAAAAAAADws/NPbZq7iC2ck/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eAuokvtIplc/VHhZ6ovh8DI/AAAAAAAADws/NPbZq7iC2ck/s1600/koishikawa-korakuen_45.jpg" height="133" title="Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens, 小石川後楽園, 紅葉" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens is literally a living, breathing work of art with thousands of years of history. Being just a short walk from Tokyo Dome City, I highly recommend this spot to anyone who might be coming in to Tokyo for a visit!<br />
<br />
There are lots more photos! Interested readers are welcome to <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249678476942235224/albums/6086713463716274865" target="_blank">visit the full photo album here</a>.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com1Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens35.7211065 139.7391370000000335.7207015 139.73850400000003 35.7215115 139.73977000000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-42803988266097404092014-11-24T12:01:00.000+09:002014-11-24T12:10:43.987+09:00Autumn Leaf Viewing / 紅葉<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HBD0rxwqjuo/VHKewpHzEkI/AAAAAAAADoA/1cmRM_Gyif4/s1600/ginko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HBD0rxwqjuo/VHKewpHzEkI/AAAAAAAADoA/1cmRM_Gyif4/s1600/ginko.jpg" height="427" title="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Yesterday was the perfect day for going out to view autumn leaves, which is called "kōyō" (紅葉) in japanese (literally, "red leaves" undoubtedly in appreciation of the bright red colour of japanese maple trees in autumn). Yesterday's sunny, crisp, autumn-chilled-yet-warm weather made for a perfect outing. Not feeling particularly adventurous, my wife and I took a five minute walk to the University of Tokyo (東京大学) campus where the Ginko trees are nearly at the peak of golden colour. I must admit that I'm a little bit envious that this beautiful scenery is a normal, everyday sight for my wife who is a staff member at the University.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bvHmYJ7QmEo/VHKcUjAS0vI/AAAAAAAADlY/EZjkZOhJ5AI/s1600/kouyou2014_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bvHmYJ7QmEo/VHKcUjAS0vI/AAAAAAAADlY/EZjkZOhJ5AI/s1600/kouyou2014_15.jpg" height="267" title="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Lots of other people were out with their cameras; some folks even packed a picnic.
I'm particularly fond of leaves that still have a bit of green, thus displaying a lovely gradation of colour. For me, this is a graceful homage to the season itself, representing the time of transition between summer and winter on a single leaf.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HNzY3gxWShI/VHKcVqlu60I/AAAAAAAADlk/BBXUiPprcCE/s1600/kouyou2014_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HNzY3gxWShI/VHKcVqlu60I/AAAAAAAADlk/BBXUiPprcCE/s1600/kouyou2014_18.jpg" height="267" title="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's an orange tree I never noticed before!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxwqU7p7i7s/VHKcXGgWGhI/AAAAAAAADl0/f8U4-lgWY2w/s1600/kouyou2014_20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxwqU7p7i7s/VHKcXGgWGhI/AAAAAAAADl0/f8U4-lgWY2w/s1600/kouyou2014_20.jpg" height="400" title="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Please enjoy the rest of the photos! There's a link at the bottom to the full album for anyone who'd like to have a look.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDbf5zzzeBw/VHKcNhIJYvI/AAAAAAAADjs/sHiPP5hss5Y/s1600/kouyou2014_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDbf5zzzeBw/VHKcNhIJYvI/AAAAAAAADjs/sHiPP5hss5Y/s1600/kouyou2014_01.jpg" height="267" title="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-89MGa1drm_s/VHKcPNpV4gI/AAAAAAAADng/HRHF7mSUiLY/s1600/kouyou2014_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-89MGa1drm_s/VHKcPNpV4gI/AAAAAAAADng/HRHF7mSUiLY/s1600/kouyou2014_05.jpg" height="267" title="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AHU8AMGfNsE/VHKcTZdVW0I/AAAAAAAADlM/z9M8YUE1Tys/s1600/kouyou2014_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AHU8AMGfNsE/VHKcTZdVW0I/AAAAAAAADlM/z9M8YUE1Tys/s1600/kouyou2014_12.jpg" height="267" title="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R79GVRJ7gAQ/VHKcVYzUEMI/AAAAAAAADn0/w1XzeujzWU8/s1600/kouyou2014_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R79GVRJ7gAQ/VHKcVYzUEMI/AAAAAAAADn0/w1XzeujzWU8/s1600/kouyou2014_17.jpg" height="267" title="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RpeiH7s2L6c/VHKcerdTWuI/AAAAAAAADnE/g3SF1jCF5io/s1600/kouyou2014_21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RpeiH7s2L6c/VHKcerdTWuI/AAAAAAAADnE/g3SF1jCF5io/s1600/kouyou2014_21.jpg" height="267" title="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OhBfJt7E3i0/VHKcXmp3iLI/AAAAAAAADm0/XG912fMcLsc/s1600/kouyou2014_22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OhBfJt7E3i0/VHKcXmp3iLI/AAAAAAAADm0/XG912fMcLsc/s1600/kouyou2014_22.jpg" height="267" title="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2KSfFnc4CDU/VHKcYF5ETyI/AAAAAAAADmA/YhJ91OK0P9c/s1600/kouyou2014_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2KSfFnc4CDU/VHKcYF5ETyI/AAAAAAAADmA/YhJ91OK0P9c/s1600/kouyou2014_23.jpg" height="267" title="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vWIRKW5ShtE/VHKcecfOwKI/AAAAAAAADnQ/MVeKYDLNiFM/s1600/kouyou2014_31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vWIRKW5ShtE/VHKcecfOwKI/AAAAAAAADnQ/MVeKYDLNiFM/s1600/kouyou2014_31.jpg" height="267" title="University of Tokyo, Kōyō, 東大, 東京大学, 紅葉" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249678476942235224/albums/6085097797677885665" target="_blank">link to the photo album is here</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com2東京大学35.7126775 139.7619889999999735.699715 139.74173299999998 35.72564 139.78224499999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-11030408152498505842014-11-12T14:59:00.001+09:002014-11-12T14:59:01.764+09:00[Photo of the Day] Snack Time! Milk Tea Ritz Bits Sandwiches #risingsun<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img style='max-width:586px;' src='http://scontent-a.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xap1/t51.2885-15/10693281_748977011842843_1173502196_n.jpg'/><br/><br /><div>via Instagram http://ift.tt/1u0mj7v</div><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-40406616979236457802014-11-02T10:56:00.000+09:002014-11-03T13:45:44.565+09:00Birthday BEEEEEEF! / 誕生日のぎゅ〜〜う肉!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EjQQFa8oZf8/VFWH1BknvjI/AAAAAAAADfQ/Fg292s3ga0k/s1600/yakiniku_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EjQQFa8oZf8/VFWH1BknvjI/AAAAAAAADfQ/Fg292s3ga0k/s1600/yakiniku_11.jpg" height="570" width="640" alt="Yakiniku 焼肉"/></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I don't usually like to write posts that celebrate my own day-to-day personal life events, but this time it seems worthwhile and is relevant to the subject matter of my blog, so please forgive me for this Happy-Birthday-to-me post. Yesterday was my birthday, and to celebrate, my wife took me out for an incredible, amazing dinner!</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<span itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Restaurant" itemref="_review3"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xPM3g2F4ic/VFWHxQggpoI/AAAAAAAADeQ/0IjbqYrrJGw/s1600/yakiniku_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img itemprop="image" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xPM3g2F4ic/VFWHxQggpoI/AAAAAAAADeQ/0IjbqYrrJGw/s1600/yakiniku_01.jpg" height="200" width="200" alt="Kagurazaka Shōzantei 神楽坂 翔山亭"/></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nq8YCuGxAA0/VFWHxaa93FI/AAAAAAAADeI/PI-p8sS0nnw/s1600/yakiniku_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nq8YCuGxAA0/VFWHxaa93FI/AAAAAAAADeI/PI-p8sS0nnw/s1600/yakiniku_02.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span class="s1">She took me to <span itemprop="name">Kagurazaka Shōzantei (神楽坂 翔山亭)</span>, </span>recently-opened in the neighborhood of Hongō (本郷), nearby our home. This new local dining spot is a restaurant that specializes in very high quality yaki-niku, meaning "grilled meat" (焼肉). As indicated on the red <a href="http://www.thejapaneseconnection.com/Glossary/noren.htm" target="_blank">Noren</a> , this restaurant buys their meat by purchasing the entire black-haired Japanese wagyu cow (黒毛和牛一頭買) which means they can get very special and select cuts of beef that most places cannot provide. This also keeps their costs lower, a savings which they happily pass along to their customers. Upon being seated at our table, which was in a very modern-japanese minimalist style room, we found a selection of three dipping sauces waiting for us, and we were greeted with complimentary champagne in honour of my birthday, which was a wonderful surprise and delightful way to start the evening.</div></span>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">After getting situated, we got right down to business by ordering a plate of beef tongue, selection of specialty beef cuts, a seasonal veggie plate, some pickles, and I ordered a glass of shōchū (焼酎) on the rocks. The first to arrive were the pickles which were as delicious as they were beautiful, and this wonderful beef tongue.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XnPXU8_iPb4/VFWHyg7-ZwI/AAAAAAAADeg/FH_Hi4wz704/s1600/yakiniku_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XnPXU8_iPb4/VFWHyg7-ZwI/AAAAAAAADeg/FH_Hi4wz704/s1600/yakiniku_05.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4koTxjpE-Yc/VFWHybtBHoI/AAAAAAAADek/b4ljf35VSes/s1600/yakiniku_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4koTxjpE-Yc/VFWHybtBHoI/AAAAAAAADek/b4ljf35VSes/s1600/yakiniku_04.jpg" height="200" width="200" alt="Beef tongue 牛タン"/></a></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
The vegetables and beef assortment came next and I could hardly believe my eyes when it came to the table! Take a look at this dramatic presentation-- this is absolutely gorgeous and extremely appetizing, is it not!? Honestly this is some of the best beef I have ever eaten in my life. The rich flavour, juiciness and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness were absolutely superb! From this plate, I think my favourite was the "Sasabara" (さだばら), which is outer rib meat from the area closest to the thigh of the cow. This was so incredibly tender and juicy that it was almost unbelievable.</div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qVU52eIf2Ss/VFWHzKNtAGI/AAAAAAAADes/RTB-jBnbg6Q/s1600/yakiniku_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qVU52eIf2Ss/VFWHzKNtAGI/AAAAAAAADes/RTB-jBnbg6Q/s1600/yakiniku_06.jpg" height="400" width="400" alt="Kagurazaka Shōzantei 神楽坂 翔山亭"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T2G1rLWhat0/VFWH0COS36I/AAAAAAAADfU/Uod5Gi_1O1U/s1600/yakiniku_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T2G1rLWhat0/VFWH0COS36I/AAAAAAAADfU/Uod5Gi_1O1U/s1600/yakiniku_08.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fV-hhGcOafg/VFWH0dV6OTI/AAAAAAAADfA/PJHyuIjal_o/s1600/yakiniku_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fV-hhGcOafg/VFWH0dV6OTI/AAAAAAAADfA/PJHyuIjal_o/s1600/yakiniku_09.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aRGJBALewTg/VFWHzldIIwI/AAAAAAAADe4/GTeQWPcwUcw/s1600/yakiniku_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aRGJBALewTg/VFWHzldIIwI/AAAAAAAADe4/GTeQWPcwUcw/s1600/yakiniku_07.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">After this selection of beef was consumed, we order a plate of "Horumon" (ホルモン) which in English is called chitterlings. This was definitely the highest quality horumon I've had up until now.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oRSVTanyQCs/VFWH0yTpuSI/AAAAAAAADfM/UYiMAHVRTUY/s1600/yakiniku_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oRSVTanyQCs/VFWH0yTpuSI/AAAAAAAADfM/UYiMAHVRTUY/s1600/yakiniku_10.jpg" height="400" width="400" alt="Horumon ホルモン"/></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">After achieving full meat intoxication we wanted to round off our meal with a bowl of Rei-men, which is very-mildly spicy chilled noodle soup (冷麺). The noodles were light but chewy, and this dish was both delicious and very refreshing after gorging on all that meat!</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QOKmKbZpxdY/VFWH1QlI_YI/AAAAAAAADfY/i-U1n2NHNKI/s1600/yakiniku_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QOKmKbZpxdY/VFWH1QlI_YI/AAAAAAAADfY/i-U1n2NHNKI/s1600/yakiniku_12.jpg" height="400" width="400" alt="Rei-men 冷麺"/></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The restaurant space, the food and drink, and the special time with my wife-- one of the best birthday dinners ever!</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0神楽坂 翔山亭 本郷店35.7012043 139.740953335.7010028 139.7406383 35.7014058 139.7412683tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-17251588754310847892014-10-31T23:53:00.000+09:002014-11-02T11:59:29.797+09:00Tokyo Drifter: Day Trip to Kamakura<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mfTcRIkIit4/VFRKdbt8GPI/AAAAAAAADXc/WGiJB5y-9zg/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mfTcRIkIit4/VFRKdbt8GPI/AAAAAAAADXc/WGiJB5y-9zg/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8943.jpg" height="426" width="640" alt="Enoden 江ノ電"/></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Today's post is finishing up the last leg of last month's visit of my friends from Chicago. Unfortunately due to work responsibilities, my friend Valery needed to return to Chicago before the Phonaut, but I wanted to be sure and make the last day of Phonaut's journey a memorable one. I decided to show him around Kamakura (鎌倉)! I went to Kamakura for the first time 10 years ago on my second visit to Japan, and I had such a wonderful time that I wanted to share the experience with my good friend as well.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">We got up early and headed off to Kamakura via the Yokosuka Line (横須賀線) from Shinbashi Station (新橋駅) and on to the Enoshima Electric Railway, a.k.a. "Enoden" (江ノ電). The weather was perfect and we enjoyed some fun sightseeing starting with, of course, the Great Buddha (大仏) in Hase (長谷).</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAwDUAhXAlQ/VFRKIYNKIuI/AAAAAAAADS0/EcHBwNDGjv4/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAwDUAhXAlQ/VFRKIYNKIuI/AAAAAAAADS0/EcHBwNDGjv4/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8902.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Great Buddha 大仏"/></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpWt9IdXRkg/VFRKJSMayNI/AAAAAAAADT0/ckCukG7Fwjk/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpWt9IdXRkg/VFRKJSMayNI/AAAAAAAADT0/ckCukG7Fwjk/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8904.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Great Buddha 大仏"/></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Vf0XhngRMs/VFRKJ_DvbTI/AAAAAAAADUY/S5-f7rWaaJ8/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Vf0XhngRMs/VFRKJ_DvbTI/AAAAAAAADUY/S5-f7rWaaJ8/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8905.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Great Buddha 大仏"/></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mPwr0Gg92T4/VFRKLDouiSI/AAAAAAAADTU/6vatBwfwnas/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mPwr0Gg92T4/VFRKLDouiSI/AAAAAAAADTU/6vatBwfwnas/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8907.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Great Buddha 大仏"/></a></div>
<br />
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1">Feeling refreshed by the centuries-long meditative peace and tranquillity of Buddha, we headed off to Hase Temple (長谷寺).</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tfuA7adkGAs/VFRKbpI4M5I/AAAAAAAADXM/opWSZye5fJM/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tfuA7adkGAs/VFRKbpI4M5I/AAAAAAAADXM/opWSZye5fJM/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8940.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Hase Temple 長谷寺"/></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jfx64Z-JqO4/VFRKMTwrPpI/AAAAAAAADTk/_ZpGEYZ7g7o/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jfx64Z-JqO4/VFRKMTwrPpI/AAAAAAAADTk/_ZpGEYZ7g7o/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8909.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Hase Temple 長谷寺"/></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2QR71i47-Q/VFRKSxov8zI/AAAAAAAADVA/va-o1dTzlaw/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2QR71i47-Q/VFRKSxov8zI/AAAAAAAADVA/va-o1dTzlaw/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8922.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Hase Temple 長谷寺"/></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4z4vH10nNQ/VFRKX126QsI/AAAAAAAADWQ/30Wfx3Z5jpc/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4z4vH10nNQ/VFRKX126QsI/AAAAAAAADWQ/30Wfx3Z5jpc/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8932.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Hase Temple 長谷寺"/></a></div>
<br />
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1">After hanging around in Hase for a while longer, it was back to Kamakura city for some shopping and a visit to the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine (鶴岡八幡宮).</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DMgFHGslKrw/VFRKeWxtr0I/AAAAAAAADXo/aNF4ZKM3yt0/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DMgFHGslKrw/VFRKeWxtr0I/AAAAAAAADXo/aNF4ZKM3yt0/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8945.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine 鶴岡八幡宮"/></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DMsEW-5MwNE/VFRKfh3UQsI/AAAAAAAADX4/3zsNpphyG9o/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DMsEW-5MwNE/VFRKfh3UQsI/AAAAAAAADX4/3zsNpphyG9o/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8947.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine 鶴岡八幡宮"/></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3Sr3Fla_yo/VFRKkWRPKTI/AAAAAAAADZc/_nRbvSGYKdQ/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3Sr3Fla_yo/VFRKkWRPKTI/AAAAAAAADZc/_nRbvSGYKdQ/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8954.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine 鶴岡八幡宮"/></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FTb8-JY3yp4/VFRKn0bTBvI/AAAAAAAADZg/GOm-F4azRWY/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FTb8-JY3yp4/VFRKn0bTBvI/AAAAAAAADZg/GOm-F4azRWY/s1600/Phonaut_in_%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%8961.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine 鶴岡八幡宮"/></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TtCNPwX3-7M/VFROrJN1xpI/AAAAAAAADag/LTYUViNlyoo/s1600/kamakura_beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TtCNPwX3-7M/VFROrJN1xpI/AAAAAAAADag/LTYUViNlyoo/s1600/kamakura_beer.jpg" height="200" width="150" alt="Kamakura Beer 鎌倉ビール"/></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<a href="http://kichijitsuya.jp/img/goods/L/999949250005_L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://kichijitsuya.jp/img/goods/L/999949250005_L.jpg" height="200" width="200" alt="Kamakura Ham 鎌倉ハム"/></a><span class="s1">Up until now I never had a home to go back to that was not thousands of miles away, so I took advantage of the opportunity to finally buy some of the famous Kamakura Ham. It was every bit a delicious as I'd always imagined! This seems sort of crazy, actually, because predictable answers to the question, "where is the most delicious ham you've ever eaten?" might be Germany, Poland, etc, but no-- Kamakura, Japan is the answer! </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="text-align: center;">Tired from a long day of exploration, we rode the Green Car (first class) back to Tokyo, enjoying a cold Kamakura Pale Ale while making the return trip to Tokyo. </span>A relaxing evening was all that was in store for us that night, and I'd have to say it was a great day!!<br />
<br />
The rest of the photo's from the trip <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249678476942235224/albums/6076563301323182081" target="_blank">can be viewed here</a>.</div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0日本, 神奈川県鎌倉市35.3192254 139.5466867999999735.2150349 139.38463829999998 35.4234159 139.70873529999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-73545254147860961702014-10-29T00:39:00.000+09:002014-11-02T12:03:09.599+09:00Nezu Shrine Annual Festival 2014 / 根津神社例大祭 平成26年<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="p1">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WnZXNl_BKX4/VE-66K_LU0I/AAAAAAAADSY/FBRHkAG2VVw/s1600/yayoi_mikoshi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WnZXNl_BKX4/VE-66K_LU0I/AAAAAAAADSY/FBRHkAG2VVw/s1600/yayoi_mikoshi.jpg" height="426" width="640" alt="神輿 弥生町内会 Yayoi Neighborhood Association's Mikoshi"/></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">神輿 弥生町内会 | Yayoi Neighborhood Association's Mikoshi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Apologies in advance to my readers. Here I am</span> writing about something that happened over a month ago already. It's pretty bad, I know, but believe me it's not because I'm lazy; it's just been a really hectic month! Anyway, getting on to the fun! On 9/21-22, Nezu Jinja held their annual shrine festival, and again this year our entire town was in a fun festival mood!</div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dNKIwNTmmdw/VE-xJXMA7aI/AAAAAAAADRw/0AZkx9ShcI8/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dNKIwNTmmdw/VE-xJXMA7aI/AAAAAAAADRw/0AZkx9ShcI8/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" height="320" width="320" alt="Nezu Shrine Annual Festival 根津神社例大祭"/></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Check out this next photo -- this was me at last year's festival. Words can barely describe how much fun I had and what a wonderful sense of community I felt as I carried the Mikoshi (神輿) along with the other members of my local neighborhood association.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWNKjEjSLEyJmrKN5LaDlh8XChbNuBy5kTeRf0ewYIcgftv-SVdbjJJLqsW9TwtFsgJB-jGQqBU2kmJptm7qkDNiILrAocDwgaAC9klIj_S4K7LRZ1lcXSr4ChpnxkNDg1yJUoezDC1PR/s1600/mikoshi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWNKjEjSLEyJmrKN5LaDlh8XChbNuBy5kTeRf0ewYIcgftv-SVdbjJJLqsW9TwtFsgJB-jGQqBU2kmJptm7qkDNiILrAocDwgaAC9klIj_S4K7LRZ1lcXSr4ChpnxkNDg1yJUoezDC1PR/s1600/mikoshi.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nezu Shrine Festival 2013<br />
I'm guessing I don't need to point out which<br />
one is me (hint- look for the white dude)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">This year, however, my friend was in town from Chicago so I enjoyed this year's festival as a spectator rather than as a participant. Because of this, I was not as busy as I was last year and had the opportunity to enjoy the festival in a totally different light. I also had the pleasure of enjoying pride in my town while showing my friend around his first shrine festival! </span>Nezu Shrine looks so much different than usual when it's all decked out for the party! If this doesn't put a person in the celebration mood, then I guess nothing will! The air was definitely charged with excitement (which I'm sure was helped along by all the booze. LOL)!</div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N50-l16tL_A/VE-wAz3bZFI/AAAAAAAADRc/nuhQPa-_-po/s1600/shrine_festival_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N50-l16tL_A/VE-wAz3bZFI/AAAAAAAADRc/nuhQPa-_-po/s1600/shrine_festival_04.jpg" height="133" width="200" alt="Nezu Shrine Annual Festival 根津神社例大祭"/></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqQjGmGakqY/VE-wDmV8IDI/AAAAAAAADRQ/L--kmG2-JRc/s1600/shrine_festival_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqQjGmGakqY/VE-wDmV8IDI/AAAAAAAADRQ/L--kmG2-JRc/s1600/shrine_festival_13.jpg" height="133" width="200" alt="Nezu Shrine Annual Festival 根津神社例大祭"/></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
There would be no festival without music of course.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rw3CAk2sbjA/VE-wDhvXNnI/AAAAAAAADPY/Ba01dlyXX3Q/s1600/shrine_festival_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rw3CAk2sbjA/VE-wDhvXNnI/AAAAAAAADPY/Ba01dlyXX3Q/s1600/shrine_festival_12.jpg" height="213" width="320" alt="Nezu Shrine Annual Festival 根津神社例大祭"/></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1">There was a traditional performance of Kyōgen (狂言) theatre, too! The performance was mesmerizing and also quite comical as well. We all laughed quite a few times, and with no dialogue it's a laugh for everyone there, regardless of which language someone speaks.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGgj1Sggq68/VE-wHbxM6aI/AAAAAAAADQk/tp1_UErdqm4/s1600/shrine_festival_25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGgj1Sggq68/VE-wHbxM6aI/AAAAAAAADQk/tp1_UErdqm4/s1600/shrine_festival_25.jpg" height="133" width="200" alt="Nezu Shrine Annual Festival 根津神社例大祭"/></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9NyuGCMNTXU/VE-wHixfXFI/AAAAAAAADQw/UL0dtnmRaeo/s1600/shrine_festival_26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9NyuGCMNTXU/VE-wHixfXFI/AAAAAAAADQw/UL0dtnmRaeo/s1600/shrine_festival_26.jpg" height="133" width="200" alt="Nezu Shrine Annual Festival 根津神社例大祭"/></a></div>
<br />
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1">There was also a special performance by the Nezu Elementary School Performing Arts Group. I can't say that I understood much about the performance, but they were excellent and they obviously practiced very hard for this!</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcLMTi1CoSo/VE-wEossH4I/AAAAAAAADRI/DZpTXsG1AMk/s1600/shrine_festival_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcLMTi1CoSo/VE-wEossH4I/AAAAAAAADRI/DZpTXsG1AMk/s1600/shrine_festival_16.jpg" height="133" width="200" alt="Nezu Shrine Annual Festival 根津神社例大祭"/></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg6wizZybTQ/VE-wFc3JJII/AAAAAAAADRE/2TY431ZsqCE/s1600/shrine_festival_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg6wizZybTQ/VE-wFc3JJII/AAAAAAAADRE/2TY431ZsqCE/s1600/shrine_festival_18.jpg" height="133" width="200" alt="Nezu Shrine Annual Festival 根津神社例大祭"/></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_lHB8wunxE/VE-wHj-cNaI/AAAAAAAADQs/-iN43a3LhaI/s1600/shrine_festival_27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_lHB8wunxE/VE-wHj-cNaI/AAAAAAAADQs/-iN43a3LhaI/s1600/shrine_festival_27.jpg" height="133" width="200" alt="Nezu Shrine Annual Festival 根津神社例大祭"/></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">One thing I definitely did not know about was that as the main part of the festival is ending, there's an "after party," one might say, held down the street from the shrine that continues later into the night! The after party was alive with music, dancing and revelry! The dances being performed were fantastic, mostly because they were local dances specific to Tokyo's Bunkyō City and even more local ones known only in Nezu! Wow! To be honest, up until this point I was not even aware of these dances and the very local culture that's part of my neighborhood traditions so I'm extremely glad I made it to the afterparty this year! It was even more incredible to see how many people of all ages know these dances very well and perform them with expertise and confidence. There were, of course, quite a few people who were basically learning as they go, watching the "village elders'" moves carefully and mimicking them. I wish I possessed the confidence to do the same, but when I was invited to join in I was too chicken. Heh! Maybe next year.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ_gS1IU7jA/VE-wIFKqDiI/AAAAAAAADQ4/jfOE-6-i7ao/s1600/shrine_festival_28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ_gS1IU7jA/VE-wIFKqDiI/AAAAAAAADQ4/jfOE-6-i7ao/s1600/shrine_festival_28.jpg" height="266" width="400" alt="Nezu Shrine Annual Festival 根津神社例大祭"/></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I took a video of some of the festivities here. This is one of our local dances / songs called Nezu Ondo ("Nezu Worker's Song"). It's hard for me to communicate just how much fun I was having during the moments of this recording. Please enjoy!</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DEVPPv2YvrU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">After the party broke up, my friend The Phonaut and I walked back to my place on a high note and settled in for the night. What a wonderful time! I sure hope Phonaut enjoyed the party as well. I'm already looking forward to next year!</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">As usual, there are more photos from this event in <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249678476942235224/albums/6075267926321113473" target="_blank">this Picasa Photo Album</a>. Enjoy!</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0根津神社35.4624026 137.422433800000029.4096200999999979 95.938058800000022 61.5151851 178.90680880000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-36252584564281906432014-10-26T11:29:00.000+09:002014-11-02T12:05:47.084+09:00Can o' Bread for Breakfast! | パンの缶詰の朝食!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn29TJi9GlU/VExWZb5dh5I/AAAAAAAADL8/GZ-o3W3Wu1A/s1600/canpan_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn29TJi9GlU/VExWZb5dh5I/AAAAAAAADL8/GZ-o3W3Wu1A/s1600/canpan_2.jpg" height="640" width="640" alt="Japanese Canned Bread Vending Machine パンの缶詰自動販売機"/></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L6K_Tj5Z0HU/VExWZBX0SDI/AAAAAAAADLs/lOtiGDCjU9I/s1600/canpan_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L6K_Tj5Z0HU/VExWZBX0SDI/AAAAAAAADLs/lOtiGDCjU9I/s1600/canpan_1.jpg" height="200" width="200" alt="Japanese Canned Bread パンの缶詰"/></a></div>
"What's for breakfast?" This is a very common question throughout all parts of the modern world. I think, however, that one of the most <i>un</i>common answers must be, "A can of bread from the vending machine." This is exactly what I had for breakfast yesterday, though! Here is a vending machine I found in Inokashira Park (井の頭恩賜公園) in Kichijōji (吉祥寺). The products in this machine are called "Pan no Kanzume" (パンの缶詰), literally, "Bread Canned Goods" from a company called Okaneya. So I found this machine; what's the first thing I do? Buy one of course, what else? (^_^) There are four kinds of bread along the bottom for ¥480 (currently about $4.50 USD) each, and along the top, bread "sticks" (which appear to be more like crackers) for ¥250 each.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FjxZDJAiniU/VExWZZpncQI/AAAAAAAADME/Isj0xwQg15w/s1600/canpan_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FjxZDJAiniU/VExWZZpncQI/AAAAAAAADME/Isj0xwQg15w/s1600/canpan_3.jpg" height="320" width="320" alt="Japanese Canned Bread パンの缶詰"/></a></div>
<br />
I chose the Chocolate Chip Bread (チョコチップパン), which is on the bottom left in the title photo; the other three options being Strawberry Bread, Milk Bread and Caramel Bread. All of these are apparently from from Okaneya's "Bonne Chance" product line. The can opens with a pull-tab and there was a loud pop-hiss sound when the can opened which seemed pretty promising, at least I knew it wasn't likely to be dry.<br />
<br />
Here's what the product looks like inside the can-- the bread sits upside down in the can so what we're seeing here is the underside, and its standard bakery parchment paper wrapping.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc_ZHMz0RQk/VExWaPTe2lI/AAAAAAAADMA/h8L9mvVfhrc/s1600/canpan_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc_ZHMz0RQk/VExWaPTe2lI/AAAAAAAADMA/h8L9mvVfhrc/s1600/canpan_4.jpg" height="200" width="200" alt="Japanese Canned Bread パンの缶詰"/></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LVYu24ShQao/VExWaawAbmI/AAAAAAAADMM/B4x-vOcrY_I/s1600/canpan_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LVYu24ShQao/VExWaawAbmI/AAAAAAAADMM/B4x-vOcrY_I/s1600/canpan_5.jpg" height="200" width="200" alt="Japanese Canned Bread パンの缶詰"/></a></div>
<br />
Unfortunately I was not able to get the bread out of the can in on piece. I got the bread about halfway out, and I couldn't manage to free it from the can without getting it stuck in the rim where the pop-top lid used to be. Here's the bottom half of the bread with the parchment paper removed. Not bad eh?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gEKEHkKvVsA/VExWaZl-rWI/AAAAAAAADMI/es4NRy03Y34/s1600/canpan_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gEKEHkKvVsA/VExWaZl-rWI/AAAAAAAADMI/es4NRy03Y34/s1600/canpan_6.jpg" height="320" width="320" alt="Japanese Canned Bread パンの缶詰"/></a></div>
<br />
So moving on to the eating part. I was not expecting much. After all, I just bought canned bread from a vending machine. How good could it be, right? Well, very surprisingly good, to be honest! The bread is soft, tender and moist but not at all mushy or overly "spongy." The texture is very similar to Italian Panettone. There is cocoa marbled throughout the bread and mini chocolate chips mixed in. I kinda figured this part might be overwhelming to the point where this experienced moved away from being breakfast and into the dessert category, but that was not the case at all. The only perceivable down-side is that people who really love their bread to have a nice crust would be disappointed, but luckily I am not too picky about that, and such a person would probably know better than to expect that from a canned good anyway. I have had a few experiences in which I purchased "fresh" bakery goods from a coffee shop that were not as good as this!<br />
<br />
All this aside, this stuff can't be good for you, right? Well, I suspected as much and so I read the ingredients. <i>Again</i> I was really surprised! The ingredients included several different kinds of flour (including panettone flour which would explain the texture), milk powder, yeast, niacin, chocolate and cocoa! Then the last two in the list; not preferable, but expected, I would say, in a canned good like this-- Sorbitol and some kind of sodium-based preservative (I couldn't read the kanji for this one-- sorry about that). I thought it was probably sodium benzoate, but later I looked up the kanji for sodium benzoate and it wasn't that. I guess I should have photographed the list. That's pretty good I think! The product needs <i>some</i> kind of preservative after all-- the expiration date on the bottom was July 2017.<br />
<br />
The verdict-- I would totally eat this again!I would love to try the other flavours. "In fact, what other kinds are available," I wondered. I looked up the company's homepage and found a <u>large</u> selection of bread <i>AND</i> also wine! They also make (not surprisingly) emergency food store items and supplies. <a href="http://www.okaneya.co.jp/%E5%95%86%E5%93%81%E7%B4%B9%E4%BB%8B/" target="_blank">Here's a link to their product line-up</a>; pretty damned impressive! I also discovered that Okaneya has been in business since 1936 (昭和11年)! I guess they know what they're doing by now.<br />
<br />
After yesterday's experience, I'm now thinking about trying an experiment-- see if it's possible to subsist solely on items purchased from a vending machine for a full day. Stay on the lookout for that in an upcoming post; I'm pretty sure I'm going to do it at some point.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-19695180846063450462014-10-25T00:20:00.000+09:002014-11-02T12:09:17.410+09:00OWLS! / 梟!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pa6M7dh5ze4/VEpp5KEao5I/AAAAAAAADLA/kykOJrxDpQk/s1600/owl_cafe_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pa6M7dh5ze4/VEpp5KEao5I/AAAAAAAADLA/kykOJrxDpQk/s1600/owl_cafe_15.jpg" height="426" width="640" alt="Owl and Bird Cafe"/></a></div>
<br />
As I've been mentioning in recent posts, my good friends were visiting from Chicago last month. These two folks happen to really love owls, and so needless to say they were really interested in going to see them up-close-and-personal at one of Tokyo's many bird cafes. We chose the Tori no Iru Cafe (鳥のいるカフェ) in Asakusa (浅草) since we had spotted it while strolling around the previous day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qiij4xpQS8c/VEpp2H1ikJI/AAAAAAAADKU/bH0m-ic4qp4/s1600/owl_cafe_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qiij4xpQS8c/VEpp2H1ikJI/AAAAAAAADKU/bH0m-ic4qp4/s1600/owl_cafe_10.jpg" height="266" width="400" alt="Tori no Iru Bird Cafe 鳥のいるカフェ"/></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qse2RmqfEiA/VEpp0dQBkwI/AAAAAAAADJs/gMuLF4MaaJA/s1600/owl_cafe_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qse2RmqfEiA/VEpp0dQBkwI/AAAAAAAADJs/gMuLF4MaaJA/s1600/owl_cafe_06.jpg" height="133" width="200" alt="Tori no Iru Bird Cafe 鳥のいるカフェ"/></a></div>
In order describe the experience, I feel like I need to break the whole experience into parts. Getting right to the point-- OWLS! Yeah, going to see owls up-close and being able to handle them is a pretty amazing experience! At a bird cafe, customers can pet, pick up and fully interact with owls! First off, they are adorable! Their big eyes and round bodies give them the impression of having come straight out of a fairy tale. I was really surprised by how soft and fluffy they are, and also by how accurately their feather patterns and colorations mimic the surrounding scenery of their native habitats. Something else I didn't expect is how calm and tame they were. I know they have certainly been trained by their handlers to live in the cafe and to be handled by customers, but being birds of prey I never thought they would be so interactive with humans. My friend Valery was especially good with them. One of the owls totally fell in love with her and was extremely overjoyed to let her pet him for quite a long time! Check this out!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/1hA7e3pOFSo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks to Valery Shuman for sending this precious video!</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eZaDxz9C5uc/VEpp2zBtajI/AAAAAAAADKc/Tcs0ug1F9Ms/s1600/owl_cafe_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eZaDxz9C5uc/VEpp2zBtajI/AAAAAAAADKc/Tcs0ug1F9Ms/s1600/owl_cafe_12.jpg" height="133" width="200" alt="Owl Cafe フクロウカフェ"/></a></div>
On the flip-side, the owls can, at times, be intimidating as well. I say this primarily because many of them are very large, and knowing that owls have astoundingly strong jaws, and could certainly break a human finger if provoked is enough to make customers feel a little bit wary of them when they appear to giving signals that they would rather we not touch them. None of the owls there were at all aggressive, though, so in the end it may have been my own apprehension that made me cautious.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y7faO2KkmKA/VEpp1AFEsgI/AAAAAAAADKA/nqMO7l6S4ic/s1600/owl_cafe_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y7faO2KkmKA/VEpp1AFEsgI/AAAAAAAADKA/nqMO7l6S4ic/s1600/owl_cafe_08.jpg" height="183" width="200" alt="Owl Cafe フクロウカフェ"/></a></div>
Aside from the owls, there is another room in the cafe with many species of smaller birds, especially conures. There are also cockatiels, love birds and other species of parrots and beautiful rare and exotic birds with which I'm less familiar. I think it would be good for customers to know what they're in for before entering this room! It was fun at first, but to be honest, it quickly became a little bit overwhelming. The birds in that room are extremely friendly and very curious. Since they have free reign in that room and are eager to meet guests, visitors will find themselves literally covered in birds within minutes! I did have fun with this for a little while, but then I realized that for each bird you put back on its perch, two more take its place. I had to work swiftly to make myself bird-free and quickly make my way out of the room. It's not that I wouldn't go in again, but it's best in shorter time spans I think.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9weQ46Km-BE/VEpp28CbMzI/AAAAAAAADKY/iY1qkGqqCyo/s1600/owl_cafe_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9weQ46Km-BE/VEpp28CbMzI/AAAAAAAADKY/iY1qkGqqCyo/s1600/owl_cafe_11.jpg" height="266" width="400" alt="Owl Cafe フクロウカフェ"/></a></div>
<br />
Moving on to other aspects of the experience-- the cafe. I have to admit that the cafe itself was not necessarily bad, but was not exactly what I expected. The interior is very small and although it's called a cafe, there are almost no places to sit and it would be almost impossible to enjoy refreshments of any kind. When the place is at full capacity, it feels extremely crowded and it's a little difficult to get close to the owls. They're definitely the main attraction and the owl room has an extremely small capacity. Going to Tori no Iru Cafe also differed a bit from my visit to <a href="http://www.hi-no-moto.com/2014/05/cat-cafe.html" target="_blank">Cat Cafe JaLaLa</a> in that the staff was very hands-off and a little bit on the inattentive side.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3YgD7kCmP3g?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Here's another video for you; one that I created</span></div>
<br />
All in all, the experience was pretty awesome and has made me interested in visiting other bird cafes. I somehow get the feeling, however, that I most likely wouldn't pick Tori no Iru Cafe as my first choice of places. Don't get me wrong, the owls were totally kool and made for a very fun time! Probably the best part of my visit was seeing my friends get this unique chance to interact with these beautiful birds.<br />
<br />
There are still a few more photos to be seen. Interested readers can <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249678476942235224/albums/6073783364439323729" target="_blank">follow this link</a> to see more!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAwu-0SxDxA/VEpp4PVy3ZI/AAAAAAAADK4/tgLiZMuxIRA/s1600/owl_cafe_14.jpg" height="424" width="640" alt="Owl Cafe フクロウカフェ"/></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0鳥のいるカフェ35.6693206 139.80340869.6164595999999989 98.319033600000012 61.7221816 -178.7122164tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-73720584673130562762014-10-12T21:46:00.000+09:002014-11-02T12:14:51.903+09:00Tokyo Drifter: Asakusa<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BJ9zn92lV90/VDoWdvPtGvI/AAAAAAAADHM/nxAH12pieNI/s1600/asakusa_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BJ9zn92lV90/VDoWdvPtGvI/AAAAAAAADHM/nxAH12pieNI/s1600/asakusa_01.jpg" height="426" width="640" alt="Sensōji Temple 浅草寺"/></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sensōji Temple roof</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="p1">
The recent visit of my two long-time friends, Chicago-based DJ and producer <a href="http://www.hi-no-moto.com/2014/09/labyrinth-2014.html" target="_blank">Phonaut</a> and Chicago-based Art Therapist Valery, offered a great opportunity to introduce some friends to my favourite city in the world. Since a visit Tokyo without seeing Asakusa (浅草) is, in my opinion, a visit that's incomplete, I made certain to take them there at the first opportunity. For this post, hopefully my readers won't mind if I keep my wordiness to minimum and instead let the images speak for themselves.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5odjAyFx0XQ/VDoWdWMThJI/AAAAAAAADHQ/-mm_koN7uNo/s1600/asakusa_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5odjAyFx0XQ/VDoWdWMThJI/AAAAAAAADHQ/-mm_koN7uNo/s1600/asakusa_02.jpg" height="266" width="400" alt="Sensōji Temple 浅草寺"/></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sensōji Temple grounds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zYfn9yiif6s/VDoWeZcfjVI/AAAAAAAADF4/WzwF9P8BoLo/s1600/asakusa_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zYfn9yiif6s/VDoWeZcfjVI/AAAAAAAADF4/WzwF9P8BoLo/s1600/asakusa_05.jpg" height="266" width="400" alt="Sensōji Temple 浅草寺"/></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sensōji Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M663pJrTQa0/VDoWeuxQ5QI/AAAAAAAADHI/AS0UiDT5osE/s1600/asakusa_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M663pJrTQa0/VDoWeuxQ5QI/AAAAAAAADHI/AS0UiDT5osE/s1600/asakusa_06.jpg" height="266" width="400" alt="Asakusa 浅草"/></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asakusa flavour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oivQ-_n7sQI/VDoWe-ZchpI/AAAAAAAADGU/nUwbU6hKi8g/s1600/asakusa_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oivQ-_n7sQI/VDoWe-ZchpI/AAAAAAAADGU/nUwbU6hKi8g/s1600/asakusa_07.jpg" height="266" width="400" alt="Sensōji Temple 浅草寺"/></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sensōji Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yDTcjLwejYY/VDoWfv_lY1I/AAAAAAAADGY/9svCoCu3F8s/s1600/asakusa_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yDTcjLwejYY/VDoWfv_lY1I/AAAAAAAADGY/9svCoCu3F8s/s1600/asakusa_09.jpg" height="266" width="400" alt="Sensōji Temple 浅草寺"/></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sensōji Temple grounds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BbQ96xu0GUk/VDoWguuRm7I/AAAAAAAADG4/KMBrtSFh0l4/s1600/asakusa_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BbQ96xu0GUk/VDoWguuRm7I/AAAAAAAADG4/KMBrtSFh0l4/s1600/asakusa_13.jpg" height="266" width="400" alt="Sensōji Temple 浅草寺"/></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ShDsqtKdkWo/VDoWhmI8C4I/AAAAAAAADHE/SEBySBJ9DSM/s1600/asakusa_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ShDsqtKdkWo/VDoWhmI8C4I/AAAAAAAADHE/SEBySBJ9DSM/s1600/asakusa_15.jpg" height="400" width="266" alt="Tokyo Sky Tree 東京スカイツリー"/></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tokyo Sky Tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Want to see more? <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249678476942235224/albums/6069188135851547425" target="_blank">Click here for the full album</a>. Thanks for visiting!</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-21546920791867325182014-10-09T13:57:00.001+09:002014-11-02T12:12:31.321+09:00[Photo of the Day] Almond Feuillantine KitKat!<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<img src="http://scontent-b.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xfa1/t51.2885-15/10725179_1473317689624089_126797403_n.jpg" style="max-width: 586px;" alt="Almond Feuillantine KitKat"/><br />
<br />
<div>
via Instagram http://ift.tt/1vZdc6q</div>
<br />
Wow! These are sooooo delicious! The chocolate has a rich cocoa flavour, and there's a lovely, subtle hint of almond. The chocolate also contains a tiny bit of liqueur to enhance the taste. Instead of the standard KitKat cookie, there's a light, airy, crispy crepe in the middle! Superb!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8899485335341670408.post-84164010158730645832014-09-30T23:23:00.000+09:002014-11-02T12:20:18.569+09:00Naeba, Ghost Town / 廃墟の町、苗場<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zGEhWOC6uo/VCbl7WdTs4I/AAAAAAAAC-E/pVEzR4lBun0/s1600/Naeba_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zGEhWOC6uo/VCbl7WdTs4I/AAAAAAAAC-E/pVEzR4lBun0/s1600/Naeba_08.jpg" height="426" width="640" alt="Naeba Niigata 新潟県 苗場"/></a></div>
<br />
In my previous post I talked about the amazing underground music festival, Labyrinth. Being held in the town of Naeba (苗場), in Niigata Prefecture (新潟県), the trip would not have been complete without doing a bit of exploration. What my wife and I found while out walking around, however, is something that neither of us had been prepared for!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SS6yHU9grhY/VCbl45B_P5I/AAAAAAAAC9c/DQhbmzZ-90o/s1600/Naeba_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SS6yHU9grhY/VCbl45B_P5I/AAAAAAAAC9c/DQhbmzZ-90o/s1600/Naeba_01.jpg" height="133" width="200" alt="Niigata Naeba Ruins 新潟県 苗場廃墟"/></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VfRNwwbgbpw/VCbl5IeNbRI/AAAAAAAAC9U/n9AdADyFOuc/s1600/Naeba_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VfRNwwbgbpw/VCbl5IeNbRI/AAAAAAAAC9U/n9AdADyFOuc/s1600/Naeba_02.jpg" height="133" width="200" alt="Niigata Naeba Ruins 新潟県 苗場廃墟"/></a></div>
What we discovered is that Naeba is (no exaggeration) a ghost town! Walking around the aged ski resort town, we passed by numerous businesses, hotels and shops that have clearly had their doors closed for at least a decade or even longer. Much of the town has remained unchanged since the 1970s-80s, including even the Naeba Prince Hotel with its run down and weathered facade appearing to have almost nothing in common with the nationwide chain of exclusive, high-end Prince Hotels. Broken window glass, crumbling structures, and run-down properties abound in this poor town that's well past its prime, leaving visitors with an overall impression that's somewhat chilling when juxtaposed against the verdant greenery and crisp, clean air of its mountainous backdrop. It soon became apparent that aside from the two handfuls of people locally employed in the area, there was virtually no one in sight aside from the other music fans who were in town for Labyrinth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MfzawRgIDjw/VCbl4-_pdpI/AAAAAAAAC9k/2Tu-NMrR87U/s1600/Naeba_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MfzawRgIDjw/VCbl4-_pdpI/AAAAAAAAC9k/2Tu-NMrR87U/s1600/Naeba_03.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Niigata Naeba Ruins 新潟県 苗場廃墟"/></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsQqVfJhvVU/VCbl5yihjMI/AAAAAAAAC9s/k0HFdDYP3pk/s1600/Naeba_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsQqVfJhvVU/VCbl5yihjMI/AAAAAAAAC9s/k0HFdDYP3pk/s1600/Naeba_04.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Niigata Naeba Ruins 新潟県 苗場廃墟"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHI6ld8rftw/VCbl6SEEFqI/AAAAAAAAC_w/RFcr0X_PPWQ/s1600/Naeba_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHI6ld8rftw/VCbl6SEEFqI/AAAAAAAAC_w/RFcr0X_PPWQ/s1600/Naeba_06.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Niigata Naeba 新潟県 苗場"/></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HIOaZDyA-Zs/VCbl6n1pMYI/AAAAAAAAC_s/tjWx0qmfuas/s1600/Naeba_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HIOaZDyA-Zs/VCbl6n1pMYI/AAAAAAAAC_s/tjWx0qmfuas/s1600/Naeba_07.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Niigata Naeba 新潟県 苗場"/></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11z-DmsjgVs/VCbl_RbEg2I/AAAAAAAAC_g/hJ04a-MmPss/s1600/Naeba_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11z-DmsjgVs/VCbl_RbEg2I/AAAAAAAAC_g/hJ04a-MmPss/s1600/Naeba_18.jpg" height="200" width="133" alt="Niigata Naeba Ruins 新潟県 苗場廃墟"/></a>While exploring the town, we experienced a range of emotional reactions touching upon loniless, melancholy and even mild trepidation. Naeba was obviously a trendy resort town decades ago and clearly enjoyed a lucrative tourism boom during the 1980s bubble economy. What's left of it now are the remains of a time long forgotten filled with faded memories, abandoned dreams and probably a number of ghosts and wandering spirits as well. In a discussion about the town, my wife, our friends and I speculated that perhaps the town comes alive in winter when the ski slopes are covered with fresh snow. It could be possible, but many of the chair lifts have clearly gone several years without maintenance, which makes this seem unlikely. I mentioned the experience to a co-worker whose grandparents were raised in, and still live in northern Niigata. She said that she remembers a time when Naeba was indeed an exceedingly popular vacation spot for skiers, but that it lost its popularity quite some time ago and is rarely mentioned as a travel destination nowadays. She was somewhat shocked that Naeba is the host of such a highly-acclaimed international electronic music festival. Indeed the locals must mire at the annual influx of visitors from overseas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_O0ABCDeHvU/VCbl8zpnyzI/AAAAAAAAC_o/klS2ATFSdew/s1600/Naeba_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_O0ABCDeHvU/VCbl8zpnyzI/AAAAAAAAC_o/klS2ATFSdew/s1600/Naeba_13.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Niigata Naeba Ruins 新潟県 苗場廃墟"/></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P6Sx9l1De18/VCbl-elJSVI/AAAAAAAAC_k/WQf4QPnjQgc/s1600/Naeba_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P6Sx9l1De18/VCbl-elJSVI/AAAAAAAAC_k/WQf4QPnjQgc/s1600/Naeba_16.jpg" height="212" width="320" alt="Niigata Naeba Ruins 新潟県 苗場廃墟"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ7DN28O_zA/VCbl-i8xK3I/AAAAAAAAC-8/Km0HNvWGGw4/s1600/Naeba_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ7DN28O_zA/VCbl-i8xK3I/AAAAAAAAC-8/Km0HNvWGGw4/s1600/Naeba_17.jpg" height="266" width="400" alt="Niigata Naeba Ruins 新潟県 苗場廃墟"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-47tduDSQ6M8/VCbpN-08-uI/AAAAAAAADA8/YqKmGU9MJJw/s1600/Naeba_22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-47tduDSQ6M8/VCbpN-08-uI/AAAAAAAADA8/YqKmGU9MJJw/s1600/Naeba_22.jpg" height="133" width="200" alt="Sangoku Toyado Onsen, Honjin 三国峠温泉 本陣"/></a></div>
Despite the gloomy and possibly even depressing tone of this post, something very nice did come of our visit aside from just the amazing musical performances at Labyrinth. We managed to make reservations at a lovely, albeit somewhat worn Japanese inn called the Sangoku Toyado Onsen, Honjin (三国峠温泉 本陣). Admittedly, the inn is in need of an update, but the decades-old feel of the place left my wife and I with heart-warming feelings of nostalgia, and we have zero complaints about the cleanliness of the establishment. Our room, with attached outdoor cedar bath was comfortable, our in-room course-meal dinner service was wonderful, and the multiple hot spring baths were just what we needed to help us feel refreshed and rested. Honjin was indeed and oasis of comfort in the middle of the eerie ghost town that is Naeba.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRDgwnYXFno/VCbpN9ljsvI/AAAAAAAADAc/d4tE9stB5mQ/s1600/Naeba_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRDgwnYXFno/VCbpN9ljsvI/AAAAAAAADAc/d4tE9stB5mQ/s1600/Naeba_23.jpg" height="320" width="320" alt="Sangoku Toyado Onsen, Honjin 三国峠温泉 本陣"/></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zmTjzJfVYls/VCbpN4rdDaI/AAAAAAAADBE/cCyq84ptWes/s1600/Naeba_24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zmTjzJfVYls/VCbpN4rdDaI/AAAAAAAADBE/cCyq84ptWes/s1600/Naeba_24.jpg" height="320" width="320" alt="Sangoku Toyado Onsen, Honjin 三国峠温泉 本陣"/></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ir2IlvkDpeA/VCbpOpbUanI/AAAAAAAADAg/kNO7LkXpauE/s1600/Naeba_25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ir2IlvkDpeA/VCbpOpbUanI/AAAAAAAADAg/kNO7LkXpauE/s1600/Naeba_25.jpg" height="320" width="320" alt="Sangoku Toyado Onsen, Honjin 三国峠温泉 本陣"/></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0k62g4M4jn8/VCbpOvNWObI/AAAAAAAADAo/wONTaqvaFe0/s1600/Naeba_26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0k62g4M4jn8/VCbpOvNWObI/AAAAAAAADAo/wONTaqvaFe0/s1600/Naeba_26.jpg" height="320" width="320" alt="Sangoku Toyado Onsen, Honjin 三国峠温泉 本陣"/></a></div>
<br />
Other high-points of the trip worth mentioning are the two brief stop-overs at Echigo-Yuzawa Station (越後湯沢駅) on the Joetsu Bullet Train line (上越新幹線). Yuzawa is a charming mountain town with quaint shopping streets and a fantastic train station that's packed with outstanding restaurants and shops, all featuring locally-produced products, foods, crafts and souvenirs. As Niigata Prefecture is famous for rice, sake and microbrews, these items are available there in great abundance and vast variety.<br />
<br />
Naeba. What an unexpected and fascinating journey!<br />
More photos are <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249678476942235224/albums/6063786707725040065?authkey=CJKXo5LFjsa5mwE" target="_blank">available here</a> for anyone who's interested.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12713397318961024695noreply@blogger.com0