Category: Health

Posted in Beauty, Cooking, Feelings, Food, Health, Pilgrimage, Place, Shopping, Travel

Healthy Food

Posted on by sonokotchi

I cooked healthy breakfast.

I opened Maltese Cuctus Jam (Gozo) to enjoy with yogurt .

I visited Malta in 2016.

It’s nice country: people are nice, ocean is beautiful, food is nice because agriculture products are so fresh.

I would love to visit Malta again.



At dinner, I had Azuki Kuzu (red bean flavored arrowroot).

I bought this at the shop near Saigoku No. 5 Fujiidera (Fujii Temple).

It’s delicious and it’s healthy because Kuzu assists to increase immune system and body temperature, enhance blood circulation, stabilize hormone and mental, antiaging and many more.

I like it so I should continue taking it for my health!


I also learned that 15 cc of black vinegar and 15 cc of chopped  ginger will warm up body and detox excess waste; and a glass of tomato juice for cleaning blood.


Let’s monitor the outcome.

Posted in Exercise, Feelings, Food, Health, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Pilgrimage, Place, Shrine and Temple, Travel

The Second Trip to the 33 Kannon Pilgrimage (3rd Day)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, we are scheduled to visit 4 temples and needed some energy.

As mentioned yesterday, the exterior of hotel is very western; but a room is Japanese style.

No. 25 Banshu Kiyomizudera (Banshu Kiyomizu Temple)


We stopped by at Yakushido: God for health.



There are twelve gods of Chinese Zodiacs.

These are designed by Mr. Satoshi Yabuuchi who designed Nara’s Mascot: Sentokun.


We prayed at Daikodo (auditorium).


We visited Konpon Chudo (Main Hall).


Then visited Konjosui. 

This temple is named Kiyomizu (clear water) because of this well.

When you look into the well, if you can see your face, you receive additional three years to live; if you cannot see your face….otherwise….

I’m happy to see my face on the water.


No. 27 Engyoji (Engyo Temple)

Engyoji is located on the summit of Shoshazan (Mt. Shosha).


First, we need to catch a rope way.

Then catch a bus.


We prayed at Maniden (Wish Hall).


Then we went to the area where Jyogyodo (a stage), Jikido (cafeteria) and Daikodo (auditorium).

Jyogyodo might look familiar because Last Samurai was filmed here!


Jikido


Daikodo


We walked further to Okunoin.


This is Kaizando where shrines Shoku Shonin who opened this temple.


At the four corners, there suppose to be four Rikishi (heavyweight wrestlers) to hold a heavy roof; but one ran away.


We had late lunch, local food: Himeji Oden (fish cakes and others in soup. In this region, they eat with ginger soysauce).


No. 16 Ichijoji (Ichijo Temple)

There are few stairs…


We can enjoy a unique scenery: looking down the three-stories Pagoda here.

Some maples are already in red even it’s still spring…?


No. 24 Nakayamadera (Nakayama Temple)

The last temple of this trip.


At back of the gate, two dogs are protecting this temple.


This temple is for pregnant women; therefore, this temple is equipped with escalators.

This is my first time to try an escalator at the temple!



Fun time flys fast.

It’s time to return home.


On the way back, I enjoyed Kansai cuisine obento (packed food).



I also enjoyed nice dessert, actually this is a survivor for Dad. 



It was fun and I’m charged! 

But, now I’m ready to go to bed. Zzzzzz

Posted in Exercise, Family, Feelings, Food, Health, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Mt. Fuji, Pilgrimage, Place, Shrine and Temple, Travel

The Second Trip to the 33 Kannon Pilgrimage 

Posted on by sonokotchi

I woke up early at 5 am to visit Kusuhara Jingu (Kusuhara Shrine) before departs for temples.

It’s a power spot.

This Shrine was built in 1890 to shrine the first emperor, Jinmu Tennoh (Emperor Jinmu).

This street leads straight to the shrine; therefore, this is Omotesando (Main Street to the Shrine) for Kashihara Jingu.

It looks different from Omotesando in Tokyo.


Soon I reached Torii (gate) of Kashihara Jingu.


Getting excited to walk through more gates.

Finally, reached to the main building!

It’s so quiet and peaceful in the morning.


Local people gather from morning to exercise together at the shrine.

So nice.


I’m glad that I woke early to visit this beautiful shrine.

I returned to hotel and went to take my breakfast.

I was hungry.


We departed Kashihara Royal Hotel for Sefukuji (Sefuku Temple).


This is Katsurayama (Mt. Katsurayama).

This mountain often appears in Japanese poem, Manyo.


No. 4 Sefukuji (Sefuku Temple)

I need to be fit to visit this temple because there are many stairs!





This temple is for health, especially legs and back.

Yes, climbing these stairs is a good exercise.

Today, we had obento (packed lunch) for lunch.


The lunch was delicious and just right – many varieties and right portion.


No. 23 Katsuohji (Katsuoh Temple)

This is front of gate with the name of mountain.


At the back of the gate, a board of temple’s name in original kanji (Chinese character). 

This temple is for victory; in 880, Buddhist Priest cured Seiwa Tennoh (Emperor Seiwa) by defeating illness.


Daruma (this) is a good luck charm to make a wish come true.

These Daruma successfully made a wish come true.


The garden is so beautiful.


This is the main building.


Extra Temple Kazanin

This is the last temple of the day.



This is Arima Fuji (Mt. Arima Fuji), Mt. Fuji in west Japan.

We can look down this Mt. Fuji! hahaha


Looking up Arima Fuji.


Checked-in Fruit Flower Hotel.

This hotel is part of Fruit Flower Patk.

The exterior of hotel is very western, but a room is Japanese style with futons.



I had buffet dinner and ate many dishes.


After dinner, watched a New Half (shemale) Show.


It’s been a long day today.

Posted in Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Health, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Mt. Fuji, Pilgrimage, Place, River, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Travel

The Second Trip of the 33 Kannon Pilgrimage 

Posted on by sonokotchi

On the way to Nara for the Second trip of the 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

It’s nice sunny day and Mt. Fuji is so beautiful with rice field.

This stage of rice field is a symbol of spring, getting ready to be planted.

I had a candy of Ise Kusuri Honpo (Ise Medicine Shop).

It’s black sugar flavor, but it tastes a bit of herbal medicine.

Well, the name of shop already gave me the assurance because it’s from Ise where there is Ise Shrine, Japan’s first shrine.

Kyoto


Again, I took a Shinkansen for Shin-Osaka, then changed to a bus for Nara.

Yodogawa (Yodo River), Osaka 

Nara is basin and a historical city.


There are many temples and shrines because Nara used to be  the capital over 1300 years ago (in 701).

No. 7 Okadera (also known as Ryugaiji)

To reach the main temple, we need to go up the steep slope to reach a main temple.

This temple is famous for dissociate from bad luck, and temple’s Buddha is the largest Buddha made by clay.

On the way to the main temple, I hit a bell to dissociate bad luck.


Then, prayed at the main temple.

This temple is also know as Ryugaiji.

The direct translation for Ryugaiji is Dragon-Cover-Temple.

A Buddhist Monk, Gien shoho, got rid of a bad-spirit-dragon into a well and covered it.


After visiting Okadera, I had a simple and nice lunch.

I opened covers…..nice.


Rice is akamai (direct translation is red rice) – ancient rice!

This ancient rice is delicious!


After lunch, I still had time to visit Ishibutai Tumulus, a stone chamber – the tomb of Umako Soga.


No. 6 Minami Hokkeji (also known as Tsubosakadera)



This is not a Pagoda, Tahoden – a building to keep a treasure such as a Buddha.



This is a three-stories pagoda next to the main temple.


This temple is good for eyes.

I asked for a special prayer for my eyes and bought an eye drops.

Eye drops is very refreshing.



After praying at the main temple, I walked through Tenjikumon (Old India Gate) to see a big standing Kannon (she is 20 m tall) and sleeping Buddha (8 m)!



No. 8 Hasedera

This temple is very famous for many stairs and a tall Hasedera Style Kannon (10m).

Kannon is a goddess but she holds a stick that Jizo holds.

She can function as Kannon and Jizo.

I regret I’m not allowed to take any photos of Kannon but I’m so blessed that I could touch her.


This is the main temple today.


This is the original temple.


When I was going down, I could see many stairs that I climbed from this point.


Extra Temple. Houkiin 

This temple is small and feel cozy.



This tree is a good luck tree against evils.


It is a nice season to take a break because the weather is just nice – not cold nor hot – and the area is so green and air is fresh.



I checked-in at Kashihara Royal Hotel, one of Royal Hotel Group Hotels.

I’ve been introducing a room from other Royal Hotel Group hotel.

A room might look familiar because the style is almost the same; however, a room is spacious and equipped with basic needs.



Dinner was nice; I have no complaints.


I enjoyed local sake: Miyokiku.

This sake is donated to Kashihara Shrine, the largest shrine in Nara.

Of course, it’s verrrrrrry nice.


Okay, time to go sleep now.

Posted in Exercise, Feelings, Food, Health, Japan Technology, Place, Tokyo

Walk in the Town

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, I decided to walk back from Toranomon.


It was a short journey of 2.3 km only, but again it was fun.

I walked by Kasumigaseki, Japan’s administrative district where ministries are located.


There are many surprises because there are few shops and restaurants closed for urban development; on the other hand, new buildings are opened.

I shopped grocery at Motomachi Union.


And I bought a treat for walking 2.3 km.

I like this Meiji the Chocolate.

This is Framboise flavour.


Look at the shape of chocolate.

Shapes are different by parts to taste it differently.

Some how the way it touches the tongue gives different texture.

I cannot diffrenciate the delicate taste, but I simply like this series of chocolate.

Posted in Feelings, Health, Japan Technology

Being Early Bird

Posted on by sonokotchi

I woke up early and did many things before went to office: wiped floor, folded dry towels, and ironed clothes.

I use this Kao’s Quickle Wiper to wipe floor. 

This disposable cloth can catch dust, hairs, etc. and wipe floor at the same time.

It’s convenient! 

Posted in Cooking, Exercise, Feelings, Food, Health, Japanese Food, Tokyo

Starting a Day Not Healthy, but Making it a Healthy Day

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had Castella or Kasuteta (Japanese cake) for breakfast.

This is simply made of flour, eggs and sugar.

This dessert was brought to Japan by a Portuguese missionary in 16th century.

We call it Castella, but there isn’t any dessert like this in Spain; we don’t know the origin of this dessert.

Today, we eat pancakes and waffles for breakfast so I can eat this dessert which is made of flour, eggs and sugar for breakfast, right?


I’m getting board doing the same routine everyday: go to office and return home.

It was a nice day to walk in a light breeze.

I walked from Shonagawa to home.


It was 4.5 km journey and fun. 

There are a quite numbers of shrines and temples standing between buildings.

There is a Japanese traditional archery shop next to a temple, selling Japanese traditional archeries in Tokyo! 

There are many interesting shops and restaurants on the way home.

I stopped by at a supermarket, Lincos.

It was a small adventure.

Posted in Cooking, Feelings, Food, Health, Japanese Food, Tokyo

One of My Saturdays

Posted on by sonokotchi

This week I’ve been going to bed early; therefore, when I woke up today, I already felt fresh!

I went soba shop for breakfast.

I had a bowl of Hiyashi Kitsune (Cold Deep-Fried Bean Curd Noodle).

Nickname of this bean curd is Kitsune (fox) because we believe a fox that represent a guardian of area, messenger of shrine or god of harvest, likes this deep-fried bean curd.


Then, I prayed at my shrine, Tenso-Jinja (Tenso Shrine).

It feels good to pray in the morning when a town is still quiet.

But as you can see, this shrine is located in the center of Tokyo, between highrised buildings.


I got ready to go for body maintenance.

Now I don’t have a serious pain, but there are many parts that need to be fixed: legs, organs, shoulders and head…?


After refreshment, I cooked simple lunch:  Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Chinese Noodle).

I placed too much toppings over Chinese styled yellow noodle.


I’ve been eating well today; tonight’s dinner, it was tapas style (small dishes).

Posted in Beauty, Feelings, Food, Health, Movie, Tokyo, Travel

Trip to Taiwan (Day 4)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I’m going to miss the bunny and Chinese breakfast.


And fruit.

Appearance of the Grand Hotel is also nice, but I didn’t have time to take a photo.

It’s sunny today so went out to explore the hotel again after breakfast.


It’s a big hotel!

There are few spots that I haven’t visited.



I’m going to miss the hotel and of course, the room and its view.


Now it’s time to return to Tokyo…

Ahhh, I was excited when I landed here (Taipei International Airport) two nights ago. 


Do I need to walk through here…?


Do I need to get on this? Ahhhh


It took only 2.5 hrs to reach Haneda Airport.

I couldn’t finish a movie, Silent.

A movie is based on Japanese novel, Silent written by Mr. Shusaku Endo, and directed by Mr. Martin Scorsese.

It’s a good movie, meaningful, but this movie is not suitable to watch while eating lunch.

Too bad I couldn’t finish the movie before landing.

I feel hanged now. Sigh.

Now I return to my apartment and feeling sentimental having nice pot of Taiwanese tea: Oriental Beauty.

This Taiwanese tea has a nice story.

This tea is called Baihao Oolong and originally called Formosa Tea among the European.

Why is this commonly called Oriental Beauty today?

Well, when the Queen Elizabeth II tried it, she loved it and called it Oriental Beauty.

It also has beauty elements such as polyphenol compounds, various Vitamins, calcium, magnesium, etc.

I enjoy delicate flavour; simultaneously, it can beautyfy me!

Great!

Posted in Beauty, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Health, Movie, Place, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Travel

Trip to Taiwan (Day 3)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Unfortunately, it was raining in the morning.

But it didn’t discourage me to enjoy Chinese breakfast at the Grand Hotel.

First, I visited National Revolutionary Marty’s Shrine to pay a respect for people who lost their lives for the WWII.

A war will create many victims and they are all victims.

We should not start any war.


Next I went to National Palace Museum.


There are so many great things there and I could share some great master pieces with you.

I have no idea how these were created.

This is must to see at this museum: Jade Cabbage.


And a set of carved openwork concentric ivory balls with cloud-and-dragon decoration.

There are 24 layers and each layer/ball can move! 

There are many more.

I don’t mind to visit the museum again to spend more time admiring these arts.

Next, I visited Taipei 101, the tallest building in Taiwan.

He is a Mascot of Taipei 101.


It is 101 floors building and it takes only 37 seconds to reach observation floor, 89F.

There are many unique buildings in town according to Feng Shui.

There is a twisted green building that is currently under the construction.



It’s lunch time!

I really look forward for Din Tai Fung (Dim Sum) and I enjoyed, really enjoyed every bites!

Their XiaoLongBao (soup dumplings) is highly recommended! 

MUST EAT!!!

I ate five today. hehehe



I requested additional dessert.

I wanted to try a famous Taiwanese style Mango Snowflake Ice.


Since I didn’t have time to eat there, I asked for a take away.

It supposed to look like this.


It’s so Mango because ice is not normal water ice, it tastes Mango!!! 

And it’s so soft and melt like snow!

A take away style is like this.



After lunch, I visited Longshan Temple.


The stone curving on pillars are just amazing.

I’m here to pray, but at the same time, I get anazed by these breathtaking arts! 


After praying, I watched the ceremony of changing the guard at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.




Last stop was Jiufun.

This little town is located in the mountain because it used to be a gold mining town.

Now it became a hot tourist spot because it’s traditional looks and there is a rumor that Mr. Hayao Miyazaki, Japanese Animator, got an inspiration from this town to design a town for a story of Spirited Away.



We need to go up stairs to go to a main road.


A main road is narrow.


I tried Taiwan’s Stinky Tofu!!! Mmmmmmmm

I think trying once is enough for me.

To my surprise, many people, even youngs, like these Stinky Tofu. 


Well, I love Chinese tea and one of my missions for this trip is to get nice Chinese tea.

This tea house strictly controls quality of products and I love their products: smooth, delicate, nice aroma and delicious.

I bought varieties of tea and even bought new kinds.

Chinese tea is like herbal medicine; it can assist to detox, beautyfy and slimming.

After tasting Chinese tea, my skin improved drastically.

My parents already asked me to mail order before I open my tea.

I haven’t touch my stock! 

I can enjoy them for quite some time.


I continued to walk the town.


I reached the building/area that Mr. Miyazaki got inspired…

This is a tea house, but in the movie, it’s a bath house.

If you watch a movie, you can easily spot the scene.




I left Jiufun for dinner for a nice Taiwanese local food at Shin Yeh, Taipei.

It’s very delicious or was I too hungry…? hahaha

Earlier I achieved one of my missions.

Now I’m achieving another one: to try papaya milk.

My friend recommended me to try papaya milk.

(Hummmm, same friend recommended to try Stinky tofu…ahhh.)

Papaya milk is nice and I also recommend it to you.

I also tried a nice dragon fruit smoothie; it’s not a guava juice.


Guava Juice is the name of shop. hahaha