Category: Japanese Culture

Posted in Diving, Exercise, Experience, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Nature, Place, Restaurants, Travel

Golden Week Holiday in Okinawa (Day 3)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, we went to Kerama Shoto (Islands) area by this boat.

It takes one hour to reach diving points.

The first point: Kuroshima Kita (Kuroshima North).

We enjoyed landscapes; there are many corals (hard, soft and fan), crevasses, cracks and fish in cracks.

Kasago (Rockfish/Scorpion Fish)

I took a photo of boat from ocean.

The second point Kamigu.

Again enjoyed landscapes.

Reminded me of Oolong Channel, Palau.

Small Umiushi (Sea Slug).

Nimo! Kakure Kumanomi (Crown Fish)

I had lunch on the boat.

Then last dive in Okinawa at Jizuru.

We again enjoyed the landscapes.

HoshidaKaragai (Tiger Cowrie)

And there are many fish at the crack.

There are few Umiushi.

Kakure Kumanomi

At last, meeting a turtle.

On the way back to Tomari Port, we are lucky to watch Naha Hurley (Dragon Boat Race) 2018 from the boat.

I had a good look of it because I didn’t have to worry about people in front of me

For dinner, first, we went to Korean BBQ Roins, Naha, Okinawa.

Then we went to Hagama Zushi, too.

I enjoyed too much of Awamori (Okinawa’s strong rice distilled liquor).

I went to bed at 9 pm. hahaha

Posted in Beauty, Feelings, Food, Friends, Hotel, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Restaurants, Shopping, Surprise, Tokyo, Travel, Work

Golden Week Holiday in Okinawa (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s Japanese National Holiday (Constitution Day) today, but my office was opened.

Usually, morning of Ginza Station is crowded with people, but today it was quiet.

It was a quiet day at the office as well.

The office building was closed and we were the only office opened on Golden Week Holiday season, but it was fine with me.

I enjoyed long lunch with my friend from Malaysia at Tempura Restaurant, Ginza Tenkuni.

We chatted for a while and she departed for Shibuya to join other group of friends.

At 5 pm, it’s my turn to enjoy Golden Week Holiday in Okinawa. Yeah

I already polished my nail for beach.

I quickly packed up and departed for Haneda Airport.

it’s dinner time, but food won’t be served on domestic flight.

I bought my favorite Maisen Katsu Sand (Maisen Pork Sandwich).

The packaging is cute airport version – with many airplanes!

I ate it with Aojiru (vegetable juice) at ANA’s Lounge.

After satisfying my stomach, proceeded to the gate.

It’s night flight so I could not take a sharp photo due to the reflection of the glass.

I see an airplane in strange colour.. in yellow…?

OMG, YODA greeted me at the entrance!!!

My seat is decorated in Star Wars as well!!!

I found my airplane model on inflight shopping magazine.

The cup.

Yoda is seared at one of seats like us.

I was protected by the FORCE so safely

arrived at Naha Airport.

Mensore (Welcome in Okinawa ben (dialect))

I finally reached Naha West Inn.

It’s a nice cozy room.

Oyasuminasai (Good Night)

Posted in Exercise, Feelings, Flower, Food, Friends, Health, Hotel, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Nature, Place, Restaurants, Shrine and Temple, Tokyo, Travel

Golden Week in Kyoto (Day 5)

Posted on by sonokotchi

The other night, my friend introduced me Inaba Yakushi.

This temple is known for preventing cancers.

Since my family is cancer family, I could have it in my genes.

I decide to go for praying.

This temple is located conveniently nearby the hotel (Kyoto Karasuma Hotel).

At all temples and shrines, first, we need to purify ourselves by washing our hands (gargling mouth is excluded today due to the hygiene reason).

It brought peace in my mind when I saw flowers floating on water.

It’s simple action but memorable.

Then I prayed.

We returned to hotel to check out and proceeded to Kyoto Station with our luggage.

Left our luggage at coin locker (JPY 700) which is located nearby Shinkansen (bullet train) exit: Hachijo Exit.

Then we took JR Abiko Line to Ohtsu Station.

Went to Enjo Ji (Enjo Temple) or commonly known as Mitsui Dera (Mitsui Temple).

There are many places to visit and pray in the premises.

Shaka-Do (Buddha Temple)

The area is so green and large; I enjoyed walking the premises.

I hit the Kane (bell) to bring peace to ancestors.

Kane weights 2 tons.

At Kindo, we could prey to three special Buddhas at the period of 28 April to 20 May 2018.

I’m blessed.

Akai Ya (Holy Water House)

Today, this temple is commonly called Mitsui Dera; based on its Chinese characters, it means Three Wells.

However, it originally meant Holy Well (Mii).

The water from this well is offered to Buddhas.

The dragon was engraved by Hidari Jingoro to calm Biwako (Biwa Lake).

I can see fresh water welling out.

There are many more to visit and pray.

Benkei Sho (Benkei’s Bell)

There is an interesting omikuji (fortune slip).

This is the instruction.

Pick a bell shaped fortune slip from a pot; float on water to read the number that appears on it; go back to the shop to get the numbered slip to get fortune/advise/lessons.

I pulled No. 42; it’s Kichi (good fortune).

Issai Kyozo (Storage for Sutras)

Some Japanese movies are taking here.

I can understand that because the premises are well kept.

I walked through its gate and looked back;

it looks nice.

Even from the path way.

There is a small paths.

There is even a half ruined bridge.

According to the map, I’m still half way.

Bimyoji (Bimyo Temple)

Shuho Kannon (Goddess of Mercy for People)

There are still many more to visit and pray.

Finally reaching to Mitsui Dera Kannon Do (Mitsui Temple’s Goddess of Mercy Temple/the Main Temple).

We need to climb these stairs.

Hondo (the Main Temple)

We could meet the special Buddha today.

The temple has a nice Japanese garden.

There are many more to visit and pray in the area of Hondo.

Noh Butai (Noh Dance Stage)

Hyakutai Kannon Do (the temple for 100 Goddess of Mercy through out Japan)

Shoroh (House for Bell)

Mani Guruma (Prayer Wheel)

If you turn a stone once, it means you recite sutra once.

We can take a break overlooking Biwako (Biwa Lake: Japan’s largest lake)

Finally, the last place: Suikanji (Suikan Temple)

It was a nice day to walk through the temple.

It’s cooler compared to Kyoto because the wind from Biwako lower the temperature.

I took a train back to Kyoto to catch Shinkansen back home (Tokyo).

We had Lundi (Lunch and Dinner) at Japanese Restaurant Kurama, Kyoto Station.

Though I stayed at the hotel in Kyoto, I visited Shiga (Ishiyama City twice and Otsu City once) three times and Hyogo (Akashi City) once.

For next trip, I will plan to visit temples in Kyoto.

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Restaurants, Travel

Golden Week Holiday in Kyoto (Day 4)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Took the train down to Akashi, Hyogo today.

Today, we plan to visit Akashi Tenmondai (Akashi Municipal Planetarium).

Could it be this building that I could see from the train and platform of Akashi Station?

I saw a big clock and letters, SEIKO – the company name of Japanese famous watch/clock manufacturer.

Another interesting structure that I found from the station platform is …. is that the castle….?

Later, Mom’s friend explained to us that that is the ruin of Akashi Castle; the actual castle does not exist today.

I had donuts for breakfast at Japanese brand donuts shop, Mister Donut.

I picked a matcha donuts collaborating with Kyoto’s famous Matcha (green tea) shop, Tsujiri.

I had to have this since I’m in the area. hahaha

After catching up on each other for over one hour, we departed for Akashi Tenmondai.

Akashi is Japan’s Standard Time Meridian where 135th Meridian East is located.

I was fortunate to listen to the music to indicate 12 o’clock noon.

If it’s noon in Japan, it’s 3 am in London.

From the observatory floor, we can enjoy the great view of Akashi Ohashi (Akashi Big Bridge).

After enjoying the great view of Akashi city at the observatory floor, we went down to the planetarium.

Reminded me of my childhood…I enjoyed the show very much.

I even stopped by at the exhibition area.

Now it’s time to enjoy Akashi local food!

Akashi is famous for Akashi Yaki (Akashi Balls) which is family of Tako Yaki (Octopus Balls), but it’s actually omelet balls dunking in dashi (soup).

The taxi driver highly recommended us to go to Akashi Yaki Shop Funamachi.

We see the queue, but I persuaded Mom and her friend to queue as well.

I know they want to continue talking; I thought it’s no harm for them to talk while we are queuing.

Then after some time we found a cone says, “it will take two hours from this point”.

We mentioned it loudly, but we managed only people behind us to leave.

The queue remained long.

The signboard was right; we waited for nearly 2 hours.

We finally get a table!!!

Akashi Yaki!

Yes, waited these for 2 hours!

First, I enjoyed these Akashi Yaki (omelette balls) simply dunking in dashi (soup).

Then for half of them, I added toppings: sauce, katsuobushi (bonito flakes) and aonori (seaweeds), then dunked in dashi.

These are yammy!!!

It’s worth waiting for 2 hours!!!

It was nice Lundi (I made it up the word for lunch and dinner. hahaha).

We started queuing around 3 pm; we ate at 4:30 pm.

After satisfying our stomachs, we walked down to Uo no Tana (Akashi’s Fish Market).

We reached to Akashi Station, but we went to Wa Cafe Conana (Japanese Cafe Conana).

I had Japanese style Warabi Parfait set (bracken-starch cakes parfait with Hoji-cha (Japanese roasted tea).

It was fun sightseeing Akashi♪

Posted in Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Friends, Hotel, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Nature, Restaurants, Shrine and Temple, Travel, Waterfalls

Golden Week Holiday in Kyoto (Day 3)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had these for breakfast.

I, again, visited Ishiyama, Shiga this morning

to visit Ishiyama Dera (Ishiyama Temple).

It’s guarded by Nioh (guardians).

It’s Spring so Temple is so green.

Walked through old aged stone for fun.

On the way to Hondo (the main temple), there are many temples to visit and pray.

Daishi Do (Kobo Great Buddhist Priest Temple)

When I look up from here…I see…

At Hondo (the Main Temple), I prayed to Nyoirin Kannon (Goddess).

After visiting Hondo, there are still many places to visit.

And the path are beautifully decorated by azalea.

This is the map of Ishiyama Temple.

You can see that there are many places to visit in the premises.

We are half way now.

We continued walking down the path.

Then we reached Kodo (Light Temple)

The door for this temple is opened specially from 28 April – 20 May 2018, allowing us to meet three special Buddha.

We are so lucky to be here today.

The first Japanese lady love story writer, Murasaki Shikibu used to visit this temple to get inspirations to write Genji Monogatari (Mr. Genji’s Story).

There is Kanro Daki (Kanro Fall).

And nice Shobu En (iris garden).

I cannot enter, but there is a path to the sacred place looking mysterious.

There is a holy stone.

According to the signage, it says Ooyuya, meaning a big bath…?

I also prayed to the very important God: Daikokuten (God of Wealth).

At last I prayed to Kinryu Ryuoh (Golden Dragon King) for preventing bad luck and bringing good luck.

After visiting Ishiyama Temple, we took a breath at tea room, Kanou Shojuan, to enjoy Ishimochi (stone rice cakes).

Ishimochi presents strong stone foundation of this temple, wishing for prevention of bad luck and establishment of strong tie.

These are delicious.

I had dinner appointment with my old Kyoto friend.

She took me to a nice Japanese restaurant Izama at Mitsui Garden Hotel Shinmachi Bettei, Kyoto.

I absolutely enjoyed food, drink and chatting!

Kyoto Local Beer (Dark Beer)

Three Types of Kyoto Local Sake

After dinner, I went to Bar Islay Mojito with her to continue girl’s talk without Mom. hehehe

Posted in Beauty, Experience, Family, Feelings, Food, Hotel, Japan Technology, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Travel

Golden Week Holiday in Kyoto (Day 2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Took a train to Ishiyama Eki (Ishiyama Station) to participate in a special Buddhist ceremony at the temple in Shiga.

I love listening to Buddhist sutra reciting; and also participating to recite it.

The peaceful moment brings me clam and peace.

After participation in a special prayer, visited Iwamadera (Iwama Temple), Ishiyama, Shiga.

First, I hit the bell.

Please take note that you cannot hit it on the way back; you will bring bad luck instead.

If you forget to do it, it’s okay.

This is not the must.

There is Bokefuji Kannon (Goodness for senile dementia prevention) at this temple.

There is also Shirahime Ryujin (White Princess Dragon Goddess) for beauty.

The temple is located on the mountain.

Then I proceeded to Hondo (main temple).

Hondo (Main Temple)

There is a small beautiful pond next to the Hondo.

The famous Japanese poet, Matsuo Basho, composed a poet.

Furuikeya Kawazu Tobikomu Mizuno Oto

(Old Pond, a Flog Jumped, Sound of Splash)

Then there is also Fudo Do (Fudo Temple).

Fudomyoo is God of Fire.

He can burn all bad luck!

There is also Inazuma Ryuo Sha (Shrine for Lightning Dragon).

This God will prevent us from lightening and fire.

And there is also Taishi Do, Temple for Kobo Daishi (Kobo Buddhist Priest).

There is a resting room; you should take a rest here to meet more Gods and Eight Great Priests.

After dropping souvenirs at the hotel room, went out to buy tomorrow’s breakfast.

On the way to the bakery shop, stopped by at the Yojiya cosmetics shop located inside of hotel.

Yojiya was the specialized cosmetics manufacturer for Geisha.

Today, Yojiya also produces cosmetics for general consumers like me.

I bought UV protection loose powder in white.

I have sensitive skin so I want to avoid wearing UV protection cream by wearing a hat and THIS!

Then walked down to LAQUE to buy breads and cut pineapple for breakfast.

We arrived late last night and were active today.

We decided to have dinner at Japanese Restaurant Irifune at the hotel.

I enjoyed nice Kyoto food and Kyoto Sake Heiangu with Mom.

Posted in Beauty, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Hotel, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo, Travel, Work

Golden Week Holiday in Kyoto (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

In Japan, there is unrecorded holiday season named Golden Week.

There are many Japanese National Holiday starting on 29 April – 5 May.

These are

29 April – Showa Day

3 May – Constitution Day

4 May – Greenery Day

5 May – Children’s (Boys’) Day

Therefore, many factories close during this period to save operational cost.

In my case, my office has our own calendar; the office close from 28 April – 1 May 2018 (Labour Day) and from 4 – 6 May 2018.

I decided to spend my earlier Golden Week Holiday in Kyoto.

I planned to take 6:30 pm Shinkansen (bullet train);therefore, I tried to finish my works by yesterday, then packed at night.

I didn’t expect any visitors today so I even polished my nails for holiday last night.

Luckily, we didn’t receive any urgent tasks from HQ today.

I could leave office at 5 pm. Yeah

I arrived busy Tokyo Station; there are many people heading for home and holiday.

I queued to buy a souvenir: Tokyo Banana’s Tokyo Banana Panda with Banana Yogurt Cream for my old friend whom I plan to meet in Kyoto.

These are cuuuuuteeeeee in Panda.

I also bought an obento (packed food) for dinner on the train.

After shopping these, we proceeded to the Shinkansen platform.

There are many people busily walking…

Shinkansen was parking at the platform.

On the train, I enjoyed seafood obento/dinner: uni (sea urchin), ikura (salmon roe) and kani (crab).

Then I enjoyed Tokyo Banana Panda for dessert.

Yes, I bought them for myself, too,

I arrived Kyoto at 9 pm.

We took a subway (Karasuma Line) to Shijo Station for checking in at Kyoto Karasuma Hotel.

This is my second time to stay at this hotel.

This hotel is nice and cozy.

Time to hit the futon.

Oyasuminasai (Good Night).

Posted in Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Restaurants, Tokyo

Movie Sunday

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had ramen for my brunch: AFURI at Roppongi Hills.

Then went to movie theater; in Japan, the movie is called The Pentagon Papers (officially, The Post).

It’s not an action movie; but it’s trilling.

Ironically, Japanese Defense Ministry is answerable to the similar issue: the daily battle report was reported, but Ministry/Minister didn’t know about the document, it existed but treated as missing, etc.

This could happen to any countries, especially when the state’s pride is involved.

On the other hands, we cannot forget that people’s life is in stake as well.

And I had sushi at Sushizanmai, Roppongi Haiyu-za Mae Branch, Roppongi.

Posted in Feelings, Japanese Culture, Movie

Red Sparrow

Posted on by sonokotchi

On the way to the movie theater, I saw Crayon Shin-Chan.

Crayon Shin-Chan is Japanese animation popular among children.

I went to watch Red Sparrow today.

It’s rated movie: R-15.

The movie surprised me by actions and story.

Posted in Cooking, Family, Feelings, Food, Japan Technology, Japanese Culture, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo

Aoyama, Yurakucho, Ginza and Roppongi, Tokyo

Posted on by sonokotchi

Mom stayed over night so I cooked brunch for two.

First, we went to fabric specialized store: Christian Fischbacher at Aoyama, Tokyo.

This company imports curtains from Switzerland and Italy.

There are few curtains that we are interested.

We troubled them to hung curtains to see how it looks on windows.

They are nice and kind that they didn’t mind to do so.

Then we decide to go to an interior shop, Nitori at Yurakucho, Tokyo.

On the way to Aoyama 1-Chome Station, we passed by Honda Headquarters’ Showroom.

It seems Honda launched a new motorcycle today.

Japanese fiscal year starts in April and ends in March.

1st April is the first day of Japanese fiscal year.

It is a suitable day for implementing something NEW for Japanese company today.

We reached Nitori which is located at 5th and 6th Floor of Marronnier Gate Ginza 2, Yurakucho, Tokyo.

Nitori is originated from furniture production town Asahikawa, Hokkaido.

Today, the company aggressively imports economical furniture and operates 471 retail stores.

To my surprise, there are Nitori shops in Taiwan (27 stores), the USA (5 stores) and China (11 stores).

Furniture is economical and stylish.

I can even learn how to hung my curtains from their sales floor.

Today, we both enjoyed furniture hunting.

We went for good meaty dinner at Dedesuke, Ginza.

We enjoyed various parts of beef.

On the way back, we stopped by Japanese bakery shop, Kimuraya at Ginza.

Kimuraya is famous for Anpan (red bean bans).

Today, I bought Sakura-Koshian-Pan (Sakura Red Bean Bans), Sakura-Cream-Pan (Sakura and custard cream bans) and Ichijiku-Pan (fig bans).

I plan to bring them for my lunch tomorrow.

Then I get Sakura Cinnabon at Cinnabon, Roppongi for breakfast.

I cannot wait to try them all tomorrow!!! fufufu