Previously, I posted I plan to go for Ohenro (the Shikoku Pilgrimage to visit 88 temples in Shikoku island).
Well, I have a home work.
I need to write my name and address on these 264 tags (2 tags x 88 temples) for prayers.
I’m thankful that I can participate in ohenro.
I’m Japanese and currently living in Tokyo.
But surprisingly, my overseas friends update me on Japanese games, anime, manga, songs and even singers.
This time, again, non-Japanese introduced me a Japanese rock group: ONE OK ROCK.
Among Japanese, we call this band, WANOKU – shorter version of ONE OK ROCK.
I’ve seen a vocal on TV, but I registered him as WANOKU so it didn’t click to me when I was introduced to a band, ONE OK ROCK.
It clicked to me when I listened to their music on YouTube.
A vocal, Taka appears on a talk show.
His parents are both famous Enka (Japanese traditional songs) singers: Masako Mori and Shinichi Mori – no wonder, he has nice voice to sing.
And he was once a member of famous pop group, NEWS.
He was singing pop music then, but he decided to leave the group to sing what he wants to sing – rock music.
He stayed in the US to polish his English so he also sings in English, allowing them to conduct world tours – no wonder the group is popular in overseas.
Thanks to WordPress to connect me to people abroad!
I woke up and went for a morning dip.
I could see Yoteizan (Ezo Fuji: Hokkaido Mt. Fuji) in front of me while dipping in an open-air bath.
Sun just sat on the summit of Yoteizan like Diamond Head.
I felt energy rising in me as if I were charging from these great nature.
First, I stopped at Nikka Whisky Factory in Yoichi.
I used to watch a morning TV drama series “Massan” which was based on the life of the founder of Nikka Whiskey, Mr. Masataka Taketsuru.
This place was used to shoot the drama so it’s fun to walk around remembering stories.
These cute whiskey barrels are everywhere!
I wish we could stay here longer because we could try rare kind of Nikka Whiskey (I tried 20 years), and free whiskey: apple wine, Taketsuru Pure Malt and Super Nikka.
Seriously, I wanted to spend more time there to appreciate these drink.
Next, went to Otaru, famous as a canal city.
I visited Otaru few times, therefore I decided to visit Old Aoyama Family’s Guest House.
This family made wealth with herrings.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to take photos of breath taking rooms and furniture.
These are real and good craftsmen works.
Imagine this is just an entrance…
After visiting Old Aoyama Guest House, I quickly returned to Otaru City Centre to eat a kaisendon (seafood bowl).
Before reaching hotel, quickly stopped by at Kyogoku Fukidashi Koen (Kyogoku Spring Source Park) to collect spring water.
I shall enjoy fresh spring water tonight.
I didn’t have a dessert at lunch so I enjoyed dairy farmer’s ice cream before heading to hotel.
Tonight’s hotel is the Windor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa!
I will post about this hotel later.
A room is spacious with an area of 40 sqm.
Basic things are equipped and quite comfortable.
I have few bars to access internet at my room. Yeah!
I enjoyed a buffer dinner, live music and a public bath on this New Ishikari.
After dipping a bath, now I’m relaxing at the room, watching TV (sometimes TV freezes) and drinking nice local drink that I bought at a souvenir shop on New Ishikari: Hokkaido Guarana Highball (I’ve never tried this guaranara drink. It tastes herbal.) and Tokachi Wine.
The waves are nice, actually making rocking in nice rythum.
It’s difficult to open my eyes….
Oyasuminasai (good night).
It’s been awhile since I uploaded last.
I was too busy preparing for participation in Tokyo Game Show 2016 which was held from 15-19 September 2016.
It was challenging for me because this industry is totally new to me.
At last, I learned the industry and could enjoy the event itself.
I made Otaku (Geeks) friends and also learned Otaku Bunka (Geek’s Culture).
We might participate again in Tokyo Game Show in 2017.
I should consider cosplay…?
First I stopped at Sakai Port Fish Market for lunch.
I had a special seafood rice bowl.
There are many types of fresh and delicious seafood such as crabs, prawn, sea urchin, salmon roe, abalone, squid, tuna, yellowtail, egg.
It’s worth to stop by to have a lunch there.
Then I visited Miho Shrine, my main objective for this trip – to pay a thank you visit.
Japanese Gods, Mihotsuhime-no-mikoto and Kotoshironushi-no-kami (widely known as Ebisu-sama) are enshrined in Miho Shrine.
Mihotsuhime-no-mikoto is Goddess for harvest, couple harmony and prosperity.
Ebisi-sama is God for fishery, agriculture and commerce. He loves music so Ebisu-sama is God for entertainment business as well.
Of course, Ebisu-sama is very popular, representing business success.
And this shrine is head of about 3,000 Ebisu Shrines!
I just love to be here.
After praying at Miho Shrine, I walked around the area.
I stopped for snacks: tokoroten (Tengusa seaweed jelly with vinegar) and strawberry flavored kakigori (shave ice).
And shopped soy sauce, ponzu (ponzu citrus soy sauce based sauce) and mentsuyu (soba sauce).
Their soy sauce is sweeter and has more flavors.
I enjoyed this soy sauce so much when I bought it at my last visit and I couldn’t forget about it!
It was still bright outside so I went to Miho-no-seki light house.
It was a nice view to enjoy Japan Sea’s ocean view!
I checked-in at hotel and had a quick dinner to enjoy Maki-Noh at Miho Shrine.
Noh is Japanese traditional drama, and has been played since 14th century.
Noh is also performed for God to show appreciation for harvest.
Tonight, a special performance was performed at Miho Shrine with torch.
I didn’t know about tonight’s Noh performance and I am so fortunate to be there.
I enjoyed watching Noh surrounded by great nature.
I felt holy, spiritual and blessed❤️
I visited a trade fair and attended the opening ceremony.
The event was officiating by Kagami Biraki (opening a sake barrel), instead of ribbon cutting.
Guests wore Happi (summer festival coat) and used a kiduchi (wooden hammer) to open a barrel.
Kagami Biraki will be performed to congratulate a success.
Of course, we can drink sake.
Sake will bring good luck!
It’s Japanese summer holiday season: Obon Festival, internationally known as Lantern Festival.
It’s not Japanese national holidays because I think it’s more ritual, Buddhist ritual.
However, most of companies are closed this period and today was rather a quiet day in the office.
I think it’s a nice summer break, but oh well, I was at the office.
Now I have craving for tomato juice.
Do you know that tomatoes for tomato juice are specially developed to make tomato juice and these tomatoes are more rich in lycopene and other nurious elements than fresh tomatoes that we enjoy for salad?
It’s hot and I’m weak; I better drink more tomato juice!
I found Kagome Premium Tomato Juice (non additives) for 2016 limited edition.
I cannot tell what’s so special about this, but it made me feel healthy. hahaha
Mom and I are planning to conduct the above in November.
If I conduct it in leap year, I can receive merit three times more.
And this year is once in 60 years good luck year!
I’m looking forward for this trip!
Yes, I plan to upload and share my excitement with you!
Guess who I met today at a company that I visited?
Zaku
So cool!!
sonokotchi 