Category: Surprise

Posted in Beauty, Experience, Family, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Surprise, Travel

Hokkaido Trip (Yoichi-Otaru-Toya)

Posted on by sonokotchi

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.

Posted in Experience, Family, Feelings, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Shopping, Surprise, Travel

Visit to Miho-no-seki

Posted on by sonokotchi

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❤️

Posted in Action, Daily Life, Experience, Feelings, Surprise

Umbrella could become a dangerous weapon…

Posted on by sonokotchi


Tokyo is still in the rainy season; it was raining in the morning. 

Of course, I brought an umbrella with me.

I hooked my umbrella on my arm when I was on the train.  

The train stopped suddenly and I lost balance.

I didn’t know what had happened then.

I saw a man suffering with agony. 

I’m not sure whether he was lucky or unlucky, he was sitting.

When I lost balance, I poked him, slightly above his knee cap where you can feel the gap, with my umbrella!

OMG!!! 

He understood it was unintentional. 

He forgave me quickly, but he couldn’t stop groaning.

I had to get off quickly because a train stopped at my station.

I silently promised to him that I won’t hurt anybody with my umbrella again.