After the meeting, I rushed to Tokyo Midtown Hibiya.
We had our dinner at Lexus Cafe.
Yes, there is a Lexus Cafe in Tokyo.
In addition, we had a rotisserie chicken.
Then we went to watch Mission Impossible Fall Out.
Wow we are nothing comparing to Tom.
He can still stunt!
I enjoyed watching it at Premium Theatre with bigger screen and better audio.
Love you, Tom!
Summer is fireworks season.
There are many fireworks in many shapes such as smily faces, hearts, baseballs, etc. for an hour.
I watched Jingu Hanabi tonight.
Unfortunately, it is raining today, but I already watched all three festivals so rain doesn’t affect my day or mood.
I went for the morning dip; the bath was switched with men’s over night.
I had a buffet breakfast and I enjoyed their croissant waffles very much.
It’s dangerously delicious!
I didn’t have much time to use their facilities, but hotel prepares many activities for guests to enjoy during their stay.
We departed for Hiraizumi, Iwate.
We reached to Hiraizumi, Iwate where the town is recognized as UNESCO World Heritage.
We visited Chusonji (Chuson Temple) and the temple is famous for Konjikido (Golden Hall).
Today, Konjikido stands inside of a building to be protected.
Everything including the hall structure is made by gold.
We cannot take any photos inside so you need to visit to see how golden it is!
At the premise, there are many places to visit and to pray.
I had limited time so I could not visit all; nonetheless, I visited here before and I explained in details in my previous blog.
Hopefully, you would enjoy reading other days of my blog.
Shakado
Benzaiten
Amidado
Sankozo (Museum)
Dainichido
Mine Yakushido Hall
Hondo (Main Hall)
Benkeido
Tsukimizaka (Tsukimi Slope)
The rain was hard so my pants and shoes are wet.
But again, I didn’t mind because I watched and enjoyed all festivals in okay conditions.
These festivals continues for few days and many people planned to visit today.
Due to the weather (heavy rain), some festivals might get cancelled and there is no replacement day.
So I consider myself very lucky.
I had lunch at Sake Brewer: Seki no Ichi, Ichinoseki, Iwate.
Today, factory moved to a new place; original Kura (Storage) became a restaurant and shop.
Under the paper, there are many flavors of mochi (glutenous rice cakes).
Mochi is served to Gods and local people eat Mochi on important days for goods (celebration) and bads (sad).
From top left, zunda (edamame: young soy bean), goma (sesame), daikon oroshi for refreshment (ground white radish), anko (red bean) and kawaebi (river shrimp).
The pot dish is called Oshu Hatto.
This is made by flour and water; same ingredients with Udon (flour noodle).
It’s in a piece before cut.
We break it in pieces by our hands to put them in the pot.
We put them in a boiling pot together with all vegetables.
The restaurant offered a lucky draw by mochi (oh, no! More mochi! These are basically rice so very filling) ; I lost.
The winner get a sake bottle, how lucky!
This Sake Brewer also brew beer: Kura Beer.
I like their beer which has unique bitterness similar to dark beer though it’s in gold.
I bought Sake bottles for the next home party to enjoy them with friends. hahaha
We arrived Sendai Station to catch our Shinkansen (bullet train) back to Tokyo.
Sendai Station is already decorated for Sendai Tanabata which will start tomorrow.
Sendai Tanabata is also known as one of greatest festivals in Northern Japan.
These represents various wishes: health, wisdom, wealth, etc.
We took Shinkansen Yamabiko 152 back to Tokyo.
This was a fun trip!
I took a Tohoku Shinkansen, Yamabiko 43, operated by JR Higashi Nihon (JR East Japan) for Morioka this morning.
There is a train map.
It is common that two Shinkansen runs till Sendai Station then disconnected to become two Shinkansen lines.
Shinkansen is heading north; the place for Japan’s major rice production.
I had a lunch box on the Shinkansen.
Ta-dah
More rice field.
We arrived Morioka Station and look!
There are many buses for tourists!
We headed for Aomori by bus.
We stopped at Tsugaru Service Area for a break.
We can take a good view of Iwaki-san (Mt. Iwaki) that is also called: Tsugaru (Tsugaru is old name of this area) Fuji.
Isn’t it look beautiful as Mt. Fuji!
First, we checked in at Ryokan (Japanese Inn), Asamushi Sakura Kanko Hotel because Nebuta Matsui (Nabuta Festival) starts 7 pm so that we have to have an early dinner at 4 pm.
The room is in old fashioned.
There is a Fusuma (Sliding Door), I opened then…
A view from a room is also nice.
We relaxed at the room, then had a dinner at 4 pm so that we could leave at 4:50 pm.
I also had a Wakame Men (seaweed noodle)
And dessert: coffee jelly.
Dinner was very delicious.
These food are made of fresh ingredients!
Then we left Ryokan for Aomori: Nebuta Matsuri.
There are bankers for Nebuta at ASPM (Aomori Sightseeing Products Mansion).
Then we moved to our seats for watching the Nebuta Matsuri.
The parade started.
The origin of Nebuta is the lantern festival.
The decoration became unique so craftspeople started to present.
That’s how this Summer Festival began.
They will turn it, spin it and bow it!
There is a group of Hayashi (musicians), making rhythm.
Haneto (Jumpers) – anybody can rent a formal wear to join jumping.
There are cute ones.
Chocobo…? Final Fantasy…?
Even from small, they turn Nebuta.
There are so many people to enjoy the moment together.
After enjoying it for about an hour and half to returned to Ryokan.
Futon is ready.
And I found a supper on the table…?
Onigiri (rice balls) for supper.
After satisfying my stomach, then I took Onsen (hot Spring) for my relaxation.
We are staying at Asamushi Onsen (Asamushi Hot Spring).
Water is cleared and nice.
My skin is smooth and moist!
I visited three companies for the meeting today.
It’s been hot in Tokyo (Today 31C) so these fan and sun protection umbrella help me on the road.
I feel down because I feel I’ve done something stupid…
I’ve done these to uplift my feeling.
1. Get some fresh air to calm down
2. Exercise for 30 mins
3. Take a bath for 20 mins.
I try to go to bed early tonight.
Sleeping is the best medicine.
I had obento (packed food. Actually, I bought sandwich this time) for breakfast last night.
I had Amanoya Tamago Sando (Amanoya egg sandwich), Azabu Juban, Tokyo and Jiichiro’s Baumkuchen – a souvenir from Mom’s friend.
For Amanoya Tamago Sando, I recommend to eat this as soon as possible because it surely taste better when it’s fresh and fresher the better.
Oh, I should introduce one of services that this hotel provides to hotel guests during our stay.
The hotel provides a free mobile to call, access internet and to obtain sightseeing information.
Foreign tourists surely appreciate this service.
Today, I visited a friend; I had nice lunch while we chatted.
I returned to Kyoto and enjoyed shopping at JR Kyoto Isetan, Kyoto Station.
Why shopping in Kyoto?
In Tokyo, I have things to do — mainly house keeping — and there are too many people at a store that would make me feel tired to do shopping.
Here, I could take time to pick clothes. hahaha
I had a dinner at Kyoto Cuisine, Kyo Yasai Ryori Sepporai (Kyoto Vegetable Cuisine Sepporai), Kyoto Station.
I enjoyed Kyoto local vegetables very much!!!
After dinner, I went for a walk: window shopping at Porta, shopping area at underground of Kyoto Station.
Window shopping is my favorite way of exercise!
I walked for an hour easily.
Typhoon 12 is approaching to Tokyo, but I’ll be in Kyoto when a typhoon hits the area.
I had dinner on the Shinkansen (Bullet Train).
Arrived Kyoto on time.
Kyoto Tower
The hotel, Kyoto Century Hotel, is conveniently located next to Kyoto Station.
I’ll take a bath and rest…
Perhaps, this is not new for many of you; but me.
It’s been hot and it’s too hot to wear a stocking.
I bought these socks for office shoes at Mujirushi Ryohin (No Brand Good Quality), Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.
This store is also known as Muji.
Muji sells simple and functional lifestyle products such as clothing, kitchen goods, bed linens, etc
It’s been hot in Tokyo, between 35C to 39C.
Furthermore, we experience heat island phenomenon; wind blows but wind is hot…
Nowadays I sweat easily so I bought Natsusama Sheet (lowering fever sheet) for children to apply it at back of my neck to cool down.
It works!
I sweat, but less now!!
sonokotchi 