It was the Emperor’s Birthday on Weds 23rd February … another of Japan’s public holidays. Thanks Emp! Via train, buses and much walking we took ourselves off to explore around Ito. Although known as a hot spring town, we only had a quick walk around …. and disappointingly, the red carpet and reception wasn’t for us …. ….. before we caught a bus to Mount Omuro, an extinct volcano. I’m not sure what I expected of an an extinct volcano,…
This is a big event in Japan. The Japanese send New Year’s cards (nengajo) – to friends, family and colleagues with greetings specific to the different groups of people and often have a picture of the new zodiac animal. I did post a few but they were flimsy postcards so I fear they might not arrive in a recognisable state .. if at all. New Year’s Eve is a family time, traditionally gathered around the TV watching the most dire…
This has to be my favourite Boxing Day walk. Ever! Fushimi Inari Shrine The ultimate torii gate experience with thousands of vermillion gates over a meandering network of paths leading up to and around Mount Inari. This is the most important shrine dedicated to the Shinto god of rice with foxes as messengers. The walk takes over 2 hours and we completed it with seasonal snowflakes blowing around us. I love torii gates so much that I decided to invest…
We spent our Christmas in Kyoto, which was once upon a time the capital of Japan. Kiyomizu-dera Temple ‘Pure Water Temple’, founded in 780 became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1994, and is well known for its wooden stage that projects over the hillside. It was only when I viewed this platform from a distance that I questioned its safety! And leaving the temple … Ryozen Kwan-on On our way elsewhere, we noticed this massive figure jutting into the…
Christmas is not a public holiday in Japan, but many children hang out their stockings on Christmas Eve and are rewarded with presents just like children in West. And although it is a working/school day, many families allow their children to take the day off. New Year is a big family celebration whilst Christmas has evolved into a celebration for young couples, with romantic meals out. But probably the most unique part of Christmas in Japan, is the tradition of…
We managed a couple of nights in Osaka the weekend before Christmas, taking the opportunity to travel before the next Covid wave. Osaka is the second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo and is renown for its food. Shop Frontages The crazy 3D shop fronts add fun in the areas offering cheap eats High Up Anyone who knows Geoff, will know that we always head to the highest viewing point. In Osaka, this is the Abeno Harukas, 300 metres high. The…
Looking for a suitably sized mince pie tin, we headed to this area where there are dozens and dozens of shops selling everything to do with food preparation. It is mainly aimed at restaurant operators but the shops also sell to individuals.
I made some yuzu marmalade …. yuzu is one of the many citrus fruits grown here in Japan. It tastes like a cross between a lime, lemon and grapefruit and is incredibly pippy. One of the contestants on GBBO (Great British Bake off) used yuzu curd so I made some. Maybe not a great idea since eating eggs gives me itchy skin these days. Staying with GBBO, I made some mince pies using a Paul Hollywood pastry recipe. I think…
With no posts since early September and an increasing number of messages asking if I’m OK, I ought to explain. This Welsh Wondering Woman wandered off to the UK. Not, of course, that it is possible to casually wander during these times; the flight and all the testing require lots of money & meticulous planning! But after 16 months away, it was delightful to catch up with family and lots of friends. Thank you all for your fabulous welcomes and…
Reflections Our residential block reflected in the canal waters – Paralympics These opened yesterday evening, unfortunately at a time when Covid cases are rising rapidly in Tokyo & throughout Japan. This time there was no information on the team responsible for the opening ceremony – when the people involved in the Olympics opening were announced, skeletons in the cupboard of two were revealed and their contributions to the ceremony were cut out. Wishing all athletes a good and safe games…