When is the best time to see autumn leaves in Japan?

Date: 2011.10.30 | Category: CENTRAL REGION, Must-try in Japan, Scenery, Seasonal Nature, World Heritage Site | Response: 0

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    Shosenkyo Valley in Yamanashi prefecture (A)                                   

Viewing the autumn leaves turing into red, yellow or orange has been loved by the Japanese since old days. I love viewing  the multi-coloured autumn foliage as much as Sakura cherry blossoms in Spring. As Japan is a mountainous country where about 70% of the total land is covered with mountains. You can view the autumn leaves in the most parts of the country. When is the best time to visit Japan? 

   Autumn foliage festival at Lake Kawaguchi near Mt. Fuji  (B)                               

It depends on the destination you visit. For example, these photos were taken in the mid of November when I travelled from Tokyo to Gifu prefecture located in the central part of Japan. If you travel Japan between Tokyo and Osaka, so-called golden route, I think it is the best to come during the mid November. Just remember that leaves start to change their colour from the northern part of Japan (ex.Hokkaido) or upland areas (ex. Nagano).    

  Autumn foliage festival at Lake Kawaguchi near Mt.Fuji                                        

Lake Kawaguchi near Mt. Fuji is very famous for its autumn foliage. When the season comes, a lot of tourists flock here to view those autumn colours during the Autumn foliage festival (Koyo matsuri) in Nov. Last year, I was one of them. Honestly, so beautiful and vibrant. I didn’t adjust any colours of these to look better. I just pressed the button of my camera.

        Mt. Fuji & red-coloured maple tree                                                                                     

If you are lucky, you can take a beautiful shot with a red-coloured trees under the clear blue sky.

   Shiraito waterfall, located in the western part off Mt. Fuji  (C)                             

There are some foliage-viewing spots around Mt. Fuji. Even if you have climed up Mt. Fuji in the summer period before, you can come back here again. Japan is blessed with four distinct seasons.  

           Shirakawago traditional folk houses, a World Heritage Site in Japan (D)        

Ranked 3 stars listed on French tour guide book of  ”Michelin Voyager Pratique Japon”, historic village of Shirakawago located in the central part of Japan, attracts the people most in the the autumn period.  If you want to visit rural Japan and feel autumn as we Japanese do, you must visit this place.

A road to Takayama castle ruins (E)
 
Autumn is my recomended season as you can enjoy viewing these beautiful scenery. I am sure it is going to be an interesting experience for you. Don’t miss the autumn foliage in Japan.


より大きな地図で Autumn foliage in Japan を表示

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Make your original mother of pearl work in Takaoka, Toyama!

Date: 2011.10.27 | Category: Rural Japan, TOYAMA | Response: 0

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When leaves on trees turn into red or yellow in October, the atomosphere becomes clear blue all the way to the sky. That makes me feel that autumn has come. In Japan, this autumnal season is always associated with good appetite, harvest, reading and the arts. 

 

Seasonally enough, I found a studio called ”Musashigawakobo”　specializing in  ” Mother of pearl ” works in Takaoka, Toyama prefecture. Here, you can make your original mother of pearl works like lacquer accessories.    

 

You can purchase a lot of  mother of pearl items across Japan. But it is rare for tourists to experience its decoration on lacquerware which was once called Japanware. Very thin abalone shells are raw materials used. One piece of shell paper sheet costs more than 1000 yen!  Please handle them with meticulous care!  

 

First you draw your fav design using tracing paper. Designs can be decided from books you are given for your reference. Simple one is recommended.

 

Then you make a copy of the design on a piece of paper sheet by tracing it.  

  

With special drill tool, you cut the design off from the expensive mother of pearl sheet.

 

While you work on the cutting process, they prepare the painting tools to be used later. You can proceed your making under their guidance. When you paint the black ink on the bird-shaped paper sheet…….

Wooow…..it turned out to be like this. Very beautiful, isn’t it?

 

You paint other colours on the sheet.

 

Once you place your piece on lacqueritems, this experience comes to the end. The craftman will finalize its making. Actually it is not as difficult as you think. They can give you a support. This time, *METI-designated traditional craftsperson helped us, which was a very rare chance even for Japanese.  *METI = Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry       

2 weeks later…. you receive your original work! Well done! Surely your japan travel becomes unforgettable! :)    

武蔵川工房　Musashigawakobo 

http://www.raden-musasigawa.com/ (Japanese only)

Address: 1-23, jishikimachi, Takaoka, Toyama

Tell: +81-766-26-0792 (Overseas call), 0766-26-0792(Domestic call)

*You need to call them in advance

Total Fee: 3500 yen 【1500 (experience fee) + 2000 (material fee)】  


大きな地図で見る

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What a beautiful bridge! Look at these continuous arches!

Date: 2011.10.24 | Category: Hiroshima, Scenery | Response: 0

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What a wonderful bridge!  This was my first impression when I saw this Kintaikyo wooden bridge. After strolling around Miyajima, I had 4hrs left to jump on my Shinkansen train at 6pm to go back to my place. It took less than an hour from Miyajimaguchi JR station to visit one of the most beautiful bridges in Yamaguchi prefecture located in the westernmost part of the island of Honshu.   

from Miyajimaguchi JR station(A) to Kintaikyo bridge(B)


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I liked their continuous arches built over the Nishiki River. If you are interested in the architecture, take a close look at the right photo to see how each wood is jointed together.   It seems that no nails can be seen!

Originally this bridge was built in 1673 by a feudal lord. Even though it was swept away by floods a few times, this beautiful bridge was reconstructed by the support of local people. During the old times, only samurai warriors were allowed to use this bridge while commoners had to use boats to cross the river.      

  

Let’s see how you can get there. You get off at JR Iwakuni station after 23 mins ride from Miyajimaguchi station in Hiroshima (230 yen). Then you need to change your transportation. There were a lot of buses from Iwakuni station to Kintaikyo bridge. It cost 240 yen to go to the bus stop at Kintaikyo bridge.  As most of people get off at the same stop, you won’t miss the stop.

You need to buy a ticket (300yen) to cross the bridge.

Please watch your step! It was quite steep. Can you see a small castle on top of the mountain? It is Iwakuni castle. A cable car is available to ride up there.

 

There were some shops around the bridge. A lot of women were waiting for ther turn to purchase a soft ice cream. They had 100 kinds!

This cup reminds me of Matcha green tea I had at Takayamain Gifu prefecture.Yes, this is Hagiyaki!

It was a great short trip from Miyajima. It is good to set the bar low because that helped me improve the quality of my journey this time :P If you have some time left in Miyajima, you must visit Kintaikyo bridge!  


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I love eating Unagi eels in Nagoya! So special & Nice!

Date: 2011.10.12 | Category: CENTRAL REGION, Must-try in Japan, NAGOYA, WASHOKU - Japanese Foods | Response: 0

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When I met my friends in Nagoya, Japan’s 4th populated city, located in the central part of Japan,  they took me to the popular Japanese restaurant called ATSUTA HORAIKEN あつた蓬莱軒  opened in 1873, which specialized in Unagi freshwater eels.  

 

Unagi eels are one of the most popular foods in Japan. There are a few ways to be served. Unagi eel sushi, Unadon or sliced eels placed on cooked rice are my fav items. In the Nagoya region, they eat eels in their own style, which I found it so interesting. It is called Hitsumabushi  ひつまぶし which is a local delight in Nagoya.

 

Of course you can eat it as you like. But I want to introduce how the Japanese eat this. there are 3 ways to enjoy this meal. Let me show you the Japanese way to eat eels in Nagoya style, HITSUMABUSHI!

 

Use the paddle to divide the rice into 4 servings.

 

First: Please enjoy the original taste of grilled eels. When you are eating it, it draws in air laden with the savory smell of the charcoal grilled eels. I loved it.    

  

Second: Add finely chopped Welsh onions and dried seaweed served as condiments on the second serving, which I found it interesting as you can see the subtle difference from the first serving.  

Third: Pour the clear soup from the lacquered small flask over the rice after adding a bit of Wasabi horseradish. This is my favorite serving to eat Hitsumabushi. Lastly: Enjoy your last serving in your favorite style.

I was so happy to have a great meal in Nagoya!  Satisfied :) :) :)

  

Believe it or not, we waited for 150mins to have this meal. We had to spend our time at Atsuta shrine, which was a good sight seeing spot. ATSUTA HORAIKEN has been very popular for the Japanese people. We started to have lunch around 3pm. But I can tell you that it was worth waiting to have a local delight in Nagoya.

 

We left the restaurant around 4pm. There was still a long queue to wait for a meal at this restaurant, which is really unbelievable.

I don’t want to see the longer queue when I visit next time, but this place was one of the best eels served in the Nagoya style.

★★★★★ ATSUTA HORAIKEN あつた蓬莱軒 7 mins walk from EXIT4, Tenmacho (伝馬町) station. Operation Hour: 11:30am – 2pm, 4:30pm-8pm  Closed on regular Mon.  3100yen for a regular set meal. Address: 503 Kanbecho, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya city.

http://www.houraiken.com/ (Japanese only) 

 

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Wonderful Tateyama mountain range in Toyama gave me a shock!!

Date: 2011.10.05 | Category: CENTRAL REGION, Rural Japan, Scenery, Seasonal Nature, TOYAMA | Response: 1

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Yesterday, when I was working around my house, I realized that I could see Tateyamamountain range. It was a beautiful sunset. It has been for a while since I saw Tateyama mountain range last time. It is quite rare to be able to view it even for the people who live here.  

People in Toyama feel an affinity with Tateyama mountain range. If Mt. Fuji is like a mother to the Japanese, Mt. Tateyama is the one to the people in Toyama.  

If you were lucky, you can view this mountain under clear, less-humid sky, which means it is quite difficult to see in summer when sea water often changes into vapor due to the sun light.  As it snows here during the winter period (Nov – Feb), Spring & Autumn would be the best season to view.  The photo above was taken in March 2011.

If I can afford to purchase my house in Toyama, I will have a guest house with an observatory :)  

This is one of my unforgettable views of  Tateyama mountain range. I took these photos when I flew to Hokkaido from Toyama airport. I couldn’t stop taking them!   

So when is the rigtht time to come? I will combine with other experiences like Sakura cherryblossoms(April) & Great snow walls(May) in spring.  

Seeing is believing, you will be amazed to see the snow-covered mountains!

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How to get to Miyajima from Peace Memorial park.

Date: 2011.10.04 | Category: Hiroshima, Scenery, World Heritage Site | Response: 0

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After I had left Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park,  I headed for another world heritage site in Hiroshima, MIYAJIMA which is also a must-visit place! In addition, this place is known as one of the three most beautiful scenic spots in Japan. Let me share with you my first ever Miyajima experience.  

    

I had two ways to go to Miyajima, an island in the Seto Inland Sea,  from Peace Memorial Park. For those who are on a tight budget, you can go by streetcar (150yen) + train (400yen) + on foot (free)+ ferry(170yen). It cost me 720yen for a 80mins ride. Alternatively you can choose a 45mins ferry ride, but it costs 1900yen.   

【From Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to Miyajima: 80mins】

1. streetcar (Genbaku-dome mae → Hiroshima station) 2. JR train (Hiroshima st → Miyajimaguchi st) 3. 10mis walk from Miyajimaguchi st to ferry terminal *My fav restaurant UENO 4. Ferry boat

It took 10mins to reach the ferry terminal of Miyajima. I would recommend that you stand on the deck outside so that you can watch a ruby torii  gate of Itsukushima Jinja, a shrine of beautiful splendors.

  

Upon landing on the island of Miyajima, I walked along the sea side (See the Map below). This street was so exquisite. Then you will soon hit one of the most beautiful spots of Miyajima, which is located near the entrance of Itsukushima shrine. First photo was taken there!    

By the way,

Do you know why the red torii gate stands in the sea apart from a shrine?

The whole island of Miyajima has been an object of worship since old days. We Japanese have believed that deities reside in everything, in this case the island as a whole. Because Itsukushima shrine was for the sacred Miyajima, the gate functioned as the approach to the shrine was built in the sea.  

 

Here we arrived at the entrance of Itsukushima shrine. At the gate where you pay for the admission fee (300yen), please check the time for low tide so that you can make an interesting tour later….  

Welcome to Itsukushima shrine…..to be continued..

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 My walking Map

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, an unforgettable place in my life.

Date: 2011.10.01 | Category: Festivals, Events, Hiroshima, Museum, gallery, World Heritage Site | Response: 0

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Jumping on the tram bound for EBA or MIYAJIMAGUCHI at Hiroshima station and getting off at the tram stop called ”GENBAKU DOME MAE”after the 15 mins ride (150 yen for single trip), I finally arrived at one of the two World Heritage Sites in Hiroshima. The A-Bomb Dome (MAP 1) is located along the Motoyasu river near the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.       

 

You can get access to the internet (Free Wi-Fi is available within the park precincts) and visit this website at http://p2walker.jp/peace/en/. Why don’t you watch the 23mins documentary video called ”The A-bomb what happened to Hiroshima” so that you have a better understanding about the nuclear bomb dropped in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.  

After crossing over the Motoyasu bridge 3mins walk from the A-bomb dome, there is a building called REST HOUSE ( MAP 8 ) functioned as tourist information center as well as souvenir shop. You can get the necessary information here as some staff can speak English.

 

Passing by the REST HOUSE, you will find the statue with a girl placed on top, lifting a crane towards the sky, which is the Children’s Peace Monument (MAP 3). Her name is Sadako who was exposed to radiation in the bombing of Hiroshima at her age of 2. Then the girl started to suffer from leukemia at her age of 11.

One day, she heard a story in the hospital that she can make her dreams come true if she folds 1000 cranes. Then she started to do so to wish for her recovery. But her wish didn’t come true. She passed away when she was 12. Over time, this story became well-known across not only in Japan but also in the world. Today, 10 millions of paper cranes are sent to Hiroshima every year and put out in the Peace Memorial park.  

Every year 6th August,  Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony is held in front of this cenotaph for a bomb victims (MAP 9) located in the center of the park when we Japanese confront our past on this day.

Seeing hundreds of people visit this place to appeace the souls of the bomb victims and pray for the eternal peace is a common sight the peace memorial park. It was 7am in the morning when I took a photo above.  

 

Just behind the cenotaph for the bomb victims, you will find Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum(MAP12), designed by Kenzo Tange (1912 – 2005), one of the most famous architects who laid the foundation of  modern architecture in Japan. This museum features a lot of photos and documents with regards to a-bomb calamity to convey the horror of that event. I was very sad after I left this museum (Admission fee: 50yen per person), but it was worth visiting to know what happened in Hiroshima & nuclear weapons. 

Strolling around the park during the night can also give you the different ambience from the daytime. 

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park including the a-bomb dome, Peace Memorial Museum became one of the most unforgettable places I ever visited in my life. So, please do visit this park when you come to Hiroshima. I hope you would have a great time in  this place.

 Map From wikitravel

 

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Absolutely Yummy! Japanese cuisine of Hiroshima, Must-try!

Date: 2011.09.29 | Category: Hiroshima, Must-try in Japan, WASHOKU - Japanese Foods | Response: 0

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HIROSHIMAYAKI, Hiroshima style pancakes

Hiroshimayaki has been a casual dish for the people in Hiroshima since old days. A great number of  restaurants specializing in this dish can be found everywhere in Hiroshima. I will talk about this special pancakes of MICCHAN next time,recommended by my ex-colleague from Hiroshima! Arigato, Wataru san! It was reasonable & so tasty!

★★★★★ MICCHAN(Hacchobori outlet) みっちゃん　八丁堀総本店　　　10mins walk from the A-bomb Dome Operation Hour: Lunch 11-15 Dinner 17 – 22:30 (SUN 20:30)

Address:6-7 Hacchobori, Naka ward, Hiroshima city

  

ANAGO SEA EEL or CONGER FISH 

I have been a big fan of Anago sushi since I was a kid. Having a grilled ANAGO sea eel was one of my exciting events in Hiroshima. I had lunch at Fujitaya in Miyajima, known as one of the three most beautiful scenic spots in Japan and ate a Bento box of Ueno in the Shinkansen bullet train. My verdict? UENO was better! But both were nice in deed!

★★★★★ Sea Eel Bowl Restaurant UENO  うえの 2mins walk from JR MIYAJIMAGUCHI Station  Operation Hour: 10am – 6pm  Closed on Wed. Lunch Bento Box is available fr 9am.  1470 yen for a rice bowl or Bento Box 

Address:1-5-11 Miyajimaguchi Hatsukaichi city, Hiroshima prefecture

★★★★★　Sea Eel Bowl Restaurant FUJITAYA ふじたや 5mins walk from Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima Operation Hour: 11am – 5pm 2300 yen for a rice bowl

Address: 125 -2 Miyajimamachi, Hatsukaichi city, Hiroshima prefecture

(Anticlockwise from above) Rice Bowl at Fujitaya, Bento Box at Ueno

  

OYSTERs

When it comes to oysters called KAKI in Japan, Hiroshima is one of the most famous place. More than half of Japanese oysters are being cultured and produced here.Oysters come into season in November. They are available over the course of a winter! When are you planning to go to Hiroshima? If it is in winter, oysters are waiting for you!     

  

MOMIJI MANJU - A maple-leaf -shaped sponge cake –

”Freshly-cooked one is a must to try!!” recommended by my senior whom I travelled with. The word of mouth power is always strong. It cost only 100 yen served with a glass of cold tea at Fujiya. So cheap! As I was tired walking around, it was a perfect snack for me. Nowadays they are stuffed with a variety of ingredients such as red bean paste, chocolate, etc. MOMIJI MANJU are the most famous sweets in Hiroshima!

★★★★★FUJIIYA 藤い屋本店 located in the Omotesando shopping Arcade near Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Miyajima. *Faster to ask local people :P

Address: 1129 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi city.

  

SHAKUSHI SENBEI - A paddle-shaped crackers –

Basically these paddles are used as rice scoops, but here in Miyajima, there are paddles with prayers written on them for such things as your safety. Paddle-shaped crackers are as popular as Momiji Manju. These snacks can be purchased at major gift shops. Unlike Momiji Manju, these snacks last longer, which is good for you to bring them back to your country!

Having local delights is one of the most enjoyable & important factors to increace the quality of travel. I think most Japanese think in the same way. 

Have fun munching! & Explore Japan!

Travel Hiroshima! One of the most unforgettable places I’ve visited.

Date: 2011.09.29 | Category: Hiroshima, Must-try in Japan, WASHOKU - Japanese Foods, World Heritage Site | Response: 0

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I visited Hiroshima city, located in the western part of Japan, where it took 4 hours to travel from Tokyo to Hiroshima by Shinkansen bullet train. Hiroshima attracts a lot of tourists from around the world as there are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. I would like you to stay in Hiroshima at least 2 days so that I can share the tips to fully enjoy this city. Here are the things to do in Hiroshima!      

  

Visit the A-BOMB DOME, a World Heritage Site in Japan

At 8:15 am, August 6, 1945, an American B29 bomber dropped the world’s first atomic bombing. In December 1996, this dome was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to convey the horror of the first use of a nuclear weapon. Must-visit place in Hiroshima!

  

PEACE MEMORIAL PARK & PEACE MEMORIAL MUSEUM

Just 5 mins walk from the A-Bomb Dome, you can reach Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Every August 6, the Peace Memorial Ceremony is held here when we Japanese confront our past on this day. After strolling around the park, please visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum so that you can know about Hiroshimabefore & after the bombing as well as the horror of the nuclear weapons, where is one of the most unforgettable places I’ve ever visited.

  

Hiroshima’s local delight ”Spicy Cold Noodles” at KARABU!

It may sound weired, but having local delights is an essential part of travel for most Japanese. Hiroshima can also offer a variety of Japanese foods. I found a Spicy Cold Noodle restaurant near the Peace Memorial Park. If you like spicy items, this is a must-try item which can surely stimulate your taste bud!!

   

HIROSHIMA Castle

Hiroshima castle was destroyed by the atomic bomb blast, but was rebuilt in 1958. Even though this castle is not registered a world heritage site unlike Himeji Castle, this place helps you know more about the history of ancient Hiroshima. If you are a samurai geek like me, drop by this beautiful wooden castle!

  

Became a big fan of HIROSHIMA YAKI, Japanese cuisine of Hiroshima! !

When it comes to Okonomiyaki, translated as Japanese pizza or pancakes, many Japanese think that it is cuisine of the Kansai region including Osaka.  But it is not true when you come to Hiroshima. Hiroshima has a special food which looks like Okonomiyaki! Actually I became a big fan of this reasonable new Japanese pancake called Hiroshimayaki !! So Oishii  (Yummy)!! 

 

To be continued….. Explore Japan!

Tips to choose the best lacquerware in Wajima!

Date: 2011.09.15 | Category: CENTRAL REGION, Must-try in Japan, Shopping, Wajima | Response: 0

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A soup bowl costs 12,000 – 13,000 yen (US$150). I admit it is very expensive.

But you may change your mind if you know its elaborate production method, saying it is worth a lot. Knowing a bit about the production method helps you choose the best item which can be used for the rest of your life.

 

Lacquer orUrushi in Japanese is a natural material obtained from the sap of lacquer trees. There are a variety of lacquereware available here in Japan.  As I talked about it before in the ”Things to do in Wajima”,  Wajima is one of the most famous cities for its high quality lacquereware. 

What makes Wajima so special among a variety of lacquerware?

Wajima lacquerware require many processes. It reaches up to 124 different processes. First, the lumber used for the wooden base needs to be dried for a few years.

 

These complex processes are mainly divided into 5 fields:

1.BASE MAKING, 2.FIRST COATING, 3.MIDDLE COATING, 4.FINAL COATING and 5.DECORATION.

During these processes, many coats of lacquer are applied.  I was startled by the fact that each field is meticulously handled by an independent craftsman. Depending on how elaborate the design is, the price changes.

If you want to transform yourself to be a temporary craftsman who is in charge of decoration, I would recommend that you go to the studio called ”KOBO NAGAYA (工房長屋)” where you can learn either the Makie technique(Sprinkling gold powder on patterns drawn on the surface) or the Chinkin technique (Inlaying gold in grooves made by carving).

 

It cost only 1500 yen to make your own chopsticks. We experienced Chinkin technique, 沈金, (Inlaying gold in grooves made by carving) this time.

   

All you have to do is to think about your design and practice carving it on a given lacquered base. Then, you start to carve your patten on the surface of chopsticks with a needle. Even if you go with good friends, everybody becomes quite during carving :)

 

After carving, lacquer will be applied as glue. And press the gold powder into the grooves later. Be careful not to touch the lacquer directly because it may cause a rash to your skin. Because of that, ancient people believed that lacquer had a special power to ward off evil.

Here you’ve got your personal chopsticks which exist only one in  the world!

Learning about the lacquer items will surely spice up your travel in Wajima.  Using a sap of lacquer trees gives wooden items durability so that you can use them for a long time.  Ancient people knew this effect not to waste the blessings of nature. In that sense, we can say that lacquerware has been Eco-friendly since old days. 

I hope you would be able to find the one in Wajima.

Studio Nagaya (工房長屋) 　http://ringisland.jp/nagaya/

Address:4 – 66 – 1, Kawaimachi, Wajima city, Ishikawa prefecture

Operation Hour:  9am – 6pm (Wed Holiday)  

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