Hanami with Fukuoka Big Buddha & Haunted House

April 2, 2007 - 1:58 am by akko@hakata in Travel  

This weekend was the highlight of Hanami.
Hanami generally means cherry blossom viewing, but for some little girls, it means cherry blossom `chewing’.

This is Tochoji-temple in Hakata area (*).

It has something very special upstairs.

This is it !!
People believe Big Buddha exists only in Nara and Kamakura.
But now you see Fukuoka also has it, and it’s the [...]

The Street of Kyoto (3); Higashioji-dori 2

March 31, 2007 - 3:26 am by Yuk in Culture, Travel  

The third time of series of “Streets of Kyoto” is the north side area of Higashioji-dori.
I went to north from Gion along Higashioji-dori. There is a bag shop “Ichizawa-Shinzaburo hanpu“, which has made bags from canvas since 1905, at the east side of the street. It is popular bag shop among Japanese people. I think [...]

Who is spinning and drying @ Yobuko, port town in Kyushu

March 27, 2007 - 7:04 pm by akko@hakata in Travel  

Who do you think they are, dancing and spinning more beautifully than figure skaters under the sky?!

They are squid, caught in Yobuko.
These are dried squid you can take as good souvenier, but the best way to enjoy squid is, to eat it raw!

Doesn’t this look delicious ?!
Yes, Yobuko is `squid town’, so popular with fresh, [...]

Hanami Party

March 24, 2007 - 9:21 pm by kiokitok in Culture  

The Japanese enjoy mild climate in spring. Various flowers come out in this season. Among those flowers, cherry blossom is probably the most popular. When it comes out, people feel happiness because they just get over the cold winter. On the other hand, they feel sadness in their mind because cherry [...]

Ueno Park

March 17, 2007 - 5:57 pm by kiokitok in Travel  

Origin of Ueno goes back to the early Tokugawa shogunate. Ueno had been less populated area than other areas in Edo (Tokyo). In 1625, the Kan-ei-ji temple was built on the hill in this area, in order to enshrine Shoguns. In addition, Kan-ei-ji was believed to protect the Edo castle from demons [...]

Kobe

March 12, 2007 - 11:19 pm by Yuk in Culture, Food, Travel  

Kobe is a good place where I who live in Kyoto can go by the day trip. That day was Chinese New Year. So I went to Kobe by the Hankyu train. It took 2 hours from Karasuma (Kyoto) to Sannomiya (Kobe), fare was 600 yen (if you buy a ticket in Kinken shop [...]

Tsukiji Fish Market

March 10, 2007 - 5:18 pm by kiokitok in Travel  

In south east of central Tokyo, there is the biggest fish market in Japan; Tsukiji Fish Market. Varieties of fishes are brought in from Tokyo Bay, and are auctioned every morning. The market is sometimes regarded as the kitchen of Tokyo because of its amount of sales. It is also a popular [...]

Global Warming at the Toji Flea Market

March 7, 2007 - 6:04 pm by mrmook in Travel  

Well it was March 4 and most definitely T-shirt weather at the Toji Temple last Sunday.
I don’t have any particular insight into the worldwide meteorological (meteor illogical?) situation but it appears to me as if something is ever so slightly out of whack. I mean to say that I [...]

Hina Matsuri

March 3, 2007 - 8:00 pm by kiokitok in Culture  

Girls celebrate March 3. They arrange Hina Ningyo dolls in the living room, invite their friends and neighbors, and have some party. During the party, people wish the best of those girls.
In many different cultures, girls play with dolls. In Japan, Hina Matsuri was already celebrated in the 9th century. However, [...]

Hinamatsuri (Hina Doll Festival) in Hita, where Edo merchants’ life still exist

March 2, 2007 - 9:08 am by akko@hakata in Travel  

Hita is a place which flourished in Edo period (Samurai Time), about 200-300 years ago.
It was actually the center of Kyushu, culturally, economically and politically,
and still protects and cherishes its tradition, just the way it was.

Hinamatsuri (Hina Doll Festival) i(Feb.15-Mar.31) is the event you can enjoy the most beautiful season of Hita, by [...]