In Japan, soy sauce is called "Sho-yu" and has been cherished for centuries as an indispensable part of Japanese cuisine. The harmonious combination and subtle balance of the five basic flavors of sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami (savory) are the proof of good Soy Sauce.　 People have sought better ways to preserve food, discovering through experience that the use of salt not only preserves but also improves flavor. This is because microorganisms break down the proteins contained in food into taste-enhanci… Read more

It's already mid of November now... Autumn colors in many places in Japan especially in higher elevation and northern part of Japan reached its peak by now. This year's winter may arrive a little earlier than usual. I've seen a beautiful late Autumn Mount Fuji covered by Lenticular Cloud (November 14, 7am). It's not too often to see such spectacular scene but this cloud is a sign of more moisture - most likely rain nearby and it's true when this pic was taken Tokyo and vicinity were already raining. Pai-chan is still… Read more

Bone white, emerald green, muddy gray, tea brown, and rust red..... the variety of colors is just one of the amazing aspects of hot springs in Japan to contemplate, like wine experts do with wine. (Doroyu Onsen, Okuyama-Ryokan, Akita-ken : Simple sulphurous spring, original 67 deg c) Connoisseurs of hot spring water close their eyes and focus the non-visual senses on the consistency, the smell, and the feel of the water on the skin. After drying off, another consideration is the "after-feel" or lingering chang… Read more

Welcome to My Onsen Ryokan. You can check in .. But you can never check out ... Care for a welcome drink of vintage wine ? ..... or whatelse to please you ... Yes, many Japanese Ryokan (Inn) are run by mistresses called " Okami (女将)". http://blog-imgs-89.fc… Read more

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This is a Shrine called Fujiyoshida Sengen Jinja in Fujiyoshida-city. There are more than a thousand Fuji Sengen shrines across Japan, dedicated to Princess Konohanasakuya, the Shinto deity associated with Mount Fuji. Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine, formally known as Kitaguchi Hongū Fuji Sengen Jinja (北口本宮冨士浅間神社, "North Gate Fuji Sengen Shrine"), the main Sengen Shrine. https://blog-imgs-101.fc2.com/s/… Read more

Shibuya is absolutely one of the busiest districts of metropolitan Tokyo. It may sound strange but here you find a famous Strip theater called "Shibuya Dotonbori" Gekijo in Shibuya Dogenzaka. Yes, " Dotonbori" is a name of busy shopping street alongside the well known moat and also a popular nightlife district within Namba area of Osaka. Anyway, this Strip Theater has been named "Shibuya Dotonbori" Gekijo (=theater). This Strip Theater in the Shibuya neighborhood of Tokyo is a good example of what a modern Japan… Read more

Japan is a hidden"Haikyo"(=廃墟=abandoned houses) wonderland, just waiting to be uncovered. After the bubble economy bust in the 1980s, many love hotels, theme parks, strip gekijo(theaters) and expensive homes were deserted. Reasons behind are many : buying new homes rather than renovating older ones is economical. The tax system makes it difficult to demolish aging buildings. So, property owners may choose to leave them to rot according to the present tax system. At the same time there is a strong desire t… Read more

Komyo Zen-ji (Zen Temple), Dazaifu, Fukuoka, Kyushu / Founded in 1273 Japanese gardens (日本庭園 = Nihon Teien) are traditional gardens that create miniature idealized landscapes, often in a highly abstract and stylized way. (Above : Kenroku-en, Kanazawa-city, Ishikawa-ken) (Above : Kyorin-bo, Ohmi-Hachiman-city, Shiga-ken) The gardens of the Empe… Read more

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Hakata Kenban and Geisha : Kenban (券番) is actually the Japanese term for the office in which geisha(芸者) are hired. Kenban are located all over the country, but the recent decline in the number of geisha has resulted in fewer requests for their services. The first kenban was in Hakata(博多), Kyushu, opened in 1889, and by the early 20th century there were five of them here. During this heyday there were over 2,000 registered geisha in Hakata, but now there are only 21, ranging in age from their teens to their 80s.… Read more

Lake Tazawa Shirakami Sanchi Hachimantai-city The volcanic plateau of Hachimantai ( 1,613 m ) and Lake Towada in Aomori are together designated as Towada-Hachimantai National Park. There are scenic sightseeing roads that run through the area, as well as many swamps, marshes, and excellent hot springs. Hachimantai is beautiful any time of… Read more

Momiji Matsuri (Maple Festival) is scheduled in Arashiyama, Kyoto on November 12, 2017. During the festival, you’ll be able to witness five elaborately decorated boats floating on the nearby Oi River. They will be filled with people dressed in noble Heian-era costumes playing musical instruments such as shakuhachi (a Japanese end-blown flute) and koto (a Japanese harp). Autumn scenes of Tanzan Shrine in Nara Prefecture : O… Read more

The shika deer (Cervus nippon) also known as the spotted deer or the Japanese deer, is a species of deer native to much of East Asia, and introduced to various other parts of the world. Previously found from northern Vietnam in the south to the Russian Far East in the north, it is now uncommon in these areas, excluding Japan, where the species is overabundant. Its name comes from "shika" (鹿), the Japanese word for "deer". In Japan the species is known as the nihonjika (ニホンジカ（日本鹿) lit. "Japan deer"). (Above :… Read more

Karatsu Kunchi is an autumn festival held at Karatsu-jinja Shrine which has a history of about 400 years and is considered as one of the 3 major festivals of Kyushu. The festival, which begins on the evening of November 2 and concludes on 4th, features daily parades of 14 hikiyama ; massive floats in the form of samurai helmets, sea bream, dragons, and other fantastical creatures, all constructed from wood, lacquer,… Read more

It's said that an adjective "nagoyaka"="peaceful" is the origin of the city's name. "Nagoyaka" --- >>> "Nagoya" Nagoya is a big city. It's the 3rd largest incorporated city (population of 2.3 million as of October 01, 2016) after Yokohama(3.7million), Osaka(2.7million). (Tokyo : 8.9 million is the largest but not City). Situated in Chubu-region, in-between Osaka and Tokyo, with easy access by Shinkansen (2 hours by the fastest "Nozomi"), Highway and by Air, and famous for Castle, Port, Zoo, Toyota… Read more

Japan's first permanent capital was established in the year 710 at Heijo, the city now known as Nara (奈良). As the influence and political ambitions of the city's powerful Buddhist monasteries grew to become a serious threat to the government, the capital was moved to Nagaoka in 784. Nara is located less than one hour from Kyoto and Osaka. Due to its past as the first permanent capital, it remains full of historic treasures, including some of Japan's oldest and largest temples. Todaiji Nigatsu-do https… Read more

Deep in the southern mountains, the traditional hot spring town of Dorogawa retains a serene, spiritual atmosphere that draws pilgrims from all over the country. The pure mountain spring water and hot springs that originate on sacred Mt. Omine have established the small town as a centre for relaxation and renewal and a popular escape from the summer heat. Staying in an onsen town means feasting on multiple courses of local specialties, relaxing in the natural hot springs and strolling the town in cotton yukata.… Read more

This is Kinugawa Onsen in Nikko, Tochigi-ken. It has been one of 3 big Onsen resorts in Kanto region (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Ibaraki, Tochigi and Gunma-ken) along with Atami Onsen and Hakone. At its peak in the early 90s, Kinugawa Onsen area attracted over 3 million visitors a year. This huge number inspiring the construction of more and more mammoth hotels - practically resorts within themselves - which rapidly destroyed the spa town's character and atmosphere. This "progress", along with a shift in tourist patterns, the collapse of a local bank and unfortunate natural disaster of… Read more

A tourist was welcomed by a young Onsen Hotel mistress... She kindly shows you Onsen facilities and how to take a bath, especially the "Rotenburo", an open air out door Onsen bath She tells you that there is no guest today except one single horny guy, which is you and she is so kind to first sanitarize your important parts ... In return .... http://blog-imgs-89.fc2.com/s/k/b/… Read more