Toshikoshi soba

This is soba (buckwheat noodle) that my father made. He sometimes makes soba as a hobby. It is a Japanese tradition having Soba on New Year's Eve. He opens an exclusive soba delivery shop for his friends and neighbors once a year on this day.

Wagashi for New Year

Wagashi (Japanese sweets) for New year. Finely detailed.

Each has a shape of a lucky charm. Komedawara (traditional rice back made of straw) on the lower right is a symbol of rich harvest. The letter on Ema (votive plate) shaped one on the lower left is Ne (mouse), which is the zodiac sige of coming new year. I am not sure about the upper one...

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Churaumi Aquarium is in Okinawa Ocean Expo Park. It is one of the hottest places in Japan, even though it is not convenient to get there from cities.

Ocean Expo Park

Flower turtles: Baby on the top.

Shiisa ( Lion shaped god in Okinawa area.)

Aquarium

We can touch starfish in the pool. I didn't...

Tropical fish

Small fish Colourful fishes
It is lunch time!

This is the largest acrylic window in the world.

Hello whale shark!: He is 7m long. He is very famous.

Hello Manta!
Teatime with whale sharks

Okinawa beach

I went on a trip to Okinawa. Okinawa is a southern island and it is still warm in December, maybe around 20-25 degree. It is perfect for relaxing days off.
Unfortunately, it was raining heavily, when I arrived at the hotel. I sat back and enjoyed the Christmas decoration inside the hotel.

The rain went away the next morning. The sea in Okinawa is beautiful emerald green.

Breakfast with ocean view.
I took a morning walk around the beach.

Mam and Dad are trying to take a good shot.

Crumbled corals are everywhere on the shore.

Sunset in the cloud.

Tropical flower

I am sure I will be back to Okinawa again!

Peko-chan

Peko-chan is Fujiya, candy maker's trademark. Peko-chan changes her dress with season. It is Christmas season now. She is popular as a character in some countries.

Packed Sushi

I bought a packed Sushi at a fishmonger for dinner. Not so good as Sushi at Sushi restaurants. But good enough as ready to eat. Tuna, Salmon roe, squid, scallop, prawn...

Monja-yaki in Tsukishima

Tsukishima is an old town in east Tokyo, which is famous for Monjayaki. Monjayaki is unique food in this area. Next to a monjayaki restaurant is another monjayaki restaurant through the street. This street is filled with the smell of monja.

I sometimes go to this monjayaki restaurant with friends. Monja is a very casual food, and we can enjoy conversations in a relaxed atmosphere.

In the restaurant. Paper on the wall is menu.

Monjayaki is served like this. Cooked by ourselves on the pan.

This is cooked monja. It looks bad. It tastes good. This is seafood noodle monja.

Mano

Asakusa

After I visited my friend's knit-work exhibition, I went around Asakusa. As I have not been there for a long time, I was excited that I felt like a tourist.

This is Kaminarimon, the gate of Sensouji temple. Sensoji is one of the most famous tourist spots in Tokyo. A big lantern is hung on the gate is symbol of Asakusa.

Nakamise, a long shopping street from 300 years ago is toward the main building of the temple from the gate. We can find a lot of things Japanese.

Lucky charms

Daruma: Draw one side of the eyes with making your wish. You can draw another side of the eyes with thanks, when the wish comes true.
Hagoita: It used to be one of the new year things for girls. We can play like badminton, but it is only for display these days.

As the sun went down, the lighting of Gojuno-tou (Five storied tower in buddhist temple) was getting bright.

Main building of the temple.
Unfortunately, the doors was closed. The statue is behind the door.

Omikuji (Fortune telling paper)

Pick one stick from the box and you can see a number on it. Ask to obtain a paper for the number, it tells your fortune.

Going to the Japanese sweets shop is true purpose of Asakusa visit. (＾0＾*

The food in this showcase is fake.

This is real food I had. Maccha (tea) -cream anmitsu!

Classic atmosphere around there.

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Japanese table ware shop. Tea cups, rice bowls...

Ningyo-yaki, typical snacks in Asakusa. Masks, Birds, lanterns, Towers, Kaminari-sama (Incarnation of thunder) ... Cute design. Anko (red-beans jam) inside.

Unagi : ell

Fancy Unagi (eel) restaurant.


Lunch set
Una-ju (Eel Japanese style on rice in the special japan ware) , aka-dashi misoshiru (red soybeans paste soup) and pickles.

Inside the restaurant.

One day trip to Kakunodate

I took a day off and went on a trip to Kakunodate and Dakikaeri-valley in Akita (North part of Japan).

Although the weather is not good, I could enjoy the beauty spot away from Tokyo.

Kakunodate is one of the famous Bukeyashiki (Samurai residence in 17 century) town in Japan.