Hanagumori

Regardless of the best weekend for Hanami (cherry flower viewing) in Tokyo, it was cloudy in the morning. As the expression Hanagumori (cloudy weather in Hanami season) indicates, it is likely to be cloudy in Hanami season. I hope to go for hanami under the blue sky on a mild day.

Despite my wish, it started to rain in the afternoon. In addition, it was very cold today. It must be a rule of nature that it has an unseasonablely cold day during Hanami season every year.

Even if it is unsuitable weather, Japanese do not give up hanami!! Lots of people were around hanami spots here and there. It can be not flower viewing, but people watching...

Part 1:Yotsuya

People are holding a party under the trees.


Part2: Ikebana (flower arrangement ) at a hotel.

Part 3: Kudan-shita

Okage-yokocho

Okage-yokocho (shopping street around the shrine)

Long queue in front of the traditional sweets shop, Akafuku.


Ise-Udon (noodle), speciality in Ise.

Ise

Visiting Ise jingu (Ise shrine) is the main purpose of this trip. I was surprised to know plenty of Japanese are visiting Ise jingu. I queued about 30 minutes to worship at Naiku.

Geku

Gate of Naiku

Bridge to the shrine

Wash the hands in the river before worship.

Sacred trees

Roten buro : Open air bath

The room has Roten buro (Open-air bath). It is so comfortable! Even if I am taking quite long, the fresh air makes my head cool. It may avoid dizziness.

Gokuraku! Taking bath with nice view... How luxurious!
Breakfast with nice view.
Cherry blossoms in Toba has just bloomed. Little bit later than Tokyo.

Sunrise in Toba

I got up at 5:30 to watch the sunrise from the ocean. I am staying at Toba in Mie pref.

The sun has risen from the east.
The moon is in the south.

Toba seafood

I am in Toba in Mie pref. Toba is famous for Ama-san (woman diver with no oxygen mask). It is an unique tradition and we can expect fresh seafood.

Sazae Kaki (oyster)
Big clam & ???scallop
Toba is also famous for pearls. I went to Mikimoto island. I studied how pearls are made.

Ekiben

Ekiben is bento (lunch box) sold at eki (rail station). Trying Ekiben is one of the attractions when we travel by train. Most of them are unique to the stations, and some of them have histories. We can find local food and regionality in Ekiben.

The 21st century kickoff bento (lunch box) from Tokyo station!

I don't know what does this name come from. Onigiri (rice ball) and some side dish in the box.

Beautiful presentation!

Hana yori Dango

I do not know why Sakura (cherry blossom) reminds me Dango (dumpling made of rice). Maybe it from Japanese proverb　"Hana　yori Dango", which means Dango (dumpling) is better　than Hana　(flower). 　The message of this proverb might be substance is more useful than form. Whether or not, I felt like a Dango (rather than flower) and took them.

- Kusa-danog (red-bean jam on the herb dumplings)

- Mitarashi-dango (sweet & soy-sauce flavor dumplings)

- Kinako-dango (soy-powder flavor dumplings)

In fact, "Hana yori Beer" could be more factual expression than "Hana yori dango" in Japanese Hanami (sakura viewing) season.

Tsubaki

It is flower season. Tsubaki (camellia) is now blooming.

In a private garden last week.









Big tsubaki trees in a botanical garden.

Nikujaga

Nikujaga is typical menu of mother's cooking. Niku (meat) and Jagaimo (potato) are stewed with onion and carrot in Japanese soup stock.
It is said it tends to take beef in west Japan, pork in east Japan. I prefer pork one.

Masu sushi

When I was browsing around Toyama food show at a department store, I found Masu sushi. Masu sushi is very famous local speciality in Toama prefecture. I took Masu suhi and Buri sushi and shared with friend. Masu is trout, but I don't know what is Buri in English. It is common fish in Japan.

Bound with bamboo sticks and band tightly. They are pressed.

Buri sushi is on the left, Masu sushi is on the right. I arranged like this to table.

Botamochi what we call Ohagi

Botamochi is typical food in spring equinoctial week. They are offered to the ancestors first, and the family take later.

In autumn equinoctial season, Botamochi changes its name to Ohagi. Both are actually the same. It is said that the difference between Botamochi and Ohagi is just the season. Botan is a spring flower, Hagi is an autumn flower. In fact, we often say Ohagi even in spring. Ohagi is common name of this sweets.

Anko (red bean jum)

Kinako (Soy powder)

Somen : fine noodle

Somen (fine noodle on the lower right) is summer food in general. It is usually served cold. I took hot somen, because it was a cold rainy day, and I wanted to have something hot.
This is holiday special set at Somen restaurant. (Somen restaurants are not so common. Somen is popular as home cooking menu especially in summer. )
Today is spring equinox day, so it is holiday in Japan. People visit their ancestor graves in equinoctial week. But I have not been yet...

Ibonoito

Toden :Tram

Toden, the tram run by Tokyo metropolitan government, used to form a wide network in Tokyo. The Arakawa line is the only line still remaining. Due to the traffic condition, it runs on the exclusive lane away from cars now. But it runs along narrow streets, just beside small houses in some old residential area. It is often taken as nostalgic scene in Tokyo.

Station

Early Sakura

It is mild day in early spring. I am sure I am not only Japanese who is looking forward to Sakura (Cherry blossom) in bloom. This early flowering Sakura is to be blooming.

Strawberry Amaou

I picked out a pack of quality strawberries as my Friday reward this week. They are shining and look lovely! (＾。＾*))
Amaou, this new brand of strawberry became available in local supermarkets. It is sweeter than another strawberry and very big. I have heard that Amaou is derived from;

A: Amai (Sweet)

Ma: Marui (Round)

O: Ookii (Large)

U:Umai (Tasty / Juicy)

In a supermarket, it is about 500-800 yen (2-3 pounds) for a pack. In some quality fruits shop, it could be about 500 yen (2 pounds) for each.

Taiyaki

Taiyaki is like a pancake shaped like a fish. It is a kind of common snack. Originally, anko (red-bean jam) is inside, cream taiyaki and cheese taiyaki are also popular nowadays.

Tai is name of a high grade fish. It is said Tai brings good luck. It is often cooked in a happy occasions. It would come from the word "medetai", which means happy or congratulation. Yes, it is a pun. Taiyaki might be an easy way to bring good luck.