Kaki : Persimmon

Kaki (persimmon) is very common fruits in Japan. We can see the trees everywhere in Japan, even in Tokyo. It is one of the symbolic things of autumn.

Kaki is a healthy fruits, and there is a similar proverb to "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". "Kaki ga akaku naruto isha ga aokunaru." It means "When kaki turns red, the doctor feels blue". A kaki, not an apple keeps the doctor away in Japan. The fruits is different, but the idea is similar both in the west and the east of the world. I think it is interesting!

Gaien icho namiki & Icho matsuri

Gaien icho namiki is very famous spot for viewing autumn leaves. It is usually very quiet street. But many people are walking under the trees, and taking photos at this time of the year. We can see some painters, long queue in front of a cafe.

It was not good weather today, so not so many people were on the street.

Icho matsuri (festival) at Gaien. Colourful banners of food stall is attractive.

Yudofu

Good tofu makes me happy at winter night. Yudofu is boiled tofu. Just put tofu into tasty kobu (seaweed) soup stock.

Shiitame mashrooms and shungiku (green vegetable) added richness.

Nabe

Nabe season has come. Nabe is typical menu in winter.

Put in some seasonable vegetable, sliced beef or pork in the boiling donabe (earthen casserole) placed at the centre of the table. Take them into citrus soy sauce or sesame based sauce, and taste them. 　After vegetable and meat, put udon into the casserole. This is my family style. Hakusai, Shungiku, Shitake-mushroom and sliced pork today.

Mizu-yokan

Japanese jelly, Mizu-yokan. Chestnut, Red-beans, Black-beans and Matcha (green tea) flavor. Mizu-yokan is generally summer sweets. I don't need to keep in the fridge in this season.

This is chestnut one. Good!!

Nameless dishes

Some dishes for dinner. I cooked with something in the fridge.
Boiled pork with daikon and green vegetable, sugared soy-sauce flavor.
Boiled pumpkin dressed with sesame.

Komatsuna no nibitashi (Boiled vegetable). Bonito soup stock basis.
Boiling everything, but different taste.

Beautiful sunset from the train

Nikko Omiyageya

Small souvenirs shop near the bus stop. Nostalgic atmosphere.

Nikko Shinkyo

Shinkyo bridge

Nikko Yuba soba

Lunch: Yuba soba. (Soba with bean curd)

Nikko Taiyuin

I like the atmosphere of this temple.



Very relaxing mood inside the main building.

Nikko Futarasan shrine

According to the notice, if you pass through the loop, it leads you to good opportunities. Votive Sake.

Nikko Toshogu

Torii, the first gate of Toshogu shrine.

Shinkusha (mews): A white horse devoting for the god is in this mews.
San saru (Three monkeys): It is a famous carving on the meaw.
Mizaru Iwazaru Kikazaru, Don't see, don't say and don't hear (evil) .

Yomeimon gate: Gorgeous architecture. A lot of carvings and decorations on the gate.

Back side of Yomeimon.
Honden ( Main Hall): It is under renovation towards 400th anniversary.

Go up the stairs to the Okusha.

Nikko Rinnoji

Rinnoji temple.
San butsu do: Three big Buddhist status are in this main building of the temple.

Garden in the temple.

Nikko koyo

Nikko is located at north of Tokyo. It is about 2 hours by local train from Tokyo. "Nikko no shaji", Shrines and Temples of Nikko is registered as a world heritage. It is the best season for Koyo (autumn leaves) around the area now.

Kaiseki, Japanese course in November

Seasonable food and beautiful presentation.

Iraka