Why Frog?

In Futarasan Shrine in Nikko, Keroyon, a cute frog mascot for one of the major Japanese pharmaceutical company's promotion, is dedicated. What for? Why Keroyon?

Nikko vol2 - Awesome Nature

The most impressive thing for me in Nikko is clear water.

Waterfall is one of the Nikko's greatest treasure. In Ryuzu Falls, we can see the two falls traveling thru the mountains.










Left photo: Water in Ryuzu falls is running on the rocks.
Right photo: Water is falling down into the basin of the waterfall after going thru the lava in the Mt. Nantai.

The running mighty clear water was breathtaking... Moreover, sunny sky, deep green of trees, fresh air... everything was so great that I couldn't move from there for a moment.

As for the The Lake Chuzenji, I could see rocks or water weed at the bottom from the surface of lakeside. I'm not sure if I can see the bottom at the middle, but clearness of lake water was really impressive.

And this photo is at the ditch on the side of Nikko Toshogu shrine. I've never seen such clear ditch water!







I can't help imaging how fabulous the nature in each season in Nikko is. When I read the textbook about Nikko, it said that the combination of fine art and beautiful nature in Nikko was fantastic, I couldn't think of the scene. However, the textbook is true. Yes, seeing is believing!!

Nikko vol1 – The Beauty of Art

We often hear the saying, “Do not say kekko (wonderful) until you have seen Nikko”. It represents how wonderful Nikko is. I thought it was a bit exaggeration, but I had to admit I was wrong after visiting Nikko.

Nikko Toshogu shrine is a must for Nikko visitors. Surrounded by trees with green leaves, the torii gate is stands welcoming people from over the world.

Most buildings are very colorful, and decorated with elaborate carvings. The sacred stable, which is famous for “three monkeys”, looks a bit simple at a glance, but monkey carvings are all fine.

On the other hand, it’s atmospheric that there are some garden lanterns with lots of moss. It's a beatiful contrast with vivid shine structure.

Amazingly, it took only 17 months to build all structures including 200 steps to Tokugawa Ieyasu’s tomb, “sleeping cat” carving and Yomeimon, one of the greatest gates. I can’t find any words except for “amazing” for this shrine.

There are some other fine buildings in Nikko. Nikko Kanaya Hotel, JR
Nikko station… Just check them out!

My Recommended Restaurant - Healthy Dish in Shinjuku

If you are interested in healthy and simple Japanese set lunch or dishes, or you are concerned about fat on your stomach, I'm sure that you'll be very pleased with this casual restaurant.

Obon de Gohan (literally means 'dishes on the plate') is just opened in this summer, and provides you over 20 kinds of main dishes. Main dish you chose, steamed rice and some side dishes are served on one plate.

Photo: (from back, left) tofu with sesame sauce, green lettuce with dressing, dried thin white radish boiled with soy sauce, deep fried fish, steamed rice with sesame and hijiki seaweed, pickled white radish, and miso soup. Price : JPY1150.



All dishes are hearty and well-balanced in nutrition. In addition, meals are not big, so you can prevent from eating too much. It's worth trying it.

[Reatrarant info]
Obon de Gohan
9th floor in Odakyu Shinjuku Myroad
(1 min walk from JR Shinjuku Station)
Open hour: 11:00 - 23:00 (L.O. 22:30)
Closed: not fixed (followed by Myroad's closed date)

Point Card Flood

The sharp rise in the price of food and oil is one of the global headaches. Of course the situation is same in Japan. We have to live economically within regular earnings by various means.

One of good way for supplementing living cost is to make full use of "point card". Many shops from mega chain stores to local shops issue it. We"ll get some points based on how much we purchased, and receive services by points. Gift voucher, discount ticket, a bottle of wine or beer, sweets, cash.... various privileges encourage us to go the certain shops.
On the other hand, yes, point cards bring merits to shops, too; customers and sales, of course. Shop owner or marketing teams work hard to attract loyal customers.

Then, my wallet is full of point cards... mmm, let me consider about it. Well, my recommendation is the sandwich card of Subway, the American big sandwich chain shop. You'll get one free sandwich by collecting 8 stamps!

Homemade Plum Wine

June is the rainy season in Japan, and, the season for green plums. Green plums are found in the supermarkets. In addition, you'll find some large jars, bottles of liquor and bags of rock candies near plums. Yes, Japanese enjoy homemade 'umeshu', plum wine. Here is some steps how to make plum wine;


1. Soak green plums for a while (from 10 minutes to 2 hours reduce bitterness of plums) and wash them.


2. Wipe them well and take off the hull with a bamboo skewer or a toothpick.
































3. Put plums and rock candies into a jar.

4. Pour white liquor into a jar.


5. Leave it in a cool and dark space. (e.g. under the sink of the kitchen)














You can enjoy plum wine about 3 months after brewing, but 1 year brewing is the best. The color of the liqour will change to amber after a year. Mmm... I can't wait!!

Shuuchishin - What's that?

Here is the super group creating a sensation in the music industry. They are not musicians but TV stars who have a unique and charming character in common - they are a bit fools but very talented guys.

Yusuke Kamiji (Left, with yellow tie) played baseball as a catcher with a major leaguer Daisuke Matsuzaka in his high school days. Takeshi Tsuruno (Middle, red tie) is the only member who has children. He appeared a TV show about child care as one of good father. Naoki Nokubo (Right, blue tie) also used to play baseball. He was a possible player for the draft pick.

All three appears in the TV quiz show they become Japanese favorites with quite unique answers and comments. With riding the wave of popularity, they released the first CD as a group named "Shuuchishin".

The Japanese support this song because they always do their best and their supple mind. The words also find an echo of people's heart. It's like as they tell us the most important thing in the life in not just knowledge, but sincerity.

Well, they are keep entertaining us without thinking such a difficult thing. Yes, let's sing with "Shuuchishin"!!

Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine – A sunny day in Kamakura

In early April, cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Kanto area (around Tokyo). Some are having parties under the trees with sake and good food. Yes, that sounds nice, but how about appreciating both cherry blossoms and Japanese culture in a same place?

Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine is one of the famous sightseeing spot in Kamakura. In this season many cherry trees along the street to the shrine welcome visitors. As this road isn’t so wide that people can see flowers closely. Walking under the cherry gate in the sunny day is one of the happiest moments in Japanese spring.

After appreciating cherry blossoms, let us enjoy other Japanese culture. There is a dancing stage called maiden in this shrine. Dedicatory dances and music are performed, but traditional Japanese wedding ceremonies are conducted at the stage. You may see the ceremony if you’re lucky.

When you reached the main hall “honden”, you’ll see people praying to the Shinto deity. Also it’s good chance to try “omikuji” fortune telling slip.
There some places to enjoy both cherry blossoms and shrine experience throughout Japan. Please find your favorite and enjoy the part of Japanese style.

Bite into a sushi roll!

On"setsubun" day, commonly known as the day before the first day of spring, the Japanese often have the bean-throwing event.

Also, they rush into a sushi shop to get sushi rolls. It is customary to bite into a sushi roll without cutting in bite-size pieces. They must face “the lucky direction of the year” (we called it ehoh. Ehoh varies every year.) and not talk to anyone while eating a roll. It is said that people have a good and healthy year after following this custom.

This custom came from Kansai (ex: Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe) area, but it has been being popular throughout Japan because the nation-wide convenience stores started to sell sushi rolls on setsubun day.

You’ll find several kind of rolls; basic sushi roll (eel, cucumber, Japanese omelet, dried gourd shaving), salad-like sushi roll (canned tuna, lettuce with mayonnaise), fried cutlet roll and so on. Even thin roll cakes are sold for setsubun!