To seek someplace far away from daily life, but easy to get, I went to Kozu island, Tokyo. It took 3 hours by jet ferry, and you can enjoy atmosphere of beach resort.
BUT, my biggest regret was, I took a bad cold.... During the first day, I was in bed all day long. The mom of Minshuku (similar as B&B) kindly cooked me porridge for good digestion, and fortunately I overcame from the next day, so that I could enjoy scuba diving and night cruise.
On the back way to Tokyo, we took passenger ship due to reservation. It took 8 hours(!!). Against the odds, the 8 hour cruising was one of the best part of this trip. Can you imagine all you can see is just blue sky and the blue see? Sunshine and wind made a harmony, and I was staying the deck all day long forgetting everything which troubles my mind.
Instead it cost cheaper than jet ferry, it is more gorgeous experience.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Be in flush of youth
Friendship is never faded away. Taking the chance of gathering for one of seminar member's wedding, we did a "recollection of youth" trip at Toyama, and Kanazawa. It has been a while since we graduate school, however, it warms my heart that our friendship, and foolishness are still alive and well.
The groom toured us around Kanazawa, famous fish market to eat delicious fish bowl, raw oyster, and took us interesting modern art museum, except numbers of wings of the tamamushi beetle which scared us a lot, it was quite insightful. We drove up to the Japan see, where we reassured our friendship, looking at beautiful sunset.
On the next day, we went to traditional part of Kanazawa, called Higashiyama, where historic townscape from Edo-era is still remaining.
The groom toured us around Kanazawa, famous fish market to eat delicious fish bowl, raw oyster, and took us interesting modern art museum, except numbers of wings of the tamamushi beetle which scared us a lot, it was quite insightful. We drove up to the Japan see, where we reassured our friendship, looking at beautiful sunset.
On the next day, we went to traditional part of Kanazawa, called Higashiyama, where historic townscape from Edo-era is still remaining.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Cherry Picking
Again, to heel body and soul,,( well, that's girls' permanent job, right?), we went to Yamagata, where famous for SAKURANBO.
Though we understand that enthusiasm for daily work wasn't be any excuse of paying a lot, we reserved gorgeous hotel with exclusive open-air bath in each room!! I must mention that foods were delicious in each night.
Ah, oops, the purpose of the trip is not only enjoying spa, but fresh cherry picking which we can hardly get in usual life. Unfortunately, recent abnormal climate kept the city cold longer than last year, most of cherries hadn't been ripe yet, but the picking itself was very exciting.
On the way to fruit farm, we visited Yamadera, an historic temple with steep cliff. The place is also famous of Basho, one of the best known haiku-poets. The top temple is high on the hill, and it was very hard to climb up to summit, however, the great sight made us forget the hardness.
Though we understand that enthusiasm for daily work wasn't be any excuse of paying a lot, we reserved gorgeous hotel with exclusive open-air bath in each room!! I must mention that foods were delicious in each night.
Ah, oops, the purpose of the trip is not only enjoying spa, but fresh cherry picking which we can hardly get in usual life. Unfortunately, recent abnormal climate kept the city cold longer than last year, most of cherries hadn't been ripe yet, but the picking itself was very exciting.
On the way to fruit farm, we visited Yamadera, an historic temple with steep cliff. The place is also famous of Basho, one of the best known haiku-poets. The top temple is high on the hill, and it was very hard to climb up to summit, however, the great sight made us forget the hardness.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Foreigner's house at Kobe
To celebrate friend's wedding, I visited Kobe for the first time in my life. It was famous for traditionally international city, where many of foreigner's house (1/2) and cultures still remain around the city.
Here is my favorite, Italian House. The landload lady who currently lives in the house kindly provide nice pie and coffee. I bet you should taste it once. In the Kitchen, there are several cute face doll are allocated around the corner at seal, and the lady told me that, her husband said kitchen is always smelling (of course in good and bad way!), so each faces are expressing fanny face like "smells bad!" "Hmm, yammy!" Not only the beauty of the building, I enjoyed the story behind the building.
Here is my favorite, Italian House. The landload lady who currently lives in the house kindly provide nice pie and coffee. I bet you should taste it once. In the Kitchen, there are several cute face doll are allocated around the corner at seal, and the lady told me that, her husband said kitchen is always smelling (of course in good and bad way!), so each faces are expressing fanny face like "smells bad!" "Hmm, yammy!" Not only the beauty of the building, I enjoyed the story behind the building.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Hakone Open Museum
To heal both body and soul, I went to Hakone spa. Hakone is the most popular place for children living around Tokyo to go school trip, however, it is not that much popular to go when you grown up.
This time, to seek open spa within the woods, we traveled for recollection.
This time, to seek open spa within the woods, we traveled for recollection.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Vienna Modern
Good part of European trip is traveling via train. From Český Krumlov, we went to the station at České Budějovice to take a train. On transit, we stopped by Linz, but this is another story, hours of boarding brought us the city of music, Vienna.
After enjoyed classical music at Musikverein, ~ well, that was rather "traditional-costumed" than "classical",,,,~ we mainly visited modern side of Vienna city, Majolkahaus, Hundertwasserhaus, and Kunsthaus, wien. Of course, we never forget to look around historical site, to see Gustav Klimt's "the Kiss" at Belvedere, Stephansdom both from outside and inside, and Schloss Schönbrunn, where children were playing singing "Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald" composed by Johann Strauß II, which made me strongly feel "WIEN".
What I learned was, you will never get tired of walking around the city of Vienna.
After enjoyed classical music at Musikverein, ~ well, that was rather "traditional-costumed" than "classical",,,,~ we mainly visited modern side of Vienna city, Majolkahaus, Hundertwasserhaus, and Kunsthaus, wien. Of course, we never forget to look around historical site, to see Gustav Klimt's "the Kiss" at Belvedere, Stephansdom both from outside and inside, and Schloss Schönbrunn, where children were playing singing "Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald" composed by Johann Strauß II, which made me strongly feel "WIEN".
What I learned was, you will never get tired of walking around the city of Vienna.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Reflecting sunshine
The second destination of this trip was Český Krumlov, one of the national heritage. For almost three hours by bus from Prague, we arrived at this pretty river-surrounded town. Here is famous for brilliant wall painting, painting of texture, sculpture, and sometimes even nonexistent windows. Not only the castle, all streets and buildings are painted, which made us feel as if we were in wonderland! The only regret was, it was a little bit cold (12C) to enjoy a beer, instead we enjoyed night view from riverside cafe,,
Just only a day and a half staying, I found historic picture-flaming shop, traces of flood, and beautiful surface of the river. No doubt, it is the best place I've ever been.
Just only a day and a half staying, I found historic picture-flaming shop, traces of flood, and beautiful surface of the river. No doubt, it is the best place I've ever been.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
from Prašná brána
East Europe had been new to me, that made me decide to go to Prague in summer vacation. And throughout the trip, I finally realized that, Prague is full of authentic beauty of old European city.
Pražský hrad, the castle of Prague was initially build in 9th Century, has never been lost its venerableness, which made me sigh in front of every church decorated by stained glass (photo: Mucha's). From balcony of the ball room, you have breathtaking views of Old City Prague.
Down to the river, it is unforgettable memory to walk across Charls bridge over the river Vltava, famous for Smetana's symphonic poem. As every guidebook says, you should go Pražský orloj, and Prašná brána, and get Czech beer, but my recommendation was National Marionette Theatre where you can enjoy traditional play by leading performers. Of course I bought a jester puppet here!
Pražský hrad, the castle of Prague was initially build in 9th Century, has never been lost its venerableness, which made me sigh in front of every church decorated by stained glass (photo: Mucha's). From balcony of the ball room, you have breathtaking views of Old City Prague.
Down to the river, it is unforgettable memory to walk across Charls bridge over the river Vltava, famous for Smetana's symphonic poem. As every guidebook says, you should go Pražský orloj, and Prašná brána, and get Czech beer, but my recommendation was National Marionette Theatre where you can enjoy traditional play by leading performers. Of course I bought a jester puppet here!
Saturday, July 04, 2009
at North end
Recent change of policy, my boss start allowing to going out to research. Fortunately I had a chance to go Hokkaido. After the job, local staffs brought me to famous northern part, Abashiri. The place was famous for prison, but we have to admit just its roadside sceanery is full of fresh green. Field, forest, mountains, everything. They took me another interesting sight, Kitahama station, the platform is facing ocean, but the most interesting was inside the station. Though no one knows who starts pasing own business card, every side of the wall are occupied by visitor's business cards. I added one of them for memory, then finished the one day trip.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Blooming!
Spring comes again. Year after year, it seems that warm season coming early. Strange change of temperature also can be felt in these days. Well, this year, it was quite chilling at the end of March after worm February, and the cherry just waiting to bloom became suddenly silent. On the 2nd week of April, warmth (a little too warm) coming again, and they all start blooming.
Though I hate chilly season, I cannot stop worrying health of the earth...
Though I hate chilly season, I cannot stop worrying health of the earth...
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Southern Resort....
In October, I decided to get a little vacation to Ishigaki. This was the first time for me to visit Okinawa, the southest islands of Japan. The small island was easy to drive around, and always fascinated us with indescribable scenery (here and there) and wonderful nature.
During the stay, we step farther to Iriomote island which is 20 minutes sailing. Iriomote island is famous for untouched wilderness, we canoed up the river in jungle (I got soaking wet), rode buffalo truck to Yufu-island, which is accessible only when the tide is out, then took a rest on the beach. I nearly forget to mention local cuisine, Soki-soba, Awamori-taste cocktail, and others. This is no doubt that I must go there again.
During the stay, we step farther to Iriomote island which is 20 minutes sailing. Iriomote island is famous for untouched wilderness, we canoed up the river in jungle (I got soaking wet), rode buffalo truck to Yufu-island, which is accessible only when the tide is out, then took a rest on the beach. I nearly forget to mention local cuisine, Soki-soba, Awamori-taste cocktail, and others. This is no doubt that I must go there again.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Cinderella catsle at Halloween
It has been over 5 years since last time I went to Tokyo Disneyland. Suddenly the idea hit us, old classmates at Riverside, and went to immerse "Walt's wonderland". Though being well grown up, still girls cannot attract various dreaming world. One difference from our childhood was greediness, and we made a new record that numbers of attraction in a day, 15!!!! Hey, isn't it great? Well, I must confess that at the end, it became night. If I choose one of the best, I say Haunted mansion which was specially decorated during Halloween season by the style of Nightmare before Christmas.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
At Kurokawa
One of the best part of this trip was "Kurokawa spa", where is famous as spa in tasteful nature. We stayed beautiul annex located alongside river. At Kurokawa, you can buy spa-passport which allows visitors to take 3 different hotel's spa among variety of Onsens in the village.
Not only spa, foods (again! laughter..) which is full of fresh and local vegetable are too great to forget words to describe. I have to add even breakfast was awesome so that we ate too much in the morning.
Not only spa, foods (again! laughter..) which is full of fresh and local vegetable are too great to forget words to describe. I have to add even breakfast was awesome so that we ate too much in the morning.
Summer Trip2
We moved up to Kumamoto for sightseeing. Kumamoto was once governed by many famous histrical charactors, and there is "Kumamoto catsle" which is counted among the most beautiful three catsle in Japan. Not only its appearance, recently restored interior was also amazingly magnificent.
Of course, we cannot stop finding local delicious foods here, too, where famous of raw horse meat (photo), and musterd lotus root. Needless to say, they were very delicious!!
After trottering downtown, we drove ahead to Kurokawa, hidden scenic spa spot inland Kumamoto. On the way, we stopped at Aso mountain, which is famous as caldera volcano.Unfortunately, it started raining, and we can hardly see the crator, but we enjoyed fresh milk icecream.
Of course, we cannot stop finding local delicious foods here, too, where famous of raw horse meat (photo), and musterd lotus root. Needless to say, they were very delicious!!
After trottering downtown, we drove ahead to Kurokawa, hidden scenic spa spot inland Kumamoto. On the way, we stopped at Aso mountain, which is famous as caldera volcano.Unfortunately, it started raining, and we can hardly see the crator, but we enjoyed fresh milk icecream.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Summer Trip1
For the summer golden vacation, I went to Kyushu (The southern island in Japan) trip with my friends. It's fantastic!!! I totally was refreshed by driving, chatting, and delicious local cuisine.
Entering the island by flight, we landed at Kagoshima, where the shouthernmost pref. in Kyushu. Kagoshima is famous of "Shochu", a kind of Japanese Sake, and also great menu of food, raw slice of "Kibinago" (pond herring) with ponzu sause, and famous "Satsuma-age" which I felt astonishingly different from that I ate at Tokyo, of course this local one was better!
After eating dreaming dinner, we rushed into super-express, Tsubame, and went to Kumamoto, the next distination. I have to add gorgeousness of the train, the seats are really wodden, with elaborative embroidery, and the blind is made by rush, which is also famous products in Kyushu. I've never seen such a rich-taste car!
Entering the island by flight, we landed at Kagoshima, where the shouthernmost pref. in Kyushu. Kagoshima is famous of "Shochu", a kind of Japanese Sake, and also great menu of food, raw slice of "Kibinago" (pond herring) with ponzu sause, and famous "Satsuma-age" which I felt astonishingly different from that I ate at Tokyo, of course this local one was better!
After eating dreaming dinner, we rushed into super-express, Tsubame, and went to Kumamoto, the next distination. I have to add gorgeousness of the train, the seats are really wodden, with elaborative embroidery, and the blind is made by rush, which is also famous products in Kyushu. I've never seen such a rich-taste car!
Monday, May 05, 2008
Kiyomizu buried green
On the next day, we visited Kiyomizu in fresh green. It was very hot day even in May. In the morning, we went to 33-gendo, where hundreds of statues of Buddha are installed, (unfortunately, photo restricted), it was really overwhelming. Bu-bu-du-ke.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Guggenheim Art!?
At Tenryu-ji, famous temple at Arashiyama, Kyoto ,we met great "DARUMA" picture at the entrance. Even though it may be drawn in old days, it appeals us beyond hundreds of ages.
Of course, its garden is also breathtakingly beautiful. Though it was unbelievable, we stayed almost half of this afternoon in the room of temple just looking at the garden.
Of course, its garden is also breathtakingly beautiful. Though it was unbelievable, we stayed almost half of this afternoon in the room of temple just looking at the garden.
RANDEN ~Kyoto local train~
In the vacation called "Golden", regular members of my trip came to Kyoto, Arashiyama. Since Kyoto has alternative face of tradition, I'd never come to Arashiyama area yet, so this was the first time to get on Randen.
Buying on-the-go cuisine at Kyoto station, we had a comfortable lunch at the bank of Katsura-river. After that, we went to see tidy gardens.
Buying on-the-go cuisine at Kyoto station, we had a comfortable lunch at the bank of Katsura-river. After that, we went to see tidy gardens.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
mixture of beauty and silence
Spring is coming. What I like the most is flowers alongside water, which remind us interruction between nature and the art. What ancient Japanese people were good at is, I always suppose, to harmonize artificial materials (buildings, gardens, roads, etc.) with the grace of nature. Thanks to them, we could have such a lovely life in the neighborhood.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Africa Fever!?
Recently, two of my friends left for South Africa on business. One is my colleague, and the other is a girl who I work with hard together in college life. She was (still is!?) pretty aggressive, self-assured, and that made her company let her go to the most prospective emerging market. Her friends gathered to have farewell party at night of April in Daikan-yama, and there became a sort of reunion. Some are now working abroad, the others are active on various industry in Japan. It was quite interesting to hear story of different market, different culture, and different style of hardworking(!) towards what they believe their own best. I'm pleased with being one of them!
At any rate, is Africa evolving so fast that two of young prospective friends assigned to work there? Should I follow them? (laughter)
At any rate, is Africa evolving so fast that two of young prospective friends assigned to work there? Should I follow them? (laughter)
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