Here's a lil' video I made of riding a chairlift up Mt Takao. O the beautiful views! O the disconcerting lack of safety. And yes, I am a 'fraidey cat, wimp & a wuss for being a little scared of falling out of the sky and rolling down a mountain.
I enjoy wearing a Yukata. I like the lightness of the fabric, the patterns, the shape, ect. If you stay in a Ryokan in Japan, a Yukata is usually provided. Which explains the common occurrence of silly samurai/geisha poses in many tourist's snapshots (which i may or may not have in my photo album). I think it's a garment I might start circulating in my daily repertoire. Yukata wa suki des!
"I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes"- Ace of Base speaks the truth.
The streets of Tokyo are littered with streets signs denoting cafes, salons, clothing stores, you name it. They are numerous, bold, whimsical and yes- perhaps, some of them are a little lost in translation but nevertheless, they catch the eye. I delight in my daily dose of Japanese signage.
A couple of nights ago I ate a spectacular dinner, one of the best meals of my life. It wasn't at a Michelin starred or chef hatted restaurant nor was it trendy, faddish, fusion or any other food buzz word. It was honest, fresh, simple yet elegant and a vegetarian's dream; it was Shojin Ryori (devotion cuisine) at a temple in the mountains.
I spent a night at Shojoshin-in, a temple run by warm and accommodating monks in Koyasan. It was an unforgettable experience and I am so very glad to have had a glimpse into Shingon Buddhism. And to have eaten this stellar meal...
I spent a night at Shojoshin-in, a temple run by warm and accommodating monks in Koyasan. It was an unforgettable experience and I am so very glad to have had a glimpse into Shingon Buddhism. And to have eaten this stellar meal...
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| Kasu (?) soup |
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| Ginger soup; with snow peas, shitake & a glutinous rice cake. Oyshii! |
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| Black beans marinated in delicousness |
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| the creamiest, silkiest tofu. EVER. (with wasabi and shoyu) |
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| Tempura |
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| Takoyaki -grilled octopus balls |
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| Daigaku Imo - caramelized sweet potato |
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| Mochi pudding |
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| Marafuku coffee & pancakes |
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| Crab claws |
