Tokyo Marathon: 東京マラソン (Tokyo Marathon)

The 6th Tokyo Marathon was held in Central Tokyo on last Sunday.

Starting  at Shinjuku, the Imperial Place, Hibiya, Shinagawa, Ginza, Asakusa.....

You can run and enjoy very heart of Tokyo City.

From elite runners to Sunday Joggers, 36,0407 runners participated.

Samurai, Ray Lewis....
Don't miss a bunch of people you cannot meet!

Shot at Sensou-Ji, Asakusa with Cheer leaders^^

Tokyo Sky Tree:

Ginza:

Goal after a long journey...



The Medal for Finisher:



Come on and Run!

See you in Tokyo next Year!

http://www.tokyo42195.org/2012_en/

Washi: 和紙 (Japanese Paper)

Washi (Japanese Paper) is an ancient Japanese paper, means that the paper made ​​in Japan against the paper made in Europe.

Japanese paper is characterized by long life, strong, thinly and very long fibers compared to the printing paper. And The paper has a beautiful unique texture. High price for low productivity compared with the current printing paper which is produced from wood pulp, because the raw material is limited.


Traditionally, special techniques are used. But in recent years, mainly in the modern Japanese paper shoji paper and Hanshi have a lot of demand, and they can be mass-produced paper.

On the other hand, washi used in the repair of cultural assets around the world. And then, excellent storage stability and the use of more than a thousand years, the characteristics of tough and soft, Japan has been established drawing paper, drawing paper, etc.

In recent years, Washi is well known as natural materials, natural growing demand for the interior.

Furthermore, washi has been used as a material of the bill in Japan.

Mount Fuji: 富士山 (Fuji-San) 2010-2-18

Today's Great Fuji san with a beatiful Sun Set on Issiki Beach.

Enjoy!

Hirashimizu-yaki: 平清水焼 (Hirashimizu)

Hirashimizu-Yaki is baked in Hirashimizu, Yamagata pref. Beginning of the mountain burned with the local culture of the late Edo era. On the tradition, Jikaku who is the famos "Daishi" (Monk) used the cray in Mt Chitose and taught the making of pottery.

Usually in Japan, the pottery is not only used for eating food but also enjoyed "look and feel" as interior.

The commonly known "Blue Dragon Kiln" are "Nashiseiji" and"Zansetsu".

"Nashiseiji", such as blue-white spots on the skin of a pear from the iron sulphide contained in the local clay, it a unique texture. (you can see it on the left picture)

 "Zansetsu" is multiplied by the white-white glaze, was named by lifting the black spots.

For more reference;  Participation in World Exposition in Brussels awarded, then the name was said to be a famous as "Hirashimizu-Yaki"

Sake & Roll Sushi: お酒と巻寿司 (Sake & Maki-Sushi)

As a night cap lover, I felt like having fine-Sake tonight, instead of 焼酎 "Shochu".

I normally choose what to eat by what I drink...(I think majority of folks are opposite)

So I decided to have cold Sake with Maki-Sushi.

It was a perfect appetizer for a glass of cold fine 吟醸 "Ginjyo".

I will make posts about "Shochu" sometimes next week...



Mount Fuji : 富士山 (Fuji-san) 2012-2-12

As many of you may know, we have four seasons in Japan.
After Setsubun, which is the turning period of the season, we are feeling Spring is coming to us.
In such day, when day time is warmer and evening gets cooler with crisp air, we can see Fuji san so close and so beautiful.
My son went to Issiki beach, Kanagawa Prefecture, near my home, to take photos.


Photo: the one my son took



  Photo: the sunset I took on the last Christmas eve

Torii: 鳥居 (Torii)

(Torii) Torii is the one of the “Gates”. And this is indicated of the entrance (barrier), and then is divided into the human lives (secure world) and Shiniki (the area of God) in such a shrine inside.

If you entered to Torii, you might feel some spiritual images from there. This is kinds like,

Yuri Gagarin: “The Earth is blue. How wonderful. It is amazing.”.

You can feel anything that you never experienced or just feel like that one of the “Gates”, it completely depends on you.

Photo: One of the famous Torii in Japan, in Miyajima, Hiroshima pref. This is built up in Heian era. Enjoy,

Chinese Cabbage & Pork Nabe: 白菜鍋 (Hakusai Nabe)

Hakusai, Chinese Cabbage is a popular vegetable in winter season.
Today, I would like to share a recipe of Chinese Cabbage Nabe (Pot) with you.
The recipe is so simple but this simple Nabe surely makes you hot and smile.. 


Step 1: Prepare Soup "Dashi"
Put 2-3 pieces of Tangles into a pan with cold water and leave it for a few hours.  Boil it and put bonito flakes right before it gets boiled.

Step 2: Make Nabe
Cut Chinese cabbage and sliced pork rib into bite-sized pieces. Then put Chinese cabbage and pork alternately as below photo. If you like, put sliced garlic.

Step 3: Boil it
Put "Dashi" and Sake into #2, and boil it till Sake loses its alcohol.

Step 4: Done
Putting some Sesame Oil and sesame excite your appetite..

Step 5: Eat & Drink
Let's eat! Eat it with ポン酢 "Ponzu",  soy source with Citrus juice.
It surely is a best match with Barley Shochu.
I had a half bottle of Shochu last night....^_^;

It is so easy to cook and Try this at your home!

This Nabe keeps you warm in cold winter nights.

Mount Fuji: 富士山 (Fuji-San)

Mount Fuji (Fuji-San), is the highest mountain in Japan.

Its height is 3,776m and it is an active volcano and its last eruption was in 1707. It is about 100km south-west of Tokyo Metropolitan area.
Its shape is so famous and beautiful. Lots of people climb it to see New Year's sun rise.

Fuji has been deeply involved in our daily life. In the past, present and in the future...

Photo: Fuji-San over Shinjuku Sky Scrapers

When I see the sunset over Fuji-San while waiting for the wave on my surf board, Oh my god, it is so beatufl..

From the beach I live near by, beautiful sunset can be seen with Fuji-san.

I will update them as I shoot the nice ones ^ ^

Hexagonal Chopsticks: 六角箸 (Chopsticks)

Hexagon:


Hexagon is the shape of a turtle means auspicious, from shells to protect themselves as "turtle longevity million years," is said to have been lucky with the old form.
In Japan, there is a similar pattern of "eye basket"(Kagome). Not a stitch of stylized bamboo basket weaving, this figure might be used as an amulet.
Examples, the eyes are engraved in stone lantern cage around Ise.
Crest is called the basket as eyespot, "eye basket", "basket in the first round" and has been used.


Hexagonal Chopsticks:

Chopsticks by a hexagon, "happiness" as well as attract, pursuing is also comfortable to use.

Bean-Throwing Ceremony: 節分 (Setsu-bun)

Setsubun, (Bean-Throwing Ceremony) is a famous ceremony in Japan.
Its name literally means "seasonal division". And we believed that the bad air is generated when seasons change. It

On February 3rd, To bring off the bad air, we throw roasted beans (豆まき：Mame-maki) and eat the numbers of the age for better health.

We usually call "福は内、鬼は外: Fuku-wa uchi, Oni-wa soto ” when throw the beans. It means, "Happiness inside, Evil outside"..

We may see the scene in the shrines or every home on February 3rd.


Photo: Setsubun, Mame-Maki Festival at Ikuta Shrine, Kobe

Photo: Typical Mame-Maki set you can buy in Super Market. Mom go crazy when kids make much mess with the beans...

Shinjuku Station: 新宿駅 (Shinjuku-Eki)

A Stray child,

A Confused Business man,

A Restless tourist....


Yes, you can find them all at Shinjuku Station, a biggest terminal station in Japan.
There are six railroad company drive into this giant station.
and there are 16 lines for JR only.

More than 3million passengers use this station daily.

Its size is more than 800m x 800m and there are platforms in 7 stories underground.

Photo: Platforms from South Gate

Link: a Map of Shinjuku Terminal (JR Only)

Photo: Rush hour at Shinjuku Station. They are shaving their lives for work.





When you are in Tokyo and you want to take trains to Nagano, Saitama, Yokohama or Hakone, Shinjuku Station is welcoming you ^^

Hey, if you get lost, don't worry, juts gimme a call. I will show you the way hahaha ^_^ 

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/e866.html