Lost in Translation Lunch @ New York Grill & Bar, Park Hyatt Tokyo
Shinjuku is an amazing city. So many fancy and ultramodern buildings surround us, and the excitement which only belongs to Shinjuku seems to tell us, `Why not stay up all night and do some crazy things?’. It even makes up for the lack of the view of Shinkansen bullet train. And here in west side of Shinjuku, there’s a site, so impressive, in the film `Lost in Translation’. (*Official site of `Lost in Translation’ )
Last Update: August 19, 2011
Aizu Urushi Lacquerware; You can experience Makie painting!
It’s fun, and authentic. Beside experiencing Makie painting, you can learn the history of Aizu Urushi Lacquerware, and buy products, such as chopsticks and bowls.
Last Update: March 8, 2010
Gift from Mountain, Lunch at `Hotaru’, Farmers’ Guest House; Aizuwakamatsu
Last Update: March 9, 2010
Toko Sake Brewery `Toko no Sakagura’ @ Yonezawa, 400 years & 23 generations !
There’re lots of Sake Breweries here and there in Japan, but this is something. Beside its long history and how large it is, and abundance of good rice and water, you can feel there’s strong pride in sake making. Among many sake varieties, I liked the one I bought, the fresh sake, and also those combined with local fruits, especially pear. If you know, Yamagata is called `Paradise of fruits’, and before I came here I’ve expected there would be lots of jellies, compotes, or juice, but those fruits sake varieties are so unique !
*Official Website of Toko Sake Brewery, `Toko no Sakagura’
Last Update: March 8, 2010
Yonezawa Textile; Experience Authentic Traditional Handcraft in Wakuwaku-Kan
Throughout Japan, tradition of handcraft still exist, and people make thing with their hands. Here in Yonezawa, because of the heavy snowfall during wintertime, inhouse industry has keenly developed, making the most out of the blessing of nature. Natural materials are obtained in the neighbourhood, such as silk, dyeing materials from chestnuts, oil, and urushi lacquer, and they are gracefully combined with such decency and talent of craftmen. Here in Wakuwaku-kan, you can actually experience the textile and dyeing, then bring your artwork home ! * Wakuwaku-kan official website
Last Update: March 10, 2010
Kamakura Snow Huts; Inside you can eat bean sprout ramen noodle ! @ Yonezawa
2 hours Shinkansen bullet train trip from Tokyo, you can arrive at Yonezawa, a snowy basin town.
Last Update: March 8, 2010
Shirabu Onsen Ryokan `Higashiya’, a perfect hideaway, 2 hours Shinkansen Bullet Train + 50 mins drive, from Tokyo
700 year old Shirabu Onsen Hotspring is an unpolluted hideaway for Onsen lovers, in the snowy mountenous district of Japan. There’re five Onsen Hotspring Ryokan Inn here.
*Shirabu Onsen reviews at Tripadvisor
Last Update: March 10, 2010
Snowy Snowy ! Shirabu Onsen, Yonezawa; 2 hours Shinkansen Bullet Train + 50 mins drive, from Tokyo
700 year old Shirabu Onsen Hotspring is an unpolluted hideaway for Onsen lovers, in the snowy mountenous district of Japan. There’re five Onsen Hotspring Ryokan Inn here.
*Shirabu Onsen reviews at Tripadvisor
Last Update: March 15, 2010
Crystal-clear frozen fog deposit and more @ Unzen Jigoku Hell
Feel winter and get warmed in Onsen Hot spring bath? Unzen Jigoku Hell, located in Shimabara Peninsula, Nagasaki is an beautiful place, a national park, where people live with dynamic nature Especially the power of volcano, and Unzen Jigoku Hell provide good Onsen, local food and sake, and such diversity of nature throghout a year. *Photos here are all offered by Mr. Taura, who runs a liquor shop `Taura Sakaten (Taura’s liquor shop)‘ in Unzen Jigoku Hell. *Please also check; Unzen National Park, with Onsen, local food and sake, and more.
Last Update: March 2, 2010