Japanese Cuisine in Kyoto

Hello there! How have you been so far? I think I haven’t posted anything on my blog for a while, and I apologize for my laziness. You know once we get lazy, it’s hard for us to start again, right?

Today I want to write about Japanese cuisine in Kyoto and the cuisine is called Kyo-ryori in Japanese.

I went to a Japanese fancy restaurant called Tan-kuma (たん熊）with my husband and two of our mutual friends and ate together. We had a lot of fun there while chitchatting.

This is called sesame tofu made from sesames.

Fish soup called sumashi-jiru

 

 

Fresh raw fish called sashimi

 

Main dish

 

My favorite, eel rice! Mmmmm, yummy!

Dessert: green tea ice cream and kinako mochi with red beans

 

I went to Kyoto again with my other friend on a different day, and she and I ate different Japanese cuisines at another fancy restaurant. The restaurant name is Gion Yuyama. ( 祇園ゆやま）

Sesame tofu made from sesames

The restaurant chef. We sat in front of the chef, and we could watch him. It was fascinating.

 

Main dish

 

He is cutting tiny fish bones from a hamo ( a kind of fish which we eat in summer in  Kyoto)

 

Egg plants, okura and oriental melon

 

Rice with shirasu (dried tiny fish), miso soup and some Japanese pickles

 

Dessert: Ice cream, sesame flavored pudding and coffee flavored gelatin with water melon

Both restaurants were really good, and I hardly can choose which was better.

Since we were in Kyoto, I want to introduce summer in Kyoto as well.

The street where we walked was very Kyoto. Each house has some blinds called sudare to block sun shine and keep inside cool.

 

 

 

I think this house is a tea house called ochaya which has geisha and maiko (geisha’s apprentice)  because we can see square wood printed maiko and geisya names above the door.

After that, we went to another place to look around the pottery festival in Kyoto.

Since I went to the festival last year as well, I didn’t take many photos this time. I am sorry for this.

 

 

I bought some pottery for kintsugi techniques Japanese traditional techniques for pottery)  which I am currently involved in.  I will write about kintsugi techniques on my other blog entry soon. You will see what it is then.

 

Thank you so much for visiting my blog again! I will keep posting, stay tuned!!

 

-Yumi

 

 

Purple Shower in Japan

Hello there! How have you been so far? Our beautiful spring  has passed, and we are now in humid early summer. Every day is really muggy, and in the northern part of Japan, Hokkaido recorded it’s the highest temperature ever for that day. It was 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit ) yesterday even though we are still  not in our rainy season. This is really strange for us.

Anyway, I want to show my favorite flowers, wisterias today. My husband and I went to a park close to our house a couple of weeks ago and I took a bunch of photos of them.  Unfortunately, they are all gone now, but you can enjoy looking around them in my blog.

We have both white wisterias and purple ones.  Which do you prefer?

 

 

Look at the pretty Japanese garden. Since the day had no clouds, the view was just amazing!

 

 

 

 

 

They look just like a purple rain shower to me! The wisterias are my university’s symbol and they reminds me of my uni’s campus a lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn’t it a nice shot? I am happy that I could take the photo of wisterias and a bee together!

The bee was huge and just like the same size as a humming bird.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think this photo above is the best photo of  wisteria I took! Don’t you think so?

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed other flowers as well. I love purple or blue flowers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wisterias are called Fuji in Japanese and we have loved the flowers for more than 1800 years. We have painted the flowers a lot in the Japanese style of paintings. I am from Otsu, Shiga prefecture and Otsu-e ( painting below) is popular with the flowers.

She is called Fuji Musume in Japanese. The Fuji Musume is played in Kabuki as well.

As you know, Kabuki is played by only male actors.

Thank you for visiting my blog! I will update it soon again!

See you soon!

 

-Yumi

 

Spring Flowers in Japan

Hello there! Long time no see! How have you been so far? I am sorry that I hadn’t posted anything on my blog for a while. Now, I have returned!

In Japan we are in the mid spring and I would love to show you what kinds of flowers we can see in this season.

A couple of weeks ago, I went into my neighborhood and took some photos of these flowers called Renge in Japanese.

They bloom only in Spring. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astragalus_sinicus

I love these tiny flowers because they are my favorite color purple! They bloom in rice fields.

 

 

 

When I was a little girl, I used to make crowns or necklaces with these flowers with my childhood friends.

Look at the center of the photo! Can you see a bee?

The bee seemed to be busy to gather honey from the Renge flowers.

 

 

What kinds of flowers can you see in your area where you live now?

I will post other flowers for spring some time soon! So, stay tuned!!

Thanks for taking a look at my blog post! See you around!

 

-Yumi

 

China Fair in Kyoto

Hello there! How have  you been so far? I think you forgot that I have blogs, lol. Yes, I myself almost forgot about them as well, lol. Well, I had lost interest in blogging for a while. Since I have been away from this blog for months, I have no idea what I should write. Then, I found that writing about a china festival inKyoto might be interesting.

This summer was really hot, and I avoided going out. I rarely went out, and this festival was one of those rare times. I don’t know why people in Kyoto hold the china (porcelain) festival in summer because summer in Kyoto is one of the muggiest places in Japan.

Anyway, the festival is held every summer, and many people have visited there because it opens from the morning to evening. I suggest to go there in the evening because it’s much cooler. You will be very comfy.

You can see lots of stands where people are selling their hand-made porcelain on the streets. If you love porcelain, the place is heaven.

 

They don’t sell Western porcelain at all. All are Japanese styles.

 

 

 

 

Usually, our pottery shops are just like this.

These are incense plates with Chinese zodiacs. I know you think they are very Japanese.

Another pottery shop.

I love the pottery designs and took this photo.  For some reason the designs remind me of one of my favorite painters, Klimt :https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Klimt

My husband and I visited a temple for pottery. These statues are made from porcelain dishes. Isn’t it cool? I don’t know what the left side is, but I think the right side is a samurai.

I prayed to the God of pottery to improve my painting skills on porcelain, of course.

I have reblogged this blog entry on my other blog, my porcelain painting blog. I will start posting the blog soon as well.

See you around in two weeks!

-Yumi

 

I Miss Spring!

Hello there! It’s getting more muggy here, and I really miss our wonderful spring! How is the weather there? I hope you are having a good one.

Today, I want to show some photos of plum blossoms that I have taken a couple of months ago. Of course, our plum blossoms bloom in early spring. We can’t see them anymore.

I think our cherry blossoms are much popular than the plum blossoms in the world, but actually, they are really cute. I love both of them.  I especially love the rich pink ones.

I took these pictures at a shinto shrine close to our house.

Plum blossoms sometimes have been used to a Shito shrine, temple or family symbols like the flog.

 

This pink plum tree was so cute! I really loved this one.

 

This tree is white. The white one is pretty too, but I prefer the pink one.

 

Well, this is new. The shinto shrine has a pray spot for kitties. Since I am a cat person, I couldn’t help taking the photo!!

 

 

We have lots of different pink colors in our plum blossoms. This one is my favorite color!

 

Do you know what it is? This is called “omikuji” in Japanese. You can read about omikuji here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-mikuji This is a part of our shinto-ism or Buddhism. We are kind of superstitious and try to know our fortunes.  When I visited here, I tried it out. We usually leave the used omikuji like this in the photo. The white paper things in the photo are all used omikuji.

 

This plum tree is my favorite one. I really love the rich pink!

 

Plum blossoms are a good object for painting, and when you look at our ancient paintings, you can see a lot of them on papers, porcelain, woods and so on.

Now, we are having lots of hydrangeas. Which flowers can you see in your place now?

I hope you start a good week! See you in weeks here again!

 

-Yumi

Autumn in Japan

Hello there! How have you been? It’s been a while since I have posted my last blog. I had been busy for a while and, when I realize that, it’s the season that we can see leaves changing.

Last week, my husband and I went hiking the closest hill called Pon Pon Yama. It was the best timing for us to enjoy the autumn view. Since I took some photos, I want to show them to you. I hope you enjoy Japanese autumn views.

In the hill we have a Shito-shrine, and it’s popular among people who live in the area.

 

This statue is a guardian for a Shito-shrine called Komainu.

 

 

I think this is a monk’s house of the Shito-shrine.

 

 

This statue is called Jizo and God for children. He is my favorite God because his face looks always peaceful.

 

 

 

I am very proud of these Japanese maple leaves. I love their red. This is the Japanese autumn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The color green and the red are so pretty!

 

 

 

 

I found six cute zizou.

We enjoyed the views, the clean air, and walking. I realized that hiking is so much fun, and good for exercise. I want to do this more often from now on with my hubby.

It’s getting colder here. I think in some places it’s getting hotter. Stay warm or cool and don’t get sick.

See you around in two weeks again here!

-Yumi x

 

 

 

Spring Has Come in Japan!

Hi there! How have you been?  How is the weather there?

In Japan the weather is getting warmer, and now plum blossoms are full in bloom in my area where I live.

Last week my hubby and I went out to enjoy seeing the view of plum blossoms and took lots of photos. So, I want to share them with you today. I hope you feel Spring of Japan a little bit from the photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love this weeping plum tree! It’s so gorgeous!!!!

 

 

My hubby and I were so lucky to see some Japanese bush warblers, called Uguisu (うぐいす）in Japanese. I was so excited when I saw them to cry, “Take some pics of them!!!!!” to him, lol. Actually, he did a great job, lol. I want to paint the bird some time.

 

 

We will have cherry blossoms soon after the plum blossoms. I just can’t wait to see them!

Have a lovely weekend! See you tomorrow on my other blog, my porcelain painting blog!!

-Yumi

Japanese Castles

Hi there. How are you doing today? I have been sick for a while, and that’s why my blog entry was delay. I am sorry for that. I am getting better now, and you don’t need to worry about it.

Well, today I want to write about Japanese castles. As you know, our castles are quite different from Western ones.

During the world war 2, we lost lots of castles. Even so, we still have some original ones. I’ve been moving around many places because of my husband’s job in Japan. Through my experiences, I want to show some of my favorite castles here. I hope you enjoy it.

Osaka Castle:Osaka city, Osaka prefecture

I took my British friend, Maryn and my American friend, Zach to Osaka castle. We lost the original version during the ww2. However, it’s still beautiful and it’s a symbol of Osaka city where I live.

Osaka Castle

 

Osaka Castle

 

Osaka Castle

Click it. You can go to YouTube and see a video clip of Osaka castle

Matsumoto Caslte: Matsumoto city, Nagano prefecture

My family and I lived there 7 years ago before my husband got a promotion. Our first dog, lala was alive at that time, and walking around the castle was Lala and my working out. We still keep the original version of castle. I really love the castle because it’s so pretty in snow.

Matsumoto Castle

Wakayama Castle: Wakayama city, Wakayama prefecture

My family and I lived there almost 20 years ago. Our daughter was born in the city. The castle is one of the biggest castles in Japan. I still remember I really loved walking though in cherry blossoms seasons. The castle has tons of cherry trees and when they blooms, it’s so pretty. The castle isn’t original. We lost it during the ww2.

Wakayama castle

Hikone Castle: Hilone city, Shiga prefecture

This castle belongs to my home town, Shiga prefecture close to my husband’s university.

Hikone castle

This blog enty’s only a part of our castles. We have lots of castles everywhere from small to large. When you are interested in them, go to google image and search them. You can see a lot of pretty Japanese castles there.

I hope this blog entry helps you understand our culture a little bit.

Thanks you as always for visiting my blog.

See you next week!

-Yumi

Plum Blossoms

Hi there! How are you doing?

We are in a rainy season right now, but I want to show our spring pics for you, lol.

Two months ago, my British friend, Martyn came up and stayed at our house. I took him to several places and took lots of pics with him. Today’s entry is one of them.

In March, we have plum blossoms, and it’s before cherry blossoms.

Plum blossoms are very similar as cherry blossoms. I hope you love them!

Enjoy our beautiful spring!

My British friend, Maryn

 

Plum Blossoms

 

Plum Blossoms

 

Plum Blossoms

 

Plum Blossoms

 

Plum Blossoms

 

Plum Blossoms

 

Plum Blossoms

 

Plum Blossoms

 

Plum Blossoms

 

Plum Blossoms

 

Plum Blossoms

 

Plum Blossoms

 

I think you already realized that we have so many different kinds of plum trees. That’s why some of blossoms are light pink and others are rich pink or whatever.  Which pink is your favorite? I like dark pink ones the best. They are very cute!

Although spring has already passed, I hope you could enjoy Japanese spring!

See you next week on my blog again!

 

-Yumi

 

 

 

The Best Season Ever in Japan!

Hi there!

How have you been? I still have had a really bad cold and can’t stop coughing…….. Cough, cough, cough…….

A couple of days ago, a friend of mine lives in Tokyo came up, and I took her to Kyoto!  That’s because it’s the best season ever for us to enjoy viewing leaves changing!!!

It’s my first time to see her in person in 4 years. We used to go to the same porcelain school for years, but after I moved to Osaka, I quit the school. Since then I hadn’t met her for a while.

We had a great time in Kyoto!!

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Since the day was clear and fine, it was the best day for me to take a lot of photos.

I hope you can enjoy the Japanese leaves changing season through my post!

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

The place where I took my friend is called, Arashiyama, and it’s very popular in spring and fall.  When you come to Arashiyama in spring, you can enjoy viewing cherry blossoms and it’s a completely different scenery from this one.

This time everything here is red, and at that time everything here is PINK!

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

I love spring the best, but I love fall as well.

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

I love the place and it reminded me of Hayao Miyasaki movies a lot.

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

I am planning on going back to my previous porcelain school in Osaka again next year. I am really looking forward to it.

I asked my friend if she could come up again in spring. I hope she can make it. Then, I can take her here again to enjoy viewing cherry blossoms!!