I went to my favorite place, 「Hamanako Garden Park」yesterday.
It's a big park laid out by Hamamatsu city for a flower exhibition.
Now the exhibition was over, though it is maintained enough for local citizens as a place of recreation and relaxation.

There is a 「Monet's garden」at the end of the garden. 
I said "It's the best season to see tulips because of full bloom.", and took my family to there.

This park's 「Monet's garden」is very beautiful.
It is laid out completely like the garden laid out by Claude Monet in Giverny in France.
I went to there 10 years ago, and I remember the admission fee was high, but the garden hadn't been looked after enough.
However I was a little moved, because I realized Monet painted Water lilies at this place.

「Monet's garden」of Hamamatsu is a copy of the original one.
But I can see how much the garden designers care about the gerden.
It is an extreamely well- kept garden.
Besides, the admission fee is free, and that's why I recommend it.

I talked to the garden designer about the plants of the garden.
He planted almost all the same plants as the original Monet's garden a few years ago when the exhibition was held.
Now, he choose plants that give the same image with his idea.
There are many rare flowers, so he orders almost the entire these flowers through the Internet.

My husband and I know most of plants, because our hobbies are gardening.
Still, we are impressed with the garden every time we visit.
In case of a tulip, only some quite unusual kinds ones are planted.
For instance, does this red tulip look like a rose? ↓

This one's each flower leaf's end is like a fringe. ↓

This one has many flower leaves like a peony.

This one is really gorgeous as you can see!

These tulips are also all rare breeds.

I feel embarrassed saying about its price as I talk about beautiful flowers.
But, rare breed's bulbs are expensive.
I know gardening costs an awful amount of money, because I keep my garden.
So, I'm very impressed by the fact that so many rare kinds of tulips are planted in such a huge garden.
Furthermore, the color, the height, and the blooming time of plants are all perfectly calculated!!

A pond that water lilies float in is some way along the garden.
This place is also quite the same as the real pond.
It is a little later that wisteria around Taiko-bridge and water lilies in the pond will bloom. 

The only different thing is not to be able to enter a house of Monet.
Perhaps, it's too much work to take care of the house in addition to the garden..
I want the house to be opened as a café.

The garden will have beautiful roses in a month.
Then, I'll be back!

I returned to my native place, Hiroshima, for a short time.
Japanese love cherry blossoms, and they enjoy cherry blossoms viewing in the season.
If I go somewhere to do it ..., I must choose Miyajima.
Miyajima is one of the Three Great Sights of Japan, and also a World Heritage.
Especially, it is great when cherry blossoms bloom in spring, and the leaves turn red or yellow in autumn.

By the way, Miyajima also attracts people's attention now for another reason.
Japanese long-running TV drama, 「Tairano Kiyomori」is being broadcast now, and Miyajima is one of a place in connection with it.
(This is the photo of a poster of the drama)

Tairano Kiyomori is the person who entirely remodeled Itsukushima Shrine that had been built, at the end of Heian era.
He had big power, so he built the Shrine and the huge Torii in the sea.

A ferry boat is passing though between the torii.
It is only available at the high tide.

Look at these pictures of Miyajima.
They're presents for everyone watching my blog.


Now, I start telling today's main topic.
Hamamatsu where I live is famous for 「eel dishes」with eel that are caught in Hamana Lake.
Miyajima is famous for 「conger dishes」with conger that are caught in the Inland Sea.
I think Japanese who compared both by eating may be few, though I like both.

Let me introduce a very famous eel restaurant,「Ueno」.

「Ueno」sold 「conger lunch box」at Miyajima station 100years ago.
Now, they still sll lunch box and we can also eat in the restaurant.

Do you know the difference between 「a conger」 and「an eel」?
Conger lives in shallow sea, and eel basically lives in the river.
Both are good to eat, and it is said that eel has more fat.
This is conger → → →

「Ueno」is not only good restaurant that serves delicious dishes, but also the interior decoration is retro and nice.
It is always crowded with tourists and locals , though the restaurant has a space where some antique are exhibited, so they may not get tired of looking.

This↑
It is drawn by me, and posted on my refrigerator with magnets.

I and my son are huge fan of「ONE PIECE」that is one of Japanese comics.
He asked me to draw some characters of the animation.
「Let me see...
　I can't remember how their face are, even you say so...」
Finally, I drew them as looking at a calendar of ONE PIECE.
And it was a single chance to write, because I wrote with a ball point pen.
There is something wrong with my drawing as compared with the original designs, but I don't care about it.

When I drew those faces, a question came to me.
Japanese comics are popular all over the world,
and a lot of people read the comics and TV animation.
But, do you draw such kind of characters?
For instance, do children in other countries draw characters of ONE PIECE by themselves?

I was born in 1970's,
And I grew up with watching TV animation; 「HEIDI a girl of the Alps」, and「Doraemon」.
When I was an elementary school student, I watched 「Those Obnoxious Aliens」「Candy Candy」, and read comics.
At the same time, I also drew comics.
That is an ordinary thing for girls, and my friends and my sister also drew pictures like comics, or comics with a plot like me.
(Of course, I remember that there was a boy who could draw comics well, not only girls)

So, I sometimes draw comics like this ↓

But my 7-year -old daughter said,"Mmm... your pictures are a little strange"
Perhaps, my touch is different from present's. Oh,no.

Then, we asked a girl who lives in the neighborhood and can draw well to draw a picture of modern touch.
This is a popular character even overseas, Hatsune Miku↓

Definitely, it is different from my age.
My daughter keeps the picture carefully.

She wants to be good at drawing like me.
So, her favorite book now is this↓

Its title is「Munekyun Manga Irasuto」.
It is an instruction book of drawing pictures of girls' faces well.
There are some instructions of keeping face balance between left and right, various expressions of eyes and fingers, fashion's point, and position etc...

There is a similar book in my childhood.
Therefore Japanese may be good painters.
And, it may make comic artists.

However, public impression about comics in these days is much different from in my childhood.   
When I was a child, comics were not culture, and just kids' amusement.
If adults read comics, people looked at them dubiously. 
If a kid was heavily into comics and animations, he was called 「Otaku」,and made a dull and withdrawn impression.

But now, there is the trend of the times that comics are part of culture, because comics are popular all over the world.
These days, even if an adult says "I love comics", people don't think the person is strange.
The passage of time is wonderful.

There is an official 「Comics club」 in the school, and some children spend after school hours there to read and draw comics.
My niece belongs to the club, too.
She who loves books reads a book mingled comic and historical novel.

The comics' culture, which is created in Japan.
It may evolve more and more from now on!


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Recently, I have been to my favorite 「Takoyaki shop」.
Today, I'm writing about Takoyaki, introducing the shop at the same time.

I wonder if you, who read this blog outside Japan, know about Takoyaki. Do you? 
Some of you might know about it even if you have never tasted it before because it is often seen in Japanese comic books and animation.

Takoyaki is popular for Japanese people.
It's almost a snack rather than meal, and everyone from kids to adults likes it.
It's a thing like a hamburger in the United States or crepe in France.

Takoyaki originated in the Kansai region of Japan, but now you can find it all over the country.
Its shape is round and looks almost all the same, but the size of a shop, the price, and the taste of Takoyaki are different at each shop.
My favorite「Takoyaki」is made at this shop.

A very friendly man manages this place on his own.
He makes and sells only 「Takoyaki」.

A special hot plate with round hollows is used to fry Takoyaki.
First, flour and water are mixed up together and poured into the hollows. Then, chopped octopus and vegetables are added to it. After the half bottom part of the Takoyaki is done, the Takoyaki is turned upside down.
When it happens, some portions of Takoyaki come out from the hollows, which you cannot see on the pictures above. The portions are pushed into the hollows as they are turned upside down.
It finally forms the shape like a golf ball.

In Japan, a lot of people make Takoyaki at home with their own little Takoyaki plate. I have my own at home, of course!!
However, it's kind of difficult to make Takoyaki that have a nice ball-like shape.
It's so much fun to roll Takoyaki to make them round with the pick, though!
That's why Takoyaki party is very popular among the young.

By the way, the man working at the Takoyaki shop loves baseball.
Around just outside of the shop, there is a little space where customers can wait until their Takoyaki is ready or eat it if they want to. He placed signboards and chairs which used to be set at a baseball stadium somewhere. He said he got them from auction.

I found a mark,↓, on the counter of the shop and looked down to see what's there; then, there was a wooden step that he made.

Kids who come to the shop with their mother almost always try to see how Takoyaki is made, but they are too short to reach the counter・・・・.
The Takoyaki man is such a nice guy, so he made the step for little kids.

「The shoe sticker」is there to let people know that it's okay to step on with their shoes on.
When Japanese people see this kind of step, they often hesitate to get on it with their shoes on because they think the step might be a chair.
If there was no sticker, I would ask the man, "Is it okay to step on?" before I let my kids to get on it.
I guess that's the way most Japanese people think and act when they are that kind of situation.

Seriously, Takoyaki here is so good!
It's only 300 yen for 8 pieces per pack.
I like Takoyaki because it's hot and round like a ball, and I can finish it by one bite.
I think Takoyaki is cute and that's what grabs Japanese heart.

Are there skating rinks in your town?

In Japan, cities have skating rinks.
These rinks are mostly used as indoor swimming pools during summer, and as skating rinks in winter only, and many people at all age use them.


I had taken lessons of skating in my childhood.
Children like me are usual, (but basically girls are).
Some people take lessons of skating, and other people do skating as a hobby or sport.

The total fee includes an admission fee and the rental fee of a pair of skates is about \1800.
Children pay half the price.
Is it a little bit expensive? , even Japanese think so.
But, it can't be helped.
Because the management fee of the skate rink costs a lot of money.

There is the place for renting a pair of skates, entering into the facility after buying a ticket, and then, you ask the employee to borrow them of own size.

Change your shoes into a pair of skates in the locker room.
The facility is used as a swimming pool during summer, and this place is also used to change the clothes for the same reason.

Well, let's go to the rink.
I love this moment from my childhood upward.

The facility has two ice rinks, large and small.
Though those rinks were not crowded because of a weekday before noon, many families and couples dating come here during a weekend, and the rinks become be crowded.

The man wearing blue jacket on an above picture is a staff of the skate rink.
Actually, there are other staffs except him, and they skate and circle on the rink like a lifeguard.
They asked some people who can't skate if they need their help.
And, they also teach you how to skate if you ask them.
Of course, it is only a few minutes, but it is quite helpful.

My daughter became a little bit better skater with their help, too.
She likes Mao Asada who is a Japanese skater, very much.
In Japan, skating has been popular from old years though, especially the resent years, skating becomes very popular because of the activity of young Japanese skater.

Some kids who learn skating seriously skated on the rink.

By the way,
An ice rink gradually gets many lines and holes, because many people skate on the rink and shave ice of it.
Then a staff keeps a rink in good condition with a special vehicle like a below picture a few times a day.
First, shave the surface of a rink, and next, sprinkle water on ice.
Then, the new layer of ice will be made.
This work takes about 20 minutes though; you will feel great to skate on the rink whose maintenance of ice was just finished!

When I saw the rink and I found a message in Japanese; that means「Fight! Japan!」
I realized that such a message was hidden even here.

I make miso every year and every this season.
Then miso which I made yesterday is this.↑
Miso is made of soybean, rice, koji, and salt.
An episode that tells about making miso is this link.

It is white color because it is just made now.
But, it becomes brown in a half year, because it will be fermented by koji.
Then I will be able to eat it.
Koji is a kind of bacteria which human beings have utilized from old times, and it is living!

This picture shows koji on rice.↑
Koji is sold at koji shop, and this operation is also conducted by the workers at the shop. When I went to the small shop, it was very crowded.
The moment I thought why (It is rude), I became aware of the reason.  
Now, the thing called Salt Koji is very popular.

Salt Koji is the seasoning made of salt, koji, and water.
It has been the boom, since it was broadcasted. 

Salt Koji can be easily made on your own if you get koji.
When it is finished, Salt Koji is put on meat and vegetables, and then they are grilled.
I heard that koji made food more nutritious, and tastier.
The efficacies of Salt Koji is skin enhancement, intestinal disorders control, and increase in immune strength etc...
Only replacing salt with Salt Koji in case of using salt may be more effective to your bodies.

So....I did.

I Mixed koji, salt and let them ferment for about a week.
In about two days, it may be completed.
Though, it looks same as this.

I feel it's fun to keep and watch bacteria.

I have another bacterium.
It's a bacterium for making yoghurt.

It's named Yoghurt of the Caspian Sea, and the bacteria of yoghurt can be cultured easily.
It becomes yoghurt in a day after being put the bacteria into milk.
I have made yoghurt by this method many times for three years, because I put the rest of previous yoghurt into milk repeatedly.
My intestine has been working well since I started eating the yoghurt!
Though Yoghurt of the Caspian Sea has been known in Japan since 10 years before, did you know it?  

Gee～、
This is the second bacteria of our family.
Bacteria, bacteria, bacteria!
It's fun living with those bacteria.

Well, I found an article about that "A drink named KOMBUCHA is popular among people who well care about own health."  in the paper.
If Japanese hear the name, they find it's a strange name.
Because it must be a Japanese product's name.
Besides, KOMBUCHA is hot seaweed tea in Japan.
But, in point of fact, the drink is KOUCHAKINOKO that was popular as a health drink in Japan.
The drink is a fermented drink that can be cultivated at home, too.
It might be a big mistake that it is named so, but people may have discovered new merits in bacteria worldwide.



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It has been a year since the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred.
I have received many messages from people overseas reading my blog.
I deeply appreciate your support for us.
On the other hand, I think many people care about how about our present life is.

Today, I report the present situation of Japan as just a housewife living in Hamamatsu.

First, yesterday, March 11th, just a year past since the earthquake, the news about the earthquake was reported all over the country not only by the newspapers but also on TV all day.
The ceremonies for the victims died by the earthquake were also held all areas of the country.

The number of deaths and missing people are 20,000. 
I who was living a life as usual got nervous, when it was around 2:46, which was the exact time that the earthquake occurred last year.
Even my daughter said that she wanted to let them know before the arrival of tsunami, if she could time travel a year before.
It is so cruel that nobody can be aware of a tragedy until it occurs.

And yesterday was very cold like just then.
The snow fell unusually in Hamamatsu.
It reminded me of the earthquake because of the weather like that day's.

I have always heard a word "reconstruction" every single day since last year in Japan.
I often see other words,「Cheer up Japan!」,「Ties」,and 「Support」, too.
I feel ties among Japanese have been united because of the earthquake.
But, on the other hand, we have serious problem now.
we cannot manage「rubble」that is left in the areas which were hit by the tsunami.

The total amount of rubble is 22,520,000 tons,
and we only finished about 6.3 % of the disposal.
It's impossible to dispose all locally; therefore, we must transport lots of the rubble to Tokyo or Shizuoka, and other such places to dispose of burning there.
But it is difficult to make plans to do it, because some people don't want to accept it.
The rubble that may includes radioactivity.
That's why they don't want to accept it.

This is a food catalog of co-op I order every week.
After the earthquake, a copy is enclosed with it.

It is an inspection report whether the foods contains radioactive substance or not by coop actively, and the data shows that it is not contained into rice, vegetables, fruits, bean curd, and meet.

When I went to my daughter's elementary school,
a woman who has a child got the teacher to explain whether all ingredients of meals are inspected or not. 
Some people especially care about that kind of things, I think.
I don't mind it. (Because I am concerned about chemicals and food additives not only it.)
As well as the problem about rubble, if Japanese government could show correct information to the public after inspection, and dispel a general feeling of unrest, Japan would be quickly reconstructed.

If a year since the earthquake is compared to be haplessly, sad, and puzzlement, the next year is the time to take a step forward with all Japanese power that they have all.

The current Hinamatsuri season is over.
In Japan, March 3rd  is called 「Momo no Sekku」, and parents who have a girl or girls celebrate her growth in good health.
I introduced the story about it before, please read them ,if you have interest.

Hinamatsuri is an event which is easy to understand , for example, decorating dolls, or singing a song of Hinamatsuri .
Therefore it is generally held at a kindergarten.
And students make the ornament like this.↓↓↓

It's made by my son, and I realized that he's a boy, again.
Because he put his minicar next to the ornament before I noticed.

By the way, as for Hinamatsuri, it reminds me of rape blossoms.
It is a food in season just at that time.

During the season, it is always sold at my sweet spot, where I introduced before in 「unmanned Marche」, too.
So I eat it almost everyday.

The rape blossoms are the plant of the mustard family of the friend of a Japanese radish or a turnip, and the flower buds and the soft leaves are eatable.
Eat flower buds??
Mmm,are broccoli the same as them, I wonder?
But I wonder how is in other countries.
Do you eat any flower buds?

I eat it after parboiling with sour orange-based sauce and dried bonito.
Putting the buds beside a slice of grilled pork is nice, because they're flower.
It is highly nutritious food included such as vitamin, and has bitter sweet taste.

By the way, if it is left untouched, it will have such a flower.↓↓↓

There is a broad expanse of rape blossoms.
In the past, these flowers are planted to extract cooking oil in Japan.
In the season of bloom, many bees flew past each other, and also honey was taken.
A rape field is the scenery that reminds Japanese of nostalgia for old Japan.
Therefore, in these days, it is often planted in the large park of a city or tourist site.

At the same time as rape blossoms,
what makes Japanese become aware of that spring has come is this.↓↓↓

Perhaps, everyone doesn't know it.
This is called"TSUKUSHI", and a fertile of field-horsetail.
Field Horsetail is one of a wild grass grows naturally on a bank and a field.
Tsukushi 's buds are also out in the spring.
Japanese eat them, too!
In my childhood, I picked off a bagful of them with my father at the bank near my home.
Tsukushi is also boiled when people eat it..

I introduced vegetables familiar to Japanese so far.
Then, what is the name of these leaves?↓↓↓

The answer is artichoke.
It is growing up about 1meter now in my garden.
The portion of the flower which can be eaten comes out in early summer.
It is sold in France as a common vegetable, and with canned food, too, you know?
But in Japan, it is quite rare, and people over 90% haven't eaten it yet, I think. 
There's been a bumper crop year after year since I tried to plant it few years before. Because Hamamatsu's climate is warm.
My friends come to my garden are always surprised, and say "What's that?"
Hahaha That's funny～.


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When I came to this shop first time, I thought that I lost my way.

because there is only field and dilapidated house, and warehouses around here. couldn't see any shops!!

That is the gardening shop!!!! ↑↑↑

now you know why I couldn't find it easily!!

There are many the houses and warehouses which were made with tin of 40 or 50 years ago. 

In Japan, unless it is a much palatial residence and a building which is historically worthy, an old house is destroyed and is rebuilt newly.

It is unusual for Japanese to live in a building old with a reformation repetition like Europe.

The easy building dressed and built for the high-growth era of Japan is in the fate which disappears these days.

In particular, it is not beautifully strong, either and there is also no historical value. 

but some people can feel nostalgic by like this old style things.

These days, popular "foppish general dealer" and "foppish cafe" use the nostalgic well in Japan.

Young people is charmed by the stale touch which cannot be taken out in several years, and the cheaper space which can be taken out only to that time and where it feels and wonderful warmth is felt.

The refined which the paint of tin came off and rusted tastes, and is deep sentiment. 

Here is front of the shop↑↑

If a store is established in the center of a town, the charge of a tenant will become high, but it could open at a low price fairly in case of this housing in the middle of a field,I guess.

inside of the shop↑↑

I bought two flowerpots on that day. 

It was Sunday morning, this shop was very busy!!

there are many people who come to see a store even from a distance to find something new.

There must also be many people fascinated with this nostalgic air. like me!!

Hoshi-imo is dried sweet potatos.

It is the best season to eating it while autumn to winter which dry season.

We can buy Hoshi-imo at supermarket but my daughter is saying the best is the green tea shop where is near by my house.

Hoshi-imo is made to usually dry with a drying machine but this Hoshi-imo is made with sun drying and all handmade.

We should call this tea shop and order the Hoshi-imo, then they call us when they made it!!

Look at this amber color!!　↑↑

amazing nature power isn't it??

That is just dried but taste is soooo good and very very sweet taste!!!!

I bought lots!!! it is much better than junk snacks!!!

and tea shop lady said, ''you like Hoshi-imo very much!!? that is good for you!!! because this Hoshi-imo is very healthy!!'' 

also she gave us dried radish strips!! and she said ''this is good for you too''!!!

That is Japanese radish. cut it then dry. we call it ''Kiriboshi-daikon'' in Japanese.

She said, try it!! that is handmade!! she put it in Miso soup every morning, because it is in rich iron!!

then I tried it!!! put in Miso soup!! that was very delicious!!

dried sweet potatos,→Hoshi-imo

dried Japanese radish..→Kiriboshidaikon

ohhhh, I have Hoshigaki(dried persimmons) at my house!!!

Do you like persimmon?

in Japan, we eat persimmon when it is hard, like apple or eat Hoshigaki.

Do you know how to make Hoshigaki?

use astringent persimmon, peel it and dries outside and makes it dried fruit.

That's all process to make ''Hoshigaki'' !!!

An astringent taste not only falls out, but only by drying, it becomes very sweet.

The method of preservation of "drying" is very simple, and wonderful that nutritive value also becomes high and becomes delicious.

In Japan, that of "drying food" is a little boom now and the net and basket for drying vegetables, fruit, and a fish are also sold.

We had tea time with dried foods!!

We love this lazy and slow time:))

An interesting thing was delivered to Miko's house.
What do you think about the thing that like a sheet on my hand?

I previously told about "Collar stiffener" , which Apis corporation ,the sponsor of this blog ,sells as a best-seller.
The item forms collar's shape by being put into collar's pockets.
I explained about it in my previous episode, so check it out, please.→

Collar stiffener needs a certain pocket to be inserted, otherwise it isn't useful.
But it's such a convenient item, that there are many demands of customers who want to use it with their shirts that have no pocket, I heard.
So, Apis corporation developed a new product named 「col-poshe」.
It's a glueable pocket for Collar stiffener!!!

Put it on back of a collar after taking it from the sheet.
The adhesive tape which sticks to fabrick was developed by Apis Corporation,
because normal one comes off right away.
 
I tried it on my shirt.
My shirt is made of thin fabric, so I could never form the collar as I wanted.

Insert a Collar stiffener after attaching Colposhe on a collar.
I am wondering why it doesn't come off.
The adhesive strength is strong, so it has no concern about coming off.

I formed the collar's shape for myself with the collar stiffners in Colposhe.
Let's see.
Apis corporation's collar stiffener is fun, because it is made of flexible material to bend many times.

Today, I took pictures of myself as a model (Hahaha)

It keeps the shape, even if I unbutton, so it doesn't give a bad impression.
I feel like my shirt is a completely different clothes, now and wearing it becomes much more fun than before.

Now, I made the collar stand up with another sweater.
It's impossible to keep the shape of the collar like that without the collar stiffener.
This is quite fun, and very interesting!

Colposhe had been sold at Mitsukoshi in Ebisu in Tokyo for the first time.
It is able to be attached on any clothes like a polo shirt, a Hawaiian shirt, a coat, or a jacket.
That was why it was very popular there.
I heard someone bought it for his turtleneck sweater.
I see...it can be used for anything to form any shape, and there is no rule.
So,

It's also a good idea.
This is my favorite cap.
By bending its short brim upward, it's getting cuter like a beret cap.

Did you notice that colposhe was attached on the brim?↓

Colpshe is sold for \630 per sheet.
You can buy it on this page. ↓↓↓
　　　　　　　Japanese Goods eBay Auction

It is basically single-use item, but you can keep it for a while on unwashable item like a coat or jacket.
It can be used in many other different ways with your various idea.
Why don't you try it?

Do you know what is ''Yaku-doshi''(critical age, unlucky year)??

It is believed that evil is the age 24,41, 60 years etc also before and after 3years from those age which falls on on the body easily.

Since it is the old thought handed down from China, there were many Japanese people who do not care at all about ''Yaku-doshi'' for long time,but now many young people worry or think about it because they are interesting ''spirit power'' or ''power spot''.

"Exorcism" exorcises evil spirits so that a calamity may not fall on on the body at the temple or shrine. 

The Hattazan is located at Iwata city where is next to Hamamatsu city.

This temple is very famouse in local people but we from Hiroshima didn't know it.

We went to there on January 2nd, there were very very traffic.soooo many... then we decided to go back to home today then come back another day.

Here is another day...photo is Sonei temple↑↑

a temple called Soneiji (尊永寺 (そんえいじ) ) is located in the mountain of a power spot called Tayama. It was built by the Emperor of those days in A.D. 725. ↑↑↑

Hattazan temple is a splendid temple more than it was imagining.

And very long way..

ohhhh nooo, look at the picture↑↑↑

stairs...stairs...stars.

My daughter said, "I count it" and ran up!!

then she told me ''there were 240 steps!!!''. well done!!!

The place which went up stairs had Hondo(the main temple).

Before going into Hondo, a hand is washed by Seisui (holy water) and the body is purified with the smoke which burned the scent.

then pray at the Hondo.

It is supposed that a calamity can be avoided but if you would like to avoid a calamity seriously more, pay money specially and get a Buddhist priest to pray.  

My kids bought good-luck charm.

They will put it in their school bag.

On another way to which it gets down from Hondo, we found the small cave.

 This cave is a hole for a Buddhist doing ascetic practices.

Inside is a dome about 2 meters in diameter. dark and silent.

Furthermore, when we walked, there was the dumpling store of the noted product of this temple.

This dumpling a "charm-against-misfortunes dumpling" has the unusual form stuck in five skewers.

you can buy it to go and eat at there.

100 yen per stick.

these green tea is free!!!

very very very delicious dumpling!!! 

This is very nice sweet after long walking!!!!

In Japan, there is a hut which is carrying out vegetable sale in this way,mostly in local area.

These were very fresh vegetables which were took in the morning.

Japanese radish, spinach,sweet potato and lettuce etc.

a turnip, Chinese cabbage, a mandarin orange

The hut of vegetable sale is uninhabited mostly.

Can you believe it??

The owner of a hut puts in order the fresh vegetables which were able to be taken at their fields in the morning.

The person who bought it puts money into a coin box.

Japanese people don't think that stole vegetables and money at like this unmanned marche.

I come to buy some vegetables twice a week.

It is 100 yen.

cheap, fresh and soooo delicious is at here!!!

That is coin box↑↑

I went to another unmanned marche but there were nothing.

This is other coin box..so defenseless.

next is egg vending machine.

The fresh eggs in there.

put in coin then can open the door and get eggs.

I hard a news on TV long time ago, that was a woman stolen eggs every time from like this easy style egg vending machine then she was arrested....I couldn't believe it..

My 4 years old son was very excited to go there.

Although it was open in the big event hall near Hamamatsu Station, there were so many family like us.

Tomika is the very standard toy and loved by little boys in Japan from 40 years ago.

We have to pay entrance fee!!  adult 900 yen, child 700 yen......

When coming in, one article-not-for-sale minicar per admission ticket is given but in the hall, the product of Tomika is sold like the toyshop, and many persons buy it. should we really need to pay entrance fee??

Almost all Tomika sold to chronological order are exhibited in this hall. 

Tomika born 40 years ago.

It is able to continue making a polite toy by President Tomiyama's desire to send the minicar of a domestic car to children.

This is the first Tomika's minicar.　↓↓

My brother had same minicar I think.

The latest Tomika's design.↓↓

you can buy for 300 or less yen per piece at the toy shop.

That is not big price but it looks very nice!! don't you think so that?

I also have sense of reliability and a favorable impression in Tomika.

Tomika enters the auto show held from ten years ago in Tokyo as smallest vehicle company in the world.

Although it is a toy car, the design and concept which gazed at the future are sent.

A car with a solar panel ↑↑ very coooool !!!

My son devoured Tomika one by one with his eyes.

I want to give toys my son like Tomika that has good quality and nice color.

The big vehicles of a rescue or rescue crew are also popular with children.

It is realistic and hard to break,that is why Tomika is very popular.

I think Tomika is good souvenir for foreigner too!!

Japanese school has winter holiday from December 23rd to January 6th. and most Japanese company is from December 30 to January 4th.

My family, children and I went to Hiroshima by Shinkansen then my husband headed to Hiroshima by his car later and we will go back to Hamamatsu together by car.

A New Year is the most important and big event in Japan, so many people go back to their hometown during winter holiday, there is always crowded at plat home of the Shinkansen and highway.

The first photo is at the Hamamatsu station.↑↑

There were many mother accompanied by small kids like me.

Everybody same think and way!! catch the Shinkansen before crowded.

a crew gave my children some cards when we got seats.

Japanese children love Shinkansen!! we can buy some Shinkansen goods at the stations.

This is Hamanaka lake!! after 10 minutes leaving from Hamamatsu station.

It was a nice weather in Hamamatsu that day.

After an hour, changed the view!

It was snowing view!! there is Shiga prefecture.

When snowstorm is severe, the Shinkansen run at a low speed. 

Probably, Japan is interesting that a scene changes like this only by moving with the Shinkansen for 1 hour, although it is a very small country.

A crew gave that band-aids for my children when I bought lunch boxes.↑↑

Kids love the Shinkansen but the ticket is expansive.

For example, my ticket was 15,800 yen and my daughter(elementary student)'s ticket was 7,900 yen, my son was free. 

Since the reserved seat was taken this time, it became comparatively high-priced. 

It is about 600-km migration length that has ridden on the Shinkansen for 3 hours. 

How is it compared with a foreign rapid transit railway? Isn't it high? 

If buy round trip tickets all my family, it will be cost about 100,000 yen for returning my parents's house... too much...

Here is Hiroshima station↑↑

This stations is big and many shops at there.

I found a very interesting one!

That is the Kumano cosmetic brushes!!　its specialty product of Hiroshima prefecture.

2011 World cup of women football, Nadeshiko Japan became a champion!! and Japanese government gave them this Kumano cosmetic brushes.

The wonderful brush for calligraphy was made in Kumano in Hiroshima Prefecture for many years.

of course, Hiroshima people know that!! Nationally, it was seldom known.

but now, many Japanese people know that!!

This Kumano brushes will be part in the good souvenir from Hiroshima.

Hiroshima station for Shinkansen↑↑