Walking along the aisle of the food section in a Japanese supermarket is a mouth watering experience. Everything looks yummy! On a few occassions, we walked out of a supermarket with enough food for dinner. Hardly the intention in the first place.
There you go. Our dinner laid out on top of a luggage which became a makeshift dining table that night. We bought too much food that night!
Filed under Japan, Fall 2008
At Harajuku, one must stop and have a crepe. We had a crepe with chocolate ice cream, sliced bananas with whipped cream. Yummy!
And do some people watching!
And stop for a bowl of yummy ramen.
Filed under Japan, Fall 2008
Just around the corner from Harjuku is Omotesando Hills which is a road lined with trees and shops on both sides, not unlike Orchard Road.
It was the Sunday before Halloween and while walking along the streets, we were suddenly caught in a world of cute Japanese kids dressed up in costumes. I was thrilled and amused. The children are so adorable.
Three Princesses
Assorted characters which include a pumpkin and a pirate.
A bumblebee, a fox and a witch.
A man in tiger mask and his pet dog.
A spider.
A rat.
Two witches.
Minnie Mouse and her Spider friend.
Kawaii!
Filed under Japan, Fall 2008
Not them. Merely European tourists dressed up as geishas.
Accordingly to Lonely Planet, geishas could be found at Gion in Kyoto, usually from 6pm onwards. By a stroke of luck, we actually managed to spot a few.
Very evasive. They clearly don’t like the attention from the hordes of tourists who went into a mini frenzy when one is spotted. They look just painted porcelain Japanese dolls. Beautifully dressed and accessorised, they are a sight to behold. The elderly woman in the pictures seems to be in charge. Over 15 minutes or so, she was spotted with 3 different geishas before all of them quickly disappear into the night. Surreal.
Gion at night. Note the wet ground outside the shops which seem to be largely restuarants. Seems to be a custom for shop owners to wet the ground outside the shop front with water in the evening, at the start of their business day. Perhaps for luck.
Filed under Japan, Fall 2008
Kyoto must be one of the loviest place in Japan. Quaint and charming, it’s the perfect holiday spot. Some random photos taken in Kyoto.
Abit of nature
Beautiful landscaping
Quaint architecture
Ancient temples
Pagoda – Another World Heritage site
Streets like this which is full of character.
Lovely blooms
Filed under Japan, Fall 2008
A modern Japanese lady, whether young or old, wearing a kimono exudes such elegance. I have taken all these photos on the sly. So pardon the shaky hands and blurry pictures!
Filed under Japan, Fall 2008
If I have a million dollars, the Ginza strip in Tokyo is where I would spend it! It’s the best shopping district in Asia-Pacific. Surpass those in HK, Singapore and Seoul. Shop fronts are beautiful, imaginative, classy and often artistic. Luxury brands from all around the world can be found within steps of each other. You get the top notch Japanese service. Fabulous.
Swarovski LV
Then, my camera ran out of batt that night. So anti-climax.
Filed under Japan, Fall 2008
Big cheerful smile. All set for eating rampage which was to take place during the course of the 9 days in Japan!
Japanese curry with rice. Note: It was so NOT spicy at all. Tasted more like a kind of thick sweet stew with subtle hint of spices.
Another humongous smile. Expressing his delight at getting his hands on a pancake with bean paste filling. It was made freshly so it was warm and extremely yummy. (:
Filed under Japan, Fall 2008
He cautions you with a side glance. ‘Don’t eye my ramen.’
On a different occassion, in yet another ramen store. ‘MINE. All MINE.’
Filed under Japan, Fall 2008
Not one who particularly like taking photos of religious icons, I was unusually enthralled by this stone statue of a Buddha. It was tucked away in a quiet spot, partly shielded from prying eyes by shrubs and sheltered from the sun by branches and leaves. The tranquility of the environment and beauty of the sculpture leaves one mesmorised.
With brightly coloured kimonos and cheerful spirits, the 4 Japanese girls were dressed up for a day out to the temple.
On the grounds of the Ryoanji, which is a Zen temple and a World Heritage site, is this rock garden. Some say it is the highest expression of Zen art and teachings and perhaps the single greatest masterpiece of Japanese culture.
“The garden consists of raked white gravel and fifteen moss-covered boulders, which are placed so that, when looking at the garden from any angle (other than from above) only 14 of the boulders are visible at one time. It is traditionally said that only through attaining enlightenment would one be able to view the fifteenth boulder. In the Buddhist world the number 15 denotes completeness. So you must have a total view of the garden to make it a whole and meaningful experience, and yet, in the conditions of this world, that is not possible.” (Source: Wiki)
Behind the simple temple that overlooks the rock garden is a stone washbasin called Tsukubai, dated back to the 17th century. It bears a simple but profound four-character inscription: “I learn only to be contented.” This is the heart of Zen philosophy.
A pretty trail lined with trees on both sides.
A pond surrounded by lush greenery with mountains as the backdrop. In this photo, one can see leaves starting to turn colours. It’s early Fall.
Ornate roof tiles
Filed under Japan, Fall 2008
