Today, we finally made it down to Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu, the main shrine in Kamakura. It was actually a good thing it took us so long to make it down, though, as the cherry blossoms weren't quite at 100%. Maybe later this week... They were still pretty spectacular, though. Kamakura isn't really known for sakura—the city's … Continue reading Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Sakura
They Work Hard for Their Money II
Rain or shine.
Early Sakura
We visited Kosoku-ji, a small temple with amazing gardens just down the street from us, the other day, and were surprised to see a few cherry trees had already bloomed. Unfortunately, I only had my iPad mini on me, and the trees were rather far away, so the photos aren't as clear as I wish … Continue reading Early Sakura
End-of-season Wakame
I mentioned in a previous post that this year's wakame harvest has been poor. The ryōshi (fisher people) along our beach have managed to bring in a few days' worth of it, though. In this photo, you can see the wakame hanging from laundry clips to dry.
Yuigahama Love
We had a few days of gorgeous weather last week, and the beach was full of people. Kaede and I were collecting shells when we came across this heart of stones. I just now realized that Kaede's shadow made it into the shot—that wonderful stripey skirt must have caught my attention and kept it.
Hina Matsuri – What It’s All About
Hina Matsuri (the Doll Festival), AKA Momo-no-Sekku (the Peach Festival), AKA Girls' Day, is the day when Japanese families celebrate their daughters. I wrote about it a bit the other day in the Hina Matsuri Tsurushibina post, and I'll include the text at the bottom, too. These two dolls represent the emperor and empress at … Continue reading Hina Matsuri – What It’s All About
Hina Matsuri Tsurushibina
The Doll Festival (Hina Matsuri/Momo no Sekku/Girls' Day) is just around the corner (well, March 3), and families with daughters—and hotels like Hakone's Kowaki-en—are setting out their decorations. Families with daughters display a special set of dolls to bring happiness and health to their girls. The dolls represent the wedding procession of an emperor and … Continue reading Hina Matsuri Tsurushibina
Wakame Harvesting
This year has been a bad year for wakame. Last year, the harvest was good. It was so good that the beach was strewn with wakame, both farmed and wild. Early mornings would see neighbourhood ojisan and obasan out gathering it in overflowing shopping bags. We had wakame shabu shabu time and again in the … Continue reading Wakame Harvesting
Zuisen-ji Green
One of the things I love best about Japan is its greenery. It may have massive cities and more concrete than you can shake a stick at, but when it's green, it's green--with ferns, bamboo, towering cedars, and soft moss. And you really don't have to go too far off the beaten track to find … Continue reading Zuisen-ji Green
Zuisen-ji Close-up
It's 6am and I'm at Hong Kong International Airport. I cannot for the life of me remember what this is, just that it is from Zuisen-ji. But, I haven't posted for two days, so up it goes. Will try to get details once I'm home.
女性専用 - Inn By The Sea Kamakura - Women's Guesthouse 