Highlights of our Hokkaido trip

Note: Pardon for this long overdue post. I have nothing but a few lame excuses for procastinating. I know you are eager to hear what we did, what we ate, where we went, so I won't keep you waiting. ;)

To start off, I must say that this was the first and the grandest (in terms of expenses) vacation we ever had here in Japan. Some friends even wondered why on earth did we want to have a vacation in the coldest part of Japan on the coldest month of the year? Many reasons, the most significant of which (at least for us) are to chase snow, and feast on Hokkaido's superb dishes. Not only did we achieve these, we also had grand time with our friends who unselfishly accommodated us in their house.

Food, food, and more food!
We ate at home during our entire stay in Hokkaido, but it was as if we were eating out because the dishes served to us were truly superb. The likes of Genghis Khan barbeque, chawan mushi, soba, tempura and lots more I forgot what they are called. And oh, grilled mochi with seaweeds! Of course, we always had soup, different kind each day.

We went with our friends for their grocery shopping, and my eyes (not jaw) dropped as I get to see the low, low prices of seafoods and vegetables. Pumpkin, for example, was only 50yen -- about 1/3 of the price here in Tokyo. A pack of bean sprouts was goodness gracious 10yen! Crabs, lobsters, prawns and many fishes and fish eggs were, if I'm not mistaken, about half the price in Tokyo. Not to mention, they were all sold FRESH (not seemingly fresh)! Oh, it makes me want to stay in this part of Japan and devour on all those. ;)

There is only one thing I find more expensive than in Tokyo -- my baby's milk! But no choice, I had to buy a few boxes.

Shiny, white snow
Meter-high snow welcomed us when we arrived in Fukagawa. It was a fine day when we arrived there but I felt I was freezing to death. Walking on snow needs an extra care so as not to slip (it melts when the sun is up the whole day).

We played on the snow, tried to make a big snowman which turned out to be a snowdevil (that's what our friends call it). My son and I tried to make snowball. It seems so easy to make one when we watched the Teletubbies, but in reality, it was rather difficult I gave up in the end. My son enjoyed it though not minding his already wet and very cold gloves. Our friend patiently made a snowhouse, and according to him, it was warmer inside.

Just the sight of snow makes me warm inside. I don't know why, but I am kinda happy to experience such a wonderful thing and endure the very cold weather, at least for one week. On a fine day, the rays of the bright sun shine through the snow below and produces a sparkling array of stars down.

Oh, we also went tobogganing twice. Hubby enjoyed it the most. Afterwards, we headed to the onsen.

Onsen
What a comfy feeling to bathe in natural hot spring overlooking the sky and falling snow, while having a nice chat with your friend? At first, I thought I could not endure the 41-degree hot water, but as I slowly immersed myself, I started to feel good. My friend and I hopped from one pool to another, inside then outside, and back.

After almost two hours insde the onsen (that includes bath, shower, dressing up, and a few sips of tea or water), going out didn't make us feel cold anymore.

New Year's Eve
We went to the shrine near our friends' house and waited in line for our turn to hit the gong. Striking the gong is the Japanese way of waking up the townspeople and saying, "Hey. it's already 2007!" At the strike of midnight, many people suddenly showed up and queud up for their turn to show those striking power. ;)

Photos coming up in the next post! ;)

Yoyogi Koen in Shibuya

Sorry for this delayed post. It must have slipped my mind to post it right after we arrived home from our strolling at the huge and forest-like Yoyogi Koen, located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.

We visited the park at a time when the leaves were just starting to change from the cool greens of summer to the awesome shining colors of autumn.

Here's a brief yet interesting description from Japan-Guide.com:

Yoyogi Koen (Yoyogi Park) is one of Tokyo's largest city parks, featuring wide lawns, ponds and forested areas. It is a great place for jogging, picnicking and other outdoor activities.

Although Yoyogi Park has relatively few cherry trees compared to other sites in Tokyo, it makes a nice cherry blossom viewing spot in spring. Furthermore, it is known for its ginko tree forest, which turns intensively golden in autumn.

Before becoming a city park in 1967, the area where Yoyogi Park is located today, served as the site of the olympic village for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and before that as a residential area for US military personnel.

When we visited the park a month ago, roses of all colors abound around the entrance gate, freshly welcoming visitors and inviting them to a grand tour of the wide park proud to have numerous ginko tree species that brighten your rather gloomy day -- right in the heart of the thickly-populated Shibuya area.

It is just too bad that we aren't able to go see the trees transform in autumn colors. Maybe next time. ;)

More colorful and vibrant ...

Our friend, Rich-san, is one of the luckiest persons in the world for having the chance to work in one of the biggest and well-maintained parks/gardens in Tokyo. More than that, he is a photographer with a very keen eye for best subjects to aim his trusted camera at.

The last time we visited the park, he shared to us some of his shots, and I'm sharing them here with you. Enjoy! ;)

The colors of autumn

I was almost getting desperate and frustrated that it's already December and most leaves have fallen rendering the tree dead-like, yet I haven't even seen the wonderful colors of autumn leaves!

Well, that was only almost. Before all leaves get to fall, I got MY chance to see and experience the vast colors of autumn -- where else but in our favorite koen, Shinjuku Gyoen National Park! (We visit this park once a month, I guess)

This is my first autumn in Japan, and firsts have to be good and beautiful. It is, indeed! ;)

More photos below:






Note: Cross-posted in my G.A.N.D.A. blog. ;)

Spring means cherry blossoms

There is one important thing about Spring that I haven't mentioned in my earlier blog. Well, that's intentional. ;)

In Japan, the start of the SPRING season is marked by the globally-famous sakura and hanami. Sakura is the Japanese cherry blossom characterised by its awesomely pink flowers, a vibrant canopy, and a grandeus sight one could but only marvel in wonder. Hanami (hana=flower), on the other hand, is cherry blossom viewing which is a traditional Japanese way of welcoming the season. Ever wonder how hanami is done? Japan-guide.com has a handful of facts and info about this, and so with the different varieties of cherry trees found throughout Japan.

Many people, Japs and gaijins alike, thus watch out for the forecast on when to best do hanami. Since cherry blossoms normally last for about a week, you don't want to miss your chance, do you? As for me, sad to say (and I mean I AM REALLY SAD! waaahhhhh!!!), I missed this year's hanami. We still have one more spring to go, anyway.

And oh, one more thing. In case you are interested to know the best places for doing hanami in Tokyo, here is a list of the major ones. So you know where to go when you plan for your next year's hanami.

PS: The picture was taken two Springs ago, at the Imperial Palace. My smile is as pink as the cherry blossoms, isn't it? ;)

Spring luck

SPRING has finally come in this part of the world. In Japan, and probably in other temperate countries, this season is most looked forward to and many (if not all) eagerly wait for it. I, for one, love spring so much because this means no more thick fur coats, no more layers of clothings and finally get rid of the "burning" coldness of winter. But this also means no more snow. *sigh*

To many (including myself), Spring connotes a new beginning to something wonderful. Spring gives birth to new life, new hope, new journey, new career, new relationships and all other new things in life. In Japan, this time is the start of its fiscal year. This is also a busy period for job seekers, as many jobs are offered by several companies at this time. Choices are many, but competition is also tough. As for me, I haven't found my best luck yet. But I am not losing hope. Never felt that, in fact. Coz I see opportunities knocking at my door one after the other. It is just a matter of careful scheduling of my rather very (as in v-e-r-y) limited working hours. I have this general impression of Tokyo that it never runs out of jobs to offer any one who is willing to earn for his daily bread. It is just a matter of choice, time and preference. Unlike in my home country, sad to say, that even for degree holders like me have very limited work choices.

Worthy of mentioning is the help extended by the government-run Hello Work and the Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners. Their help makes my job search a little easier with their extensive database system. You tell them your preferences and they will look for jobs suited to your preferences, and even endorse you to that company you are interested in. I've heard some not-so-good things about this office but in my experience, their help far outweighs whatever those things are.

My Hope is that this Spring will Spring new Hope for me.