Kudos to Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum & Ghibli Museum

Isnt the park near the Edo Museum gorgeous?
Yes, That's me. I think the worm mascot is quite cute.
Or is that a caterpillar?
We have reached the eastern part of the Museum
Just imagine how rich this person used to be!

The Huge Iron-Man at Ghibli Museum


Under my friend's recommendation, I made a trip to Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum located near Busashi - Koganei Station. From the station, hoped to a bus and alighted after 5 stops at Koganei Koen Nishi. The museum is situated just besides a very nice and big park and for those who are keen to visit this museum. give yourself at least 3 hours to complete the entire tour leisurely.

The buildings were amazing (you get to see the buildings during Edo period) and they were carefully rebuilt to showcase that buildings of that era. I was fascinated by the 200-year-old thatch-roofed farmhouses and all the different shops like a soy-sauce shop, bathhouse, photography studio, etc and also Japanese & western style residences with some furniture intact. Busy snapping away photos while looking at the houses. You even get to play traditional games like the top, silt walking in a small playground area for free. There are also food stalls selling the usual Japanese street fare like takoyaki and yakisoba (which was delicious and affordable. Overall, the whole trip was great if not for the fact I have to rush for Ghibli Museum or else I can't get admitted. And for the price of 400 yen (admission fee) I definitely will recommend it as a must go spot! If you are a fan of Hayao Miyazaki and have decided to make a trip to Ghibli Museum, try slotting the Edo Musuem into your itinerary. They are just few stations away from each other.

Well, this is my 2nd visit to the Ghibli Musuem and what can I say? I love everything about it. As photo-taking and videography is prohibited inside, I really take my time to absorb the wonder of it. The short movie was also quite nice. If there was any complaints, it should be the crowd. It is definitely very crowded (though the crowd was orderly but I would have preferred lesser people around) considering the smal size of the place.

Revisit Hokkaido?

I have always love Hokkaido, it is a wonderful place! Especially the seafood! (ok, enough about food). My last visit there was during Autumn, where I took a 4 days 3 nights tour package to tour about Eastern Hokkaido. To be frank, it was a first time I joined a Japanese tour group. The experience was quite interesting, considering the fact that my friend and I were the only 2 youngsters in the group (the rest were all in their mid 50s and all are old couples). The tour guides were very friendly and they kept us full with tidbits and nice drinks and of course, the usual introduction on the various places we passed by. But seriously, I fell asleep most of the times. It is quite hynotising for me to listen to everything in Japanese and somehow, I couldn't muster enough energy to listen through. Thanks to my friend, I did not miss out much.
The scenary was superb! Pictures shot came up just perfect, no need for that Photoshop effect. The weather was great, sunny yet cool. Going to Lake Shiretoko, Lake Akan and Sounkyo was like going back to nature. Everything there was a breather from the busy city life.
The meals provided were fantastic! Fresh seafood and huge in quantities, considering the standard amount size served in Japan. Hotels we stayed came with huge rooms (you have to be grateful if you stayed in those business hotel in mainland Japan where the room is really really small yet expensive) and nice open air onsen. Imagine watching the maple trees while soaking in the open air onsen. Life's just too wonderful!
I so desperately want to go Hokkaido during the winter matsuri (festival) where one can see the ice sculptures in open and row across an ice-frozen lake. But I wonder whether I can take the weather and there is the money I have to fork out...Especially with the appreciating yen.
ARGH!

Food Fanatic!

Yes, That's me eating Again!

A Korean friend brought us to this family cafe, located
somewhere along a deserted road. The bibimbap was
especially DELICIOUS! They put barley into the rice and the
rice was exceptionally Q. *salivating*
Indian cuisine in a revolving restaurant in New Delhi
Having my sumptuous dinner in Hokkaido
Just love the freshness of the food (~ in Izu)

To me, eating is a passion. I live to eat. LOL

That means eating all the local delicacies in wherever I am, though of course that will mean
a vigorous workout after the end of my trip. Considering the rate I am procrastinating at working out, it is a miracle that my weight did not meet much fluctuation. Or I should say I have slowly and gradually put on weight over the years that the change did not seem to affect me until the day I took out my old jeans and TO MY HORROR, I could not wear them despite much effort.

Anyway, who cares about that. I shall slowly lose back the weight I gained and continue with my eating. Afterall, isn't it a waste of $$ if you leave a country without eating some of the local food??

Normally, I do eat from street foodstalls (like when I visit Taiwan or Korea) if there are. Of course, there are exceptions, for example in the case of India, where I did not dare risk eating from those stalls. I prefer to pig out at restaurants which offer quite a good rate for all the food ordered.

Time to Pray?

It is always the same for me, praying at a temple whenever I am feeling down or when there is a festive occasion. It is all for a smooth year, though for me, the action of going to a temple during these varous occasions (ie New Year, Chinese New Year, etc) has become more of an obsession for me. Especially when things are not going too smooth, I tend to rely on the gods to help me tide through crisis. Not too good a thing perhaps.
But I guess omikuji at Japanese temples is out for me. Out of the few omikujis that I tried my hands at, it ranged from all BAD to WORST Luck. The idea of getting a bad lot is just so disheartening!
That being said, the temples in Japan is really worth going. The scenary is beautiful and if you are keen, remember to get a mamori (protection amulet) for yourself or your friends. Some mamoris sold at the temples are pretty.
One temple that I highly love and would recommend is Kiyomizu Temple located in Kyoto.
And of course besides the scenic surroundings, I love going to the Jishu shrine located inside Kiyomizu Temple. If you are seeking love or good marriage matches, this is a must-go!
There is a pair of "love stones" placed a distance apart in this Jishu Shrine. You may catch visitors trying to walk from one stone to the other with their eyes closed. It is said that one will find love if you manage to walk from one stone to the other successfully with your eyes closed. Of course, there are people who seek help from their friends to direct them towards the goal.
Well, I always wanted to try it but it's a bit embarrasing especially when there is a crowd. So I take the easy way out by buying a love amulet from the Shrine. LOL. As for the effects, it is 50-50. It worked for me once while it did not for the other.
And even though I told myself I should stop buying so many various types of mamori, I just cant help myself when I see nice and pretty ones...There goes my budget....

More on Minami Izu

As you all can see, I have created a slide show of some of the pictures taken at Minami Izu. Irosaki and Dogashima to be exact. The problem with me is that I got a bad memory for names.
Really need to jot down all the names asap and post them onto this blog.

Well, on this post, you will see me close up (sorry for the big eye bags, etc) holding a small e-ma with all my new year wishes on the back. Sorry guys but what is written there is confidential.
LOL.

Sunset At Minami Izu

As the title suggests, I took this picture at Minami Izu during winter time. The exact place is at Irosaki, for those who may be interested to go there. I guess I must be mad to do that. The wind was blowing like nobody's business, my hands were frozen and I look like a mad woman with my hair dangling in the strong winds. But the moment was quite breathtaking so I guess everything was worth it.

About Me

I love taking pictures, though I wish more pictures of me were taken. A narcissist? Perhaps. Considering the fact that I can take near to perfect pictures of myself by myself and how my friends marveled at this ability, I should have close to thousands of own shots. But alas, I think I am better off taking pictures of scenery and other people. Who wanna see me and me alone?

I really would love to go out of Asia but there is still not much chance for me to do that. Yes, vitamin M is an issue and also there are just no opportunities. I have previously posted some of my photos on photo sites and decided now is the time to do a compilation of them.

I decided to post one at a day? or maybe a slide show on one post, of course depending on my mood. Afterall, there is what a blog is for right? All set at my own pace.

Enjoy the photos and do write me your comments. I think I need comments and suggestions to improve my skill (I am just an amateur who took most of the shots on my digital camera set to automode. LOL)

If you are keen in buying the photos, I am more than happy. Drop me a mail:)