Winter in Japan

"Winter in the Japan"

"Winter in the Japan"

Winter in Japan

The beautiful winter illumination in Tokyo Station.

Went to Ootoya again and ordered something new. The dish used to come with meatballs if I remember correctly but it seems they changed it to fried chicken. Goes much better with the meal in my opinion and the grated radish over the top of it was a nice touch. I also really liked the pumpkin croquettes, I'm used to just normal croquette's (I'm not even sure what they're filled with), but this was a nice change of pace and was kind of refreshing, probably because it felt very healthy lol. As always all of the side items tasted great and it was all only ¥740, so pretty much a steal if you ask me

This is the scenery of Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture. I like the cityscape here and go there often. Recently, the number of tourists has increased and it is often crowded, but it is a very nice city.

It is a park called Tove Jansson Akebono Children's Forest Park. Parking and free parks are free. It is lit up once a year. I don't do it now, but I will be Instagrammable in Moomin's park even in the daytime.

It is a torii gate of Kaniso in Ibaraki Prefecture. I am grateful for the morning sun here, so please go there. It is very beautiful.

Went to a place in Nihonbashi called Hakata Dojo (博多道場) and had a really nice lunch. It's like an izakaya but it had a really nice lunchtime atmosphere as well. I ordered the 日替わり肉ランチ which cost about ¥1000 but it tasted great. I really liked the moyashi that came with the beef plate, lots of flavor and the moyashi were really juicy as well so that was nice. It was a really nice place overall, I'd like to go back and see what it's like at night, maybe they have some special courses or something as well. I really liked the lanterns though, I think that's probably what contributed most to the place having a nice atmosphere. That and it wasn't exceptionally loud like some izakaya I've been to. Also the interior was decorated quite nicely as well, besides the lanterns.

Roppongi Walk

Went to Hachioji over the weekend and had a blast exploring the area. We were able to check out the Musashi Imperial Mausoleum (Emperor Taisho and Emperor Showa's Burial Sites), eat some amazing food at a restaurant called "Gonsuke" (ごん助) and a bunch of other stuff. The Musashi Imperial Mausoleum was really amazing, it reminded me a lot of Meiji Jingu Shrine with the wide gravel paths through the forest, although I have a feeling this forest is natural and not man-made. Also the burial mounds seemed really traditional and reminded me of the burial mounds from the Kofun Period. The restaurant Gonsuke was so incredible. They had all sorts of different course menus and it was my first time trying boar meat too lol. I haven't had game meat in a long time so it was really cool getting to try it again and cook it over an irori (I think it's an irori) with actual coals. Can't wait to go back and explore the area again more. I'd love to hike up Mt. Takao and see everything else the area has to offer. Beautiful city

It is the illumination of Roppongi Keyakizaka. The night walk was very nice. Canon EOS R5 Canon RF35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM Black Mist No.05 Filter

Freezing morning with the first frost

【In the Urban Forest】

Beautifully illuminated rainbow bridge during christmas. The photo was taken from Tokyo Tower.

Was shopping the other day in Nihonbashi and saw this akabeko and thought it was really cute so I decided to take a photo of it. The name was quite funny to me as well. Instead of the usual "akabeko" this was a "nemubeko," or "tired-beko" basically, and you can see how the eyes are actually half way shut instead of the normally wide-open eyes, giving it the tired look lol. I've always wanted to try an akabeko experience as I love traditional Japanese crafts and akabeko in particular seem really fun to make. I've read a few posts in another places of people trying akabeko workshops and having a really fun time. I haven't used papier mache since I was a kid either so it'd probably be a nostalgic experience for sure. If I do try an akabeko workshop, I think I'll make a "nemubeko" as well lol

Kisarazu factory area

【 The setting moon 】

The majestic view of Tokyo tower during winter illumination in Keyakizaki avenue.

Taken from near my home. The moon seen through the trees where the leaves had fallen was a very fantastic night.

Iwatsuki Castle Ruins Park Reflection after rain. The scenery reflected on the surface of the water created a world that looked like a painting.

Group attendance at school on a snowy day. Colorful rain gear was shining in the snowy landscape.

Asakusa Nakamise on New Year's Day. Every year, it is crowded with many first-time visitors.

The winter morning sun shone in the park where the first snow fell, and the long shadows of the trees were very beautiful.

Stopped by Saizeriya for lunch and got a cod roe and shrimp doria (たらこと海老のドリア). Saizeriya is always a great place to stop by for lunch as it's generally quick and cheap. It was a set meal so it came with a soup and salad as well, but I forgot to to photos of those. The soup was a sort of consommé soup and was nothing special, but it tasted good and was all-you-can-drink so that was pretty nice. I ended up getting a few cups of it. The shrimp and cod doria was great and I love the nori on top - plentiful and tastes great. The best part is all of this was only ¥500 so it's really reasonable, as you'd expect of Saizeriya. Just thought I'd share this today, nothing too special

【Cloudless Evening】

Was in Kanda the other day for an errand and stopped by this place called "Soba Dokoro Kameya" (そば処 かめや) outside of Kanda Station. It says "立食い" which means "standing noodles," but I didn't actually see any places to stand and eat so maybe it just meant that it was simple and quick like a standing noodle shop. I've never actually experienced what it's like to eat at a standing noodle restaurant (and actually stand while eating) but I think I prefer sitting anyways. I like to relax when I eat so I suppose that's why, but I should at least try it once, who knows, I might like it. Anyways, the place seems really affordable. I ordered the Ten Tama Soba since it was the most popular dish and it tasted great. The soup was really good and the egg was perfectly cooked. The texture of the noodles was also perfect. It's definitely a place to check out if your in the Kanda area and looking for some noodles. I think they may only be open during the morning and night, but I went around 4pm so maybe they close around that time to prepare for dinner.

Visited a Chinese restaurant in Akabane called Maraeki (麻辣駅, Malaeki?) over the weekend and got some spicy Szechuan noodles (四川風麻辣麺). The photo looked really good and they had tan tan noodles as well but I wanted to try something different. Unfortunately, I was not the biggest fan of the flavor. I think the noodles were great, and the bok choy tasted good as well, but for me the soup wasn't exactly what I was expecting. That being said I don't think it's that the flavor was bad, just that it simply wasn't for me. I enjoy spicy ramen, and the "麻辣" part of the name is "mala," apparently a spicy, numbing sauce made of Sichuanese peppercorn, chili pepper, and other ingredients simmered in oil. I went in not knowing this and paid the price I suppose. The noodles weren't actually that spicy in my opinion, but like I said, the flavor just wasn't for me. I think for anyone who enjoys Chinese food though it's a great place as it's quite affordable and the other dishes we ordered (fried rice and xiaolongbao (steamed buns)), although not pictured here, tasted great.

Recent black-and-white photos