How are you today? I had dinner with my
workmates at an Italian restaurant “Robinson”. The building
seems to be a good old Kyoto town house, but it is refurbished
really well. The room we had last night is superb with tatami
and lights. We had a course menu; appetizer(chicken and
olive), salad with ham, roasted pork with basil sauce, pizza,
chicken with mustard-based-sauce, pasta Bolognese and
dessert(passion fruit sherbet). We had drinks along with the
course. By the time I had dessert, which usually the best part
for me, I got really stuffed and couldn’t eat that much. As I
was so full, I decided to take a walk, and walked as far as I
could go. In fact, just 2 stations… But it was still a nice
walk and helped me to feel better and sober. That was what I
did yesterday. What are your plans for this weekend? I hope
you have a good one.(Takashi)
Nov. 29th
The Kanji of the year will be chosen by the
Japanese Kanji Proficiency Society through a national ballot
in Japan. The Kanji character with the most votes is selected
to represent the events of that year, and is announced in a
ceremony on the December 12th at Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto.
‘Disaster’ in 2004, ‘love’ in 2005, and ‘life’ in 2006…I want
to show you those Kanji…but I can’t on this site, sorry!!! I
wonder what Kanji will be chosen for this year. I just hope
it’s not a sad one…(Risa)
November 28th
How is it going? I had a good weekend with
my friend. We went to “Nanzenji”, “Heian-Jingu” and
“Sanzen-in”. It was such a beautiful day that I felt the warm
sunshine, which was just great!!!
As you can see in the photo, maple trees at
Nanzenji were really gorgeous. I didn’t expect them that
colorful, so they just took my breath away. At Nanzenji,
there’s a huge canal made of stone, which carries the water
from Lake Biwa to Kyoto. The canal is another good place to
have a look.
On the way to Heian-Jingu, we bought 8
“Taiyaki” and each of us had 4. I know it was way too much,
but we could’ve eaten a horse back then. I hadn’t had Taiyaki
for ages, so I was really happy to have some. On Sunday, we
went to Sanzen-in, but it was so crowded with people visiting
there. Therefore, I didn’t feel any tranquility or silence of
the temple. It was a shame, but it was still nice to feel the
atmosphere. I hope you have a good week!!! (Takashi)
Nov. 26th
How was your weekend? I had a good good good
weekend. I had a visitor from Yamagata Prefecture (Northern
part of Honshu Island) on Saturday and Sunday. We went to
Tohukuji & Fushimi Inari on Saturday (We tried to go to
illuminated Tenju-in at night, but there were too many
people…so we couldn’t get in) AND Kurama & Kibune &
Mansyu-in on Sunday. I would say the Tofukuji was the best for
the autumn colours, but I enjoyed the other temples and
shrines too. We talked a lot, laughed a lot, and walked a lot.
Thank you Guy, I had a great time with you. Sorry Guy, your
legs must be sooooooo tired today!!! (Risa)
November 21st
How has your week been going? Along
Oike-Dori, there are some trees decorated with white &
blue light bulbs. Hope there’re more… Anyways, it does feel
like Christmas is coming!! It’s just a month ahead. Isn’t it
crazy? Last year, I had a BBQ on Christmas Day in New Zealand.
Now another one’s coming. Time flies and it is kind of
freakish. Have you already planned something for Christmas?
I’ll probably go snowboarding with my mates. Have a great
Thanksgiving Holiday!! In Japan, we have a long weekend.
(Takashi)
Nov. 20th
We have recently talked about autumn colours
too much? Yes? Shall we change the topic, Takashi? (I will
come back to the topic next week though). Time passes so
quickly…and I can’t believe that Xmas is coming in a month or
so. When I walked in the town last weekend, I saw Christmas
displays everywhere. How does your town look like now? How do
you spend your Xmas this year? Unfortunately, we will be
working on Xmas Day… When I told the story to friends when I
was New Zealand a couple of weeks ago, my friends felt so
sorry for me and took me to the mountain to chop down a Xmas
tree. We decorated the tree and had Xmas breakfast – It was a
very early Xmas, but I enjoyed it a lot. Have you made any
plans for Xmas yet? (Risa)
November 19th
Did you have a good weekend? My weekend was
busy but nice & fun. My mum and I went white-water rafting
on Saturday. We went to Kameoka (starting point) by a
sightseeing train and came back to Kyoto by boat. The autumn
leaves along the river have started turning red and yellow, so
they were pretty beautiful. According to the weather reporter,
they will be beautifully-coloured in a week or so. We have a
long weekend from Friday, so I will definitely go somewhere
for the autumn colours! (Risa)
November 15th
What are you up to? It’s getting cold here
in Kyoto. Everyone in the office has got a cold and some are
still suffering from it. I’m one of the unfortunate crews…
Today, finally the heater was turned on!! Anyway, when you
come over to Japan, wrap yourself with warm clothes. :-)
(Takashi)
November 13th
How has your week been going? While I was
walking to the station this morning, I saw yellowish and
reddish leaves along the river. Finally colors of autumn
arrived here in Kyoto!! However, compared to the past, it
seems late to see those leaves around this time of a year. I
heard that in some places such as Nikko, this beautiful season
has already gone. Isn’t it a shame? Is it because of the
Global Warming? Apart from this topic, it hailed in my home
town which is in the northern Hyogo Prefecture. While I am
waiting to see autumn leaves, it hailed in other places.
Anyway, I hope you have a good week. Please take care of
yourself. (Takashi)
November 12th
Did you have a good weekend? I was going to
have a lazy weekend, but it turned to be pretty busy. I went
to a NABE party which was held at a shared house on Thursday.
Maybe you wonder what NABE is…yes? It is a term referring to
all varieties of Japanese steamboat dishes. The pot is usually
placed in the centre of dining table, shared by multiple
people. Eating together from a shared pot is considered as an
important feature of Nabe; East Asian people believe that
eating from one pot makes for closer relationship. I didn’t
count properly, but I think there were more than 10 people on
Thursday night…so, some of them were still hungry even after
the dinner! As the Nabe warm up our body, I like eating it
especially in winter time. The Nabe season has just started!
(Risa)
November 9th
Where do you think I have been to? If you
have also been to the country, it’s too easy! I admit I am
addicted to the country…it was the 11th time for me to visit
there!!! Crazy huh?(Risa)
November 8th
I’m back! Sorry I have been away for a
while. It’s getting colder, but I think it’s too warm for
November. I wonder when the autumn leaves start to turn red or
yellow… There must be a lot of people who plan to come to
Kyoto to see the autumn colours, but unfortunately it’s just
not yet. Hopefully soon! (Risa)
November 6th
Dear readers, how was your weekend?
Takashi's here and this is my first post!! I don't know what I
should focus on. How about a tram from Sagano to Kameoka? I
took it about 2 weeks ago on a sunny day. It's just one hour
ride but the scenery out of the windows were awesome.
Alothough leaves had not turned into red and yellow, it was
still fun to be on board. :-) You can buy a combo; a train
ride and river cruise on a small boat if you wish. Oh, the
path from Arashiyama stop is just amazing. It runs among
bamboo bushes and stillness/camlness can ease your tension.
;-) As it was a warm day when I went there that it felt so
good to walk under the shade. Hope you have a chance to go
there. Have a nice week!! (Takashi)
