10 February 2016

My Favorite Sacred Place and Power Spot Surround Japan so Far!!

“Power Spots" are Places surround Japan to go in order to stimulate with Good Energies and Good luck in Life, it is now popular to lots of Japanese People and Foreign Residence, especially women. These places, usually Temples or Shrines, Mountains and Falls who possess the Power of God. Maybe a happy relationship, healthy life, success in career, having pregnant and bearing child safely could come true. Also Japanese people believe that the Power Spot places have an ability to take them to Peace and Tranquility in the Hustle Bustle days and stress (reblog from deareststuff.com). Since started blogging — even before 2010 — I’ve been asked one question more than any other: “What was your favorite places in Japan?” I said, there were several places in Japan that I adored so much but power spot captured the biggest parts of my heart and eyes.

Here are those power spot surrounded Japan that I love to spend my holiday, listed in no particular order.

-Tōdai-ji Temples-
Is a Buddhist temple structure found in the city of Nara and Big hall of Buddha are one of the main attraction of this site for being the largest bronze statue of Buddha in the world with houses? The Tōdai-ji temples served as the main school for Buddhism in Japan but according to lots of people who visited a temple, it is a famous place to visit for those who want to gain good energy and recharge their spiritual beliefs. If you are planning a trip to Japan, visiting this ancient temples is a good way to start.


-Jouren no Taki in Mount Amagi-
 A beautiful waterfall found in Yugashima, Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture with the height of 25 meters and 7 meters in width, along with the natural forest of Mount Amagi, the Jouren no Taki waterfalls become listed as one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan. It is visited by people who longing for more extra activities aside from power and good energy recharging you can enjoy doing trout fishing around the Jouren no Taki waterfalls and also experienced seeing fresh wasabi in the process.


-The Oshino Hakkai-
 Oshino Hakkai also known as Utsu Lake in Yamanashi Prefecture, located 7 km²  from the lake of Kawaguchiko and 3 km² Northwest from the Lake of Yamanakako, are now listed as one of 100 national treasure of Japan.  It has beautiful Eight Spring of Ponds with clear and beautiful water coming down from the melting snow of Mount Fuji. This pure water contains a large amount of mineral and called by people as “The spring of God” given the name by local Japanese who once used to wash away Impurities of the heart and soul.



-Matsumoto Castle Escapade-
Matsumoto Castle a.k.a the "Crow Castle" can be found in the city of Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture. it is my first castle invading since I decide to visit each castle prefecture of Japan to learned their history.

-Kakitakawa Wakimizu-
the Kakitakawa is a clear-flowing River around Shimizu town in the district of Suntō in Shizouka Prefecture. It is listed as one of the three clear flowing Rivers in Japan together with the Nagara and Shimanto rivers of Gifu and Kōchi Prefecture. The main water source of this beautiful rivers come from the melting snow of Mount Fuji and the others are from spring and rainfalls. The spring parts can be viewed separately from the main river area located at the Kakitakawa Park forming as an old water well. During my visit I experienced, many people have their empty pet bottle with them and bring home water came from the Kakitakawa River for they believe as “Healing Water for all Sickness”.


(credit hatena.jp)

-Yatsugatake Tour Hike-
is a volcanic mountain range in the border of Nagano & Yamanashi prefectures.  The area is teeming with hikers all year round, and is one of the premier winter climbing destinations in Japan (by hikingjapan).

-Golden Pavillon or kinkakuji-
The Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) is perhaps the most famous temple in Japan. It is a World Heritage Site covered in gold leaf that was burnt to the ground by a mad monk in 1950 and then subsequently rebuilt. Stunning (by cyclekyoto.com).

(credit japanart.info)

-Kegon no Taki-
located at Lake Chuzenji in Nikko National Park in Nikko City. It is 97 meters in height making it one of the 3 highest waterfalls in the country. The Kegon Falls are not just beautiful; they are infamous for suicides, especially among Japanese youth (by aminoappas).

Above places of power spot not only can soothes the eyes but also put the body and the soul in relief and comfort.

29 January 2016

Goose Bumps Happenings while Wondering Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Japan

A lot's of the beautiful place in this world but there are few of those places that people choose to travel a million miles to visit, and one on that list is JAPAN. today I just want to share my unforgettable experience while exploring Matsumoto castle in Nagano Japan. Matsumoto Castle a.k.a the "Crow Castle" can be found in the city of Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture. it is my first castle invading since I decide to visit each castle prefecture of Japan to learned their history.



 (credit for accesj.com)
The Matsumoto Castle has a wonderful observation deck on the each floor. at the backyard Nearby the Matsumoto castle, there's a small water pond with many Ducks and Swan swimming below the red bridge.

 (credit for flowvella.com)
at the main front of the Matsumoto castle, a big space of grass yard who makes the castle looks more Beautiful.
 (credit for changeiswhatweare.com)
the overcast skies cleared up the moment I stepped into Matsumoto castle. As if God wanted to help me out take the best angle of Matsumoto Castle at that time. When I finally got to the inside, I was surprised. It was much bigger and keep it awesome than I thought it would be. The Beautiful castle keep, eh? It is also relatively new.

They had an entire floor dedicated to the ancient Japanese tools and Samurai with armors, guns, spears, and countless swords that were all authentic. There was also a large wooden model of the entire Matsumoto castle. such a wonderful historical experience wondering the site until happenings break my moments.
 while taking some shot of the best-armored samurai inside, I accidentally captured the cleared image of a little girl beside the armored samurai. I was so shocked and goose bump seeing my first paranormal shot in my whole life.

 "Ghost in my Shot"

Other Details:

Hours
8:30 to 17:00 (until 18:00 around Obon and Golden Week)
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time. 

Closed
December 29 to January 3 

Fees
610 yen

Access:
The castle is a 15 minute walk or a 5 minute bus ride on the "Town Sneaker" Northern Course bus loop line from JR Matsumoto Station.

27 January 2016

Selfie with the Biggest Statue of the World "Ushiku Daibutsu"

Like all good statues,  Japan has a lot of impressive Buddha statues, probably a lot more than you’d think.


(credit from Punditfromanotherplanet)
A lot of them claim to be the largest, tallest, heaviest etc. of their type, but Ushiku Daibutsu used to be the tallest statue in the WORLD until recently and is noted in the Guinness Book of Records.

You can go inside the Ushiku Daibutsu, with four levels open to the public. These include prayer and study halls, but for the non-devout like myself, there's the attraction of the observation deck located 85 metres up, embedded in Amitabha's chest.
As a long-time fan of going up tall buildings, this is a good thing. The statue also appears to be the highest point for quite some distance, being visible from all the surrounding area, therefore commanding an impressive view.

below and surround the statue ground, there is a small zoo park of few animals such as rabbit, squirrels, goats, piggery who available to touch and play with. such an amazing experienced for animal lovers like me.



Access:
Get off at JR Ushiku Station, head to the East Exit (東口) and from bus gate #2 take the bus heading to “Ushiku Daibutsu” (牛久大仏). The bus ride will take about 20-30 mins.

26 January 2016

Honoring my Favorite Japanese Ancestor "Nezumi Kozō Grave" at the Ekō-in Ryōgoku Tokyo

First Let me Introduced you about 'Nezumi Kozo' of Japan, from googling it on the web about him, Nezumi Kozo' are the name of Japan's famous thief from the 19th century. he stole money from rich people who earned in dirty ways and offered to poor people the long time ago. he regarded as the hero at that time.
 (credit from Pingmag)
last Obon in Japan which means "honor the spirits of one's ancestors"  (a.k.a お盆),  I give him a first visit of His gravestone in Eko-in temple around Tokyo,

 (credit from mapio.net)
and shave a piece of stone from his grave because it was thought and believed by many to to bring good fortune if you shaved off a piece of his stone grave. But now it is banned Since it gets smaller for a lot of people doing it on.

he also known as the Robin Hoods of Japan? because he risks his lives to help the common people.
he might not have the popularity in the World like we all know about Robin Hood in the cartoon and movie we used to enjoy, but he make up for it with awesome ninja skills and bags of rats.

23 January 2016

Throwback: My Owakudani 大涌谷 Memories

 (me, waiting the Sky Gondola to Owakudani site)

 (Sky Gondola Station)



(I took a short video while riding on the Gondola)

with a lots of destination surround Japan, Owakudani adventure is one of my favorite moments.
back on my 2012 life, We visit to see the famous Owakudani Valley (a.k.a, The Hell Valley); in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. an ancient crater with sulfurous hot springs in which eggs are cooked. You can see steam rising from holes in the ground, do not know why they call it ‘Big Hell’.

 (大涌谷 Owakudani)

(some moments inside the Sky Gondola station and Owakudani Ashi Lake Pier)

Many people lined up for the black eggs (Kuro-Tamago) so we are too and we bought a packet too at a cost of 500 yen for 6 eggs and eat it. The eggs smell slightly sulphuric and they believe that eating these eggs increase longevity. Eating one egg is said to add seven years to your life.
I bought 2 pack more and brought at home and give to some friends,

We supposed to ride and wondered more on the place by cruising Ashi lake but we couldn't make it to the right time of an hour by hour voyage so (so, disappointed) so we decided to explore only the entire pier.

ACCESS: 
Walk to Odawara Station
Take the Hakone Tozan Railway from Odawara Station to Gora (45 min) (interval of 10 ~ 15 min)
Take Cable Car to Sounzan (9 min) (interval of 20 min) Board Ropeway to Togendai (was under repair and took substitute bus instead) Take Pleasure Boat across Lake Ashi. Alight at Hakone-machi.

18 January 2016

Throwback: First Ever French Restaurant Experience in Yokohama

my first Dinner on a French restaurant (Hanzoya located in Yokohama japan)was a truly wonderful experience. I remember I was taking a delicious bite of Chateaubriand steak when my friend leaned over and said in a gentle voice, Keep your hands on the table (hahahaha).

Table manners could be considered sacred, especially when you're on a class restaurant.
but certainly never mind for others as like me. Did you know that knowing our table manners gives us more confidence in embracing new dining experiences, whether It's dinner at a fancy restaurant, job interviews over a meal, or a meal at a friend's home.

Note to remember before having a meal to this kind of place base on my experience

-Dress code-
In order to get a proper treatment, you need to come in a proper attire in this kind of dining place. business casual attire, jackets are preferred.
taboo here are: jeans, sneakers, shorts, t-shirts or flip-flops. if you arrive wearing with this, doorman unfortunately not letting you in.

-Sitting-
Sit a comfortable distance away from the table, so that with the elbows bent the hands are level with the knives and forks.
Sit up straight, sit square with hands in the lap and do not fidget. Do not put elbows on the table.

-Ordering-
In the French restaurant, dinners don’t always order their entire meal at once. Instead, the waiter will often go around taking appetizer orders first, then go around again for the main course. Only, after all, food orders have been taken will drinks be ordered.

-Napkin-
Other French restaurants will immediately put their napkin on their lap, and some will not. after many times dining in their restaurant, I still have not quite figured it out. I have come to understand that is has nothing to do with class or education, you will not be poorly looked upon for not placing a napkin on your knees immediately.

-Hands-
in a french restaurant, it is important to see your hands at all times. Otherwise, who knows what you might be doing with them. but elbows and hands-Do do not place them on the table. It's considered unsanitary. And keep your hands out of your lap and up where they can be seen always.

-Wine, Champagne or any Drinks-
you don’t have to force yourself to drink it, if you don’t like alcohol and don’t feel guilty if you don’t. Wine drinking in France was optional. others are happy to drink for the cause.The French only fill the glass half way. A full glass is simply bad manners. To the French it does not make sense to put more liquid in a glass that is not almost empty. If you are not yet finished with what you are drinking, why to add more.

-Proper way of eating soup-
Hold the soup spoon by resting the end of the handle on your middle finger, with your thumb on top. Dip the spoon sideways into the soup at the near edge of the bowl, then skim from the front of the bowl to the back. Sip from the side of the spoon, avoid improper table manners and do not to slurp. To retrieve the last spoonful of soup, slightly tip the bowl away from you and spoon in the way that works best.

-Eating-
Do not begin eating until everyone has been served, unless the host or hostess gives their permission for diners to start.
Eat at a relaxed pace and pace yourself to match your fellow diners.
Keep your mouth closed and try to avoid making noises of any kind while eating, either with implements against the plate or teeth or with actual ingestion of the food.

-Sharing food-
I think "You just HAVE to taste..." sharing of small amounts is acceptable if only because it's so complimentary. Trading halfway through a course needs to be done quietly to be acceptable.

-After meal-
When you have finished, place your knife and fork - with the tines facing upwards - together on your plate, something like the image below.

If you are confronted with a plateful that is not to your taste, try to soldier on to avoid hurt feelings. Always compliment the cook.

Hopefully, this basic tutorial on French table manners will help you feel confident and comfortable during at your mealtime.

25 July 2014

Throwback my Escapade on Mount Yatsugatake in 2014

Me and a secret friend of mine hiked Tour the Mount Yatsugatake of Chino, Hara of Nagano, and Hokuto of Yamanashi in Japan in July from year of 2014 and had a fabulous time.

 (リフト 降りた後)
When we planning on our mountain hiking trip, we found it a bit difficult to find an easy to hike the mountain for new hikers like us, we got a recommendation from a famous fliers book in Japan.
 (中のきれいなとこだよ some Beauty of Nature inside Yatsugatake Mountain)

 (some of the oldest and biggest tree in Japan inside Yatsugatake Mountain)

 (I took a shot of somebody under Waterfalls Cliff doing Retreat)

Accommodation suggestions and the like. above is some recap shot we had on our Yatsugatake Mountain escapade and hope it Provide assistance to others hikers from outside Japan who soon to have a trip.

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