A photo blog from Tokyo. A blog started in 2014 in Chiangmai, then moved to Vientiane, continues now in Japan. Daily photos and some stories to share my life in Tokyo with friends, families and others.
Thursday, 31 January 2019
Wednesday, 30 January 2019
A tree and skiers
The winter finery of the deciduous trees was beautiful. On the high ridges, the tree branches and twigs were lined with snow and ice. Magical! This solo tree was lower down on the beginner's slope.
Tuesday, 29 January 2019
A weekend in the Mountains
I had a wonderful weekend skiing in the Hakuba region at two different resorts Tsugaike Kogen and Cortina with Tokyo Snow Club. Cortina receives the most snowfall in the region and as it had snowed heavily for the past few days there was plenty of fresh powder. It was beautiful!! Absolutely divine!!
Monday, 28 January 2019
Noodles
Noodles at a market stall. I opted for the Takoyaki, from yesterday's post, but probably should have opted for the noodles. The look fresh and the smell was wonderful.
Sunday, 27 January 2019
Octopus balls - Takoyaki
Another food photo. This time a cook at a food stall in a market, making and selling oyster balls or takoyaki. The texture was interesting, too much batter, but the chopped up octopus in the batter was tender and yummy.
Saturday, 26 January 2019
Stirrring the pot
One of the chefs at the Ramen Restaurant stirring his noodles with purpose. He was an artist, monitoring each batch closely, especially when wontons were added. One thing I really enjoy about Ramen restaurants and other small restaurants I have been is being close to the action, watching the chef and interacting with them and observing their skills and technique.
Friday, 25 January 2019
Waiting for Ramen
Last weekend I went to a Ramen restaurant- Haruki in Ogikubo. One I had read about in Lonely Planet and elsewhere. It has a reputation as one of the best in Tokyo - not that I am a Ramen aficionado.
There was a queue, but I was there I decided to join it.
Queues at Ramen restaurants move fairly quickly as people don't linger after they have enjoyed their bowl.
The chef came out through the restaurant curtain to take orders while customers were waiting. Luckily for me he had a menu in English.
It was small inside and the ramen with slices of pork was yummy.
Thursday, 24 January 2019
Wednesday, 23 January 2019
Supermarket Mysteries - Part 2
Tonight I was looking for a floor cleaner. The floor cleaning section of the supermarket had squeeze mops and brooms and sticky tape on rollers to roll over the floor. I bought the things in the orange bag, which turned out to be a wet wipe that some how goes on the bottom of the mop and leaves an orange smell. Didn't work for me!
Tuesday, 22 January 2019
Peonies in Huts
The peonies at the Ueno Toshogu Peony Garden near the Toshogu Shrine in Ueno Park were absolutely divine. The richness of the colour, the blousy nature of the huge blooms and their delicacy made for a beautiful visit.
The peony was brought to Japan from China and is seen as a symbol of fertility and nobility. They are a symbol of good fortune at New Year.
Kan-Botan means winter peony, cultivated using a special technique to bloom in the winter. and to protect them from snow and frost they are given straw shade huts and straw mats.
The peony was brought to Japan from China and is seen as a symbol of fertility and nobility. They are a symbol of good fortune at New Year.
Kan-Botan means winter peony, cultivated using a special technique to bloom in the winter. and to protect them from snow and frost they are given straw shade huts and straw mats.