[Jan.2013] In Toba, we visited Mikimoto Pearl Island. Four Ama (professional female divers) jumped into the freezing sea to show us how they traditionally worked. This was my second time to see this, so I…

[ Jan.2013] Early in January, we had a short family trip to Iseshima in Japan. I do not mean that we payed a visit to the Ise Shrine, which would be very very crowded in…

[Dec.2012] In the morning of the day we left Niigata, the outside view was totally white. The rain yesterday turned into snow. From now on, they would have snow almost every day. The long snowy…

[Dec.2012] One of the main special products in Niigata is Japanese Sake without any doubt.We visited Takarajima sake brewery without booking.This small brewery was founded in 1885 and seemed to be one of those which…

[Dec.2012] We ate Omokaru-manju, Japanese style bun, before going into Yahiko Shrine in Niigata, because my friend recommended this manju from Kameya shop.There were three tastes, soya sauce, brown sugar and sesame.I wanted to try…

[Dec.2012] At the end of the year, we visited my friends in Niigata. They took me here, Teradomari. The area with many fishmongers’ is called ‘Ameyoko of fish’ (Ameyoko is the famous market in Tokyo)….

[Dec.2012] When we were having a walk around Tsukiji in Tokyo, we came across Tsukiji Honganji temple. I had known the name, but this was the first time actually to visit there. I was very…

[Dec.2012] After being satisfied with seafood bowl at Tsukiji fish market, we had a walk around Tsukiji  Jougai Ichiba, market place just outside of the main fish market. Or we wanted to, but it was…

[Dec.2012] The small restaurants in Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo opens at around 4 am and closes at 1 pm.It must have been only for the workers of the market, but now they are for…