from Tango Kyoto

2010年3月30日火曜日

Mt. Isanago

We climbed Mt. Isanago.

It is already Spring.
However, it was snowing the night before.

Though it melted on flat land,
mountains still had snow.

We were the first climbers apart from deers.

Mt. Isanago is called 1010 track.
It has 1010 steps.
Climbing up the steps is quite hard.

Some open area has less snow as it had melted.
Most of the track had snow as they are under the shade of trees.

We reached at the top.
It was full of snow!!

On the way back to the car park,
we met some family with kids.
They had picnic packs.
They were planning to have lunch at the summit.
We warned that there were lots of snow at the top.
They kept climbing anyway.

I don't know if they had lunch there though.

T.Gray

2010年2月12日金曜日

Making charcoal

About three years ago,
my husband and I were invited to charcoal making
by his colleague.

His colleague lives in a small village in Tango.

Charcoal making steps
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After burning for long long time (maybe about 8 hours),
we pulled the burned woods...

and cover them with dirt.

Colleague's house

This was done in March.
It was a beautiful day.

Charcoal can be used as heater.
But also, it is really good to dry a room.
You keep it in a humid place.
It sucks water and keep the room dry.

We use some under our kitchen sink.

T.Gray

2010年1月2日土曜日

Should auld acquaintance be forgot...

It is the new year, 2010, the future, or so they say.

In some countries there is partying and debauchery, in others there's nothing because they believe the New Years starts on a different date. In Japan, however, there are shrines. In Japan it is custom to go to the shrines either on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. It seems to parallel Christian Christmas - the day before, the day after or both, it's your choice.

This year I went to two shrines in Mineyama. The first one is named Jotokuji). As you can see there is a lot of snow.

The custom is to go up to the bell, ring the chime once, clap and say a prayer. The idea is to scare away evil and bad luck for the new years. Here are pictures of the bell.

Most shrines offer saki and kuromame (sweet black beans) to also bring in good luck. Here are more pictures around the shrine.

There was also a second shrine named Konpirajinja located at the top of a few set of stairs. The picture below is of only one set.

At this particular shrine they had special food, charms, keitai (cell phone) straps and statues of animals depicting the new year. Last year was the Ox, this year is the Tiger. I was also excited to receive special New Years candy. This candy is especially hard and sweet. The idea is to use the mini mallet to break off pieces. It was a little difficult to no smash the candy into a thousand pieces but definately worth it.

If you get the chance to be in Japan during the New Year I would highly recommend seeing a shrine. It's a different experience and certainly more interesting than church, in my opinion.

-Rob

2009年12月13日日曜日

Making own rice cakes

Before New Years Day comes,
people prepare for Mochi.

Mochi
is a sticky rice cake.

People used to be making their own.
But now,
most people buy at shops.

HOWEVER,
country side like Tango has traditional customs still.

Last year,
we were invited to mochi making by our local friends.

Here is a procedure of making mochi.

1. Steam glutinous rice.

2. Put the rice in a big wooden bowl called "Usu"
and
mush the rice with a big hummer called "Kine"

3. Once the rice mushed well, we start hit the rice like this;
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4. When the rice was totally mushed, move them to a wooden tray.

5. And make small balls immediately like this;
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We eat mochi on New Years Day with soup.
Also,
we make a big one and display it for celebration.

T.Gray-

Beautiful Autumn

Autumn is the best season to see nature in Japan.

If you go to forest,
you can see leaves are changing to
red
yellow
orange...

They are so beautiful!!

These photos below are taken in November.

We climbed Mt. Isanago in Mineyama Town.

There are 1010 steps to the summit.
This mountain is good for beginners.
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You can see beautiful mountain ranges.

This is one of my favourite photos.
My son Leo and Japanese maple leaves.

T.Gray-

2009年11月1日日曜日

Top Of The World

Living in the Tango area offers one many beautiful and breathtaking views. In my last post I mentioned the ocean, in this post I shall mention the mountains and the wonders you can find there.

In Ukawa, located on the Northern part of the coast, is a beautiful lighthouse. I've personally visited this lighthouse here and there but each time I find myself admiring the beauty and wonder of nature.

When you start on the trek there are stairs leading up the hillside. While the path may look long, don't worry - it's much longer. I'm not a fan of climbing stairs so be warned that there are many.

After some time you will come to a crossroad with side. Should you choose to go left (like I first did) you will end up going up more stairs and finally reach the top where there is something nice to enjoy.

Yes, it's a pavilion! On top of the climb there is a pavilion that is big, beautiful and allows you to enjoy the sights at the top. If you go later in autumn you can catch a nice glimpse of the momiji (turning leaves) that occurs when the weather changes. My favorite view is of the ocean and islands you get from the edge.

Of course, what is a trip to see a lighthouse without the actual lighthouse? If you follow the path back down to the crossroad and take the other path you will come to a clearing. It's a bit odd to just see woods open up to a space where there is the top of a lighthouse but it's a nice area to take pictures.

As you go closer you will come to the sign. Unfortunately it is only in Japanese but the summary is of the history of the lighthouse and how the lens works. It's interesting since it uses a special lens made from a dish of spinning mercury which is highly effective.