A View Of A Concrete Tree

I have been somewhat remiss about celebrating the completion of Tokyo Sky Tree on Feb 29th. It was two months later than scheduled but Japan was hit by tsunami and earthquakes last year, if you remember.

Move over Canton Tower. Tokyo Sky Tree now officially towers above you at 634 metres (2,080 feet) tall. However, it  is "only" the second tallest structure in the world, beaten by the mighty Dubai's Burj Khalifa that looms at 830metres.

3 years (the construction of the Sky Tree started in July 2008), 580,000 workers and 65billion Yen later - Tokyo Sky Tree now sets to greet visitors on May 22nd.

For visitors - any thoughts of just strolling by on the day and going up to either one of the two observatory at 350metres and 450metres; admission to the observatory is only allowed with prior reservation made until July 10th in anticipation of eager rush to view it. 

Anyway, enough about dry facts and on with photos! Wooo!!!!

Tokyo Sky Tree viewed in 2010

Tokyo Sky Tree viewed in 2011

This is a "rush" post in order to placate a certain impatient individual and also to "kipas-kipas" or butter her up so that she'll post more on obscure shrines in her blog.

By the way, this is the first of (maybe) a few posts on Tokyo Sky Trees since I have like a bazillion photos of them stashed away. Be patient with me. Ooommmmmm....

And how does the Sky Tree looks like now that it's finished?  Either I go visit Japan and Tokyo again this year or I demand someone to post the latest photo of the Sky Tree in their blog. What say you? ;)

Oke?

A post inspired by Rurousha's very interesting snippet about one particular rat-like boy(?) which is one of the many colourful statues that one can find in the street near Sensoji in Asakusa. Also, if you want to know the meaning of the word on the title, you'd have to read the comment section of  Rurousha's Rat Boy post! Go on. Go over and read. I bet you'll get hooked visiting her awesome blog. It's better than reading a history book! I promise! By the way, I forgot to mention that I love my history books. Give me history books and I'll devour it. Shouldn't be surprised that it was one of very few subject sI actually paid attention to in class. ^^

Anyways, in my rather "demanding" but going about it in a roundabout'ish way, I'm putting up a few photos of similar statues I found while walking around the street of Asakusa and hoping that Rurousha or other learned soul in or out of Japan can shed some lights on their story. 

 Another rat boy? Whatcha scaling the wall for, mister?

 A bloke fending off rat boy? Halt! Or I swipe your head with my umbrella.

Some blokes (and a bird) I don't mind chatting up. Pretty fit and energetic bunch of people, with excellent knowledge of the area. They are waiting for visitors to get on their jinrikisha (human-powered car). A fellow blogger, Kak Lela who resides in Okinawa commented that the rikisha guys (and gals) are university under-grads. They are athletes and strong runners. Oooooo.....

Rikisha guys in action. I did stop and eavesdropped but since my Japanese is negligible - can't understand a word they were saying. I would love to sit in the rickshaw someday- not only can I learn of the area more intimately but also a chance to ogle at hot butts! LOL

this one, a particularly blurry photo I took of Raimie waaayy back in 2006. The rikisha "oke" obligingly stopped when he saw me taking photos. I snapped a bad one but I felt guilty halting him and his customers.

Can't send chocolates to Rurousha to celebrate Valentine's Day so I hope this post dedicated to her would suffice. You gals in Japan - giving out a lot of chocolates come Valentine's Day tomorrow?

Anyways, chocolates to us ladies is encouraged. But chocolates to men from ladies is just not normal! Not for me anyway. I sure ain't gonna give guys chocolates because I should be the one getting them!

Update. Another one! ^^

Rurousha, the kind soul that she is, had gone back to scout/dig/unearth more info about the statues and you can read all about them (plus watch a clip too) over at her post titled "The Five Scoundrels on Asakusa Roofs".

Asakusa Walking, At Night

As you know, we have a soft spot for Asakusa. The nightlife in Asakusa may not be that happening but that's the way we like it. It's a place where I can comfortably walk around with my son when Zaini went out to do his "own" thing at night.

But it doesn't mean Asakusa is dead at night. Plenty of interesting stuff to see, once the night comes.

You have to know too that Asakusa does have its seedy part. Walk further and out of the tourist trail, you can find a certain "theater" that you might not want your child to see its posters. Charming, eh?

Scared Silly And Loving It

Raimie loves haunted houses and visit them we must if we go to any theme parks or carnivals. Being scared silly can be a lot of fun sometimes.

I should've posted this up in time for the Halloween, but I only got the idea after reading Cocomino's post about Temple during Festival and him mentioning about haunted houses.

 The Mystery Zone at Tedori Fish Land, way out in Ishikawa Prefecture.

The Thriller Car attraction at Hanayashiki Amusement Park. The "ghosts" are so obviously mechanical and stuff but it's good scary fun for the kids. ^^

The Haunted Mansion at Hanayashiki Amusement Park too. It is an "audio" type of scare, with flickering lights and whatnot to complete the effect while we sat around a dinner table of a mansion setting; but it sure can be scary. A Japanese girl in our group actually cried out of fear.

Fun, fun scary ride on Tower of Terror at Tokyo DisneySea despite enduring a two-hour queue. We would've skipped this if not for the fact that Raimie really, really wanted to go and have a ride there. It's a popular ride, so if you plan to ride this, be there early to either queue or get your fastpass ticket. FAST The fastpass will run out fast at this attraction.

Then, of course we had to go to the Haunted Mansion Holiday Nightmare at Tokyo Disneyland. The characters of Tim Burton's Night Before Christmas with the existing original 999 ghosts, ghouls and other scary "beings" made this one pretty fun. Raimie totally loves it!

The Snow White Adventure ride at Tokyo Disneyland can be a scary one too. I heard a lot of bawlings when we were inside the attraction. This ride is classified as  attractions for small children, but don't expect a whole sunny, cheery ride here. It started off cute and sunny, and turn to dark and menacing soon. Just look at the dwarfs' expressions. xD

Visiting haunted and scary rides in an evening is sure more fun than visiting it during the day. I suppose it's the added "spooky" atmosphere. Can't go wrong if there are Halloween decorations around too. *^-^*

The Shogun Mound

More on sites to see at Bessho Onsen.

There are plenty of stuff to see in the few hundreds metres from the hotel we were staying in. With the information board on all the sites in Japanese and English, it is easy to appreciate the sites here after reading about their history even if one goes there without much research beforehand.

The Shogun Mound - 

During the Kofun period (250 - 538 bc) this 10m diametre 3m tall circular mound was constructed as the tomb for powerful local rulers.  It's also calle Koremochizuka.

In 969,  during the reign of Emperor Reizen, a female demon named "Koyo" lived on Mount Tagakushiyama and was tormenting local folks with her sorcery. In response to an imperial order, Shogun Yogo successfully destroyed after praying for success at the Kitamuki Kannon and the Koremochizuka mound is said to be his burial site.

Yukake Jizo Statue

There are plenty of things to see and learn about at Bessho Onsen and not just about soaking in hot spring water if you vacation there. I've written a number of posts on Bessho Onsen and that's because a visit there was truly enjoyable for us. There are still a number of places we've yet to visit there. Our 2D1N there last year sure wasn't enough!

Under this nondescript wooden structure is the

The Yukake Jizo Statue at Bessho Onsen.

The story goes -

When a man named Shunzo who had deep faith in the great Nichiren was travelling through the swamps of Sado to pay respects to the imprisoned teacher, he heard a voice calling "Shunzo, Shunzo" yet nobody was seen.

The voice then said " I have been trapped in the mud for a very long time. How I would love to soak myself in the springs of Shinano. If you cleanse me there, I will grant your wishes".

Shunzo then entered the swamp and extracted a single jizo (Ksitigarbha deity) and he rushed to Shinano and placed it in the waters of Bessho. From that time, Shunzo lived a joyous life blessed with a beautiful wife and children.

On Nichiren - he was a controversial figure during his time. Born in 1222 in the village of Kominato, Nagase district. One source of controversy is the perception that Nichiren Buddhism is exclusivist. 

This can be traced to Nichiren's remonstrations with government officials and leaders of the Buddhist schools in Japan. He criticized them for their manipulations of the populace for political and religious control. Citing Buddhist sutras and commentaries, Nichiren argued that the Buddhist teachings were being distorted for their own gain (see the compilation of Nichiren's exchanges with government leaders and Buddhist practitioners in "The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin" 1999).

Cosmos

Cosmos flower, the classic flower of Autumn. I read somewhere that the kanji of Cosmos is written as the "autumn cherry blossom".

What else makes me think of autumn? This too...

Persimmon

Mention Cosmos to my Son and I know his first thought of Cosmos would be, what else? Ultraman Cosmos!

He'll be meeting all those Ultra Heroes soon, as his 9th birthday treat. :)

I Like Yellow Too

There's a post about the colour green earlier. Green gives me a calm feeling. It also gives out a certain cooling feel. Walking along a path with green moss made me feel like I was transported to feudal era. Heh.

Anyways, to make the colour green, one needs yellow and blue, right?

Yellow is cheerful. Yellow is bright. Yellow is hope. Yellow is optimistic. 

Yellow flowers are always nice

as are these yummy, juicy yellow pears

Yellow uni (sea urchin) which is up there amongst the stuff I love to eat

but the best view and it sure is nothing better than seeing a sea of yellow rice fields as far as the eyes can see.

You know, I do think we Asians can't stray far or too long from our rice. Rice is sustenance. Rice is life. Rice is sacred.

and for Bananazஇ,

how did I forget about this yellow Banana man in Moji? xD

And I guess after his a "Blue" themed post should be in order. What say you? Who cares. I'm putting it up regardless!

On The Way To Nyuto Onsen...

We took the Akita Shinkansen Komachi from Ueno Station to Tazawako Station for our one night stay at Taenoyu Onsen in Nyuto Onsen. I know I've posted endless post about Tazawako and Nyuto Onsen but hey! Why not post another one lest one stray visitor looking for some info chances upon this blog. ^^

Sorry. I am shameless enough to rehash old stories until it's time for me to make a new one. (3 more months to go, folks! And you bet I'll be blogging real time from Japan)

Anyways, if you want to read more about the area, just click on the either Akita, Tazawako or Nyuto Onsen tags listed at my sidebar. 

At Tazawako Station. This dragon head reminds me that there is the Kakunodate Yama Festival from Sep 7th - 9th. We were supposed to go last year but as we changed our travel date at the last minute and arriving later, no floats crashing were witnessed by us. Just the thought of seeing two floats facing each other and crashing over the right-of-way is downright awesome.

By changing the travel last minute last year, we screwed our hard to get, need 6 months in advance room reservation to spend a night in a room with no electricity and has an irori right smack in the middle of the room at Tsurunoyu Onsen. There were other rooms available but what's the fun in staying in other "normal" room. I want the whole rustic, sleep like samurais experience!

Before making our way to Nyuto Onsen; a quick bento lunch for Raimie. Om nom nom...

Then it was time to board the bus. We got on the bus at bus stop no. 1 and made a stop at Lake Tazawa as planned.

At the rest area by the Lake, are shops and there are free food samples there. Free sampling galore for us. Didn't go out empty-handed; we bought ourselves a postcard bearing the photo of Tatsuko and Raimie got his wish to eat a "goma"/sesame soft ice-cream. ;p

A view of the lovely, pristine Lake Tazawa. You know, I'm all crazy about running nowadays (I'm  gonna run in the Putrajaya Night Marathon next month. Yeay!) so I should just mention here that Lake Tazawa will be holding its 26th Annual Marathon on Sunday, Sep 18th. Maybe I should enter one year, should our travel date to Japan coincide with the marathon. After all, the Tokyo Marathon would be soooooo out of my league if I ever harbour the hope of running races in Japan! ^^!

I wonder if "Barutan Seijin" will be running again this year. Unlike in Ultraman, Barutan Seijin is a nice alien at Tazawako Marathon. He was an escort runner for one visually impaired runner. Salute to both runners! Much respect from me to them.

After sightseeing, it was time to board the bus again and head to Nyuto Onsen. Off we go! We were rewarded with these awesome views along the way:

Breathtaking view of the lake, of the mountains and of course rice fields.

We arrived Taenoyu Onsen just in time for check-in. Why waste getting there late instead of being there right on the dot the exact time you are allowed to check-in? Kakaka