Tofu Kaiseki dinner at Ukai in Tokyo

Tofu-ya "Ukai" is really nice place to dine. It's located next to Tokyo Tower which is world famous landmark in Japan. I believe you'll enjoy Ukai because they have traditional Japanese atmosphere, great hospitality, and inexpensive price range.
As you can see on the photo below, it's a beautiful Japanese garden.


Dinner was just great!!!!!
Their siguniture dish of "Tofu" was so soft and tasty. It was delicious:)

Saijo-ji at Mt. Daiyu in Kanagawa, Japan

Saijou-temple is not far from my home and I usually visit there in New Year. This temple is quite an old and is going to have 600th anniversary in this year.


Way to the gate of temple are covered by cider tree.
We burn incense at the entrance and get smoke to the body. It'll get away a bad luck.
Here is the first building.
Main building to pray for us.
Tengu (= long-nosed goblin) is guarding this temple. So we can see some of the related goods of Tengu. There are variety of geta (=clogs) on the ground. It's so amazing how big clogs are. One of them, I could sleep on the top of the clogs.

Eye contact!

It was so cute when 4 years old niece talked with 3 months baby. They communicate each other without speaking!

It was happened at New Year family gathering. Baby nephew were staring niece. He must know who is the close buddy for him:)

Mt. Fuji

Always nice to see the Mt. Fuji in the clear sky like this. I took this photo on January 2, 2009 from Otome-toge, Hakone.

View of Mt. Fuji changes every seconds by cloud or light. I could stay here all day with my camera:)

New Year's ornament

Paper craft of "Kagami-mochi".

"Kagami-mochi" (鏡餅）is known of New Year's decolation in Japan. It's offering to the Buddha (or God) to wish our happiness and family prosperity.

"Kagami-mochi" are sets of two round, flat rice cakes, in which a smaller one is placed on top of a larger one. Then add on orange on top.

• Japanese "Kagami" means mirror in English
• Japanese "Mochi" means rice-cake in English

A Happy New Year!!!!!

2010 started in Japan. This year's Oriental Zodiac is "Tiger". It's same as Chinese one.

I'm still thinking my New Year resolution now. I'll set it up before New Year's day family gathering.

Happy 2010 for you!