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. :)

No Exact Change? No Problem

One thing I absolutely love (well, one of many anyway) about travelling on buses in Japan is that I don't need to bang my head looking for exact change before boarding any bus, unlike using the RapidKL buses here in Kuala Lumpur.

Gotta love that blue machine that can change bills to  coins.

Just be careful not to put the notes you want to change in the slot for paying the fare!

Of course, if one plans to ride the bus often, a bus card may be a better deal and less hassle than slotting coins every time you board or alight from a bus.

Japanese Curry, Anyone?

Curry. Who likes curry? I do even though I know eating curries a few hours before I start my running workout will make me feel all heavy and acidic.

The curry we would normally see here in KL. Both Zaini and I love curry especially fish head curry.

A dish of fish head curry I cooked many, many moons ago.

Japanese curry is way different from the curries we are used to. It had different texture and taste from Indian curries or curries we are familiar with in Malaysia.

Curry (kare if you pronounce it the Japanese way) is a popular dish in Japan. Japanese curries can contain ingredients such as carrots, apple and honey. oooph! The "weirdness" of their curries I think was due to the influence coming not from Indian curries but it came through the British Navy.

Curry rice can be a cheap option to eat when one is in Japan. For us though, it is something we avoided just like ramen due to the content of lard or any meat products in the sauce.

But that didn't stop us from enjoying them where we can! We can eat Japanese version of curry in Malaysia instead. *^-^*

Ebi furai curry Zaini had at Mizu Restaurant in Bangsar.

Forgot what it's called but it's fried chicken curry rice. No, no tonkatsu curry rice for us, thanks. For obvious reason.

You may have biased view about curries and eating authentic version of curries... Fair enough. But why form a view on that and not be adventurous with your tastebud. After all, Malaysian cooked curries altered to suit our taste too be it Chinese style or Malay style, compared to the real Indian deal, you know.

The Things I Did To Celebrate My Birthday

A break from my posts about Japan.

The Wednesday, Sep 21st this year started swell for me; what with being inundated with wishes on this blog, FB and from friends and colleagues.

Thanks you all! You peeps really made my day. And I had a nice celebration this year too.

Celebration started a few days early on Sunday with an early morning road race.Yup, I entered a 10K race for my birthday. ^^

Never forget to smile for the camera even when you are exhausted from the run! xD

I can now officially enter some races under the Women Senior Category, instead of Women Open. Nothing made you feel young and sprightly than being called a "Veteran" you know. （ ´,_ゝ`)

I'm supposed to run another race (it's a charity run) this Sunday to celebrate me getting older but I don't think I can make it. :(

That Sunday afternoon was also spent over at my Sis' house. My niece shares the same birthday as me and my brother-in-law's (the Daddy) birthday is on Sep 22. Plenty of celebration. 

On Wednesday, at the office, I had already informed colleagues that I have no intention to celebrate, eat out  since I don't eat heavy lunch or even cut cake. But the ladies surprised me by buying this:

And this:

My Boss even gave me a present though it was nice, the mention of "Age Defying" on the label of the expensive creams is kinda.... making me feel old. q(;^;)p

Zaini took us out and we had dinner at Tony Roma's. I was craving for some protein and eating those succulent ribs there sure hit the spot. Yum!

Today, on Zaini's birthday; we are spending the morning over at Japan Embassy, applying our visa. Then, it's off for a 3D2N "staycation" at a nearby hotel. 

See you when I see you! *^-^*

It's My Birthday!

Happy birthday to me!

Last year on this date, I was in Sendai, Japan. The year before that, we spent the day visiting the Railway Museum located near JR Omiya Station. This year, I'm working on my birthday. It's by choice actually. I'd rather save up my annual leave for the upcoming trip in three month's time. Anyway, both Zaini and I will be taking the day off on Zaini's birthday on Sep 23rd.

When You Set The Fun Button On!

When you choose to have fun and not be critical of the places and situation you are in, chances are that trip will be fun. 

Even when one gets on "boring" kiddie rides like these:

My point is - why go anywhere or do anything if one decide to be critical and negative. Life should be enjoyed to the fullest. Forget about talking crap about places or what others are doing. We should set our mind for good and positive things instead of wallowing in negativity.

Be silly once in a while and have fun!

By the way, in case you are wondering - those photos were taken at Hanayashiki Amusement Park. I have lots more photos at the park that I should share here. I'm just waiting for the right "story" to come up to go together with them. *^^*

We Travel Light

We usually take about three shirts and an extra pair of jeans each when we go for our vacation, be it a 2D 1N trip or a fortnight trip. We do bring a big (or two) bag along when we go to Japan, but that's for the stuff we are going to take back from our trip not bring over!

So this is essential to us and we do look for it when we are on vacation. What is? These...

Coin operated detergent dispenser, washing machine and dryer. Gotta find them at least every three days when we are there! ^^

How Deep Are We Underground?

Sometimes, you enter a rather nondescript looking station like the one in the photo to board a train. Instead of going down just a flight of stairs, you saw a seemingly endless downward tunnel.

You keep on going down by the stairs or the escalators and after a while, you start to wonder how deep are you exactly underground.

And you start to marvel how they managed to dig so deep underground for the station and track and yet life goes on above ground.

We are not even halfway up yet! Won't be seeing the sunlight yet until you take a few more escalators up. o.O

Going up, uP and UP! And keep to left when you are on one. ^^

Thinking about these maze in the belly of Tokyo somehow reminded me of my own hometown in Raub, Pahang. In its heyday of mining in the early of 20th century; Raub was the "Malayan Capital of Gold". Using shaft mining and operated by the Royal Australian Gold Mine; these tunnel snaked through under the town. No building in the town centre of Raub can be more than 4-storey high because of these tunnel. The tunnels were blasted closed by the British during the Japanese Occupation in the WWII.

A controversial  mining is set to work full force in Raub using the "carbon in leach" method using sodium cyanide to get gold from old mines that used traditional mining methods previously.

Nyuto Onsen Walking Part II

More photos we took while strolling around Taenoyu Onsen in Nyuto Onsen. See earlier post of Nyuto Onsen Walking, Part I too. Yea, so there are endless photos of this place and plenty that I've yet to share.

And if there is just one more reader who is like me, I bet that reader appreciate the fact there are extensive photos of any place that he/she is looking & researching at. No? Who cares if it's just me anyway. xD

The Sendatsu river. It must be nice to go and take a dip there, but even in mid-September; the weather was already chilly in this part of Japan. I think I'd freeze over if I dare to dip my feet in it!

 The bus stop located right across the street from Taenoyu Onsen.

Some random flowers we saw

In front of Ogama Onsen. Not a soul can be seen early in the morning. It was before breakfast time, after all. What better time to have a quiet couple walk together with the one you love? <3

and there's water, water, water flowing everywhere here. Hot spring water too!

A foot bath at Ogama Onsen, located a few hundred metres from Taenoyu Onsen.

We even saw an old water pump. No, it's not in working condition, I think...

I wish I can take a dip in some hot spring water soon. Never mind. I'll just settle for a dip in the bath tub instead for the time being. ^^

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!

Autumn Is Sanma Time?

Grilled sanma is a staple of  "teishiku" or set lunch and what better time to enjoy this fish than in autumn when it is in season; having swum down from the cold northern seas.

Grilled sanma served with a little grated radish on the side, a bowl of rice and a steaming bowl of miso, cold tofu and some pickles - can't beat this set meal! It happen to be my favourite.

Can't wait for the Iwate Fair to be held at Jusco so that I can buy some "cheap" fresh sanma though by the look of it, getting any stocks from Japan over at the supermarket nowadays may be a bit of a problem. The Japanese food aisles at Jusco Mid Valley are quite empty and left unstocked. :(

Anyhoo... a fresh sanma and a prepared sanma I grilled myself at home. 

It's easy to serve these sanma fish. Just a matter of sprinkling some salt and grilling it to your liking. No need to gut the fish too! Just grill them whole.

Instead of serving it with grated daikon/radish; I served it Malay style - with  kicap (thick soy sauce), sliced shallots and lime juice. It was smashing!

One day I got into this experimenting mood and decided to cook the sanma "assam pedas" style. Can't say I limit myself to just a certain way of cooking, eh? *^-^*

If you are in Japan in Autumn, don't forget to eat sanma (and think of me). Kakaka

There are other food that makes me think of Autumn. Kuri (chesnut) comes to mind too. A post of all those kuri I ate soon?

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