The cheapest vegetable in Japan, bean sprouts or moyashi
They were introduced from Thailand and Vietnam. In Japanese, moyashi-kko means “so sheltered” because of their thinness and whiteness.
There are so many different ways to cook bean sprouts, stir frying, boiling and so on. Just for one dollar, you cannot get anything in Japan, but you can get bean sprouts, not only one bag but 5 bags!!
Jizo Zodiac
When I was going to a temple, I noticed a stone statue with red fabric. So, I got closer to it and found out it was a jizo which is one of the most popular Buddhist bodhisattvas in Japan. Many Jizo statues wear a red baby’s cap and bib which people offer because they believe Jizo helps dead children go to the Buddhist equivalent of Heaven. There were 12 of them at the temple. A monk from the temple told me that they were represented the Chinese zodiac. The animals are: the rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and boar (some of them are the legendary creature). This is a serpent. A baby who was born this year, the baby’s zodiac is a serpent. If you pray in front of the jizo which is your Chinese zodiac, your dream comes true. They are getting popular in Japan. So, you will see them more often than before. Find out what is your animal symbol and pray in front of the jizo.
“Shibazakura” – phlox subulata
Cherry blossoms are blooming beautifully now in Japan. This week and next week are the best time to view cherry blossoms in Tokyo. But, in my home town, they are not blooming yet. It might take another month to cherry blossoms here. These pictures show what we have now. People who live in US knows this flower as a phlox subulata. Don’t you think they are quite similar to cherry blossoms?
Ueno Zoo – final
This is looking at Shinobazu Pond from Ueno Onshi Park or known as “Ueno no Oyama.” The other picutre shows Japanese having a “cherry-blossom-viewing” party which called “ohanami.” It is very a popular custom in Japan.
Ueno Zoo – continued
Kyu Kanenji (old former Kanen temple) and cherry blossoms are recommended spots for visitors from foreign countries.
Looking at the zoo and the cherry blossoms from The Shinobazu Pond has it own beauty.
