Sakura-cha with real Cherry blossom
Sakura tea is a popular drink for celebrations such as weddings or other special occasions in Japan. Sometimes you can also find sakura tea serve for you at the “ryokan” – Japanese style inn/hotel. It is made with sakura cherry blossoms pickled in salt – a very traditional Japanese ingredient. As fresh cherry blossoms can be harvested only once a year, Japanese started pickling them in salt and ume plum vinegar in order to be able to enjoy the Sakura flavor throughout the whole year.
Okinawa Soba
Okinawa Soba is a traditional & local dish that is available almost everywhere in Okinawa. It is basically noodles in a very delicious broth that uses both katsuo-bushi (dried bonito fish) and pork as its soup base. The noodles are usually served with either thick slices of sanmai-niku (pork-bacon) or soki (spare ribs). It is one of Okinawa’s most famous dishes.
Plum viewing in Tokyo 2015
Tokyo welcoming it’s first signs of Spring with the plum viewing in some gardens & temples or shrines. Plum or “Ume” flowers mainly pink & white color are renowned for their pleasant fragrance that fills the Tokyo air from early February to mid-March.
Clock Tower, Sapporo
The clock tower also called “Tokeidai” by the local, was built in 1878 as a theatrical hall of the Sapporo Agricultural School, present day Hokkaido University. It is well known for its red roof and white walls and its main characteristic is the wooden architecture, popular in the mid and western regions of America during the frontier era. The bell in the tower rings every hour to announce the time to the city.
Kifune Shrine, Kyoto
Kifune Shrine is the main sightseeing attraction in the village of Kibune, Kyoto. The shrine is in the deep mountains which has a mystical atmosphere. It has been worshiped as deity of water that is very precious for daily life for people in Kyoto. The path to the shrine is exceptionally beautiful with it’s stone steps lined with red lanterns. You will feel purified just by visiting here.