Kinkasan Island 金貨山

For a change from our daily city life in Sendai, we ventured out a bit further this time, to the small island of Miyagi prefecture called Kinkasan which literally means "Mountain of Gold". The name probably is derived from its 1,250 years old Koganeyama Shrine which sits on top of the island hills and is said to bring financial prosperity if visited three times in consecutive years.

We stayed in a very friendly family-run guesthouse called Shiokaze minshuku. This small budget inn is situated right on the cliff, facing the coast, and it being the low season, we were the only guests and were lucky to have a room with a great view of the sea. For dinner, we were served some very fresh seafood, including a live sea urchin that kept crawling in our dinner set!

Sendai, Japan Mai 2009

Aoba Matsuri Festival

Aoba Matsuri is the annual local festival commemorating the founder of Sendai, Date Masamune, who led the city during the early Edo period. The entire venue was quite festive and lively despite the gray and rainy weather. Sheltered under the roof covering the Ichibancho-dori, crowds gathered around the traditional wooden floats and performance groups as they danced the Suzume Odori, "Sparrow Dance" which was said to be created when the local Aoba-jo Castle walls were raised.

I was particularly attracted by the pounding pulsing of the Taiko drums, especially since it was performed by a guy who was more than half naked! It was interesting to see the locals open up and dance so freely, which is quite rare to see in the everyday life here.

Sendai, Japan Mai 2009

Okama Crater

This volcanic crater lake is really something! Walking along the ridge around this gigantic hole does make one feel like being another planet. The color of the lake changes depending on the weather, hence its second name Goshiki-Numa which means "Lake of five colors". The name Okama, literally means "Iron Pot" describing exactly what it looks like, except that it's perhaps too wide for making any pasta.:) The wind was so strong up there that we were almost swept into the 'pot'! Zao-san, Japan Mai 2009

Koinobori

Koinobori, originally uploaded by adelie.

These colorful koi-shaped wind socks are flown traditionally on the national Children's Day, May 5th. For each family household, the largest black koi represents the father and the smaller ones the children (traditionally boys). It's so lovely to see these giant fishes fiercely swimming in the air.

Togatta, Japan
Mai 2009

Japan Love

Japan Love, originally uploaded by adelie.

Matsushima, Japan
Goruden Uiku, Mai 2009

500,000 Narcissus

500000 Narcissus, originally uploaded by adelie.

Last weekend we went to see the narcissus (or daffodils) festival on the Zao Eboshi ski ground, without our skis this time:) You can take the gondola up to the midway and walk down to see the 500,000 narcissus covering the ski slopes. Very beautiful!

Japan
Mai 2009

Recycling Rules

Recycling Rules, originally uploaded by adelie.

Here you see a pictogram of all the items one should recycle, categorized by the trashbag colors and the days of the week on which they are collected.

Matsushima, Japan
Mai 2009

Pine Cider

Pine Cider, originally uploaded by adelie.

At Yamadera last weekend, we tried this pine cider which was pretty good. A bit like 7Up with a flair of pine smell.

Yamadera, Japan
Avril 2009

Dai-Kannon

Last week, we visited this giant white Buddha statue which looms over the northern part of the city. It's about 100 meters high, and we could take the elevator up to the 'top' which actually reaches only up to the level of the chest. From there, we could see the four corners of the Sendai city through the small submarine windows. It was too bad that we could not be outside, like the Statue of Liberty, but the view was impressive nevertheless. Sendai, Japan Avril 2009

taxi algorithm

taxi algorithm, originally uploaded by adelie.

In front of the Sendai train station, there is an organized array of taxis waiting for the clients. The rule is that taxis in the first row get pushed out of the stack from left to right. The cute part was to see all the drivers sitting in there, patiently waiting for their turns.

Sendai, Japan
Avril 2009