Japanese new year treat Osechi, and Ise shrine!

 Every year, I begin the first day with Japanese new year treat Osechi (おせち料理) with my family. Because typical family population in this country continue to shrink, most family is no longer cook a bunch of food in it themselves, instead they get it from department stores and so forth that offer a variety of them. Ranges from $100-$1,500 for a set, it all depends on how luxurious ingredients are, rather than the quantity. In this photo, I think it would be around $150. Once we celebrate new year, I hopped on my car with my family, driving to the southwest to one of the most famous Shrines in Japan.

 Looking from the window, we came across the pacific ocean along the express way. Shining from the east, the weather couldn't be better :)

 As we arrived, we were trapped with so many people coming to the shrine.  It wasn't surprising, considering the fact that it hosts around 500,000 prayers just in first three days of each year. Not all people are particularly religious, I believe. Many people come there to see their relatives, have drinks such as sake and hot meal in street stands along the way :)

 In a vast garden, there are woods, countless narrow paths, and even river. It's the best place to take a walk for the first day of the year! ;)

Cafe, Mt.Fuji, and some espresso.

  This was the week I once again came back to my hometown to enjoy my weekend. Coming across the Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in this country Japan, getting to the city of Nagoya takes 5 hours by car.

 So....How about taking some rest in a Japanese-style cafe "lamp"? (Official site is here) With a cup of espresso in the morning, I found myself getting back on where I used to be.

 I'll be back to Tokyo within several days :)

Cherry blossoms and cakes :)

 As cherry blossoms were full boom, I sensed the spring had finally come, and soon the temperature gets even more rise. Its pink flowers deeply evoke me of emotions of both farewell and encounter: In Japan, schools start in April, as well as most of the freshmen joining in their companies. 

 For me, time passed so fast that there were very few moment to go out, like last year, walk along the streets to see cherry blossoms. I spent time for working, and enjoyed cakes in cafes. Perhaps I should have gone out to take pictures of cherry blossoms rather than being cafe. Well, it's okay. I'm alive with fairly nice condition. As long as I'm fine, it shows me how the world beautiful every year, every spring.
 So just looking forward to seeing it again, and try to make everyday even more fulfilled ;)

Chita Peninsula and fish market :)

 Whenever I got tired of hot weather, I drive my car to the south until it reaches the ocean. Recent couple of weeks, this country gets more and more severe temperature, so it was time to get back to my hometown to head to the sea :)

 I was supposed to work while I was on the bullet train. What made it impossible was the comfortable seat which prevented me from overwork. I slept, and once I awake and looked outside of the window, it was almost in my hometown Nagoya.

 Well, let's go to the sea, shall we? :)

 The reason I repeatedly come back to the sea is to eat nice fish and foods. While it's available to enjoy at some cool and sophisticated facilities, I tend to spend more time in a local fish market. "No two things are the same" I always think that way in the market ;)

A short stay in Nagoya :)

As holiday came, I go back to my hometown Nagoya to enjoy spending time with my family as well as my lovely dog. During my stay, I went out to have a lunch with my friend, or eating sushi.

 On the other hand, I cook by myself for my family, kept my room clean, and drove to the grocery to find nice ingredients. “There’s no difference while I was in Tokyo!” I thought myself, because the initial purpose for coming back is to take a rest. Nevertheless, I didn’t feel upset, or frustrated at all. Perhaps that’s what it’s like to stay with my family :)

Surgery and eating.

 As it came in February, I suddenly became much busier than ever. Not only because I had to go back to my hometown temporary to take a surgery, but also take some new job and chores. Now that it's set where it is, I can finally come back here to show you some pictures :)

 During a long stay in my hometown, sometimes I took a walk. At one point, I walked 20km without any rest, thus the doctor strongly suggested I shouldn't do any physical training for the time being. It was indeed hurt for such a person like me, love to go out. Instead of walking, I read books and drove my car frequently. Since they prohibited me from getting tired, my only fun was eating. It was a good opportunity to visit many great restaurants I've been interested in for a long time. Well, it's not that bad to be ill, sometimes :)

Another famous ceramic town "Tokoname" in Aichi :)

 Let's begin with this huge cat :) Tokoname is a famous destination for pottery fan like me. Located by the ocean, this small city has been making a variety of ceramics, especially pots for making green tea for a long time. When you take them at someone's home, you probably notice a chestnut-colored pot with cups. Yes, it is from Tokoname City.

 For the record... I took it in a tea factory I visited last year, 2014:)
(I posted it here by the way ;)

 When you arrive at there, you can see a dozen of brick chimneys stood toward the sky. Although most of them aren't available now, it has us feel like coming a special place. So let's take a tour :)

 Because it was in the middle of New Year Holiday, few workshops were opened. Soo unlucky! I should come back soon (hopefully it becomes warm enough to walk all day :)

 :D