A new place to visit, Fukushima. It is a place which I have heard about three years ago from a very close friend, of his beautiful hometown in Fukushima. And this time, I am destined to go to this wonderful place which he told me so much about.
On arrival, his brother, Seiji, and sister in-law, Yasuyo, came to pick my mom and I up at the train station. It took us around 2 hours to reach this beautiful suburbs surrounded by greens. From the station, it took us around 15 minutes to arrive their beautiful home.
Dinner was very fulfilling because we have a feast. Dishes include
Ayu Fish, Sanzai, some pickles (Tsukemono) and peaches (momo) for dessert. The dinner was very delicious. Just before dinner, Takashi's & Seiji's mother, Kimiko baa-chan gave us her collection of her hand-made Oshi-E (an art piece with colourful papers pasted on hardboard). Very beautiful indeed.
On the first night itself, I have first and ever experience earthquake when I was about to go to bed on 23rd July. It lasted about 5 minutes. It was exciting as I could feel the glasses clanking against each other, moving earth shakily, and also movement of walls and the lights above your head. It's scary, but a true experience. My host family is even more shock than I did when Yasuyo came to check I was alright. I later understood from the news it was the 6-degree earthquake in Iwate that resulted the aftermath.
My host brought us to visit Komine-Jo, a castle which is very much as itself, with a beautiful garden around it. Too bad we were too early and the castle was closed. I would have love to go in and look at the inner structure. We then visited an exhibit of the Shirakawa war time history just besides the castle.
After a short visit there, we proceed to try out painting Dharma doll. The Dharma doll is believed to bring good fortune and luck to the owner. But the Japanese believed wealth should be accumulated, and they will start with the smallest Dharma doll available, and change the doll by the year to signify that your wealth and luck has accumulated. I find it pretty interesting, and the belief may hold its truth. My host bought us a pair of small Dharma doll, and we painted our medium-sized Dharma doll too. We also visited the small factory behind the premise to take a closer look on how Dharma doll is made.
The day's activity brought us to Nanko Park, it is a famous and big man-made park. The park houses many floras and faunas. Next to the park lies a tea house, which we experienced simple tea-drinking with Wagashi (Japanese sweets) while enjoying the view in the park. The garden is beautiful indeed. Next to the park is Nanko Jinjya, a shrine where Yasuyo and Seiji was married 32 years ago. How romantic! We then tried the Nanko Danko sweets just beside the parks.
The day's highlight was then to the mountain of Nasuo. There, we went to see the beautiful mountains and also to try out local village delicacies and also to the Hotspring! After my hotspring experience in Hokkaido, I began to fall in love with Onsen. It's truly refreshing and relaxing. I enjoyed the day very much!
After going home from the mountain, we then went to supermarket to prepare the ingredients for that night's dinner. We were cooking Bak Kut Teh for my host to try. The dinner was awesome, but it's a bit heaty. I suggested to Yasuyo to cook this during winter. The high note for the night was to celebrate Seiji birthday falling on the next day 25th July. He'll turn 59. I was told that Japanese celebrate 60th and 88th birthday. How unusual, and new to know. I wonder why.
Just a night before we departed to Takayama, we went to pay a visit to Yoshizo Jii-chan, whom I have heard so much about from Takashi. After seeing him in real person, I felt so elated to meet such a great man. I really enjoyed his company and he is a very tough man with lots of knowledge to share with. Also, Yasuyo gave me a fan made from Kiri-E (paper cutting art). It was very nice of her. Maybe it was then that triggered my love for them for being so kind and generous host to me. I was very moved, and shed some tears in front of them. Very embarrassing indeed.
Thank you very much, Seiji, Yasuyo, Kimiko Baa-chan and Yoshizo Jii-chan for your warm hospitality. I will never forget your your kindness and generosity extended to me and my mom.