Japan Sightseeing Spot of Recent Article

What is Black-tailed gulls?

うみねこ/ウミネコ[umineko]:Black-tailed gulls

Black-tailed gulls has yellow legs and a red and black spot at the end of the bill.
This gull takes 4 years to reach full adult plumage.
As the name suggests, it has a black tail.
The bird has a cat-like call, giving it its Japanese name ― Umineko, "Sea cat" and Korean name ― Gwaeng-yi gull, which means "cat" gull.

 

The black-tailed gulls in the Kabushima Shinto shrine are very accustomed to human.

 

The Kabushima Shinto shrine was constructed in 1269.

The Kabushima Shinto shrine is a Shinto shrine to enshrine the benzaiten who is the god of the business prosperity and the child giving.

Moreover, the benten is a guardian deity of the fishery.
The black-tailed gulls are messenger of the benten, and it is loved as "Bird that informs them of the shoal of fish".

Because the local population gives the black-tailed gulls food, the black-tailed gulls of Kabushima are very accustomed to human.

But, it is said that the current state that the black-tailed gulls don't fear human is one of the causes causing a decrease of the black-tailed gull.

 

Precincts in Kabushima Shinto shrine

Then, I show you the Kabushima Shinto shrine.
[Moreover, there is my video at the end of this page.]

This is the stairs to the Kabushima Shinto shrine. Can you see that red TORII? The TORII is a gateway commonly built at the entrance to a Shinto shrine.	This pillar is made of the stone. The name of Kabushima Shinto shrine is carved for it. And, it is being carved by the engineer of the stone.
This stairs are very long. But, if I don't climb this stairs, I cannot see the Kabushima Shinto shrine. Now, let's go!	The sea is seen here. It is a wonderful view. There is a fishing port in Hachinohe City. The squid and the mackerel in the Hachinohe fishing port are famous in Japan.
This is a direction board. It is written that the black-tailed gull is a natural monument of Japan. Moreover, it is written, "The black-tailed gull is a messenger of the bentzaien".	This is Kabushima Shinto shrine. The Kabushima festival is held in the Kabushima Shinto shrine on the third Sunday April. It is very crowded with the local population and the tourist.
This is sacred water that is called 手水舎[CHOUZUYA]. To tell the truth, this water is tap water. The springwater is originally used for CHOUZUYA. But, the springwater might not be to our regret here.	The explanation of Kyusei Kigaku is written in this guide version. 九星気学[Kyusei Kigaku}: Kyusei Kigaku is old fortune-telling China with 3000 years of history.

 

 

Snacks that are loved black-tailed gulls in Kabushima Shinto shrine

The black-tailed gulls in the Kabushima Shinto shrine like to get food from human.

This is snacks in Japan of the name of "かっぱえびせん[Kappa Ebisen]".

The black-tailed gulls in the Kabushima Shinto shrine understand the wrapping bag of Kappa Ebisen.

When human has this wrapping bag, the black-tailed gulls come near to our sides.
And, when man throws out Kappa Ebisen to the black-tailed gulls, the black-tailed gulls in the Kabushima Shinto shrine gather all together.

And, it becomes a terrible fuss.

かっぱえびせん[Kappa Ebisen] is a Japanese snack food produced by Calbee of Japan. It is a crunchy, shrimp-flavored snack resembling french fries that is very popular in Japan.
The primary ingredients of Kappa Ebisen are wheat flour, vegetable oil, starch, shrimp, sugar, salt, baking powder, amino acid and sweetening.

 

 

Then, at the end, this is my video.

 

It is originally a prohibited activity though I gave the black-tailed gull food.
(I'm sorry, because I wanted to show you black-tailed gulls' loveliness.).

 

 

 

"Kyoto Kiyomizu-dera," you can experience the worship of the Flash video "visits" Air.

 

Wave of the Internet has also received the Buddhist tradition.
Kyoto-Kiyomizu to bow to the site on a PC "Air worship".

CATV Internet service "ZAQ" Kansai Multimedia Service to operate a 15 day tourist site of Kyoto "Kyoto nice things ZANMAI[Enjoying]" in the content, can experience a virtual visit to the Kiyomizu Temple "visit air" to the public. Service is free.

In Japan, this service is called "エア参拝(Air SANPAI)" now.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple was first built over 1000 years ago.
It was reconstructed in 1633 and is the most famous temple in Kyoto.

"Air-worship" is the approach from the torii shrines and temples of Kyoto, to visit to experience the content.

In the first bullet is a world heritage "Kiyomizu" will feature.
To bow before the operation and go through the gate, running a hand wash, and a series of operations to put money offering worship to play your video using Flash.

Video, voice narration to be played with subtitles in English and Japanese.

To experience the worship, the instructions to perform a squat.)

Money offering is available in your choice. Coins will play the selected video.

To experience a visit to the Kiyomizu Temple was built on a hill, and do squats in front of the screen instructions, as well as on-screen instructions to bow in front of the shrine as a manor, "stage of Kiyomizu" yell as the words " Let the dawn of Japan is near "and has been introduced.

Kansai Multimedia Service is added and can visit shrines and temples, including English, Chinese, Korean and narration for "air worship" by expanding, which will aim to attract tourists and revitalize Kyoto.

Would you like to visit to a Kiyomizu temple?

 

"Air Sanpai"
http://air-sampai.jp/

It is the website where money and registration are not required.
You can enjoy "Travel of Kyoto" free of charge.

 

An image is expanded by click.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple was first built over 1000 years ago.	Kiyomizu-dera's temple grounds are huge with many grand, elaborate structures built on them.
絵馬[EMA] is small wooden plaques on which Shinto worshippers write their prayers or wishes.	撫で大黒[NADE DAIKOKU] :God which can get each divine favor according to the part which you stroke.
縁結びの神[EN MUSUBI NO KAMI] : God which connects the edge of you and someone(Person whom you want).	音羽の滝[OTOWA NO TAKI] : Waterfall where three wishes are fulfilled when you drink water here.

 

Moreover, I found a wonderful website of Kiyomizu temple.
The photograph on this website is very beautiful.

http://www.khulsey.com/travel/japan_kyoto_kiyomizu-temple.html

 

Hararie

 

 

Towada-ko with autumn color is very beautiful.

I was very busy with own work for the past about two months, and I was very tired.
It's too tired I have a lot of things to do.(My job is still hard.)

My husband looked worried, and he said to me.

"How about going out of a trip for a change?"

I wavered, but I received his proposal.
It is because his proposal was an overnight trip.

We decided to go to the place where the scenery of autumn is beautiful because it was October.

 

Japan has much "the sights with the beautiful scene of autumn."

We decided to go to "十和田湖(Towada-ko)[Lake Towada]" in Aomori Prefecture.

Lake Towada [Towada-ko]:
Lake Towada[towada-ko] is the largest caldera lake in Honshu(the main island of Japan)- island, Japan.
Located on the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures, it lies 400 meters (1,800 ft) above sea level and is 327.0m (1,073 ft) depth, and is drained by the Oirase river.
With a surface area of 62.2 km, Towada is Japan's 12th largest lake, its bright blue color due to its depth.
The lake is the one of popular tourist destinations in Japan.

 

The place in Lake Towadako:

The high-season is in autumn, with its resplendent red and yellow foliage, but the lush greenery of spring and summer rank high too.

 

 

 

 

Since "a long promenade" is located in Oirase Stream in Towada-ko, you can enjoy a hike.

 

On the beach of Lake Towada, there is a statue named Otome-no-zou. Otome is a maiden in Japanese. This was made by Koutaro Takamura, a famous Japanese poet and sculptor who lived in the 19th century.

Because this statue is very famous, a lot of tourists take the photograph.

 

Please look at the here about "How to get to and around Lake Towada."

 

 

People who enjoy Towada-ko[Lake Towada].

Towada-ko is a very beautiful, and very large lake.
And, various shops are located in Towada-ko.

"ひめます(HIME-MASU) [a kokanee (salmon)]" is sold in front of this store.

This HIME-MASU is broiled by charcoal.
The food broiled by charcoal is very delicious.

 

The food that these girls are eating is "Soft ice cream."

 

This is the folkcraft shop.
Various folkcraft of Aomori prefecture and Akitai prefecture sold here.

 

These are pictures of NEBUTA of Aomori Prefecture.

And, this is the food shop.

Many kinds of "Food that you can eat while walking" is sold in this shop.
I wrote the number(sign) to these foods.

No.	Name & Pronunciation &Explanation
A	きりたんぽ ( KIRITANPO ): KIRITANPO-NABE soup is the most famous of local Akita cuisine.
B	おとめ餅 (OTOME-MOCHI): Food to which rice cake is baked with soy sauce.
C	ポテトドッグ (POTETO-DOGGU): Potato dog. "A potato-dog" is a food that was made from potato.
D	ジャンボフランク (JANBO-FRANKU): Jumbo Frank. "Jumbo Frank" is a very large sausage.
E	焼きとうもろこし (YAKI-TOUMOROKOSHI): Food to which corn is baked with soy sauce.
F	鶏唐揚げ (TORI-KARAAGE): A Japanese style fried chicken
G	ソーセージドッグ (SOUSEIJI-DOGGU): Sausage dog. Probably, this is a "hot dog."
H	いか一夜干し (IKA-ICHIYA-BOSHI): The squid is dried a little, and It is grilled. We sprinkle soy sauce, when eating it.

These are "DEMISE-food" often sold outside of Towada-ko.

 

...Now, do you know what is this?

These are "Bicycle that runs on water."

This is called the "swan boat."
These are paddle boat of "Bicycle type" that doesn't need the electric power though it is swan and dinosaur's shape.

 

This is a terminal of "Swan boat" of Towadako.

Tourists ride on this swan boat and enjoy the beauty of a lake.
Incidentally the charge of this swan boat is 1000 yen[about 12 dollars] in 20 minutes.

 

There is "Pleasure boat" in Towadako, too.

 

You will be able to enjoy "the grand scenery of Towada-ko" different from a swan boat.

The charge of the pleasure boat is 1400 yen[about 16 dollars].
Child's charge is adult half the price.

 

Hotel where we stayed.

We stayed at a small hotel "湖畔荘(Kohan-sou)."

Though that was an old hotel, it was a very simple and pretty hotel.

 

Various tools of Japan.

This is our guest room.

The room of such a style is called "和室(WASHITSU)[the Japanese-style room] ."

The floor of WASHITSU is always covered with the "畳(TATAMI)."

That is, WASHITSU and TATAMI are pairs.

 

And, the table in this room is called "座卓( ZATAKU) [Japanese-style low table]."

 

"Round thing on a ZATAKU" - This is "a set for making tea."

There is "Japanese tea-leaf" in A.
This is called the "茶筒( CHADUTSU)[tea canister]."

B is "the pot for making tea" called a "急須( KYUUSU)."

C is cup for green tea.
This is called "湯呑み(YUNOMI)[Tea cup]".

D is called a "つまようじ / 爪楊枝(TSUMA-YOUJI)[toothpick]."

As for the character "toothpick", both a hiragana and kanji are used.

• つまようじ( in hiragana)
• 爪楊枝( in kanji)

Tsumayouji: a toothpick.
Interestingly, the kanji is made up of 爪=fingernail, 楊= willow tree, and 枝=branch/twig. So it's basically a bit of willow used instead of your fingernail. I wish they'd tell that to the old guys who deliberately let the pinky fingernail (and only the pinky) grow long so they can use it to pick their teeth. Seriously.

E is a saucer of the cup.
This is called "茶托(CHATAKU)."

F is a container to throw away "weak and flavorless green tea" and "Green tea which remained into the teapot".
This is called "茶こぼし(CHA-KOBOSHI)."

G is the sweets called "お茶菓子(OCHA-GASHI)[tea biscuits]."

 

Next, this is a dresser called "鏡台(KYOUDAIi)."
This is dresser of a considerably old type in Japan.
It is very unusual.

 

Next, That is storage space like the closet that is called "押入れ/ 押し入れ(OSHI-IRE)."

In Oshi-ire, "布団(HUTON)" is contained.

In a WASHITSU[Japanese-style room], HUTON is usually used as bedding.

A HUTON is something to put down on TATAMI.
HUTON is put down like this.

Since the staff of a hotel puts down the bedding of a Japanese-style room, so there is no need for you to worry.

Incidentally, you are able to specify "the time when HUTON is put down."
The staff of a hotel will come to greet you, soon after you go into the guest room of a hotel.

The staff of a hotel will ask you "time of a meal", and "the time of HUTON."

Probably, it is poor English like me. (Bitter smile with me.)

 

Well, this is the one like nightclothes that are called "ゆかた/浴衣(YUKATA)".

The shape looks just like "KIMONO."

A blue YUKATA is for men, and a red YUKATA is for women.

The one like a blackish KIMONO is called "羽織(HAORI)[Haori coat]".
It's a thing that is put on on a YUKATA.

This photograph is me.
I got drunk a little because I had drunk beer for about two hours.

Please refer to the video for the method of putting on the hotel clothes.

 

The YUKATA and towels are here.

In the hotel of the sightseeing spot of Japan, most of guests wear the yukata of a hotel and spend time.
Japanese people has "Custom of putting on the yukata at once when arrived at the guest room at the hotel."

 

The public bath of hotel in Japan.

After they change into a yukata, they go to "大浴場(DAI-YOKUJOU)[the public bath] immediately and take a bath.

This is an entrance of the public bath.

Japanese public bath has an entrance for males, and an entrance for women.

Because I am a woman, I go into the women's public bath.

I'm Sorry.
Because I had got drunk, this photograph is indistinct.

"御倉の湯(OGURA NO YU)" is a name of this bath.

The public bath of the hotel in the sightseeing spot and the hot spring in Japan mostly has a name.
Incidentally, the name of the bath for males is "中山の湯(NAKAYAMA NO YU)."

 

Now, I opened this door.

The door in the front is a rest room.
And, the other side of the curtain is a changing room.

 

When you take off your YUKATA, could you put YUKATA in this basket?
Moreover, please conceal your undergarment by YUKATA.
It is etiquette of the public bath of Japan.