Day trip to Kyoto

Today I got day off so decided to go to Kyoto with my mom.
Destination is Nijo castle area.

Last night I checked lunch place on internet.

il pozzo

 

They renovated very old traditional house into restaurant.

They have interesting antipasto and nice house made pasta.

 

White in center is daikon something, I have no idea how they cooked daikon like this.

First bite, I thought kind of cheese because it's very creamy, no fiber, second I noticed radish scent.

Like Italian restaurant, tripe is tender, salami is great.

Maybe we should come back for dinner.

 

After lunch, stopped by Mikane shrine.

This is located in residential area and small but famous for their benefit.

It is believed visitors can earn money!

Mikane is written 御金, that means money.

Many foreigners also visit here.

 

Then we went to interesting store.

 

Can you believe this was really house?

Now first floor is creators' store and workshop space however designer of this building lives second floor!

Store is creative studio & shop ooo, owner is curating interesting stuff from all over the world.

It's small shop but very unique goods are displayed.

Current pop up shop is Don Fisher, who is making cute fish pouch.

But today, honestly, owner's baby is the cutest!

 

We headed to next goal where is Japanese sake distiller.

My mom was wanting to visit there.

 

Sasaki Shuzo

 

This distiller got very famous because their family has a famous actor Kuranosuke Sasaki.

Of course their sake quality is great but the more popular the actor becomes, the more famous here is.

Even today is weekday, customers keep coming.

We bought 2 of small sake.

I'm looking forward to drinking(*´艸`)

 

We passed Nijo castle.

Actually it was closed already.

No problem, we are not so interested in castle, but this area.

 

We walked a lot and enjoyed Kyoto!

 

 

Happy new year!

Happy new year!

I took a break because from Dec 20th to 29th, I went back to NY again!

This time, I decided to visit kind of at last moment so didn't make any certain schedule.
Two things for sure were LCD soundsystem concert and my fiancé's family party.
Little by little I update.

After leaving, east coast got more freezing, stay inside and warm!

Las Vegas shooting case

Late evening in Japan, I heard this news.
Las Vegas shooting

3 years ago, I visited this hotel

I didn't stay here, just visited because there was the biggest jewelry show in US.

 

I'm not going to write the detail of this terrible case.

I update today just because this place is kind of familiar to me and feel very sad.

And the target was music festival audiences.

 

I love music especially rock music, sometimes go to gig, concert, festival.

(Btw, yesterday's Marilyn Manson injure made me sad also. I like him for almost 20 years)

This incident is not something irrelevant to me.

If you go to concert, any event, always there is slightly possibility to be victim wherever you are.

It's a shame.

Japanese consulates tell us not to go to the place where a large unspecified number gathered.

To avoid to be involved.

 

We should stay home?

We cannot enjoy events?

We cannot go to concert?

 

We haven't known what motivated him yet so can't conclude anything.

However, this is terrible thing no matter what is motivation.

 

I'm not religious person but can't help praying for peace and,

I believe music can heal people.

 

 

 

Vancouver trip Day 12

Finally we leave Vancouver...
Our each flight time was different, I leave much earlier.
That day was Canadian holiday, we were not sure public transportation schedule so left our place early.
Ended up no problem with time, rather, costs only zone1 fare, lucky (*^_^*)

Oh, I missed London Drugs! Haven't visited!
(My boyfriend visited here after my departure and also ate ramen and Japadog again!)

At airport, first time Tim Horton. This is like Dunkin Donuts in US.
There are some arts by native Canadian here and there.
This is on departure floor.

After security check, still some more objects.

At last minute, I bought MAC lipstick at duty free store(^_^;)
Their staff is very friendly, helpful, and kind.

Around gate.

Huge chess, kids are playing with it. (on it)

Without transfer, I arrived Osaka after long hours!

Compared to NY, people are more friendly and polite.
In Japan, people are very very polite, sometimes not friendly. (personally except Osaka)
Canada accepts many foreigners including refugees (but we didn't face that reality).
A lot of natures coexists with urbanity.
Summer is mild, I wonder how severe winter is.
Living cost is maybe cheaper than  in NY.

BUT, somehow I love New York more.
Vancouver is great city.
New York is the powerful city (in good and bad aspects).
And the place where my Fiancé lives!

Hope we can meet soon!



 

Vancouver trip Day 11

Almost last day of our trip, by then, we hadn't bought souvenir.
It's time to check!

We had leftover breakfast then went to city.
There was Pride Parade.

 

 

When we arrived, parade on Robson was gone.

But street was clean, seemed well organized, not like after parade in NY (^_^;)

We walked on Robson checking some stores till Denman St.

At Denman street, still parade was going.

 

My boyfriend was interested in meat pie, we stopped by peaked pies.

Their specialty is "pea"ked pie, that's mashed potato, mushy green pea and gravy.

 

It's peaked!
To be honest, I don't like green pea, but I could eat their mushy pea with gravy!
Maybe very fresh.
Pie had really chunked steak. Good with gravy sauce.

That object is represent the Olympic torch, I heard.

At convention center, seems there was comic-con event or something like that.
We saw many people were in animation or game costume.

We walked back to Gastown where there are many typical souvenir stores.
I don't know their qualities, but it's the thought that counts, I chose some things for my friends.
(Actually they are good!)
After shopping, my hands got full of bags, went back to our place.

That night, nearby, there is low-key bar, seems interesting, we entered for dinner.

Inside the bar, many rock and metal poster, dark atmosphere.
What's the name of this bar?
Only outside rabbit sign is cute.
Their chicken sandwich and beer set was nice, so were chicken wings.
Only local people come.
We enjoyed their food and mood.

Finally next day we leave!

 

Vancouver trip Day 10

This day, there was Powell Street Festival, which is my friend told us.

It's related to Japanese culture, holding by Japanese society.

We met my friend and his girl friend at the park.

There are many booths, events, show, novelties etc.
We visited Japanese archery show. (That was the first time to see even to me!)

Famous vendor, Japadog. (again)

There used to be in New York, very popular...why they're gone?? Because of high rent?
This Oroshi (grated radish) dog, I like a lot! Radish neutralizes sausage fat, makes light taste.
My BF once ate this before in NY, but that time, it was not so good, seemed Oroshi was not fresh??
Or just his taste changed?

We met my friend's friend from college and her boy friend. Both are Japanese.
It was fun to talk to them, listen to others experiences.
But I prefer sightseeing than Japanese festival so after a while we said good by.

We walked to east along railway, there is brewery area.
After 40mins walk, finally we arrived Parallel 49 brewing!

How many beer do they have?
I had a difficulty with choosing, I ordered their flights set.

Very nice! Especially after long walk!
Around there, we don't see much restaurant, bar, stores.
We passed factory-looking building, tent city, some murals.
Then suddenly, this bar has lively atmosphere, crowded.

We tasted 8 kinds of beer, went back to city by bus.
On this night, there was 3rd night of Celebration of Light.
Before long wait, we decided to have African dinner at Simba.

I liked Muhogo which is deep fried cassava root.
We're not familiar with African food, all are interesting to us.
In Japan, I've been to Kenya restaurant once with my friends who learned Swahili and traveled Kenya. But it was more than 10 years ago, my memory got vague.

After dinner, we got coffee, headed to beach.
Not as close as last time, but we were in front again, could enjoy fireworks a lot.
That night was Canadian show, that was awesome.

One more good thing was we could catch the bus easier than last time(*^_^*)

Vancouver trip Day 9

We visited VanDusen Botanical Garden.
When I was young, didn't have any interesting at all in this kind of garden.
Not exciting, no riding, no character.
Now, still not everyday but sometimes visiting nature is fun to me.
(Not completely nature that scares me)

Hydrangea is blooming.
Compared to Japanese one, it has huge flower.

Very vivid color, perfect shape.

Me, in front of rose garden.
On photo, can't capture how roses are beautiful.

Famous maze.
Seriously, it's hard to get out.

Very peaceful, he's pecking something.

Later we moved to Richmond Night Market.
This reminds us Night Market in Taiwan.(Both of us have been there in past)

 

Many booths are Asian food and goods.
It was very long line to enter because of good season to eat outside.
My friends went there in June, no line and chilly.

 

This was great popcorn chicken. Crispy and meat is juicy.
I'm seafood eater, my choice is this.

Beautiful shrimp!
Simple seasoning, its taste stands out.
Maybe I was showing off while walking, somebody asked me "where did you get it?"(^^ゞ

Getting dark, getting more crowded.
Seems Richmond has more Asian culture than Vancouver.

 

This pork was tender, well seasoned, we like this plate a lot.

We got this IV dripping like milk tea.
This and light bulb looking drink seem trendy now.
They can get new idea from many things!

We enjoyed this day too.

Vancouver trip Day 8

Time has come!

The detail will be end of this blog...

 

On this day, we visited this place for breakfast.

A few days ago when we went to another café, we saw this restaurant, people were lining up, seemed very good.

 

It's like diner, they have all day menu.
I got egg benedict with gravlax salmon on mini pancakes instead of English muffin.

Very new type of benedict maybe because of bread.
They use free run eggs, curing is done in house.
My boyfriend got pulled pork pancake with Jack Daniel syrup.
That is amazing! Woody smoky flavor, I wanted to buy!

Then we moved to Grandville Island again as we didn't have much time last time.

Those GIANTS are part of Vancouver biennale outside exhibition.
Mural on six concrete silos (from here, you can see only 4)

Here there is Grandville Island Brewery, they have a tour.
When we visited, it had just started, had to wait next round, I gave up.
Instead, had nice iced coffee and snacks, we started to walk along seashore heading to Kitsilano beach.

City is very close to water.
From center you can see the buildings?

I forgot where this object is(^^ゞ
　
These chairs are also art named Echoes.

Those exhibition's interesting part is you can touch them.
I feel the relationship between artist and observer is very close.
Art is not something in the different world, it's in our life.

For dinner, nearby beach, we went to NOOK, Italian restaurant.

Proscuitto with burrata.

My favorite, liver pate crostini. Vino rosso, per favore!
We ordered salad and pasta, every plate was so delicious.
Staff is very kind and friendly.

After dinner, we took a walk to the beach.
Sky was hazy, we heard that's because of wildfire which happened a few days ago near Vancouver.

But color was nice, like pastel gradation.

Here...
Wish I could express romantic...

We got engaged!
The time has come!

There are so many red tape processes, but I'm sure we can overcome one by one.
Our life journey continues...









 

Vancouver trip Day 7

We visited Capilano suspension bridge park.

To here, there is free shuttle bus from the front of Canada place.

If you go to this park, you can take shuttle bus and can buy park ticket also.

Only with 30mins ride, we arrived.

 

Very long bridge!
Compared to Japanese famous suspension bridge "Kazura-bashi", looks much stable but long. 

 

 There is Treetops Adventure, we can walk among tall trees like squirrel.

When I saw these trees, I remembered Emily Carr's painting which are about so long trunk tree. Because there are. Here trees are very tall and considering the height, trunks are extremely thin.
From its bottom, we can't see the top.

How narrow the path is!

 We can see the ground...literally at the edge of the cliff.

After walking the park, we took regular bus, dropped by Lonsdale Quay Market.
And had snack.

From here, took sea bus, came back to city.

From shuttle bus, we glanced at Dali's melting clock object. Returned to see.
Nearby here, one gallery had Dali's exhibition.

This day was another fireworks day but we were tired from walking, (technically, not we but I)
decided to have dinner around our place.
The other day, we found Palestinian restaurant Tamam looking nice.

Cubes seem fried tofu but those are kind of cheese. This was very well balanced salad.

Lamb skewer with caramelized onion, beans and rice.
Staffs are friendly, food was delicious.

 

After dinner, we stopped by liquor store, got local beer, mostly for me(*´艸`) 

From our place veranda, we could see fireworks in the distance between trees.

Very relaxing watching, quiet night.