Mt. Yoshino in Nara Prefecture (part 2)

The road going up to a shrine that is centuries-old is interesting.  Many tourists from other parts of Japan, as well as from other countries, were with us that day.

There is a spot by the road that is good for taking photos of the awesome sight below.  Many pause here to enjoy the breathtaking view of the slopes filled with the flowering sakura trees and the mountains beyond.

As we went down the winding road together with other tourists, we could see hundreds of sakura trees, some of them are the ones called "yamazakura" (literally, mountain sakura ) . 

Mt. Yoshino in Nara Prefecture (part 1)

Wikipedia says  one of the best and most famous spots to view the cherry blossoms is in Nara, particularly Mt Yoshino.  The slopes of this mountain are planted with over 30,000 sakura.

Sakamoto-san, the father of my good friend, Eri ,  knows much about this place because he loves photography.  He knows a lot of places to go every season to see the flowers, or sights and take photos, of course.  So he invited me to join him and  his wife, and Eri's family for  sightseeing bus  tour to Mt. Yoshino.

It was a Black Saturday, Eri and I skipped choir practice for Easter Sunday.  Prior to this we checked the weather forecast and we were quite disappointed because it said that area will be a bit rainy and chilly.  We decided to go anyway - rain or shine !

I met up with Eri san , her husband, Yoshiro-san  and daughter, Reiko on the Hankyu Okamoto platform around 8:20 am. (I had to take an early morning shower and full breakfast that day :) )  We would be taking the express train to Umeda.  The bus terminal for the sightseeing tour buses is at Umeda.  

We departed Umeda around 9:30 a.m.   Quite gloomy and there was a bit of a shower, but we were too excited to care and we were ready for the rain, we brought along umbrellas just in case.

First stop was at a service station in Osaka for a restroom break.  We had about a few minutes to spare after going to the restroom . So before we were to get on the bus again, we decided to look around and check out some of the shops in the service area.  I did find this interesting display .

I don't know the name of this character

The tour includes a packed lunch.  Since there was no place (and time) to stop for lunch from the service area, the tour guide said we could eat our lunch on the bus at our seats. 

the yummy and healthy bento lunch

We arrived at Mt. Yoshino area past 12 noon.  There were already a lot of buses and people from different places and countries.  It was an awesome, fine day!  Not rainy, after all.  Miss Weather, changed her mind. :)

From the welcome area, we could already see lots of cherry trees in full bloom, all around!  What a sight to see ! 

(to be continued)

A Delightful Walk

A long walk on a cloudy, chilly spring afternoon turned out to be a delight.  I wanted to see how the cherry blossoms were doing in our area and nearby neighborhood that day.

I walked down south to Route 2 and yes, the cherry trees were in their best so I took a few shots.  Then I turned the corner after two blocks to go north, towards the JR station.

What a delightful surprise !  Almost hidden among bushes by the sidewalk were pretty spring blossoms.  Their names?  I don't have any idea at all.  But they were such a sight.

Excited to see more....I went past the train station, up towards the Hankyu train station.  The pink cherry trees there were still in buds.  So I went down west towards the river to head home.  As I turned round the corner of the last block by the river, pretty blooms were turning their heads towards the afternoon setting sun.

These flowers were planted in pots and placed outside a home by the roadside.  I take my hats off to the man or woman of the house for a good job of growing these gorgeous sights.

Sakura Season (part 2) : In the Okamoto-Motoyama areas

Took a long walk this afternoon, around my neighborhood,  first down to Route 2 then went up north for many blocks.  Glad to see all the sakura trees in full bloom.

  

It was a bit chilly and cloudy. I wished  I went out earlier because by then the skies would have been bluer, and the photos would have come out better.  You know, the pretty sakura blooms against a blue sky is always a breathtaking view. 

When in the mood

I seldom cook, not because I can't , but because I don't find it worth my time.  With all the preparations: peeling, slicing, cutting, etc.  and afterwards the tidying up and washing --- these simply are not  my cup of tea.  The kitchen is not a happy place for me.

Some people I know find cooking relaxing and fulfilling.  But it is more stressful for me.  More so, when guests are expected.  Would they find it tasty?  How can I present a dish?  How can I set the table?  Which side dishes go with the main dish? etc. etc.

But there are times (very rare, actually) I would invite friends over for dinner.  Just like last March 26th, Thursday evening.  I invited Yoshimi for dinner because she would soon be moving to Wakayama City.

She has long requested and craved for my vegetable lumpia (which she first tasted way back in 1994), and so I made that for her.  Along with it is the sotanghon-canton mix that I like.

Well, in spite of the stress - yes, I kept  looking at the clock on the wall...I did it!  We had an enjoyable evening and a memorable one too.

As to when the next cooking mood will hit me....only God knows ! :) 

Sakura Season 2015 (part 1)

The Sakura (cherry blossoms) forecast for this year says that the trees will start blooming in our area last week of March and will be in full bloom on the first week of April.

So one fine afternoon during my spring break, I set out to find out if this was true.  I went out to check first the cherry tree that is by the small river two blocks from our church.  I often pass this way to the JR Settsu Motoyama train station.  And yes, some blooms were already open and the others were still  buds.  Nevertheless, it was such a delight to my eyes (and soul).

the sakura by the river at Okamoto

Then I remembered Nada area has lots of  cherry trees, too.  So I got off at Nada station to check.  True enough, some trees were also in bloom. 

near JR Nada south exit

on the way to the Nada museum

the blooms near an apartment at HAT Kobe area

the tree-lined walkway at HAT Kobe