Culinary and Traveling

Posts Tagged ‘Japan’

Maybe you’ve read a story in the children’s magazine, which you had thought only fairy tales. A dog every morning drove to the train station master. Afternoon, the dog will pick up at the same station. Until one day, the master of the dog that died in the workplace. But the dog did not know, and continue to meet his master every evening until 10 years old.

It was not a fictitious story, Hachiko, a loyal dog that belonged to Professor Ueno, a professor at Tokyo University who died on May 21, 1925. He is a male dog race of the birth Odate Akita Inu, Akita prefecture, Japan. Eventually Hachiko became known population of Shibuya Station. Many people said there is only a pity to see the dog who was about to meet his master who did not come, Since the year 1934, one year before he died, in front of Shibuya Station and statues erected.

Now, the place became a meeting point of the people of Tokyo. Many young people are seen standing, leaning against the wall, or sitting around the statue of Hachiko, waiting for her date while couples in activities such as moving around very quickly by passing people and vehicles back and forth.

Beyond that, lots of interesting things in Tokyo, especially if we look at the way people dress. Naturally, then there is the term that Tokyo is one of the City Fashionista. And indeed, the population of Tokyo are generally literate fashion. At each corner of a shopping mall called Shibuya 109 in the area, seen young children dressed in very modern. They remind me of the Japanese doll my uncle giving about 20 years ago. It’s just a completely different costume. Now instead of Japanese kimono and clogs, they wear long-sleeved shirts, short skirts, coat, stockings colorful patterned variation, and a pair of high-heeled boots. The boy did not lose her style: Dandy and funky. I noticed their shoes and think, no one who did not heed the Tokyo shoe. Of the overall style, the shoe seems to be an important part that can’t be considered negligent.

Harajuku In the fall, boots are the main choice, Various models for sale starting price Bot 2000 yen (approximately USD 240 thousand) up to tens of thousands of yen. Some use fur as a scarf covering the neck. Their hair dyed black with a non-modern pieces, some even had the make-over his face with a brown powder, so memorable tanned skin. I think the term “death style” best describe newcomer who only long dress for warmth.

From Shibuya Station, you can take the train in the city to Harajuku. Some people seemed to relax reading a book, either sitting or standing. Here, people accustomed to reading the book cover to cover with the cover of the bookstore. Usually, the brown cover and no name of his shop, If not, some deliberately covered it with white paper. Culture of reading a book seems commonplace in Japan.

Along the way, bookstores second-hand (flea?), also live, If you diligently seek him, even the Harry Potter books last series of English hardcover version can also get it for only 500 yen. Most of the books they carry a pocket-sized book, both comic and non-comic. They read the book even while on the escalator train station and subway. Once the ladder way up, tuck in their book bag to read again later.

Less than ten minutes from Shibuya, you will arrive at the Harajuku station. Actually could walk, but because of the way to Harajuku up the hill, so I chose the train. Harajuku name so famous in Indonesia because the singer Maia claimed Estianti dressed young area. Once out of the station, I immediately saw a sea of people on Takeshita Street. Several young boys with spikey hair look was standing. That’s where the Harajuku kids allegedly bought clothes at a low price, starting from 350 yen up to a few thousand yen.

When he entered the Takeshita Street, Harajuku, you will realize that there are stores that sell used clothing and apparel stores one price (all the clothes for 500 yen), Young children Harajuku make up style far more extreme than Maia. They are stylish a la Goth, punk, costumed animals, and Barbie-girl/boy. Strangely, though they dare to dress up extreme, but most embarrassed photographed, Shops along the street was filled with young children, either shopping or working as a salesman, shouting and carrying signs promoting or distributing leaflets with a bonus pack of tissue-, all extreme style. In addition to Japanese people, black people, too many in there. With limited Japanese language, and their friendly smiles invited guests entered, generally, people in black leather running specialty shops selling clothing and accessories of hip-hop.

Harajuku is his Bronx Japan. This is where the point of “rebellion” from all official attitudes and upload-ungguh Japanese style. This is the only area that stores servants who do not always say “irasainase” (welcome) to visitors. Very different from the Ginza district or Roponggi, goods can be obtained in Harajuku with much cheaper price. When in Japan is very hard to get pirated goods, then in the Harajuku area (actually in Takeshita Street) Just the possibility of pirated goods are traded.

At the end of Takeshita Street, crossed a little, that’s where Harajuku Street. If the Takeshita Street selling goods taken from the supplier, then in Harajuku Street independent stores (distros) that sell their own designs clothes were scattered even in the small alleys. Some stores that sell clothing and accessories a la India, Hindu / Buddhist, and Native Americans (Indians) wedged between shops Barbie-girl/boy clothing.

Still on the Harajuku area, near parks, street musicians serving skill, Each flow of music have their own territory and not mutually disturbed. It is said, that’s where Japanese bands discovered his talent by the producers. Not only that, some fans of Elvis Presley make-up with high hair was also seen dancing on the edge of the park to the accompaniment of songs Presley.

A. Prayer of Hope in the Meiji Shrine
Park near Harajuku area, there is a large gate to the Meiji Shrine. The temple will be full of people especially in the New Year, when the adherents of Shinto prayer asking for blessing in the beginning of the year. Road about a mile I saw the gate go before the end of the Shinto Shrine. Sacred atmosphere immediately enveloped me. Seen crows flying in the trees artificial forest, it is said that people donating thousands of trees to create artificial forest toward the temple.

Piles of sake with a variety of drum ornaments on display not far from the first gate to the temple, opposite the drum stack wine (drink wine). Shinto followers in Japan believe that drinking alcohol to clean one’s body and soul. There are some big gates of starch-shaped “door” that must pass before reaching the final gate.

Entering the last gate, everyone should wash their hands and rinse out his mouth in a very cold spring which had supplied. Small long-handled scoop made from bamboo lined the edges. When he entered the temple, visitors have to step over the highest rung for stepping prohibited. Cause to believe that the highest rung is the position of gods.

Sacredness or maybe mystique like around in place, Look at how a store that sells a variety of charms surrounded by visitors, Ranging from easy charm mate, a lot of luck, good mascot until sold on the street with colorful packaging. Some people look to buy a board called for prayer tablets 500 yen. Suddenly, I remembered the Oprah show topic Talk show”dream come true”; several guest star confessed to write their goals on a bulletin board and display them for your-self suggest that dream. In the courtyard of the temple, exactly on the right before the entrance, thousands of tablets of prayer depends on the board plays that have been provided.

Each tablet bearing the hopes and ideals of the author. Reading other people’s expectations suddenly become entertainment for the tourists, especially English-speaking expectations. Japanese people who come and write a prayer tablets are usually students who will test and expect to graduate. I also read a tablet which dreams of becoming famous manga Duck artists in order to help her mother.

Inside the temple, the most interesting to me is a box called “waka”. With 100 yen, visitors can take a small roll of paper containing a poem Emperor Meiji contents to reflect the personality and advise the Decision Paper. Some people seemed to pray after the coin toss holes (5 yen or 50 yen), while the pastor looks alternately traffic undisturbed occasional visitors taking photos.

New culinary authorities have been born. “Red Guide” published in 2010 Michelin organization puts Tokyo as the world’s gastronomic centers. Japanese capital is the most Michelin stars to collect (261), exceeding the combined star Paris and New York, as well as having the highest three-star restaurant (11) universe. Ofelia De Pablo and Javier Zuirta visit the best restaurants in Tokyo in order to reveal the secrets of the chefs of their greatness.

Shuzo Kishida is the youngest chef who won three Michelin stars. In the flamboyant area, Kishida founded the restaurant, Quintessence. Kidisha said a number of reasons that make the menu a successful pan-menu admiration of the world: the attention and love, plus the dedication and creative cooking techniques honed since he worked in a restaurant owned by his parents and Astrance restaurant in Paris. It took three hours to cook the recommended menu, but it can be iunderstood why Michelin gave stars.

The love of food is expressed as a maximum in Japan. We can find a lover gang tofu, tempura, or exchanging fond of sushi recipes and sustainable routine around town to try a restaurant or a new menu. There is also an avid chocolate addicts club gathered at the holy shrines such Noka Chocolate, a restaurant that displays the seeds of cocoa in the window like jewelry.

Not far from this place, exactly on the square new buildings in Tokyo Midtown, cake mania group gathered to enjoy the creations of the master pastry Yoroizuka. They are willing to queue for two hours in order to taste a variety of sweet cake creations. We saw a number of celebrities, businessmen and bohemian artists lined up in front of the restaurant door.

A raging passion on sweets is also seen in Gucci Café and Bar Chocolat managed Pierre hermeneutical. While at Mikimoto Room located in the Ginza, visitors can enjoy a dessert made of chocolate and sprinkled with pearl Pasion fruit, as well as Japan’s most popular dessert, Mont Blanc (chestnut cream, sponge cake, and meringue). Of the many groups enthusiast food, two should not be overlooked is the lover of sushi, namely the people who know exactly how to combine hot rice with various types of fish, and a fan of fruit, is willing to pay $ 65 for an apple of Japan is sold in Such exclusive outlets Atelier du Soleil.

Apparently, there is no diet program in this country. Her love of food is even a small alley similar to the Omoide Yokocho, near Shinjuku, who had been a filming location of “Blade Runner”. Here, we ate a delicious Yakitori Izakaya (traditional stalls).

Early May morning air greeted cool skin. The crowded Seoul city traffic as gone as he stepped into the yard Gyeongbokgung Palace in the heart of the capital of South Korea’s, Chirping of birds, shade trees, and the beauty of the park make people feel like you are not in a busy big city. Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of the Five Grand Palaces built Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Four other courts are Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Gyeonghuigung. All five are in the distance was too far even to go to court five vehicles were still needed.

Among the cultural monuments scattered throughout Seoul, no place is more admired and frequently visited the Grand Palace in addition to five. Groups of local and foreign tour seemed to flow in and out of the complex palaces that. Gyeongbokgung, means the Palace of the Blessed by Heaven, built in 1395 as the main palace of Joseon Dynasty. Once inside the main gate Gwanghamun, visitors can see the expanse of a vast stone yard. In the middle of the courtyard stood the main building, Geunjeongjeon, where the emperor held a government, meetings, receiving foreign guests, and the coronation ceremony.

On the next page there is Gyeongbokgung artificial pond with a magnificent pavilion covering 931 square meters in the middle. Gyeonghoeru Pavilion is the place where the emperor held a feast. The first floor of the building has no walls, stone pillars numbered only 48 men.

Another beauty can be found in the backyard, at the residence of the concubines. A pond with a small island in the middle, on top of it stood Hyangwonjeong beautiful building. A bridge connects the palace with a courtyard building. Scattered on the surface of the lotus pond, Trees and flowers adorned the Hyangwonjeong. Far in the background stands the magnificent Mount Bugaksan.

A. Natural harmony
Sue Youn Jung, our tour guide, said, Korean people always build in harmony with nature. “If you noticed, it seemed Mount Bugaksan close and merger with Hyangwonjeong. In fact, the mountain was still 40 minutes drive from here, “he explained. Leaving the grandeur Gyeongbokgung, beauty awaits Changdeokgung Palace. Changdeokgung was built as a palace in the Joseon Dynasty in 1405 which is a royal family residence.

Unlike compiled Gyeongbokgung follow a main axis, Changdeokgung was built according to the harmony of the hilly topography of the land-hill. Part of the most famous palace is the Secret Garden is located at the rear of the palace. Changdeokgung tour guides have guided tours, except on Thursday from April to November. Every tour with guide lasted 1 hour 20 minutes at a cost of 3000 won (USD 30,000). During that time, visitors are invited to enjoy a variety of walking the charming palace buildings and the story of the royal family that once lived. Do not be afraid, shade trees make the tour as long as it will pass quickly without sweating or fatigue.

The secret garden is not really hidden location. That’s just to mention a rear garden which limits only the emperor and his wife or the royal family are allowed. Although many visitors, the guide will give 10-15 minutes of time to rest and enjoy the atmosphere at the Secret Garden, the place was so quiet. There is a pavilion on the side of the pool to relax for the emperor.

Changdeokgung is adjacent to the Palace Changgyeonggung. Built by the fourth king of Joseon Dynasty, Emperor Sejong (1418-1450), for his father, Emperor Taejong, this palace is often used as a dwelling place of the empress and concubines. During Japanese colonialism (1905-1945), Changgyeonggung made zoo and botanical garden. “I still remember as a child to go to this place to see various kinds of animals,” says Sue. Zoo and botanical garden was moved in 1983. After the renovation for years, Changgyeonggung regain their glory.

The journey continues to the next court, Deoksugung Palace. This palace has become the main palace of the Great Han Dynasty (1897-1910). In its heyday, Deoksugung measuring three times the current size and consists of many buildings. Deoksugung emerged as the center of the modern history of Korea in 1897. That is why, its location, the building is now surrounded by skyscrapers. After Emperor Gojong died in 1919, Japan sold a portion of the palace and then develop the land as a public park.

B. Modernism
There are two Western-style buildings in the complex Deoksugung. Seokjojeon, the building of stone, not wood like the palace-style building used as a residence neoclassical Emperor Gojong, Another building is the National Art Museum of Deoksugung. Both buildings were built as part of the Great Han Dynasty to modernism.

The last palace we visit the Palace Gyeonghuigung. Formerly, this palace is the palace where the emperors lived in a state of emergency. During the Japanese invasion of Korea, Japan school was moved into the palace. One attraction for visitors is the appearance Gyeonghuigung student taekwondo, martial arts from Korea, from the Kukkiwon, the headquarters of taekwondo. There are programs and performances taekwondo taekwondo training for foreigners every day, except Monday.

The main enemy palaces fire because it is the main ingredient is a wooden palace. A major fire had destroyed almost all parts of the Great Palace Five. In 1592 the severe damage occurred when Japan invaded Korea. Almost the entire palace razed to the ground.

Institution as important as what’s palace for the people of Korea?, “The buildings are our liaison with the founding fathers of this nation, which can take us like this, that is why, the government would spend huge funds for the renovation and conservation.

General Manager of Korea Tourism Organization says Harry Oh, for those who do not want to mess around with history, palaces complex it can become a place for recreation and for coolness in the midst of the hustle and bustle of big cities. If you can feel, now you do not like is in Seoul.