Hello Kitty Cotton Candy

Seen on the way to work

This is a That's My World entry.

Fruit and veg shop in Kanuma

Balloon light show

Last weekend during the Tochigi Hot Air Balloon International Championships:

And here's a video:

Making mochi

Seems like almost all foreigners in love with Japan tend to also go totally gaga over mochi. Not me. To be honest, I can't stand the stuff.

But this is how it's made:

You pound the rice until it can't take it anymore.

And then you pound it some more:

And here's a clip of what it looks like in action:

This is my very own entry for Show Me Japan.

Click on the badge above for more wonderful photos from all over Japan! Enjoy!

Lake Chuzenji

Nikko National Park

This is for Skywatch Friday

Taiko kids during Bonten at Haguro shrine

The festival took place yesterday (Nov 23) but as I had to work, Mr braved the weather and went to see what was going on.

Bonten at Haguro shrine

Looking at the sky

Chasing balloons during the Hot Air Balloon International Championships in Tochigi.

Up Up and Away

Tochigi Hot Air Balloon International Championships (as seen today in Haga)

Autumn Leaves

Taken last week. This week the trees are almost bare.

By Lake Chuzenji. Fisheye, on film.

By Rinnoji in Nikko. Also on film.


This is a Scenic Sunday entry.

Odds and ends from Tochigi City

Tekomai hair (wig?):

straw slippers:

Low-tech brakes:

And a traditional orchestra riding in a dashi:

And this is my very own Show Me Japan entry.

River at night

in Tochigi City

Tekomai at night

To find out what a tekomai is, please visit this entry.

This is a Wordless Wednesday entry.

Oni

Oni (demon) at the Autumn Festival in Tochigi city.

This is a Ruby Tuesday entry.

Festival floats at night

At Tochigi city Autumn Festival:

More from Tochigi Autumn Festival

The sky was blue for only a few minutes that day, and I was lucky to be able to snap this picture. Their festival floats are grand, but the festival itself is not so fun.

Tekomai girls leading the float.

There was stuff going on until late at night.

But I felt exactly like this baby. Festival schmestival. It's my naptime. Go away.

You can see more here.

And here is a video recap of the day (but not the night) of what was going on in Tochigi City on November 13, 2010.

Autumn festival in Tochigi city

More photos will appear tomorrow.

Christmas trees are ready already

They appeared right after Halloween. And in some cases, even before - during the last week of October.

And here's a green one a few streets down:

He's lovin' it

Ryuzu Falls in Late Autumn

This is a Watery Wednesday entry.

Mt Nantai last weekend

Lunchtime!

Monkey eating out of the garbage in Nikko.

Utsunomiya Gyoza Matsuri 2010

It took place on November 6th and 7th in downtown Utsunomiya.

Yep, that's gyoza. Dumplings by any other name. And in Utsunomiya they have their very own festival.

I'm a fan of dumplings in general, and gyoza in particular. It's yummy!

And everyone who was in downtown Utsunomiya this weekend surely agrees with me. Yummy!

Eating...

And eating...

Yeah, basically people were sitting everywhere and eating...

Other things were consumed as well. These guys are enjoying grilled meat and beer:

Ichijyo JHS students were on garbage duty:

 

As they do every year during this festival.

There was also live music and other attractions.

Here's our video report:

And here is a more detailed description on our other blog (with more photos, too).

At Tobu World Square

Jack the Ripper?

Anyway, that's how I've always imagined him:

on the altar

in front of the mikoshi, in front of Futaara shrine.

Priests praying

Patiently pondering

(yeah, I know, they look so bored they're about to fall asleep)

At peace

During the annual Kikusui Festival in Utsunomiya.

This is an ABC Wednesday entry. And a Wordless Wednesday entry.

Oh no! My shoe!

This girl lost her sandal during the ceremony, but very valiantly continued. Now, that's what I call dedication!