Monday, snow dusted the trees and mountains of Kyoto.There were flurries off and on and the wind was icy and blustery.
After visiting with MIL, we headed to Uji because I had heard they had a rabbit statue.
Since this year is the Year of the Rabbit, I thought it would be nice for us to do hatsumode (visit shrines and temples to ask for good wishes and thank the gods for everything for the past year) here.
At Mimurotoji, the statue of the rabbit has two holes at the base. Inside there is a marble egg.
You are supposed to reach inside and make the egg stand upright. If you do, it is supposed to help your back and legs be strong and "stand upright".
Satoshi and I tried this and were successful, hopefully we will both be healthy this year.
We were surprised because every time we've taken a bus or train to get to Uji.
This time, we walked the distance and searched for somewhere to have lunch.
Being a national holiday, some places were closed, luckily we were able to have some cha-soba (noodles made from green tea) at Kawabun.
I had eaten here when my Aunty had visited several years ago.
Satoshi had never eaten here so we decided to have lunch here.
The lunch crowd had subsided, so we were able to get a table right away.
Satoshi chose the cha-soba (noodles made from green tea) teishoku which came with some nigiri sushi...1050 yen (about US$10.50)
On a day like Monday, the warm soba really hit the spot.
Satoshi was in the mood for some sweets so we stopped in at Surugaya and picked up some cha-dango (rice cakes made from green tea) and a kuri mochi (rice cake filled with sweet bean paste and chestnut)...total 575 yen (about US$5.75)
It was a very cold day, but we were able to visit with MIL and do hatsumode.
Surugaya
16 Uji-higashiuchi
Uji, Kyoto
Phone: 0774.23.8191
16 comments:
Hi Kat - How is your MIL doing?
LOVE cha-dango! Although my favorite will always be Mitarashi :o)
doing better Kirk, but still needs rehab to be able to walk and sit on her own.
Mitarashi is Satoshi's favorite too, K!
Take care you two.
Kat
Sounds like a very good day with some tasty food. Keep warm, too! ;-)
Paz
looks like so much fun!!
Thanks Paz, you too! I hear another storm is headed your way.
Icy but fun Franky :)
Take care you two.
Kat
I'm glad your MIL's spirits are good and her recovering nicely from her burns.
I've always been curious about your Japanese ability. Can you read and write Japanese as well as the average Japanese? Whenever I visit Japan, I'm a bit regretful because I never learned how to read and write Kanji and know I am missing out on a lot of different things!
Thanks Anon. I majored in Japanese language in college. I cannot read the Japanese newspaper, but can read enough to get by (mainly food things).
If you know kanji stroke order, there is a great app (don't remember if it costs anything) on the iPhone called "kotoba" which is like a portable kanji dictionary.
Take care.
Kat
I'm stoked about that rabbit shrine -- that is so cool about the egg. The weather has tempered down a bit and we had sun on Wednesday....after only clouds and rain from January 3rd! Sunny again today so I'm going to take the "kids" on a 2-hour walk.
enjoy your walk Rowena :) I've heard that Hawaii is getting pounded with rain, thunder and lightning, hope your Papa is okay.
Take care.
Kat
Happy Year of the Rabbit to you Kat and Satoshi!
Those green triple lollipops look very interesting to eat...
thanks PB, those "lollipops" are rice cakes, chewy and sweet :)
Take care.
Kat
Love that rabbit--I hope keeping the egg up works for you two! ;-)
I hope so too Deb in Hawaii :)
Take care.
Kat
I can assure you that food prices are pretty darn high. Using farmer's markets and coming into grocery stores at the close of the business day will seriously cut back your costs. Have a look:
http://www.teacheslinasia.com/teach-esl-in-japan/saving-money-in-japan/
thanks Anon, food prices are high but I try not to compare them to dollar amounts too much. I just note it in my posts for anyone visiting Japan to be aware of.
we do not have farmer's markets in our area and I don't go to the markets at the end of their business day because at that time of the day it is a little too late for me to be out and about. But I can understand that using these methods can save a lot of money.
Take care.
Kat
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