this and that

Did you watch the Queen’s funeral procession, it was so impressive! 

Watching the guards march also brought back memories of marching in parades for high school band and we had to step in the horse poop if it was in our path so as not to ruin our formation..ew

On Monday, it was a holiday, we were waiting for typhoon Nanmadol (#14) to pass, but since it was sunny out, we went down the street, even if it was krazy humid...

and came upon a tiny pocket park with all these higanbana (spider lilies)…so pretty!

I had bought this for lunch, but realized (just before cooking) it is the type that you eat as is without cooking it.

Note to self: read the label instead of buying it because of the cute packaging...sigh.

Umeshu update (month 3): the liquer is getting darker and all the ume have sunk to the bottom, shriveling and all the rock sugar has melted.

Today is another holiday, Autumn Equinox...

it is supposed to rain this weekend and it may also turn into another typhoon.

So, I went to pick up groceries yesterday so we won't have to go out.

I also tried this nikuman (manapua/meat bun) made by LIFE, a supermarket, this one only uses ingredients made in Japan.

It was delicious, though it could've used a little more filling.

Have a safe weekend.

jugoya

Last night was Jugoya which I've written about here.

It was the first time in 8 years that the day coincided with a full moon.

We purchased some sushi and had some sake for dinner.

The weather dude had mentioned that we might not be able to see the moon because of clouds or rain, but luckily we were able to.

I also wanted to get some ohagi, but the shop we usually buy from was a little too far from the market we were at, so hopefully we'll get some today or tomorrow for O-higan (Autumn equinox). 

o-higan

It's O-higan...around the Spring and Autumnal Equinoxes, most Buddhist sects observe this time.

Similar to O-bon, many visit family graves and think of loved ones.

I think it is cool that every year around this time the cyclamen that we had intended to give Satoshi's grandma blooms.

If you don't know the backstory on this cyclamen, check out this post I wrote here.

Anyway, O-higan ends on the 23rd, and we are planning to visit her grave during the weekend.

Thinking of you Hikone Grandma.

ohagi or botamochi

There is a wagashi (Japanese confection) that has two names....some call it ohagi and some call it botamochi.

Sticky rice covered with sweet bean paste. The one that I had recently had a sweet strawberry in the center.

Apparently, this mochi is offered to ancestors during O-higan or during the equinoxes.

During the Spring equinox, some call it Botamochi and during the Autumn equinox some call it Ohagi. Sometimes you can find them covered with kinako (soy bean powder) or goma (sesame seeds).

Some people say that the difference between the two names are whether koshian (smooth sweet bean paste) or tsubushian (chunky sweet bean paste) is used.

Some say that the difference is whether mochigome (glutinous rice) or uruchimai (non-glutinous rice) is used to make the treat.

And yet others say that the difference is in the size of the treat.

Whichever theory you decide to follow, one thing is sure, it is delicious.

cosmos no sato

Today we went to our all time favorite place for cosmos, no not the drink, the flower--Cosmos no sato.

I can't exactly remember how we found this place, but it has never disappointed, and we've visited almost every year since.

From Ikeda station, we took a bus towards Yono. The bus goes up into the mountains and all the winding roads that come with it. And about an hour later, we got off at Myokenguchi.

From the bus stop, we walked a bit (about 5 minutes). From the road you'll be able to see it---an ocean of pink, red and white.

I think this place is run by several families. Admission is 500yen (about US$5.00) for adults, 300 yen (about US $3.00) for children. Pack a lunch or snacks and make a day of it (just remember to bring all your trash home with you, there aren't trash cans or places that serve food there).

Today, the weather was really humid and overcast, so there wasn't the cheery feel and crisp air that there usually is when we visit.

Today was also O-higan (the autumn equinox) when families visit their ancestor's graves. It is about this time that you can also see Higan-bana, a red flower that pops up at the edges of the rice fields--kind of like a reminder for the day and for your ancestors.

There was also chestnut trees bursting with chestnuts.

They even had some for sale at the entrance.

After taking in all the beautiful cosmos, we took the bus back down to Ikeda and had lunch at Ikeda ramen. It was our first time here and we were surprised at how popular the place was--there was a line.

Satoshi had their dashi-aji(stock flavor)--a rich pork broth.

I had their tori-aji (chicken flavor)--a rich chicken broth.

I didn't particularly like this place because the soup was too heavy feeling--although I have a feeling it was because the day was so humid and I was still feeling a bit woozy from the bus ride.

I guess we need to go back again to give this place a fair shot.

Cosmos no Sato
Toyono-cho Maki
Toyono-gun, Osaka-fu
Phone: 072.739.1363

Ikeda Ramen (UPDATE: 2014 no longer in business)
3-1 Sugahara-cho Station N Building 1F
Ikeda, Osaka
Phone: 072.751.1148
Open 11:00-23:00