Difference of jogging in Tokyo and Hokkaido !

by Kazu

I found the Sword Museum near Ryogoku Bridge in Tokyo. Even in Hokkaido, many swords are displayed in the museum but I saw the museum only for Japanese traditional swords for the first time. 

Of course, it was closed early in the morning but I would visit there again when it is in service. The wind blowing over the river was so comfortable and inspiring. I would like to stay there for a week every year to explore and stroll around the river. 

As it must be so hot and humid in Tokyo during summer, I prefer the season from end of autumn through spring. Some cruising boats called "Yakatabune" were having a rest in the small creek. My wife booked the seats in the cruise boat the next day.   

 

Sumida River and Hokkaido !

by Kazu

Every time I visit Tokyo for pleasure and business, I make a point of jogging along Sumida River or others.The magic hour started with the beautiful twilight and the sound of the river flow.   

The pale blue and pink color of the sky early in the morning seemed to be giving the citizens kind of inspiration and energy. The sky Tree Tower could be seen from  the bridge where many automobiles were passing by. 

A boat race team was in the training beside the cruising boat. Reflecting the sunlight from the east, the walls of the buildings beside the river colored pink or orange. I love to strolling around along the river in this season, not in summer. That eased the pain of our lives. 

 

Sensoh-ji Temple Gate Keepers !

by Kazu

Temple Sensou-ji is very popular place to visit even for the citizens of Hokkaido. The huge Nioh Guardian Figures in the gatekeepers' house seemed to be alluring many tourists taking memorial photos n front of the gate.  

As you may know, one of  the Nioh Guardian Figures opens its mouth and the other closes it. So many tourists from overseas were strolling around in the premises of the temple. The vendors beside the approach road to the temple were closed in the evening but the bright red and white colors on the wall were so beautiful. 

It may require hectic amount of money to maintain and refurbish the building but as Sensou-ji is so popular to donate, ample treatment can be available for the temple, I think.                                                                                                               
 

Sensoh-ji Temple and Hokkaido !

by Kazu

Senso Temple was also lit up in the darkness. The contrast of red, white and the dakrness of the sky was so striking even for us on that day. The vendors along "the Nakamise Street" were closed in the evening but some cherry trees were also lit up and the blossoms were blooming. 

The five-story tower on the premises of the temple was also lit up subtly. They all seemed to have been refurbished. An amazing play land "Hana Yashiki"is next to this temple.  

The cherry blossoms were full-flourished on the premises of Senso-ji Temple. The colors of deep and pale pink cherry blossoms were vividly glazing against the backdrop of the dark sky reflecting the town light in Tokyo.  

 

Hokkaido and Tokyo !

by Kazu

I was wondering how "The Sky Tree" in Tokyo looked like from the satellite in the stratosphere as well as the troposphere over the Big City. As each bridge over Sumida River were also lit up and they were arranged to be seen from the ground, we were not sure how the same objects were looked like from the sky..     

Only the bright shining lines and dot could be seen from the sky. I was not sure how much it costed to light up various kinds of artificial construction on the ground.  

The Worship for the deceased in WWⅡ!

by Kazu

We were so struck by the Steak Frites in "Maison Marunouchi" ,  The Four Seasons Hotel Marunouchi Tokyo with the contrast of bright lights from the windows of the skyscrapers. The dairy cow Ribeye steak from Hokkaido seemed to have been treated, flavored, grilled so nicely.   

We really appreciated the way of cooking and respect extended to the meat matured and produced in Hokkaido. The cow had been raised for milk, not for Wagyu Beef but the red meat was so preferable for us who had savored so much Canadian, in particular Albertan beef in Canada.   

Above is the menu of our dinner on that day. Thanks to the chef's selection that added so much premium to the dairy cow beef from Hokkaido. The Tokyo Sky Tree was playing the roll as the landmark as well as the twist for the landscape of the big city.

 

Steak Frites in the Four Seasons Hotel !

by Kazu

After "the Amuse",  steamed mussels followed. It was named "Moules Marinieres".  It was a pity that the mussels were not from Hokkaido but the quality of the them were what I had craved for. It was so delicious. 

The chef showed his high degrees of skill with the top-quality beefsteak.The sauces were peppercorn sauce,Hollandaise and Cafe de Paris Butter. I thought Hokkaido also needed this level of art culinary delights.

To be surprised, the steak was Hokkaido DairyCow Ribeye Steak! We were so pleased to see the top-quality Hokkaido beef was artistically cooked and it made other guests so happy too.