Mia Angela in the mood !

by Kazu

It might be the last serve of the seasonal cold spaghetti topped with sea urchin in our favorite Italian Mia Angela 2026. The season of fishing sea urchin is limited. A few weeks in June and August, the fishermen are allowed to pick up  purple sea urchin and horse dung sea urchin in Hokkaido. 

The sea urchin on the top of the cold spaghetti was purple sea urchin from the western coast of Hokkaido on that day. Chopped herb like leek gave the green color to the yellow and off-white pasta to make a good contrast on the white dish. 

We duplicated the amount of the sea urchin to savor amply the seasonal taste but single sea urchin was enough to appreciate the godsend from the ocean. The red beef from Furano Region was so nice to have every time we have dinner in the restaurant.

 

For Relaxation in Hotel Setsu Niseko !

by Kazu

The relaxation room in front of the hot spring spa and family spa was also decorated with Japanese-taste figures, potteries, Japanese lacquerware, Bonsai plants and sophisticated furniture.

The crockery for Japanese traditional tea ceremony on the table may not be so expensive but it contributed to the relaxing atmosphere in the room to wait the family members or lovers after bathing.

I hope the tourists from the continent will not steal those items for the relaxation of the guests staying in the hotel even if they are not so expensive. I've not heard about such theft in the hotel but the difference of the level of the moral may create the conflicts and hate in the future.

 

Hotel Setsu Niseko in the rain !

by Kazu

We visited and stayed in our favorite Hotel Setsu Niseko again. It was a pity that Crab-meat Sushi Kato was closed after the high season, winter. The manager of the hotel welcomed us in so heartfelt way as usual. 

The fireplace on the lobby floor had enough space to accommodate twenty guests or more but very few people were there just after the beginning of check-in time. The flame in the glass guard gave comfort and stress relief to the guests.
 

The object of deer head made of transparent glass or resin pieces was lit up with blue spot light in front of the main entrance of the hotel. I heard that the owner of the hotel stuck to the design including the interior and objects. Their obsession to entertain and welcome the guests seemed to be so solid and enthusiastic.

Inside the old Temple in Date City !

 

by Kazu

I think the design and structure of the Buddhist Temple Date Zenkoji is traditional Japanese but not adjusted to the harsh coldness of Hokkaido. This area may be not so cold in winter but even so, living in this temple seemed to be so tough in winter.

The doors between the rooms should be closed tightly and residents must gather in the room that had classical heater and warm rug or something like that. I like the design of such traditional Japanese house but easily, I could imagine the toughness of the life in winter.

The large sign of the name of the temple Zenkoji overwhelmed the visitors over the wooden slide doors.The pioneers need the temple and shrine but for the poor pioneers, the contributions to the temple might be heavy burden.

The Usu Zenkouji Temple in Date City !

by Kazu

I've been wondering how the beautiful colors of flowers are created in the plants and what makes the difference of the colors. We visited the Buddhist temple date Zenkoji last year too when it held the same kind of event in the garden.

The many flowers at the ends of branches might be too heavy for the thin branches but the plants were burnng their lives to save their genes and bloom again and again for good.

The thatched roof must be refurbished once a decade or more but it may be tough to save the ways and skills to renew the thatched roof again and again. The carpenters for the old-type  buildings should be nurtured carefully budgeting the cost for the industry.

 

Lacecap Hydrangea in Date Zenkoji Temple !

by Kazu

The trees and plants including hydrangea seemed to be well-maintained to entertain the visitors amply even in the rainfall giving the power to the botanical garden of the temple.

The supporters of the Buddhist temple may be providing it with a good help and contributions. The aged trees played the role of the guardians for the thatched-roof house and hydrangea.

Some huge rocks here and there in the garden of the temple seemed to be covered with moss giving stable image to the garden. Trimming of the trees must be so tough even for the skilled gardeners but the temple is the place of comfort for the citizens including the supporters.

 

The Temple "Hydrangea" in Date City !

by Kazu

The thatched roof of "the Temple Hydrangea" seemed to be well-trimmed and maintained. The real name of that is "Date Zenkouji Temple". The name of Zenkouji Temple is originally used in Nagano Prefecture.

I am not sure the relationship between Date Zenkouji Temple and the original one in Nagano Perfecture but the hydrangea may be the same characteristics of both temples. Beautiful flowers of hydrangea were blooming so nicely on that rainy day.

I think the temple had more lacecap hydrangea than other place featuring hydrangea. I love to see the flowers blooming in the rainfall, speaking of hydrangea, to be honest.