Sumiyoshi Shrine in Otaru City !

by Kazu

We visited Sumiyoshi Shrine in Otaru City before having lunch in Yoichi Town. It was not so fine on that day but the Sea of Japan was so calm and bright blue..                                                                                                                                                                                                         

We Japanese people customarily purify their kids at their age of 3, 5,7 and celebrate their survival because the survival rate had been much lower than now until decades ago. We did not see any kids and parents on that day but a stone pillar to measure the growth of the kids.  

In front of the main sacred house of the shrine, the guardian dogs sculpture and the measure stone stood and welcome the prayers. Everything was in silence on the premises of the shrine. 

 

We are missing our friends fro India !

by Kazu

This is what my wife set up to host a small Japanese tea ceremony in my condo. for our friends from India. They've already came back to their home country and we are missing them now. I heard that they've visited every nook and cranny of Hokkaido and enjoy the landscape, culinary delights and people in Hokkaido.  

My wife was given a Japanese traditional attire "Kimono" by her Japanese tea ceremony teacher in the morning on that day. So she arranged our friends to try the attire and to make Japanese traditional green tea "Matcha" by herself.  

It seemed that my wife had already got used to put on Japanese traditional Kimono by herself and for her friends. Her skill seemed to be so useful and helpful for Kimono-lovers. Afte taking these photos, Google created a photo of Galaxy version automatically. I shared that with our friends immediately. 

 

Before the Departure of our frie from India !

by Kazu

At the crack of dawn, there was no cloud in the sky on the day we had to say good-by to our friends from India. Their future must be rosy but the transportation in their country seemed to be less convenient than that in Japan.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Based on the request from our friends, my wife hosted a small Japanese traditional tea ceremony in my condo. in that evening. Fortunately, my wife was given a pretty Japanese traditional attire "Kimono" by her tea master in Sapporo and she hung it on the wall. 

After showing to make and serve a cup of green tea, my wife let our friends try that. It was at around seven o'clock in the evening, so we had to avoid too much intake of caffeine. I hope they had enjoyed the green tea Matcha and talking with us so much.

 

Japanese Traditional Tea Cafe "Ujien" in Sapporo !

by Kazu

Near the northern end of the premises of Hokkaido University, there is a branch shop of the confectionery "Rokkatei", one of the most famous and popular sweets creators and happiness givers headquartered in Obihiro City of Tokachi Region.

We had a breakfast in the branch cafe & shop before leaving Sapporo for Niseko/Kutchan. The croissant from the oven was much more delicious than we expected. My wife smelled what other client ordered and became to eager to eat one. 

The other day, we explored the eastern part of Sapporo City and dropped by the cafe directly run by the most famous green tea seller "Ujien" to try the patissier's signature parfait made of chest nut paste like vermicelli flavored with green tea powder "Matcha"and a whole chest nut. Crisp fried rice and whip cream were under that.    

 

The Materials of Constructions !

by Kazu

This is the sand and stones taking site near the west coastline in Ishikari City. If the land was dug several meters, tons of water emerge like a spring. It is pure water not salty. Such site should be well-managed and controlled to limit off the kids and animals.    

I was remembering the beautiful sunrise at the beginning of that day and contemplating the next step of my way.  After reaching sixty years old, the path ahead may not be accompanied with the power we had before. 

 

The Rising Sun!

by Kazu

On a certain morning at the end of summer. 2026, I witnessed the beautiful sunrise from the northern end of the premises of Hokkaido University. The gray and violet clouds nicely reflected the orange color of the sunshine. I could see the rising sun moving ahead gradually.

It was only a few minutes that I stood still watching the east but I could feel the movement of the earth so vividly. The contrast of  the orange color of the sunshine, the black silhouette of the trees and pale blue color of the sky was breathtaking. 

Soon the orange color of the sunshine would turn to bright yellow and the sky strong blue. The perquisite  of early birds seemed to be guaranteed all the year round. I kept my fingers and tows crossed praying for the end of the greedy people such as warmongers.

 

Having a rest in Cafe Mutekirou !

by Kazu

The ice tea and cheese cake set of the Cafe Mutekirou run by Miyakoshiya Coffee in Muroran gave me enough power to drive back to Sapporo City. My buddy on that day seemed to be so satisfied with the chocolate cake and ice tea set. 

The scenery on the White Swan Bridge "Hakchou Oohashi" was like this. It must be so tough and expensive to keep the whole bridge beautiful white. It must not devalue the landscape of the mountains and ocean.