Asakusa Shrine

The Asakusa shrine is one of the most visited spot in Tokyo. It is a prominient tourist place and famous as a Shinto shrine.

Here we get to see the Japanese culture closely.

Hozomon, the main gate
Originally uploaded by rohidas_gaonkar

The story goes that 2 fisherman found a statue of Kannon, the goddess of Compassaion in the ive Sumidha. Later a temple was built for the same.
This is the Hozomon, the main gate at Asakusa shine. One can reach there after passing from the main gate, Kaminarimon gate.

There is a pagoda inside and a huge temple awaits you.

If you want to buy sovenoiur for your beloved ones you have Kappabashi street near by.
A visit here around evening would be pleasant experience.

Its Fall season now...

Wild cat
Originally uploaded by rohidas_gaonkar

The weather has changed its coat....

Its all brown and dull....

Walking back home from work everyday is growing more painful and lonely.

The dry leaves are everywhere. When I set my foot on them the devil inside me likes to hear the crushing sound. This evil feeling is increasing day by day along with the cold around. I understand I have to control it. But how do I do that?

I hope to see ghost of Fall season disappear soon.....

हाकोने का सफर

मेरी खाद्ययात्रा

Food and Travel:- Okonomiyaki

Osaka's Okonomiyaki in making...
Originally uploaded by rohidas_gaonkar

Okonomiyaki:- A japanese delicacy. It is said to be a speciality of region near Osaka and Hiroshima, both distant from each other.
Often there is an argument between people from these regions to decide which place has the best Okonomiyaki.

Our Chef
Originally uploaded by rohidas_gaonkar

The method to make okonomiyaki is simple. Its very similiar to the onion uttapa that we get in India. The batter made up of rice and egg is layered with "whatever-you-wish" (the meaning on the word Okonimiyaki). This can contain vegetables, Pork slickes, seafood nuggets, fish etc. The batter and the mix are then baked in an open pan front of the dining table and served hot. The topping is normally made of fish scales. The sauce poured over it makes it more enticing to eat.
The preparation from Hiroshima has more soba (noodles) as compared to Osakan Okonomiyaki.
Here is a series of snaps I have for you showing the making of Hiroshima-Okonomiyaki :- Slideshow here

Sunshine is bright..

Sunshine is bright..
The grass standing tall.
Leaves lit with autumn light,
Getting ready for Fall.


Originally uploaded by rohidas_gaonkar

निशिज़ावा: झरनो भरा स्वर्ग !!!

Nishizawa: A place full of untouched waterfalls!!!

निशिज़वा, यमानाशी
जपान,


२८ अक्तूबर २००७।





Nishizawa Keiokyo


Yamanshi, Japan.


28 October 2007.






Nishizawa trek was a refreshing experience. Can be called as a trekking place for amateur trekkers. After spending hours running, to catch up with time on the weekdays; Nishizawa welcomes you to forget all that stress and have some peace of mind.





The sky was the blue and the climate pleasant. Autumns has just reached its peak here in Japan and weekend getaways are getting more and more colorful. The Ravine of Nishizawa is like a miniature heaven. The emrald blue waters of the five step waterfall is breath taking.







Mother nature was blooming with autumn foilage, adding to the beauty of the waterfall.



The waterfall is also know as Nanatsugama - Godan-no-Taki here in Japanese. Source http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6951.html







The way goes through narrow paths along the river bank, with bridges



at regular intervals. I didnt count but there were supposedly 48 bridges along the 10 Km trek., unbelievable!!!







At one point we got a traffic jam. That was never expected on a trek atleast.



We had a simliar experience while trekking mount Fuji.



Later it turned out because of a old bridge on the way. As the japanese could read (thankfully) that the bridge could support weight of one person only. So everyone was crossing cautiously.





At the next turn the white foamy water was splashing over a emrald pond down under was a picture perfectly remembered.

The return journey was quick with minds still fresh with the splashing sound of the crystal clear waterfalls and brooks. The trek ended with eating soba at a local restaurant. The people there were quite warm and helpful. They have been nice to genkai's (foreigners) for years. It was time to say sayonara to the ravine still gushing with flowing water in the dark twilight.








For one-day trek Nishizawa is the place; the time has to be Autumn peak
You are all set for the best time of your life!!!

मैजी जिन्गुं, हराजुकू

जपान का पारम्परिक वेश
हाराजुकू पार्क, टोकियो
१३ अक्तूबर २००७

Traditional japanese dress.
Harajuku park, Tokyo.
13 october 2007

It was a lazy saturday afternoon.

Had nothing in mind I visited the Harajuku park.

There was a japanese wedding happening.

The attendees were in their traditional dress.

Its called as a Yukata.

Here is are small child wearing Yukata.

Yukata is Kimono generally made up of cotton. The ocassions can be weddings, at onsens, in Summer strolls etc.

Below is what we can see the "Tradition" meets "Youth"

महायुद्ध की विरासत

शांति स्मारक,
हिरोशिमा, जपान
२९ अप्रैल २००७

Peace memorial,
Hiroshima, Japan.
29 April 2007.

द्वितीय महायुद्ध के दौरान प्रथमतः अणुबम्ब का उपयोग मे लाया गया।

'लिटिल बॉय' नमक अणुबम्ब हिरोशिमा पर गिराया गया।

उद्योग और व्यवसाय के लिए "हिरोशिमा राज्य औद्योगिक प्रोत्साहन केंद्र" काफी मशहूर था।

६ अगस्त १९४५ मे प्रातः ८:१५ को अमेरिकन विमान बि२९ बोंम्बेर ने इसी ईमारत के थिक ऊपर हवा मे ६०० मीटर की उंचाई पर बम्ब छोड़ा। सारा हिरोशिमा तहस नहस हो गया। काफी तादात मे लोग मरे गए।

उस धमाके को सहने के के बाद ईमारत का कुछ हिस्सा बचा। उससी हिस्से को आज "ए-बम्ब डोम" कहते है।

उस दिन और उन मसुमो मे यह याद मे यह स्मारक बनाया गया है।



यहा यह अग्नी सदा जलता रहता है।

सर्दियों कि एक शाम

सूर्यास्त

नकानो, टोकियो

१३ जनवरी २००७

Sunset

Nakano, Tokyo

13 January 2007.

Its winter out there. The days are shorter and nights longer. The wind is chilly with tempratures as low as 2 degrees on some days.

This is a sunset at the Haiwanomori park, Nakano. That day the sky was clear and the sunset orange-red. Felt as if god has himself painted the scene for me to capture. Never was a sunset as beautiful as in this picture.

शिन्काँसेन से सफ़र

बुल्लेट ट्रेन के देश मे

टोकियो स्टेशन।

१५ अप्रैल २००७

In the land of Bullet trains.

Tokyo Station.

15 April 2007.

जपान मे सबसे पहले बुल्लेट ट्रेन का अविष्कार हुवा।

तबसे ले कर आज तक जापानियों ने काफी तरक्की कर ली है।

जपान मे आज विभिन्न तरह कि शिन्काँसेन चलती है , नोजोमी, हिकारी, कोदोमा आदि।

मेरा पहला शिन्काँसेन सफ़र था टोकियो से निक्को तक का।

मुझे आज भी याद है। जिस शिन्काँसेन से हमे सफ़र करना था मई उसीकी तस्वीर खीच रह था।

मेरे साथियों ने पुचताच करने पर पता चला कि वह हमारी ही शिन्काँसेन थी जो अब जा चुकी थी।

हमे उस आरक्षित टिकट पुर अब अन-आरक्षित डिब्बे मे सफ़र करना पड़ा।

मुह्जे आश्चर्य हुवा कि हमे डब्बे मे जगह मिल भी गयी।

डब्बा काफी साफ था। लग रह था कि किसी हवाई जहाज मे चढे हो।

मेरा पहल्र शिन्काँसेन सफ़र काफी रोमांचित था।

खिड़की मे मैंने झाका। हम हवा कि गति से शहर-गाव फिचे छोड़े जा रह थे।

ओक्टोपुस आर्मी

त्सुकिजी मचली बाजार।

टोकियो, २५ अगस्त २००७।

Tokyo fish Market.

Tokyo, 25 August 2007.

मचली बाजार मे ओक्टोपुस कि दुकान लगी हूई थी।

जिस तरह से उन्हें भिचाया गया था वह बहुत निराला था।

मनो फुलो का गुलदस्ता हो।

मूल छायाचित्र

The octopus selling shop had a different arrangement of octopuses.

Their limbs were tied and were kept facing their mouths up.

They looked liked flowers or catii to me.

Original picture

हनाबी अर्थात आतिशबाजी

हनाबी अर्थात गर्मियों मे आतिशबाजी का आयोजन
Hanabi i.e. Fireworks show.

टोकियो, ओदैबा सागर किनारे

११ अगस्त २००७

Tokyo, Odaiba beach

11 August 2007.

कामाकुरा दैबत्सू - बुद्ध

कामाकूरा दैबत्सू - महान बुद्ध
२१ ज़ुलै २००७

Kamakura Daibatsu- Great buddha.

21 July 2007

Ryukoji Temple (Jakkozan Ryukoji)
In Japan, a mother who has lost her child, may adopt a Jizo statue and adorn it with red robes and care for it as if it was her own living baby. Traditionally (or ideally), this practice must have been limited to red robes, but in reality - today at least and in the places I have visited - the materials involved are much more numerous, colorful and surprising. So, while there are many interesting paths to follow exploring what and who Jizo is or have been, I think the statues and the relating practices first and foremost witness an undeniable affective interaction with counter-intuitive agents done by normal, modern - and most Japanese would say secular - Nihonjin. ....
Source :- www.janemilkolsto.com/Jizo.html

किन्ककुजी, गोल्डन पेविलियण

गोल्डन पेविलियण , कयोटो, जपान।
२३ सेप्टेम्बेर २००७


Golden Pavillion, Kyoto, Japan.
23 September 2007





Kyoto is famous for its shrines and temples.
The most scenic and well known temple is Kinkakuji, Golden pavillion.