Shrines visit @ Hashikami

S brought me to another shrines visit after our blood donation. One of them he had went up on the day before the New Year as he read that there would be a ritual and its the best chance to try his luck to get the stamp. In the end he went, climbed the mountain in stormy winter and waited 2 hours with no one around. Came back home freezing and looking dejected, then told me no to bring up the topic that night lol!  (Not all shrines have shrine master standing by all the time, some only appear at certain times or certain occasion, the shrine masters might have several shrines to handle). So he wanted to try his luck again. I rejected his offer to climb to top of mountain as I knew it was not easy and I wanted to pee once I was out in the cold. 

The good thing was while he was climbing half way, the shrine master came down and both of them climbed up again so he finally got his stamp this time!

Ushioyama shrine

one coin lunch at Hashikami again! super delicious, they replaced their uni don.

Ryukosan shrine

takes 40 mins to climbed to the top of the shrine

S came back to the car sweating and panting.

First meeting of adorable bb R.

Kristi's sister and mom had came to Misawa to visit them and arrival of the new one. Originally intend to book restaurant, however due to the New Year, all shop were closed throughout the 4 days. In the end, we (actually is S) decided to cook and show them normal Japanese home cooked food instead. We also get to visit their newborn, Reagan! She was sleeping most of the time and so adorable! Kristi still looked as skinny as before after birth! Some people have all the luck! It was our first time to meet Cindy and she taught me how to make egg rolls and said it in Vietnamese. I must say I had forgotten it by now lol! 

Yaki soba by S

making karrage, making a face when he noticed i was taking picture

Soundly sleeping Reagan

sorry to post with ur eyes were closed since S did not send me the photo taken on his hp.

made by Cindy and their mum, super crispy and delicious! 

Happy gathering!

Last Day of 2015

Was watching the 66th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Singing Competition), finally the Red team (girls) won! That was their first win since 2011, I was hoping no the guys again! When it ended at 11.45pm, we dressed up and drove to the shrine. I was reluctant to go as S initially wanted to walk all the way (take around 20 - 30 mins ) under the freezing weather (-2 degree). He was afraid there was no place to park, since many will be heading to the shrine. In the end we drove to try our luck and I went since we should be together to welcome 2016. After we parked the car and walked towards the shrine, the road was frozen! To the extend I was slipping and about to fall couple of times in my snow boots, those Japanese ladies in heels were hopping and exclaiming! My retribution for secretly thinking that I would laugh at them if they fell lol! 

I was surprised to see majority was young people with their friends. S told me that was the time for guy to pick girls up (at the shrine?!). While waiting, I was fairly listening to the group of 3 (should be in early 20s guys) passing comment on some girls that passed by us. One of them was passing remark how he would not choose this type of girl (The girl was dressed in bright pink shorts (very short type, everyone was eyeing on her when she passed by including me!) with black stockings with holes and boots. Just that I was thinking... Omg.... So sexy but ... she was not freezing? 

Happy New Year everyone!

Unryudaigongen shrine in Misawa. I was seriously lack of exercise, my legs were cramping the next day after the flight of stairs.

top of the shrine

crab feast! some of it we brought, the nama crab (raw) was given by obaachan. Only realise now S dislike the raw crab.

expensive cha siew we brought for this special day

Following Japanese custom: A must to watch 66th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Singing Competition)

did not expect long queue to pray at the strike of 12am

it was all the way down the steps

Happy New Year 2016!

Pre-Shougatsu Family Celebration (Japanese New Year's Day, 正月)

S has to work for this year on Japanese New Year Day, so we went back to Aomori to celebrate earlier. My okaasan and obaachan prepared and brought plenty of food, too much in fact. We ended up not being able to eat the hot pot (nabe) and the crab. Didn't know there was a hot pot until I reached the house and we brought sushi and KFC as well. We brought along cakes from our place which is our favourite cake shop. I was so full that I was burping non stop. 2015, we had P-Chan (S's pet bird) left us and I hope 2016 will be a good year ahead. Everyone safe and sound.  

just some of the food

the crab that I was too full to eat

cakes we brought along. Yummy! 

Shocked at the volume of snow that covered our car over the night!

Kouya Ramen @ Aomori

Went back to Aomori to celebrate New Year and it was blizzard when we drove back. Everywhere was white and we only could see the car in front of us, so glad we made it to Aomori alive. S brought me to eat the popular ramen in Aomori. He said that they opened at 11am and usually sold out by 2, 3 pm. Even though the shop is supposed to operate til night, they normally do not open due to out of stock. We waited for around 30 mins and I ordered set A that came along with the ramen and char siew don with egg. The soup was thick and perfect for winter, the don was so delicious!  

Tiny shop but never ending customers

with char siew don

Aftermath of Kabushima Shrine in Hachinohe

In October, we had visited Kabushima Shrine for the very first time. Who knows that the shrine was burnt to the ground within the few months time. The fire incident was said to be accidental and no human involvement. S wanted to go visit again to make contribution to the re-construction of the shrine. Sad to see in own eyes, the seagulls were gone, the top of shrine looked barren and the entrance were barred from entering. All the shrine workers had to make do in a small space located near the shrine. Hopefully they are able to raise enough money to build it again. 

no more shrine

not allowed to enter

one coin lunch in hachinohe soba resturant

300 yen fried squid that tasted like takoyaki

their soba improved since the last time we eat it ! No regrets this time!

Vegetarian buffet @ Aguri-no-sato Oirase Farm

Went to local farmer market in Oirase and they have a restaurant offering vegetarian buffet lunch. It was always packed with people. It was not cheap but they had a wide variety of food and quite yummy. I have gotten used to eating many vegetables in my daily life (compared to my preference of meat in Singapore) and learnt to appreciate the taste of vegetables. I do still prefer meat but vegetables are staple in Japanese food, not meat. I was so hungry since I did not eat breakfast and had at least 3 - 4 helpings. S was staring me in shock lol! He said I ate so much. The good part of eating vegetarian buffet regardless the big amount you ate is that you will release some out soon hahaha!

that's all mine