two lovely ladies selling yaki tori; yummy grilled meat on sticks!!
chinese buns stuffed with minced chicken and eggs & glutinous rice stuffed with fillings((:
Walking down the streets, it is indeed difficult, to feel hungry. There are so many stalls selling yummy food and it is difficult for me to pick something which I love the most!! There are glutinous rice wrapped in a pyramid shape, traditional rice cakes, tako balls which are squid or prawns wrapped inside flour which is grilled into a ball shape, other yummy pastries and ice cream!!
(the menu showing the range of flavor the stall offers. amazing isnt it?!)
It is fab to be eating something so cold in winter and the flavors!! They aren’t the usual vanilla and chocolate which we know. There are ginko nut flavor, rose, green tea, almond, sesame etc etc. BUT, I was only adventurous enough to go for the green tea one=p
Japan is a country which is heavy on traditions and till date. Many of these are still being carried out. One of the most noticeable ones is the wearing of kimonos, which are full length, traditional Japanese garments, during special occasions.
During my vacation to Japan, I had the opportunity to see a couple of Japanese girls and ladies donning these beautiful garments while they’re on their way to the temple and during a wedding reception in the hotel I was staying in. Furthermore, I had the chance to see a true blue sumo wrestler in his full gear (he was clothed!!)
Look at her beautiful kimono!! So bright and pretty((:
Also, one might associate Japan with geishas, thanks to movie, Memoirs of the Geisha and of course!! I was all hyped up when we went to Kyoto prefecture where geishas are commonly sighted due to Gion, being a famous geisha district. Thus, when I spotted the bright kimono, and intricate hairstyle from downhill, I began running in my heels. Up. To meet with her!! Hahah!! Thinking back, it was pretty funny, me barging right up. But~ hahaha, it’s one of my must do, in japan=p
In addition, I did something which I never imagined I’d do in my entire life!! Haha, So at one of the hotel we stayed in, there was actually a real hot spring in it. And having been to Korea and Taiwan where I;ve tried and loved their hot springs, of course!! I;ve gta do it again in Japan this time round. But there’s a catch~ the only suit u can wear is your birthday suit. Hahahaha.
So, after getting over the initial shock of ladies yakking away as they shower, I took a deep breathe and took a dip. Wow it was amazing and super relaxing. Slept like a baby the moment I went back to my room. Hahaha
so i had the opportunity to go to a temple in Kyoto and it;s awesome!!
this is the section in the temple in which traditionally, people belive that if they wished hard enough for something, leap off the edge, land amongst the trees and survive. their wish will come true!! haha wht's mind boggling is that there're a couple of people who belived in this myth and lost their lives as a result!
this is actually blessed spring water and it is passed down from generations that if you were to drink from either of the 3 stream of water, you'll be blessed with good looks, great health or intelligence!!
Also, the girl in the kimono is actually dressed that way probably because she was at the temple to give thanks or because it's her birthday!!
And how can I end this without talking about THE ICON which represents Japan as much like the Statue of Liberty represents America and the Eiffel Tower to France? Seeing Mt. Fuji alone have left me awe struck and being on the mountain is so so surreal~ Coming from the tropics, seeing snow alone is enough to blow my brains out. The beauty of the sleeping volcano is truly remarkable and it’s left all lost for words yet again~ hahaha
so!!!!
SHOPPING!!!
omg. if ONLY we had enough time to go shopping.
so, the suckiest thing about this trip was that we didnt get any time off to go shopping at tokyo, one of the fashion capital of the world. so, i;ve got to make do with the shopping in Osaka, in the famed Shinsaibashi district.
and so, shopping~~ that's whn my mom went mad in her search for burberry blue label. yupp. u've heard me. blue label. it's only available in japan so!!! for those of u planning a trip to japan; be sure to check this out(((: hahaha
there were so many things to see, so little time~ hahaha but as usual, i do enjoy people watching and wow!! it's just so different from Singapore!! Of course, we dont wear coats and jackets but. wow. it's fabb!!
(and i;m so sorry i didnt take enough pictures on this aspect!!)
so i was queueing up for a ride at universal studios when i saw this japanese girl!! though it;s not v obvious in the photo, i love her furry coat and the way she paired that silk tunic under.
so, haha i took this on the sly and i love how that dress is peeking under her coat!! haha gosh, somehow i sound like a perv. for saying that=p lol
and of course! the way she paired those tough boots with that same dainty dress. so so pretty!!
so. sad to say. yer. i didnt take much pictures of people on the streets partly because the cam's with my dad and i was enjoying myself too much. and MOSTLY because. i honestly didnt dare approach those people!! hahah and there so many stylish folks about and especially in the amusement parks!! haha
there's not a specific type of word to describe them and honestly! every body have their own style!! it's fabb and wht i love about japan is that those young parents are really. really cool!! the themselves dress so awesome and then u see them pushing those prams with equally stylish tots in tow. i really went WOW. hahahaha
having seen so much creativity and having been part of that, it was a lil weird to be back on the streets in singapore. partly because i dont have my fab houndstooth on but; still, i cant help but look foward to my next vacation. LA, NY anyone?!! hahaha!!! OMG!! i truly hope that my parents werent joking about the american vacation!!!
LOVES!!!!
and i miss you guys!!!((((:
it's 31 DEC TODAY!!!
fabb party tonight anyone!?! hahaha!!!
CHEERS.
