Flickr Pic #29: [Golden Week] Grilling Mushrooms and Vegetables

[Golden Week] Grilling Mushrooms and Vegetables
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

Golden Week is characterized by a series of National holidays in Japan which in effect would give quite a long break (at most 1 week) from work. As my work partner went home to the Philippines, I attended the BBQ party hosted by our company president, which was held at the company dormitory in Center Kita, Yokohama. Aside from the usual izakayas (Japanese pub - drinking sessions), BBQ parties are common for employer/boss-employee/subordinates bonding.

Grilled foods are also very popular in the Philippines, which you can readily see being sold on the streets: pork barbecue, liver, chicken gut (isaw), hotdogs, etc. I don't know with other countries, but here in Japan, they even grill vegetables such as: bell pepper, onions, eggplants, corn (in cobs), mushrooms etc. Now, I don't see that one being done in the Philippines. Maybe because we really are just meat lovers? hehehe.


Taken on May 3, 2008
Location: Center Kita, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #28 (click link here)

Flickr Pic #28: 「日光 Spring 08」 Lake Chuzenji

「日光 Spring 08」 Lake Chuzenji
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

The last of my featured Nikko series.

Lake Chuzenji is a scenic lake in Nikkō National Park in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The lake has a surface area of 11.62 km² and a circumference of 25 km. Its elevation at the surface is 1,269 m, and the water reaches a depth of 163 m. Water drains through the Kegon Falls.

We came here at around 2-3pm, right after viewing Kegon Falls. Light coming from the sun was harsh for our photography. Too bad the boat cruise wasn't available during that time.

For some more pics on our Nikko Temples and Nature tour, visit my set at flickr.

Taken on April 6, 2008
Location: Nikko National Park, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #27 (click link here)

Flickr Pic #27: 「日光 Spring 08」 Kegon Falls

「日光 Spring 08」 Kegon Falls
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

This is the Kegon Falls. At 97 m high, it is one of Japan's three highest waterfalls. We had to pay 530yen (~Php210++) just to have a 100m elevator ride towards the lower view deck. Aside from the Toshogu Shrine, this is another landmark in Nikko one should never miss.

Taken on April 6, 2008
Location: Nikko National Park, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #26 (click link here)

Flickr Pic #26: 「日光 Spring 08」Peddling Cat

「日光 Spring 08」Peddling Cat
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

This was spotted in between shrine venues (as Nikko has several of them in one location). There was no one (vendor) in sight except for this black cat, guarding the wares. Since this is Japan, it is most probably safe to handle this kind of gimmick as most Japanese are proud of their honesty and discipline.

Taken on April 6, 2008
Location: Nikko Temples and Shrines, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #25 (click link here)

Flickr Pic #25: 「日光 Spring 08」Hear no evil, Speak no evil, See no evil

「日光 Spring 08」Hear no evil, Speak no evil, See no evil
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

The famous three wise monkeys ("sanzaru" in Japanese).

According to wiki, these carvings were the main source that popularized the famous maxim of the monkeys. These were carved over a door of a stable (Shinkyu) within the Toshogu shrine vicinity and it is dated way back from the 17th century.

There are no paintings on the Shinkyu. Sculptures of Sansaru "Three Monkeys" were put on the crossbars instead. The Sansaru consists of 8 panels like a picture book. Monkeys had been treated as guardians of horses since early times. Therefore, there was a custom to keep monkeys in the stable until Muromachi period.

Taken on April 6, 2008
Location: Toshogu Shrine, Nikko Temples and Shrines, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #24 (click link here)

Flickr Pic #24: 「日光 Spring 08」 Say A Little Prayer

「日光 Spring 08」 Yomeimon Gate
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

This place in Nikko is where the most famous Toshogu shrine (Shinto shrine that enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu) is located; also one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.

The Yomeimon Gate is the most famous work of architecture in Nikko; thus, oftenly representing the place in tourist posters and pamphlets.

Due to the reasons stated above, I tried my best to salvage this shot (originally underexposed on the front) as these are the types of shots one should never miss.
 
Taken on April 6, 2008
Location: Toshogu Shrine, Nikko Temples and Shrines, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #23 (click link here)

Flickr Pic #23: 「日光 Spring 08」 Say A Little Prayer

「日光 Spring 08」 Say A Little Prayer
Originally uploaded by scion_cho

These prayer tablets are very common in Shinto shrines and temples. Visitors write their prayers on those wooden blocks and hang it at a designated place.

Taken on April 6, 2008
Location: Nikko Temples and Shrines, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

See Flickr post #22 (click link here)