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Another Year in Tokyo

And sometimes elsewhere.

Photography

June: places to go in and from Tokyo

June 2, 2020

Best with: plum sake (umeshu, or 梅酒), and non-stop rainy days.

June has not been my favorite month of year. It is after the golden-week vacation, it gets hot and sweaty easily, it marks the start of the rainy season in Tokyo area, and the worst of all: it has no public holidays in it – all makes it a bit hard to plan any getaways in this long month.

However, when I was checking my old pictures over the years, I realized I did travel around quite a lot during this month. Those were all little day trips, or one night, tops; but there are many beautiful pictures of this particular season when one of my favorite flowers blooms in the area of Tokyo: the hydrangea, or Ajisai (紫陽花) in both Japanese and Chinese.

Where to see hydrangea blossoms in Tokyo area

Interestingly, my first blog here is about this flower, and you can review that one for some old picture. It is about my favorite town near Tokyo as well, Kamakura, where I have been millions of times.

In the city of Tokyo, my favorite spot for seeing this flower is Hakusan shrine (白山神社). I used to live very close to it, so maybe that is also why. I found some old pictures again, some featuring a younger version of me. 🙂

Outside of Tokyo… green looks the best after rain in Nikko (日光)

By the end of June, or even beginning of July, the entire east Japan is in the middle of the rainy season. Every year, it has been difficult to decide where to go to celebrate P’s birthday, which is on July 1st. Actually, there are quite some gems that shine even better after a good rain.

This is where people visit during summer, the sacred mountain area north to Tokyo: Nikko (日光). I have been to it numerous times, including in summer when it brings coolness and autumn when the leaves are just beautiful. You would imagine in June it may be less beautiful, but actually the greenish nature after rain is just like a fairytale coming true:

Or, go north to get a good dip in the Onsen (温泉) in the northern prefectures

The north part of east Japan can be difficult to get there, as it is not like the big cities such as Tokyo where you have dozens of lines at each train station. Nontheless, I always imagine it is how Japan should look like behind the curtains.

To escape the heat, I would travel north to wander in the nature, or in the “ghost” towns. The trip to Iwate prefecture, Ichinoseki city (岩手県一関市) and the nearby Hanamaki town (花巻) was one of such memories. The views are amazing. And nothing beats a good night rest in a cozy Onsen Ryokan (温泉旅館) near some mountain stream with rain in the background, where you can both warm up after a long day and enjoy a traditional and less pricy Kaiseki Ryori (懐石料理), sometimes with quality Japanese beef, or Wagyu (和牛).

This year, where should I go (if possible at all..)?

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Filed Under: Ask a Local, Destinations, Favourite, Japan, Photography, Seasonal specials, Tohoku, Travel Tagged With: fujifilmxt1, photography, seasonal, travelplan

One dish: green, green, green

May 26, 2020

Seasonal treat means seasonal color, smell, and the joy.

And of course the taste. 🙂

Simple and refreshing is the name of this season.

End of May and before the beginning of June is my favorite season in Tokyo. It is not too hot, but warm enough to wear only one layer of clothes; it has some humidity in the air, but not too much as in the rainy season to come; and most importantly, all the green colors around the corner are starting to flourish, and it always brings me joy.

This salad is not a fixed recipe. I just add the greenish items I like/have at the moment, and add a little other colors on top of it. Boil them if necessary, or eat raw if you are good with fibre. 😉 The seasoning is very simple – I almost only use sashimi soysauce (light and good for umami) and a little sesame oil, with optional sugar. It is low calorie, high fibre, and stimulates a good appetite.

For a more special and “Japanese” taste as an accent, try adding some “Shiso” or 紫蘇 in Japanese.

That is the mood of today!

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Filed Under: "Junyi says...", Favourite, Photography, Recipe, Salad Tagged With: green, photography, recipe, salad

Quarantine in Style #2: White Shirt with Skirt, with Pants, or with Itself

May 24, 2020

See all its expressions in the color of sheer white.

Here, as promised, my excited self portrait with some new white shirts from Zara. Collar and collarless, linen and cotton, just-fit and oversized… so many options to explore. Too bad it is still under lockdown here in Tokyo, so all the photos are produced inside my apartment. Excuse the bed, the door, and the stand mirror!

Oversized shirt with skirt

I think this is completely a ZARA look. It is technically true, though, as both the shirt and the skirt are from my recent ZARA purchases and the floral skirt is really convenient to style up with.

Collar shirt to ease off some feminine accent from the skirt.

Or with pants, casual or a little bit suited up

Most of the days I am a pants person. I wear a lot of denims, and when it warms up, I like to wear wide pants that have an accent shape and suit pants that can show the body curve naturally.

I thought wide pants can be a challenge with oversized shirts; but it is actually quite nice. It can be called a “ゆるコーデ” in Japanese, which basically means “loosened up coordination” as a very common style here.

Ultimate conservative with collarless shirt.

I recently bought a pair of pants from Theory. I was lucky; it was on sale because of the lockdown, and I saw this one that has nice shape as Theory always does, and a dark yellow color which can be nice addition to my grey/navy usual suits from Theory.

Handsome look with collarless shirt.

As an single item of ultimate romance

When talking about items that are romantic, usually we think about long floral dresses, on a sunset beach, with a big hat perhaps. Actually I found withe shirts are quite a romantic single item, especially with oversized “boyfriend” style and basically any design if it is linen.

It can be a little too intimate, though. It has to be styled up with items that can bring out its character, such as a simple trench coat or a straight denim. Maybe I can try that combination sometimes.

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Filed Under: Fashion, Favourite, Items, Photography Tagged With: 23mmf2, fashion, fujifilm, fujifilmxt30, ootd, tryout, whiteshirt

Mood of the Day: Lunch Ritual

May 21, 2020

#stayhome and #wfh makes the daily lunch time the much needed break in the day.

Are there others who are like me, that the most productive time during a #wfh day is when preparing meals? (don’t tell my boss) Previously it was just about dinner, and I was focusing on making healthy, delicious international eats to go with my home gym training plan. Now, it has reached a new peak in my culinary journey: lunch has become a ritual that is dedicated to the state of mind and the spotlight of the day.

Today’s menu: Chinese beef stew, Japanese miso soup, international salad, yoghurt, asparagus and eggs.

The beef stew recipe is from my mom. When I was little, and whenever I got sick my mom would make her best beef stew to comfort my stomach and cheer me up. Even though she was not such a great chef as she is now, this beef stew was among the most dishes that reminds me of home.

Fatty beef, potato chunks, tomato chunks, and sometimes with vermicelli make this the soul food for me. Surprisingly they have a similar dish here in Japan: nikujyaga (肉じゃが), which basically means beef and potato.

I have also been careful about my diet recently. Not baking any banana bread, but focusing on moving on to a healthier diet with some more variety. Starting from the easy ones, I am adding more salads and basics to my Chinese and Japanese themed menu. (And removed a lot of starch from my usual diet, such as rice or noodles.)

To battle with the urge to eat more in the afternoon, and to have something more to look forward to after the celebrated lunch, I also plan a small delicacy with a Nespresso. Today’s special is my beloved salty mochi with red beans (塩豆大福), enjoy!

Have a nice afternoon coffee!
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Filed Under: "Junyi says...", Photography Tagged With: #23mmf2, #food, #fujifilm, #fujifilmxt30, #lunchritual, #photography, #stayhome

A Day Inside with Shots

May 19, 2020

For the mood quarantine brings me this time.

I bought my new toy – Fujifilm X-T30 – recently, right before the launch of Fujifilm’s new X-T series mirrorless camera, X-T4. I did that because figured I can still use my old X-T1 for most of the time, and this “little giant” could be a nice new and light companion when I wanted a bit more freedom on my shoulders.

Quarantine does not agree with my new plans to try it out, yet it cannot stop me from taking some highly Narcissistic yet intimate shots inside. So, here it goes: enjoy the mood and the colors of this depressing day! 

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All taken with Fujifilm X-T30 and 23mm f/2.0 prime lense.

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Filed Under: "Junyi says...", Photography Tagged With: #23mmf2, #fujifilm, #fujifilmxt30, #lowlight, #photography

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About me

Current resident in Tokyo bringing you with good food, trips, and lifestyle ideas from the east! Read More…

The famous cherry blossom street in Bonn needs a l The famous cherry blossom street in Bonn needs a layer of pink filter 🤓 
#bonn #germany #cherryblossom #sakura
Pistachio and strawberry and white chocolate and a Pistachio and strawberry and white chocolate and a ton of sweetness with girlfriend 😇 lovely meal at @restaurant_ryuzu
I’ve seen Mt Fuji three times this year. #japan I’ve seen Mt Fuji three times this year. #japan #mtfuji #yamanakako #iphonex can still take some good #landscape pictures 🙌🏻
#2021 starting strong with a very good day. 🙂. #2021 starting strong with a very good day. 🙂. #ootd #japan last week of vacation.
#2021 Wishing a much much better 2021 with more ad #2021 Wishing a much much better 2021 with more adventure and exploration. 🙏🏻
#okinawa #summer2020
Winter getaway👒#taketomiisland #okinawa #ootd # Winter getaway👒#taketomiisland #okinawa #ootd #beach
The time of a year for my favorite pink boots. #oo The time of a year for my favorite pink boots. #ootd
A strange angle. Miss such sunshine days. #fujifi A strange angle. Miss such sunshine days. 
#fujifilm 
#fujifilmxt30 
#storytelling
Dim sum Saturday ☺️. #dimsum #saturdayout Dim sum Saturday ☺️.
#dimsum #saturdayout
Sunshine on a German Sunday should not go wasted ( Sunshine on a German Sunday should not go wasted (i.e. without a pic) 🥰 #coventgarden #unterbilk. 
Photo credit: @angkersong
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Blue baby. Mine. #rockglass #glasscraft #diy Blue baby. Mine. 
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Tried making glass for the first time. I’m not e Tried making glass for the first time. I’m not even sure if what I did can be called as “crafting”, but it did feel good to create something! 😌 p.s., apparently I’m having difficulties in blowing and turning an extremely hot object at the same time... 😅.
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Waiting for my unique signatured rock glass 🥃 .
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Let there be light (in the food). #modernfrench #l Let there be light (in the food). #modernfrench #lowlights #wine for lunch 🥂
谢谢老孔的壮行饭🥳 @kp.8589 #ginza #soci 谢谢老孔的壮行饭🥳 @kp.8589 #ginza #socialdistancing style dinner😅 #huawei takes perfect pics 👌🏻
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