CULINARY × ART × EXPERIENCE

1. Starting the sightseeing journey in Asakusa
I started the day with a walking tour of Asakusa. The area is amazing to me in that it features so much rich traditional history of Japan. At the same time, you can see the advent of new Japan with the visible presence of the Tokyo Sky Tree that is visible in the background rom many of the streets and shops. Asakusa is easily accessible by train ride from any part of Tokyo. I took the train from Shibuya. What I found when I got there was something really pleasant. There were a large number of foreign tourists who were also visiting the temple at the time. It seems the word has gotten out!

2. Sensoji Temple's magical charm
Maybe it is the impressive red Kaminarimon Thunder Gates" that greets you as you enter the Sensoji Temple. Or it could be the variety of shops that line the pathway leading up to the temple. For me, it all adds to the magical charm of visiting one of Japan's most cherished shrines. I took the opportunity to select my fortune (I selected one that cleansed me of all my bad luck) from a side shrine area and then further nourished my soul with the soothing smoke of the jyou kou ro - incense eternal burner. There are plenty of nice souvenirs to buy and I would encourage it.

3. Nakamise is a shopper's dream
There is so much for a person to explore along the Nakamise shopping area. The shop designs are actually helpful in that many of the shops that sell similar items are located adjacent to each other. The ranges of items you can buy in Nakamise's more than 80 shops include everything from kitchen utensils to some pretty unique old fashioned billboard signs. I was also delighted by some of the rather unique architecture which added to the color and character of the area. It seemed these structures were just as much an attraction as were the shops.

4. My amazing Kimono transformation
One of the clear highlights for me in Asakusa was my visit to a photo studio where I got to wear a Kimono. Since I knew very little about how to select which Kimono to wear, I found it very helpful that the staff at the shop were very adapt at picking out just the right combination! I have to admit, the transformation was simply extraordinary! With each layer that was added, I could feel myself thinking back to a time when Shoguns ruled. I thought to myself, This is so cool!" I now know how Tom Cruise felt in making the film, "The Last Samurai!"

5. Jinrikisha proved an enlightening mode of travel
Just when I thought nothing could make my kimono experience better, I walked outside the photo studio to see a Jinrikisha rider from Ebisuya Kaminarimon waiting to take me and my travel colleague - Ami Haruna - off on a journey that truly has to be experienced to be appreciated! The title in Japanese tells it all: jin person + riki power + sha vehicle. A very athletic and strong runner uses human power to propel the two-wheeled vehicle and its passengers around various cultural hotspots in Asakusa. Don't forget to ask for a discount ticket for your next ride! You will come back for more!

6. Sushi lunch at Asakusa Sushisei
With so much to do in just a morning visit to Asakusa, it is not too hard to work up an appetite! After taking in all the wonders of the traditional Japanese culture of the area, I could not think of a better way to celebrate this than with a lunch meal of sushi at the Sushisei restaurant. The first thing you will notice about the menu is that the prices are very reasonable! The second most notable thing besides the delicious entrees, is watching the sushi chefs ply their trade in both an entertaining and informative way. They were also friendly pose for pictures!

7. Kappabashi Kitchenware Town where art imitates life
I think it was a great idea for me to have sushi lunch at the Sushisei restaurant before I visited Kappabashi Kitchenware Town. That is because a visit there will make you hungry if you happen by one of the replica food shops. The food on display looks very appealing. There is only one thing - it can't be eaten! What you can do is make your own! As a person who prides himself on being a good cook, I was eager to see how well I would do in the replica kitchen. It was so interesting to make tempura shrimp and sweet potato but my biggest surprise came when I got to make lettuce.

8. Something sweet in Shibuya
With a satisfying visit to Asakusa under my belt, I turned my attention to the Shibuya and Harajuku area. I think the subway is the best way to navigate between Asakusa and Shibuya. Once you get there you can spend hours just walking around to the various clothing, specialty and unique shops that are plentiful and very customer friendly! However my desires turned to something else that is particularly famous in Shibuya, and that is what I call the sweet shops - pastries, cakes, pancakes and donuts. I choose to go to the Nishimura Fruits & Parlor where the specialty is mouthwatering ice cream and frozen yogurts!

9. My Dinner at Shunsai-semmi Unosato
A trip to Japan presents a chance to dine in some of the finest seafood restaurants in the world! Finest doesn't always mean it has to be expensive. That is especially the case for a traditional Japanese izakaya - or casual restaurant. I chose to have dinner at Shunsai-semmie Unosato after a afternoon of shopping in Shibuya and Harajuku. In any izakaya, there are many entrees to choose from. Since I was in the mood for fish I choose that but the restaurant had everything from yakutori chicken to pickled vegetables! The other excellent thing about an izakaya is the very good saki and draft beer that will always be available.

11. Welcome to Hirosaki City
A comfortable flight with JAL from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to the Aomori Airport takes just a little over an hour. Once we landed was convenient to take the shuttle bus from the airport to Hirosaki Station. The first stop on my itinerary is the Hirosaki Castle Park. You can get there by 100 yen bus from the nearest station. But if the weather is fair, I would suggest a better transportation mode - bicycle! There is a bicycle rental shop at the station for both conventional bikes and motor powered bikes. The price is reasonable and it gives you a really nice way to see the city! If you need a reminder of one of the biggest attractions in Hirosaki you need only look to the post office box outside the station, which has a giant apple adorned on top!
*Prices are for travelers at the time of use.

12. Hirosaki Castle Park a moving experience
The great thing about traveling around Hirosaki City by bike is that you can also ride your bike to and inside of Hirosaki Castle Park. That will give you more time to observe more of the sights inside the park. The most impressive site is of course the Hirosaki Castle. The castle is surrounded by three moats! It originally stood at six stories tall but was destroyed in a fire in 1627 with the current three story castle being rebuilt in 1627. The castle walls are being restored resulting in a pretty ingenious plan that has moved the entire castle to a temporary location 70 meters away. During Cherry Blossom season the park's 2600 are a majestic sight!

13. Lunch at Suimeiso a grand occasion
There are many pleasant surprises to be had anytime you can get out to any of Japan's prefectures and Aomori is no exception. Just a short bicycle ride from Hirosaki Castle Park our group found the prestigious Japanese restaurant Suimeiso! Its majestic traditional Japanese setting and the course meal that I had was a visual and a delectable masterpiece! The attention to detail in the meal preparation almost made me want to just marvel at the sight of the dishes. But I manage to take some nice pictures, consume my delicious meal, and also pay a visit to the quaint Japanese Garden that is part of the restaurant.
*Suimeisou closed in 2020.

14. Great finds at the Kokusan Tsugarunuri Baiten Lacquer Ware shop
The ease with which I am able to get around Hirosaki City by bike also gave me time to make some stops to observe unique craftsmanship on display in many shops. One of those stops was at the Kokusan Tsusgarunuri Baiten Lacquer Ware store and factory. There I was able to observe a family business that was steeped in tradition and history. Through a window you can actually witness live work going on and observe the painstaking process it takes to create many of the cultural gems that are coveted from small mementos like business card cases or chopsticks, to commissioned works suitable for homes and offices.

15. Time for some delicious Apple Pie
The great thing about being in Hirosaki City is that you are never far removed from the influence the apple trade has here. I am talking about the wonderful influences in the wide array of items produced to highlight their delicious apples! I took a break to dine on a variety of apple pies at the cafe located inside of Fujita Memorial Garden. But most cafes and coffee shops in Hirosaki will offer you a sampling of apple pies and pastries so all you have to do is just pick one. Whether you have it with coffee, tea, or my favorite, ice cream, it is a nice afternoon diversion.

16. The beautiful serenity of Fujita Memorial Garden
After consuming my fair share of delicious apple pies and pastries at the Fujita Memorial Garden cafe, it was time to take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful park. I say leisurely because the serenity of the park lends itself to one getting back to a real appreciation of nature. The well-manicured grounds have signs posted in English and are very easy to navigate around. You can easily spend a half day just admiring the grounds. There are several picturesque small ponds and a waterfall that just adds to the tranquil setting. On this day I got to observe the sunset adding to the experience!

17. Hotel Apple Lande's amorous wet secret
Okay can we talk about love now? I am not talking about anything nefarious! I am talking about my love of Japanese onsets! After traveling from Fujita Memorial Garden to my last stop for the day, Hotel Apple Lande, I was in the mood for a lovely soothing trip to the hotel's fabled apple onsen. That's right. Imagine a nice steamy onsen with the pleasant fragrance of fresh apples and you get my drift. I couldn't wait to slip into the onsen. I ended up visiting the onsen three times over the course of my overnight stay at the hotel! I would resist the urge to eat the apples (I did) and just enjoy the bathing to the fullest.

18. Hotel Apple Lande really knows how to throw a dinner party
Nothing says Hello" like a welcoming sign at a hotel buffet dinner! That is exactly what greeted me and my travel colleague Ami Haruna at the Hotel Apple Lande restaurant. I counted more than 30 entrees that including several delectable dishes introducing me to new ways apples can be used to spice up the regular cuisine. My favorites was a cold apple soup that caused me to make three return trips and an apple and vinegar salad mix that should be a diet staple for every health conscious person I know. I have included it in mine new diet regimen!

20. Rice Paddy Art Field out of this world display
I've talked about several aspects of my trip to Aomori being insightful and informative. Well let's talk about something that turned out to be downright fun! That was the case for my trip to Tambo Station where I was able to observe something I can honestly say I would have never expected to see. It was a living, growing Star Wars promotion! Okay maybe you think I have jumped to another galaxy far away but this one was accessible by train and the view was unmistakable! The story how these artist are able to grow and neuter simple rice crops to produce this and other amazing works of art is astounding!

21. Sentimental Tambo train journey
There is no missing the Tambo Art train Station - literally. The tiny one-stop train station is literally the one major connection to get by rail to Rice Paddy Art Fields from Hirosaki CIty and making the trip is a bit of a sentimental journey. There are only two cars. You have to be really careful that you don't take the wrong one at the wrong time and in the wrong direction! Once you sort that out, it is just a scenic trip through the countryside. During my ride, several Japanese approached me to ask where I was visiting from. They took great pride in talking about their area.

22. Hirosaki Miniature Park a walk among giants
You ever wanted to know what it would feel like to be Godzilla? Well I got that feeling with a surprise visit to Hirosaki Miniature Park. It is a rather unique compound of several miniature versions of historic landmarks in Hirosaki all laid out in two rows for visitors. But I couldn't help the giant stalker in me to reenact some of my favorite Giants versus the small people movies and Godzilla is the first one that came to mind. However, I decided to be the lovable giant and just enjoy the amazing minute details of the structures from afar.

23. Apple Park brings to mind childhood memories
As a young boy, I grew up in a home that had a couple of apple trees near. I use to pick those apples and the taste was always a real treat because the apples were so fresh. So to get to do this at the Hirosaki Apple Park was truly a wonderful experience. As we walked through the apple orchid of Hirosaki Apple Park the sheer volume, variety and amazing textures of the apples make me eager to get my hands on a few prize samples. The park supervisors allow me to pick a few to take home and then invited me inside their facility where a variety of apple beverages are available. Delicious!

24. Tsugaruhan Neputa Mura is a part of something big
Truly the most mesmerizing part of my travel to Hirosaki City was my visit to Tsugaruhan Neputa Mura. There I came face-to-face with the world-renown gigantic floats, the musicians and the Haneto dancers that make their annual Hirosaki Neputa-Matsuri Festival one of the most colorful and captivating festivals in Japan! Hearing the back stories of how much preparation goes into making the giant floats and operating them is special. There were also the hands on experience of beating a taiko drum and making my own chopsticks in a class conducted by one of the center's sensei (teacher). It was a wonderful culmination of my three day experience!

25. Now for some parting gifts from Apple Park Shopping Center
However no trip is complete without shopping for some moment! For me that meant a return trip by to Apple Park and the sprawling shopping center on the park's premises. There you can find everything apple - and I'm not talking about the computer company! I filled my shopping cart with several jars of natural apple jelly in a variety of apple flavors. Next was some apple wine and apple-flavored saki. To round out my shopping list I added some apple snack treats and plenty of apple salad dressing. And for good measures, I bought several more apples to go with the fresh ones I picked myself. What a fantastic trip this has been! I encourage you to take your own journey around Japan soon!