SAVOR THE FLAVOR

<Samurai Training >
The day started off with the exciting job of choosing a Yukata to wear. With heaps of choices one will be spoilt for choice but fear not for the professionals are there to help. Following the you'll have to put on these baggy black pants-like garment called a Hakama, which would allow for easy movement, even a split when you can manage it. It kept me upright and reminded me of exactly why I find paintings of Japanese women in Kimono so elegant- once the geta (traditional wooden clogs) are on my feet, the tight hem of the Yukata makes it impossible to take big steps or to jump around like a deranged rabbit. After the hour session however, I’m pretty sure despite my neat laminated Samurai certificate I’m further away from becoming one than when I started, albeit with a better grasp of ‘how to fake a death scene’.

<Rickshaw Ride>
Complete with hand-printed signs and bright smiles the team at Ebisu-ya greets our little group, before escorting us to our pretty little carriage for one. The friendly rickshaw drivers then proceed to give us a tour of the lesser-known Asakusa around the vicinity of the temple.

<Soba lunch>
A tiny unassuming shop on one of the side streets, this Edo-style soba shop named Namiki boasts long queues at its entrance during meal times, making it hard to miss even for a first timer. The delicious, chewy and fragrant soba noodles were perfect together with the thick soy sauce dipping sauce, and the tempura was fried to perfection and was crunchy whilst being light on the tummy.

<DepaChika (Department Store Underground Food Shops)>
The basement of Isetan department store is a heaven of food, food and more food. Complete with a supermarket as well as a cooked foods section where everything from bento to snacks to confectionaries and Japanese desserts can be found, it is a one-stop shop for everything. The atmosphere here is bustling, busy and crowded as people mill around hunting for food to fulfill their cravings. The Japanese snacks section was my favorite. There were old shops selling wagashi (fine Japanese desserts), nutty snacks, and even one that did Japanese fusion desserts, resulting in a case full of puddings and toppings in vacuum packs for easy transporting. For those that would love a bit of Japanese sake, the sake section is filled with shelf after shelf of sake, ranging from the spicy ones to the sweeter options.

<Stroll Around Shinjuku>
Shinjuku is a busy transport hub that is always loud, bright, and embodies just what a cosmopolitan city would be. Despite having lived in Tokyo for a while I constantly still get confused and lost admist the sea of people and tall buildings. What I love about Shinjuku, however, is how everything can be found here, and for all ages and budgets.

<Stroll Around Ginza>
Ginza is an upscale shopping district in the middle of Tokyo. Compared to Shinjuku, the lights here are a little less glaring, and it is a little less loud. I love the new Tokyu department store in Ginza. The rooftop terrace boasts really great views of the crossing below.

<Dinner at Kaiten-Zushi restaurant>
Located in an unassuming building on one of the main streets of Ginza, Numazu serves affordable and fresh sushi. Despite being a conveyor belt sushi establishment, they focus more on the quality and freshness on the fish rather than the novelty factor.

<Stay at Ryumeikan Hotel Tokyo>
Conveniently located across Tokyo Station, the hotel boosts beautiful views of the streets below and of surrounding buildings and their rooftop gardens. Rooms are comfortable and more spacious than one might imagine for a hotel in the middle of the city.

<JR Shinkansen>
The two and a half hour bullet train towards Yamagata is operated by JR East, complete with omotenashi and comfort the entire way. Before getting on the journey, the 7 minutes angel (or crew) work at high speed to clean and sterilize the trains. Punctuality is a must, and when there is a slight delay, even just a 2 minute one, repeated apologies are made over the intercom.

<Toko-no-Sakagura Japanese Sake Brewery>
A Sake Brewery that is headed by its 23th generation and been around since 1597, Toko still retains their tradition today by brewing fragrant.

<Lunch in Yonezawa city>
Yonezawa is famous for their beef, and to be honest I don’t think I’ve ever had beef that was this tender, juicy and delicious in my life. I almost cried at first bite because it was too delicious for me to bear to eat it, and yet it would be the biggest waste if I couldn’t finish it.

< Risshakuji-Temple (Yamadera)>
Risshakuji-Temple, also known as Yamadera (literally translated as Mountain Temple) got its nickname from the fact that it was built into and on rock ledges on a mountain. A Buddhist temple belonging to the Tendai sect, this temple was a pilgrimage point for monks in the past looking to attain Nirvana, and it still remains a spiritual spot today. From the foot of the mountain to the top where the main hall, Okunoin, is located, there are 1,015 steps in total, which will take you around 30 to 40 minutes to complete. The climb isn’t easy as the steps are steep, but signs along the way remind you that these difficult steps taken would help you to forget your troubles, giving you motivation to go further.

<Nippon no Yado Koyo>
Koyo reminded me of exactly why I love Ryokans – the service is impeccable, the rooms are beautiful, the onsen makes me wonder why I haven’t permanently moved to an onsen town yet, and the food,I still have dreams about the mouth-watering dinner Koyo served.

<Zao Okama (crater lake)>
While talking to a really nice lady at the onsen about my plans to go up to Zao Okama, she gave me a piece of really valuable advice- if the crater lake is blocked by fog, wait it out for the strong winds atop the mountain would clear it up soon enough. This proved to be true later, where the cloudy skies had us worried that we would miss the view, but the winds gave us a cheeky glimpse of the crystal blue colors lying peacefully in the crater every once so often. A volcanic explosion created Okama crater about 800 years ago. The crater lake really is worth all the fear riding up the lift with its shining emerald waters glittering in the middle of the rocks, not to mention the possibility of being able to see five colors reflected on the rocks by the waters due to the sunlight, giving the lake its nickname goshikiko (lake of five colors).

<Lunch at Liza restaurant>
Liza restaurant serves a hearty serving of handmade pizza for lunch. Upon placing your order, the chef proceeds to knead the dough till it is ready to bake in the stone oven in the back.

<Fruit picking at Takahashi Fruit Land>
Takahashi Fruits Land was a fruits dream come true for me. Yamagata itself is known for the amazing varieties of fruits grown all year round. Each season will pave the way for the harvesting of different fruits, so you could visit all year round to taste the delicious fruits that Yamagata can offer

<overall impression>
Our trip ends with a shinkansen ride back to Tokyo, where we all knocked out again in the first half an hour. I woke up just in time to say goodbye to the golden rice fields blurring before my eyes, and the stunning panoramic views of agriculture towns. Yamagata, you’re beautiful.