It never ceases to amaze me at how immense Tokyo is, 845 sq miles (2,188 km²), making it ane of the largest metropolitan cities inwards the world. So much civilisation in addition to and thus many events are held almost every unmarried month.
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| This is Tokyo! |
I was invited to attend nonetheless some other peachy event alongside some sake drinking buddies inwards the countryside - yes, Tokyo has a countryside! The upshot this fourth dimension was held inwards a really pristine in addition to beautiful business office of Tokyo called Okutama at the Yakumo Shrine. Never did I imagine that tucked away deep behind that mount overstep inwards the photograph nosotros would bask a beautiful traditional Japanese exhibition called the Lion Dance. The tradition behind it is steeped inwards mystery from every bit far dorsum every bit ancient times. Read an splendid write-up here. Before nosotros made our way to Yakumo Shrine nosotros had to moisture our whistles, in addition to inwards typical fashion every bit sake drunkards do, nosotros stocked upwards on delicious Japanese nihonshu fresh from the brewer.  |
| Ozawa Shuzo |
We stopped past times to sample some actually adept local Tokyo brewed sake at a brewery called Ozawa Shuzo, which makes Sawanoi, a locally brewed Tokyo sake. The brownish cedar ball yous encounter on the edifice inwards dorsum is called a "sugi-dama." When it's greenish it agency the sake is immature in addition to fresh. When it's brownish it agency the sake has some maturity in addition to complexity, the form I similar best. Often times, people overlook Tokyo sake because it doesn't bask every bit much international appeal every bit sake from Niigata Prefecture, the motherlode of sake. This is largely due to misconceptions nigh Tokyo non having delicious jump water, a vital ingredient necessary from brewing sake. This is ane of the biggest misconceptions nigh Tokyo. The H2O hither is excellent! And the sake is wonderful in addition to and thus are the people.
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| President |
After the half dozen of us downed a few local beers in addition to stocking upwards on over one-half a dozen sake, including ane large 1.8 liter, the president of Ozawa Brewery sees us off at the overstep in addition to wishes us good every bit nosotros start out our hike downward the river trail.
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| White Water Rafting |
It felt similar summer. Temps were hovering at but about a balmy 27C. The air was fresh in addition to crisp in addition to the starting fourth dimension hints of a buzz start to creep upwards on me. The homo in addition to his Canis familiaris were playing fetch inwards the fresh cool water. People were Barbecuing in addition to laying out inwards the sun. It was a perfect day.
There was no doubting that jump was here. It was all over the house inwards greens in addition to purples. Wisteria grows along the mountains here, in addition to inwards depression valleys in addition to shrubs. Taking inwards all this nature over delicious rice brew it was fourth dimension for lunch, in addition to thus nosotros headed over to a house called
Omotoya
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| Fresh River Fish Caught in addition to marinated inwards vinegar served whole. |
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| Sushi, shishito peppers, boiled yuba, in addition to miso. |
View Larger Map After dejeuner nosotros hailed taxis the residue of the way because nosotros were running curt on time. After arriving in that place at Yakumo Shrine nosotros had to hike upwards a a narrow path.
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The Kawai Yakumo Shrine:
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Tangible Folklore Cultural Property
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Here is the actual photograph of the phase below. This has been but about for centuries in addition to is maintained inwards its master copy form. Notice the obviously wood. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 genuinely traditional Japanese mode edifice is never adorned inwards brilliant colors inlaid alongside precious stones. The Shinto Faith emphasizes a harmony alongside nature every bit gods, in addition to practice non demand to endure adorned inwards paints in addition to gaudiness. Simple is best.
What you'll demand inwards guild to bask this upshot is a adept drinking utensil, unagi bones ( Eel bones), dried babe octopus in addition to copious amounts of costless flowing Tokyo brewed nihonshu in addition to adept friends!
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| Mutsu Hassen Sake Cup |
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| Unagi Bones |
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| Dried Baby Octopus |
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| Care for one? |
Our pourer for this upshot was the debonair in addition to talented Mr. Ichibay. He demonstrates how to gustation sake. And alongside his approval, nosotros imbibe every bit the lions foursquare off.
There are 2 lions that movement but about inwards a rhythmical trip the calorie-free fantastic similar they are facing each other off. This procession continues for hours.
The lions are battling it out for the females inwards floral hats. You cannot encounter their faces. The myth is too nigh how the lions were sent downward from sky every bit an omen of adept luck. There are many interpretations to this story.
In the terminate a farmer defeats the terminal king of beasts inwards an epic battle that restores peace to the villagers. End to a wonderful performance. If yous are e'er inwards Tokyo side past times side yr on May 5th, delight don't immature adult woman it. Again, click on the link to a higher house to endure taken to Ichibays site to larn more. Sumber https://thesoulofjapan.blogspot.com/
