Sights in Shizuoka
Trip Start
May 20, 2010
1
5
48
Trip End
Sep 09, 2010
Mishima, Chubu, Japan
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Last night as we travelled to what N&N call their Shizuoka "Country house" I knew that we had gained altitude, as from the coastal city of Atami, it was just up, up and up all the
way to Tannami. And this morning I was blown away by the view! The view from their balcony is of Mt Fuji with its snow covered top, only about 30 – 40 km away. At night, the view is of the lowland with all its city lights. Awesome view by day and night.
First destination today - a green tea factory at Nirama. We were dressed in traditional clothing and went to pick the tips of green tea leaves.The new growth makes for a good cup of tea. This is a locals tourist spot so we looked a bit out of place and they were challenged to get the clothing to fit as we were a size oddity - Mum wide & Rina tall! They also gave a tour of the factory all in Japanese. Noriko was kind enough to take us for an English guided tour before we left. The quality of tea depends on the part of the green leaf tea tip that they use. The highest quality is the very soft leaf, next is the few leaves off the tip and a lesser quality they use just the stem. We enjoyed the cup of tea which was made with hot water poured over chopped green tea leaves.
We lunched at a restaurant which was tucked in a side street not far away and crowded with several bus loads of Japanese tourists. I figured it must be a good locals spot. We watched the ” noodle chef” at work rolling out the buckwheat dough to a huge flat sheet about a meter in diameter. After he had it really thin he folded it in half, in half again and then folded over one side of the quadrant. He placed this on the chopping board and then using a cleaver and a very clever rapid and steady chopping action he sliced the dough into thin noodles, picked them up shaking out the small scraps and laid them down on a tray ready to cook for buckwheat noodle dish. He made it look so easy.
We were ushered to a small booth and were immediately served with hot towels for cleaning our hands followed by a cup of hot green tea. Buckwheat noodles are their specialty so we had a hot and cold dish both of which were very delicious. However Naoto had to order an alternate dish as he has an allergic reaction to buckwheat noodles.
From here it was back on to the motor way to Shenzui, a very popular Japanese tourist spot. We visited the local buddhist temple and the very popular hot springs where you can sit with your feet in the very hot water. There is an old story of healing related to the finding of this spring way back in 807 so this spot is over 1200 years old.
We spent some time walking around the back streets of this town - fascinating areas , very narrow lane ways and roads , homes with small gardens and flowerbeds. In the town garden someone was busy at work hoeing their plot of vegetables oblivious to all the tourist activity only a block or two away. All around the town there are springs / streams flowing out of the hillside or from under buildings being pped into paved gutters being directed down to the river. Apparently Japan has no problem with water shortage such as we have at home.
Not far from where they live we called in at Norikos favorite ice cream store before closing time and it is possibly the best ice cream we have tried in a long time - extremely creamy made out of milk from the local dairy farm in Oratche where they also make beer and have animals for children to come and interact with. This farm isn't far from their house so this is where she liked to bring her children when they were young, for a country farm experience.
Our final stop for the day was a local site commemorating an earthquake here in 1930. Part of the fault line, which was 1km long and 100metres vertical drop has been left as a reminder of he event in which 37people lost their lives.
Back at their house Noriko ran a hot Japanese bath. Hot spring water is piped from under the ground to their bathroom. In Japanese style you wash first outside the bath and then soak - I managed 25minutes at 41degrees in the mineral rich water - it was so relaxing and I felt like I do after a Finnish sauna. From the bathroom there is a view of greenery and if it wasn't for the roof next door I imagine I could've seen Mt Fuji.
After a lovely dinner and relaxing time on the balcony it was time to call it a night at about 11.30. Second day and I feel as though we have seen and experienced so much of the real Japan already.
Noriko and Naoto are wonderful hosts and are immersing us in their culture. They have travelled abroad and experienced German and Australian culture which has enabled them to see the differences and appreciate the variety of lifestyles. So this week they are focused on sharing their life with us which is a real treat.
R: And Katrina is still alive :D no need to worry
Comments
I'm enjoying being an armchair tourist. Arja you write great commentaries!
Hey Katrina! You were in disguise I didn't recognize you in your garb..... no doubt it beats working with Leonards Chooks.
Post a line too chookie! Ciao for now.