Hanami

Just loving spring. To start it off, we went to Kakamigahara, Gifu to witness the cherry blossoms. We were lucky enough it was their "Hanami" as the Japanese call it, which means to have picnics while watching the Sakura trees. There are stalls that sell street foods like Takoyaki, barbecued squid, manjus, taiyaki (fish formed pancakes with red beans), crepes, caramel apples, etc. It is some sort of a festival where people from all over the place look forward to during spring. These flowers only bloom for a while, then the petals shed off to let the leaves grow.
The sakura trees were breath-taking. I have never seen that much sakura trees here in Japan, with a small river in between to get that romantic feel. These trees make me feel like I am in a fantasy land. Nature and its beauty.

It's Fall once again!

Even without knowing the time, you will know how many months have passed with the change of season.. Summer has gone so soon, now it's fall once again. I get so emotional whenever I see how the seasons change, and how it affects the surroundings and the beauty of nature itself. I love seeing the seasons change , it sorts of uplifts my spirit making me realize how God is so brilliant. The leaves slowly withering, changing its color from green to brown, then it eventually falls to the ground, which signifies it is indeed fall. The hot summer wind changes as the cold wind of autumn touches my cheeks. And all I can see are the colors of the barren trees, the withered leaves on the road, and the orange and yellow colors of my favorite withered maple trees.



Somehow, you see how the city changes differently as the temperature gets lower. As if it surprises your eyes, that the park you pass by everyday to work , now has barren trees. The beauty of nature.


At Sogi Park. November 2009. "Illumination" is the term here, where they put spotlights on the maple trees, thus creating reflections on the water.

Super electric fan

Would you believe this ring is actually an electric fan???? Grabeh, while I was looking at the fans on display at Valor, enjoying all the air because it was 37 degrees hot outside, I was surprised to see this creature blowing some air on my face.
Air multiplier as the label says. I really do not know its purpose but it is actually producing air despite the fact that it has no blades, and yes it also turns. The fact that it has no blades makes it very child friendly. Too bad I did not take any video. I will document this thingy on video the next time I go there. This costs a hefty 30,000 Yen, founded by Sir James Dyson, from UK. Bloody Amazing! Click on the link to learn more..

http://www.dyson.com/fans/default.asp

Comfort Room

Amazing Japan. This country has never ceased to amaze me. And the first time I laid my foot on here, I was surprised how hi-tech the toilets were. These are the photos of one of the state-of-the-art toilet seat which has a bidet function, a seat warmer, a flushing sound (i think this is used when you have lbm and you do not want others to hear that awful sound), a washer for the women, and a powerful deodorizer. All in one push of the button.

Almost all malls and establishments here have this. Isn't it lovely? Enjoy the comfort of changing pads and defecating when using this toilet seat. But it ain't cheap. This multi-function toilet seat cost a whooping PhP 20,000-40,000 depending on its ease of use. And that is for the seat alone. Then, after you are finished, the flush are sensor activated, as you stand it will automatically flush. How cool can that be?

If not so high-tech, there is also a squat type toilet, where you just have to literally squat, like seating on the ground. Some establishments still use this because of the ease of maintainance. This is the oldest type and I am so happy to see this here, because we also have this in the Philippines.