travel scribbles, plans and more
Errands and Christmas carols are usually not the same for most people, especially if you don’t know its background. But for me, it’s every December’s favorite chore. I don’t sing, but I like to accompany singers and love to organize it.
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“To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.” – Aristotle
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A Christmas Away from the Family I used to look forward to Christmas all year when I was a kid. I enjoyed the feast, the decorations, our small-town tour, the anticipation of receiving gifts, the music—I could go on and on. And, while I genuinely liked almost every element of the season, Christmas Eve night […]
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The best part about 30-day challenges is that making slight adjustments one at a time (i.e., focusing on only one challenge for 30 days). Is far more sustainable in the long run than trying to revamp all of your habits and routines at once. 30-day picture challenge The basic concept is to use images/topics that […]
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Otowa Waterfall, where the waters are divided into three separate streams. Visitors can use the cups provided at the base of the waterfall to drink from them. Each of the streams is believed to have a different effect, such as bringing success, love, and longevity. You should only pick one of the three streams, though, […]
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A lot of rules regarding indoor manners in Japan are related to footwear. A clear line is traditionally drawn between inside and outside, and outdoor shoes and indoor slippers are handled accordingly. These rules not only apply to most Japanese homes, but also to many traditional ryokan, some restaurants and the indoor sections of many […]
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Sea, sun, and sand… For many these represent summer. Not so in Japan. Instead, it’s wind chimes, dragonflies, goldfish, and watermelon that evoke summer for the Japanese. It’s well known that the Japanese appreciate the different seasons, and clothing, interior decoration, various accessories, and more each have their seasonal patterns.
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Japan’s love of line-forming begins with the lessons kids learn as early as kindergarten: self-discipline, cooperation, and respect. For example, it’s not uncommon for Japanese nursery and elementary schools to host group performances of more than 100 students. While one age group plays an instrument, another sits quietly and listens. The kids that are playing learn […]
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錦鯉 – Nishikigoi, often called Koi fish or Japanese carp, are fish with colors and patches raised and kept for appreciation. The carp originates from China and was brought to Japan by means of gifts. Its first Japanese mention dates back to 71AD (of Koi held by the presumed legendary Emperor Keikō). It took until […]
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