Sachiko in Osaka

We went to Nara for a day trip last holiday. I wanted to show Great Buddha and deer to Ami. Nara prefecture is also known as ancient capital of Japan so it is very historical place. It took us about 40min from Osaka where we live. Tōdai - ji (the Eastern Great Temple),is a Buddhist temple complex located in the city of Nara, Japan. Its Great Buddha Hall ( Daibutsuden ), reputedly the largest wooden building in the world, houses a colossal bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana , known in Japanese simply as the Daibutsu . The temple also serves as the Japanese headquarters of the Kegon school of Buddhism. The temple is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site as "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara," together with seven other sites including temples, shrines and places in the city of Nara. Sika deer, regarded as messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion, roam the grounds freely. My husband afraid of Sika may attack him for the food he is holding...

My friend Aki came over to my apartment for Macrobiotic lunch today. In macrobiotic lunch, we don't use any meat, sugar,eggs, nor dairy product. I was happy to see Aki enjoyed my macrobiotic style of cooking as it was her first experience. Ami and Aki's daughter Shion playing together.

We went to the museum of modern art in, Wakayama and this is the photo I took at out side of the building, you can see the Wakayama castle behind Ami. Still chilling out of the museum... It was such a nice day and they had very nice back garden. Official web sight of the museum. http://www.bijyutu.wakayama-c.ed.jp/ This is the small zoo they have in the park of the Wakayama castle. You can enter for free! Ami enjoyed so much, we went there everyday while we are staying in Wakayama . Ami's great grand ma 95 years old :) There were exhibition of chrysanthemums also in the park of the castle.

I went to Wakayama and stayed for four days with Ami. I met one of my friend and we went to the theme park called Porto Europa. We've been friends since Junior high school. Her baby girl is 6month older than Ami. Here is Ami and I. Ami is bit frightened by the parot..... The web sight of the park.. http://www.marinacity.com/porto/index.html

We took Ami to Utsubo Park for a walk. Utsubo park is one of the big park in Osaka and there are beautiful rose garden. We enjoyed visinting there as all the leaves are also changing colors. The park is located in the center of the city. So you will see many business men and office ladies relaxing in the brake time. They won the award of the garden excellence at one of the most beautiful rose gardens. You can see many different kind of roses and their so pretty! Ami loved them flowers!!! No touching Ami... be gentle... http://www.ocsga.or.jp/osakapark/hfm_park/06utsubo/index.html

Taiyaki is a Japanese fish-shaped cake. The most common filling is red bean paste that is made from sweetened azuki beans. Taiyaki is made using taiyaki , regular pancake or waffle batter. The batter is poured into a fish-shaped mold for each side. The filling is then put on one side and the mold is closed. It is then cooked on both sides until golden brown. Japanese often eat this as a snack. I personally don't like Taiyaki much because the filling is too sweet for me. However we found this shop selling Taiyaki with cabbage filling!!! Great for health conscious person like my self. 150 yen for one and it tasted good!