Dejavu and Interesting Cuisine

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Something I have always loved is the classic roadtrip: an open road, a map in hand, some snacks for along the way, a destination in mind...that's all you need! Unfortunately, being in Japan without access to a car has severely limited my roadtrip adventures in this country. That's why it was quite exciting when an English teacher at my school, Mori sensei, invited Dob and I to come along on a road trip to Shimane prefecture with him and his wife.

Shimane prefecture is a northern neighbouring prefecture of Hiroshima, and although having few major cities, it is still recommended to visit, as it is said to have a slower pace of life than us folks down here on the Sanyo coast.

Open road...check! A map (all in Japanese, that only Mori sensei and his wife could read)...check! Snacks for along the way...check! These snacks included a bento-style breakfast prepared for us by Mori sensei, featuring rolled egg, pickled celery, onigiri (rice wrapped in seaweed), and what he told me was a cod's egg, but I didn't try (I was suddenly full...) and chocolate bought by me at a rest station...always combine the best of both worlds, I say! A destination in mind...check! Yasugi, Shimane, in particular, Kiyomizu dera Temple.

There is another temple in Kyoto named Kiyomizu dera (which you can see pictures of in my Kyoto blog), hence the dejavu. However, this Kiyomizu dera Temple was quite a bit different, yet still really pretty. The grounds include a 3-storey pagoda, which took 33 years to build! This weekend was also ideal to go as the temple grounds are known for the sakura (cherry blossoms) and they were in full bloom, making for extra beauty added to the scenery.

Mori sensei had invited Dob and us along because he was especially eager for us to try the well-known cuisine of the ryokan (Japanese style inn) also on the temple grounds, called Shoujin ryori (ryori means "cooking"). Shoujin ryori is a Buddhist vegetarian-style of cooking, featuring foods derived from soybean, like tofu, as well as many plants, including seaweeds. We were treated to a special set meal that featured tofu prepared in many ways (blocks of tofu, tofu that looked and tasted like eel, tofu with sauces), "delights" from the sea (a seaweed-like soup), as well as tempura and soba noodles. I'm not sure that I would thrive as a Buddhist monk, but it was interesting to try for a meal! We ate in a traditional Japanese style room in the ryokan, seated on pillows on the floor, with a nice view overlooking the pagoda and grounds.

After going for a walk around the temple area, we drove another 15 minutes and visited the Adachi Museum of Art. This museum not only has some great Japanese artwork to look at, but a particular treat is the way it is designed around a traditional Japanese outdoor garden. As you move throughout the museum, you can view the Dry Landscape, White Gravel and Pine, Moss and Pine Gardens through strategically placed windows. It truly is art come to life!

The trip from Hiroshima to Yasugi was about 3 hours each way, and I am grateful to Mori sensei and his wife for inviting us along, as it made for a great Saturday excursion! Ultimate destination reached...check! A good time had by all...check!

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Photos

What's the fun of a roadtrip...
...if you can't stop off along the way?! Here, we took a short break to take some pictures of this interesting pedestrian bridge.

In Full Bloom!
The sakura were blooming everywhere, along our drive, and at the temple itself...This lead to many utterances of "kirei desu ne?!" (beautiful, isn't it?!) throughout the day!

Shoujin Ryori
Our Buddhist vegetarian feast, featuring tofu, seaweed delights (a la larger bowl) and other vegetarian delicacies (some of which, will always remain a mystery!) After this first setting, about 5 more dishes were brought to us, including tempura, soba, and rice.

Dining Companions
Mori sensei, his wife Fumie, and Dob in our "dining room" (the ryokan). In addition to eating meals here, you can also stay a night!

A Room with a View
A view of the temple grounds from our dining room. Kirei, desu ne?

Cleansing Area
Most temples have an area with water and scoops, where you can wash your hands and rinse your mouth out with the water before visiting the temple.

Me Too!
I particularly enjoyed watching this little dog, as he waited for and scampered around his owners, as they washed their hands with the water.

...and ahhhh
These statues were at the base of the temple, and Mori sensei explained they represent the cycle of life, as the open-mouthed statue represents taking your first breath (ahhhh), and the closed-mouthed statue represents taking your last (Mmmm).

A Different Perspective
I really liked the moss growing on the "ahhh" statue, and thought the torii gate in the background made an interesting picture.

The 3-Storey Pagoda...
...with sakura!

From the Third Storey
A view of the temple grounds from the top of the pagoda. The climb to the top was quite the feat, as the pagoda features some very steep wooden staircases.

The Gardens of Adachi
This is one of the gardens visitors have a view of as they wander around the museum. The museum truly brings art to life!

A Living Picture Scroll
This was specially designed in the museum, so that it appears to the viewer as a scroll, featuring the garden.

Comments

[Jaime.... again]

.. cheers mate!
hey stace.. the views are gorgeous.. and i'm not just talking about all those good eats! glad you had a good time xox

[Stayshi]

Jaime....
Jaime! You rock! I love getting comments:) Thanks! Keep them coming! Ahem, ahem, all you other blog readers...

[steven]

oh boi...
Mmmmmmmmm....the scent of blooms...the taste of tofu... so much done this year... omg... wtg...i think i just would have read a book in some obscure tokyo subway station... ;-) envious...

[Vlo.]

that dog gave me the gigglies...
...and Fumie is a looker! I think it's awesome they invited you out! Whoa, Mori-sensei!!!