Wabisabi - Blog -

Irimizu Caves are about 15 minutes from Abukuma.  There are three trails at the Irimizu Caves, A,B and C. Trail A is relatively easy allowing visitors to take their time and enjoy the sights. Trail B is a little more treacherous. Water flows down the trail like a river and visitors would need to wear boots and waterproof clothing as well as carry a flashlight-preferably a headlamp. Cell phones and cameras should be left behind too. Trail C is even more treacherous. We didn’t go on this trail since you can only go with a guide.

We set our sights on the moderately treacherous trail, B. At the entrance we stopped and took a picture and got ready to start our adventure. As we were entered the cave a bat flew out and suddenly the excitement turned to terror. It took some time to get the kids calm again.

My wife and the youngest boy took the easy trail, Trail A. That was smart. I took my two older children down Trail B. Even with all our waterproof gear we all got pretty wet since you are in the water the whole time. On top of that the water was extremely cold and along the way your feet start to hurt and get numb. Some parts of the trail were very narrow with low ceilings and you had to crawl on your hands and knees. This made everything really wet. After that part everyone started walking fast to get to the exit-we just wanted to see the sun and get warm! My reward of the day was a nice big welt I acquired in the low ceiling section. We really didn’t get to enjoy the beautiful scenery but next time we definitely want to try Trail C.

B

While searching for places to take my family I came across a site talking about winter cherry blossoms.. I was utterly taken back-winter cherry blossoms??? -cherry blossoms are normally bloom during spring. The more I read about them the more I had to go and see what they were all about.

Located between Saitama and Gunma prefecture, the park with the winter cherry blossoms is called Zyou Park. The road to the park was extremely narrow and windy. When we finally reached our destination I couldn’t believe we were still in Saitama prefecture-the waterfalls, rivers and mountains full of fall colors….really impressive.

Unexpectedly the park was really crowded. Tour buses and people were scattered everywhere-really was hard to find parking. When we finally got to the park we were surprised to see that the cherry blossoms were not as colorful as we had hoped. I guess you can describe it as a more subtle beauty. (Evidently we missed the peak bloom and the flowers were more white than pink). Still with the autumn colors it was impressive-truly wabi sabi. I was also told that this type of cherry blossom blooms again in the spring. B

During the weekend I had a chance to visit the Oya Cavern in Tochigi prefecture. I’ve been looking forward to visiting this spot ever since I heard about them.

After paying the entrance fee (always a fee) you follow a narrow path that seems to take you far, far underground. At the bottom the path suddenly dumps you into an enormous space about the size of a baseball stadium.

This cavern was created through years of mining with 50 other locations, similar size, in the area. The total amount of excavated minerals is estimated to be about 10 billion tons. These enormous caverns were also used as secret ammunition dumps and underground factories during World War II.

While standing inside this enormous cavern you can’t help but feel overwhelmed-like you are in an illusion. It is a really strange feeling and probably similar to being inside the pyramids. Inside the caverns the temperature averages a cool 10 degrees Celsius. Even during the height of summer the caverns stay nice and cool. In fact, it is so cold inside you start seeing your breathe (eventually you need a jacket). But it was definitely a nice change from the stifling summer heat we were enduring above ground. It takes about 20 minutes to loop around the cavern at which time you start longing for the warmth above.

Enormous rock cliffs still remain around the caverns (picture).  Some have been carved into enormous Kanon statues.

（2009.10.13）

For some reason I really have been wanting to explore caves. With my children being of the right age, I decided to take my family to visit some caves in Japan.

The closest caves from Tokyo are the Abukuma limestone caves in Fukushima prefecture. It is a little misleading when I say “close” since the caves are still a couple hundred miles away.

The Abukuma limestone caves were estimated to have formed over a period of 8,000 million years-that’s a time frame that is hard to wrap your head around… But what a sight! The cave is roughly 2,000 feet wide. Large stalactites hang from the ceiling with others seemingly springing up from the ground like bamboo shoots-all in mysterious shapes, colors, and forms…..

While walking through the cave the path divides into two. One path is considered the “easy” route while the other one offers the visitor a more adventurous path. My wife and I decided to split up. I took my youngest son down the “easy” path while my wife took the two older children down the “adventure” path. The kids were scared at first but in the end really enjoyed the exploring.  There is another cave nearby called Irizuma Shonyudoh, which I will introduce, in my next entry. B

Once in a while I have to go to Shizuoka for work. On such occasions I always take the Izu Skyline Toll Road. This stretch of pavement boasts one of the best views of the famous Mt. Fuji. However, it is not often you get the famous view. Even on a sunny day haze, clouds or pollution usually obstruct the view.

On my most recent trip I was surprised when out of nowhere Mt. Fuji came into full view. What a sight! I heard in the news that Mt. Fuji had a lot of snow this year- they were right.

Long ago I remember visitors’ saying their image of Japan as being Mt. Fuji, Geishas and Kamikazes. I really didn’t understand the attraction nor why Mt. Fuji was such a symbol-until seeing the view. Recently I heard that a lot of foreign visitors travel to Japan to climb Mt. Fuji. With the lone peak jutting out of the ground Mt. Fuji is truly the symbol of Japan. The sight today really impressed me and made me proud to be Japanese-not really sure why I suddenly felt this way though.

（2009.11.8）

Japanese highway tolls are the worlds most expensive. However, during these economic tough times, the Japanese government put together a program where all tolls would be 1,000 yen (about $11) during the weekends (compared to $35-$50). This program definitely boosted highway usage but also created a lot more traffic. It is almost to the point where I think twice about driving anywhere.

However, with autumn in full swing I really wanted to take my family to see the autumn colors. We decided to take our chances and headed up north to Mt. Chausu in Tochigi prefecture. This area is famous for the fall colors and often is on T.V.

It was raining on the way to the mountain but I guess luck was on our side. As we got closer to our destination it started to clear up. There is a gondola you can take to the summit (about 2,000 meters) but was not running due to strong winds. Regardless, we drove up the mountain as far as we could go and then…all the colors came into view. All different colors mixed together like a fine Persian rug-amazing! Very inspiring scenery (see photo). The only thing we forgot to bring-warm clothes-and it was cold. We walked around the area in the cold until we couldn’t take it anymore……With the fall colors in full swing winter is just around the corner.

B

（2009．10.24）

My grandfather and father passed away around the same time six years ago. Last week we had the seventh memorial at the temple and all our relatives gathered together. In the Japanese Buddhist belief it is common to hold memorials for the deceased on the first year, third year, seventh year, 13^th year, 17^th year, and 50^th year. In the Buddhist belief, even a person who has done horrible things on earth will be absolved of all sin and be able to enter paradise once they completed 50 years of repenting. I don’t know if I will be alive to see my father’s 50^th memorial but I am hoping my children will continue the tradition.

At the temple where we had the memorial there was a very unusual ginko tree growing. The tree is very uncommon and is considered a national treasure. This ginko tree grows fruit on the tip of its leaves. Unfortunately we were not able to find any fruit this time around.

The picture I included is of a normal ginko tree. I remember as a kid I used to take a ball to the ginko tree and knock out all the fruit. I would then take them home and have my mom roast them for a snack. The only negative about ginko tress could be its pungent smell.

This past weekend my daughter, Natsuki, gave me a four leaf clover from the park we visited last weekend. I remember as a kid I used to look in parks for four leaf clovers-hoping for good luck. Over time I became quite good at it. So much so that my parents used to boast about my “talent” for finding luck.

Well, I really need that luck now since I just broke my collar bone last week. It was a one-in-a-million freak accident that snapped the bone. It looks pretty bad and my doctor says I might need surgery. Yeah, life is hard now-for me and my family. You really don’t realize how difficult everything becomes when you suddenly lose the use of one arm. B

Until now I have always enjoyed drinking outside of my home. Recently, though, I have been enjoying good sake right at home once or twice a week.

Being able to spend more time with my family is definitely a major reason.  However I especially have been enjoying the company of my eight year old daughter. If I mention I want to drink beer, shochu, or Japanese sake my daughter will set up all my favorite beverages, ceramic cups, and snacks. I think she is at the age where she really enjoys setting everything up just right for dad. More and more I can’t justify paying good money to drink outside when everything I need is right at home! Being able to enjoy good sake while enjoying the smiling faces of my kids is really the best of both worlds. I guess I really enjoy the fact that I would someday be able to enjoy good food and drink with my kids when they grow up.