Oishi Japanese Meals

One of the most enjoyable part in travelling to Japan is the extravagant sets of traditional Japanese meals. Japanese foods are healthy and locally produced. They are typically composed of sticky rice, miso soup, fresh vegetables, meat or fish, and pickles. Tea is more common than coffee. 

Traditional Japanese breakfast at Kamogawa Universe Hotel - rice, egg, miso soup, fish, and some pickles.

Here are some Japanese meals we had during our stay in Tokyo and Chiba. We helped prepare some of these!  

On the first night of our homestay, we helped otosan (our foster father) to cook dinner. Authentic Japanese! 

Tempura and sukiyaki - one of the best meals I ever had in my life! Our obasan (foster mother) prepared it for us during our homestay experience.

Ohayou gozaimasu! That salmon was baked. Thank God, I thought we had to eat it raw! We also had some beans, egg, cucumber, pickles, rice, and miso soup.

Cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes fresh from the yard.

We made our own sushi! Do you see snails? :)

Ohayou gozaimasu! Scrambled eggs, cherry tomatoes, and salmon. Perfect to start the day right.

            

The slow food movement in Japan makes use of seasonal agricultural products to promote sustainable food production on a small scale. One of the best and healthiest Italian dishes I ever had! 

Onigiri or rice balls. Just like in the Philippines, rice is a staple food in Japan. Finishing your bowl of rice until the last grain is a sign of politeness. 

The peaceful farm town scenery in Obserbe Rice Terrace, Hiratuka - Kamogawa's rice-producing capital.

I got to enjoy Japan through the JENESYS 2.0 Programme for Mass Media Batch 3 organized by Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE). This is one of my most memorable experiences I didn't expect to happen this year. Thank you, Japan! :)

World-class Japanese Values

Some Japanese values are no different from Filipino values. Both show a deep respect towards the elderly and a great hospitality to guests. In my 10-day stay in Japan, I felt the way how, we, Filipinos welcome and care about our visitors. My respect towards the Japanese culture increased because of their unique characteristics as well as their similarities to Filipino. 

• Punctuality

Japanese people are popular for always being on time. They panic when the scheduled activity starts a few minutes late because every succeeding activity will fail to be on time. For them, every minute counts.

The so-called Tokyo rush.

Along the moving walkway in Chuo, Tokyo. It was 8pm and the "Tokyo rush" was still apparent. 

• Being Respectful and Humble

While Filipinos use "po" and "opo" when talking to people older than them, the Japanese bow to show respect. They exert effort to greet and to show appreciation towards people. They bend their back forward half-way down few times especially when they meet a person for the first time, when they say goodbye, or when they thank someone. Bows are classified depending on the angles and situation (http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/exotic/lifestyle/bow.html). This Japanese bowing gesture is best known in the world. Bowing indicates humility and it is practiced even by the businessmen and high officials. 

• Soft-spoken

Their voice is like a lullaby that calms one's high energetic self. 

With our dear Japanese coordinators (JICE) who were so soft-spoken and patient. 

• Hospitality

I am not new to this since Filipinos, aside from being helpful and friendly, are hospitable too. Among the countries I visited in the past, for me, Japan so far is the most hospitable. They serve extravagant, beautiful  and delicious meals. Just like Filipinos, they are helpful too and will even go out of their way for a stranger who needs help. 

With the Mayor of Kamogawa, Chiba who gave us a very warm welcome. He was very approachable.

Helping obasan and otosan to harvest for our dinner.

Having some good times with obasan after dinner. It was a very sumptuous meal I will never forget in my life! 

 With the very cheerful and friendly students of Josai International University in Kamogawa, Chiba.

Our foster families waved goodbye like forever! They even ran after our bus, waved their hands, and said bye bye. It was very heart-warming. 

He only understands and speaks Japanese but this police officer was still able to help us with directions. 

• Discipline

Japanese people strictly follow traffic rules. Yellow traffic light here really means "slow down" and not "go faster". Drivers will even give way to you when crossing the roads.

There is no single trash in any area or garbage bin along the streets. All cars are non-smoke belching. It is apparent that people are also self-disciplined when it comes to nature and environment. 

There are more good qualities in the customs and culture of Japan. If these good qualities will be adapted by more countries, then what a simple and more progressive the world it will be.

Photogenic Tokyo during sunset. 

The Statue of Liberty replica and the Rainbow Bridge at Odaiba, Tokyo. 

Along Shibuya crossing, the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. I love this place! 

Hachiko! :')

Thank you Japanese Government, specifically the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), for this generous programme to foster ASEAN relationship and promote Japanese culture and traditions. I fell in love with Japan. Arigato gozaimasu and aishiteru! 

Asakusa Shrine

Akasuka is a district in Tokyo where the popular Buddhist temple, Sensoji, can be found.  This temple was built during the 7th century, and have been a part of the colorful history of Tokyo.

Akasuka used to be a popular entertainment district for many centuries. Today, it is a historical site, a place for worship and prayer for Buddhists, and a very popular tourist destination.

 

There are a long array of shops where you can buy food, souvenirs, and some fashion goods. :)

 

Temples and shrines like these in Japan show  that the Japanese has deep respect in their history and beliefs. They are well-preserved and give a glimpse of rich and colorful history of Japan. 

Is it a right to remain ignorant?

A right is a moral or legal entitlement to have or to do something (Oxford University Press, 2014). It is something that someone is due.

Everyone is born with a group of rights. Rights are classified into two: positive law that is based on agreements, treaties and promises, and legislated laws; and natural law that is based on human nature and one's relationship such as the right to life, right to liberty, and for parents, the right to be honored and respected).

Going back to the question above, we can not say that to remain ignorant is a right because it is our right at the moment we were borne to be educated. To be educated is to gain information that is vital to our decision-making.

The more we are educated (to the truth), we more we are capable to make sound judgments and decisions. The more we are educated (to the truth), the freer we are.

Although we are all free, there are rights to be respected and given to individuals to whom it is due. As St. Tomas Aquinas said, "If one man has a right, then other men have the obligation to uphold that right." To quote Voltaire, "The right to swing my arm ends where your nose begins."

Haller Baler!

Little did we know before this summer surfing adventure, Baler is 7 hours away from Manila with no available bus seat reservation and the trip schedules are limited. So we had to go to the bus terminal as late as 12mn. Finally seeing  the almost endless shore washed away our stress :)

Baler is a popular surfing spot for beginners. Unlike the wild ones in Zambales, these waves are friendly and timid which got me a little bored (yabang aside). Also, Baler beach during summer is populated.

Baler is a little town also known for its cuisines - from seafoods, lutong-bahay foods and veggies to cocktails and other mixes. Most restos here are jam-packed during peak season. Going around the town is not a problem because there are lot of tricycle drivers who are always ready to take you anywhere you ask them to.

Aside from surfing, we also did some 30-minute trekking to the Mother Falls. Trekking was composed of narrow rocky road, slippery rocks, river crossing, and an ice cold falls!

This Baler adventure is one of the treasured moments with friends. Thank you Baler esp. to the friendly inn owner, resto servers and kuya tricycle drivers! :) #itsmorefuninthephilippines

Roaming Around Mayon Volcano

This place, to be honest, was never in my bucket list. I was happened to be here because I attended a conference with some colleagues. And when you're in a different place, it is always a nice idea to extend your return ticket, to go out of the hotel room (or comfort zone), and discover what the place has to offer. 

Legazpi Boulevard

This is one of the most picturesque seaside rode in the Philippines that I've been to in the Southern Luzon. (the other one is in Ilocos in Northern Luzon).

Legazpi is the situated in the Bicol region. It can be reached by long drive of 8 hours via buses along the south road which offers scenic drive or by an easy one-hour plane ride. It is the home of the Mt. Mayon, famous for its perfect cone shape. Since I got off the plane until we roam around the city, I can't stop looking at it. It was just awesome and it is very much more perfect compared to how I see it in pictures and postcards. It was so hot in Legazpi - because it is summer plus the heat caused by Mt. Mayon, I assumed.

Cagsawa Ruins

It was in 1814 when Mt. Mayon had its most violent eruption. The lahar flowed over killing thousands of people and leaving only the church's tower. Cagsawa ruins withstood the test of time and has been one of the most prominent landmarks in Albay. I know because I saw it in my grade school textbooks. >.<

The Church of Nuestra Senora de la Porteria, commonly known as the Daraga Church

Daraga Church was declared by the National Museum as a National Cultural Treasure because of its more than 230 year-old religious architecture challenged by the test of time including the eruptions of Mt. Mayon.

Ligñon Hill

We had to experience an excruciating climb to get to this scenic destination. Getting on top is a beautiful 360-degree view of Legazpi and activities including zip-line and  a cave which was a hide out of soldiers during the war. 

Embacadero de Legazpi where the Spanish trading galleons used to dock. Today, it is a premier business hub. 

The famous sili ice cream because Bicolanos love spicy foods, and the other is the coconut ice cream. The brown one is tutong ice cream which tastes like burned rice!

To top our summer experience in Legazpi, we went to a secluded island called the Pinamuntugan in the little town of Bacacay. We woke up so early to get to this place. Little did we know, it was very difficult to get there. 

We hired pedicabs to get to the port.

Boat ride for 45 - 60 minutes

We couldn't contain our laughter while we asked ourselves what we were doin with our lives. It was a difficult travel but it was so much fun especially with scenic view like this that made us contemplate. It was so calm and peaceful.

Aye aye captain! Finally! 

Bacacay beach is an off beaten path to most tourists, a hidden gem of fine golden-sand beach, dead starfishes along the shore, and cool rock formations. Perfect for beach bumming and peace of mind.

I never dreamed of going to Legazpi and I never expected what I could find in it. But it gave me one of the best summer experiences that I will never forget. :)