Christmas comes to Cutenekko's House!

Christmas is a holiday which I love very much; however, as I am in Japan and far away from family and friends, I feel pangs of loneliness, much more than during other times of the year. So, how to make my home feel warm inside and more like Xmas in Canada? Get a tree!

My friend and I went to Nitori, which is a furniture/ household goods chain store. After pouring over the trees on sale, we selected a small, 125 cm tree. I then picked up a box of decorations for ¥499 ($5).

I spent about 50 minutes setting up the tree and decorating the house. I think the results are pretty festive:

My tree:

The tree alone cost $10.

Close up detail (top):

thick ribbon $1, red bows $1, other ornaments came in a package for $5.

More detail (bottom):

This tree has two distinct and very Japanese features. Let's take a look!

a sushi roll! ^_^

I  won this playing a game at a sushi shop. 

Sala from Gundam! ^o^

The total cost of this tree, including all the decorations: $17 (¥1,700). I like frugal living. ^_^

After that, it was off to the dollar store to find more ornaments and decorations for the apartment.

The table centerpiece: 

If you have been following my blog since Thailand, you'll remember my seashell dish....it's been accented for Christmas:

Xmas placemats were ¥299 each at Nitori

I'm a huge fan of candles, so when I saw these two candle holders at the dollar store, I couldn't resist. 

Candle holders & holly ornament -- each cost $1.

I also got a few mini-wreaths, which I hung on some doorknobs around the house. Here's one:

It cost ¥100 ($1)

The tree and decorations help me feel less homesick at this time of the year. Also, I wanted to dispel the myth that Japan is so expensive. There are many frugal shopping options here.


~ Information ~ 

Nitori is a very popular shop to buy furniture and household decorations. HERE is the website. They are much cheaper than Ikea. 

Xmas trees at Nitori range from ¥700 to ¥3,999 ($7 ~ $40).

Daiso ¥100 Shop is one of my favorite stores. Everything in the shop is $1. They have a big selection of Xmas decorations. Daiso company site is HERE. Their online shop is HERE. 

Daiso also exists in Thailand! Click here to visit the Thai website. 

YIWC Christmas Charity Bazaar - Part 2

More photos from the bazaar at which I volunteered..... Part 1 of this series is HERE. 

The weather was warm and sunny on this day; as a result, I spent most of the day outside, selling smaller handicrafts. This bazaar sold more than just handmade goods. I'll showcase more of the offered goods in photos below.


This table featured various food for the day -- okonomiaki (Japanese style pancakes), sausages, yakisoba (Japanese fried noodles), tonjiru (vegetables in a pork based soup). There was even hot wine, which was excellent! ^_^

Prices were about ¥200 for one dish ($2)

I bought a sausage for my lunch and chatted with the ladies for a while. They were so kind! 

This table was the most unique at the event. Called The White Elephant Table, it was a mis mash of knickknacks being sold for low prices. I took a peek: there were geita (Japanese wooden sandals), pottery, ceramics, all kinds of things. It was very similar to a flea market or a garage sale in the West.

The ladies manning the White Elephant table: 

Next to the White Elephant table, was this shop table -- filled with beaded jewelry. Jewelry, especially handmade, is quite popular among women in Japan. Her table was always quite busy.

I also purchased some things at the bazaar: a pair of handmade, made in Tokyo, leather shoes for $20 (they were worn once the lady told me).  I also got a poinsettia plant for my apartment entranceway.

Many members of the YIWC donated things to be sold at this bazaar and 100% of the money will go to support children's orphanages in the area. I was impressed with the community spirit at this event and will join another one in December. ^_^


~ Information ~

YIWC (Yokohama International Women's Club) always welcomes new members. Visit this site for more information. 

Access: 
YIWC meets at the Yokohama Athletic & Country Club. From Yokohama station, take the JR Negishi line to Yamate (one way, ¥150). After exiting the ticket gate, turn right and walk up the hill. Follow the signs to the Athletic Club.  

YIWC Charity Christmas Bazaar - Part 1

Hidden in my desk drawer is a $1 notebook in which I write my goals -- for the week, month, year or years from now. There are crazy dreams noted in it, from "visit Patagonia" to "learn to sail a boat". A personal and more realistic goal I had set for this year was: to volunteer in the community.

For the latter part of 2013, I have been joining some older ladies in creating crafts. All ladies are members of the Yokohama International Women's Group, which focuses on fundraising for local charities. This past Saturday all of our craft creations were sold off to benefit two orphanages in the Yokohama area. I'll share some photos from the event.

The event took place on the grounds of a local shrine just off the famous Motomachi shopping street in Yokohama.

The craft area was set up inside....

Crafts for sale:

candy bracelets:

Xmas ornaments: 

Handmade Xmas stockings -- a very popular item:

I loved these happy bears in buckets: 

If these bears could talk, I'd think they'd say: Pull me out of this bucket!! 

General table filled with handmade items under $10: 

A festive table filled with treats for visitors: 

These tissue boxes were very popular -- everyone wanted one! 

Sign of the volunteer group:

Outside, there were many more things on sale. Below, a table filled with baked goods. By 2pm, this table was empty!

The sign reads: Xmas Bazaar | Yokohama International Women's Group

In the morning I got this photo of some of the homemade goodies before they were sold: 

...more goodies. You can see cookies, cupcakes, two kinds of cheesecake....yum!

Even Santa made a special appearance, offering photos for $5. 

I took more photos from the event, which I'll share tomorrow.


~ Information ~ 

The YIWC always welcomes new members. Their main base of operations is located near Yamate station, in Yokohama at the Yokohama Country & Athletic Club. YIWC information is HERE. The YCAC is HERE. 
Information about the charities the group supports is HERE. 

Access: 
JR Negishi Line from Yokohama station to Yamate station. Cost one way: ¥150 ($1.50). 
Walk up the hill, following the signs to the YCAClub. 

荒崎公園 Arazaki Park (Miura Peninsula, Kanagawa)

I was asked to join a friend last week for some fishing. It was a rare warm and sunny day, so I couldn't stay home. My friend drove us to the Miura peninsula, where I had just been to climb Mt.Oogusu. ^_^ We drove further down the coast, to a fishing spot which was the most beautiful place I had ever seen.

I was surprised to find a few sea kayakers. 
They pushed off just as we were setting up our fishing gear:

The coastline here was incredible. Layers of stone spilled into Sagami Bay:

I loved the shape of these rocks. 
This view is looking back from our fishing spot:

Our fishing spot -- tucked in between two rock outcrops: 

On the other side of the bay, I spied some other fishermen:

My friend is always incredibly lucky when fishing, catching fish as soon as the line hits the water. This day was no exception. I caught only two, while my friend got six! I took some photos....

My first fish, and the third of the day...Go Team Canada! ^_^

This was the fifth catch of the day: 

Fish #6 (I think I caught this one):

This fishing spot was really good; I just did simple fly fishing -- no reel. 

The last catch of the day was a cute blowfish (#8):

We packed up our gear and released all the fish back to the sea. As the sun was setting, I snapped a photo of the view:

Arazaki area is part of a large park, with picnic tables, a lookout point and some hiking trails. It's dog friendly too; we watched three dogs training with their owners to catch flying frisbees. I asked my friend to take me here again as I'd like to explore the hiking trails. Should we go back, I'd post more pics for you. ^_^


~ Information ~

Arazaki is a locally known park; few tourists venture down Mirua Peninsula to this spot. If you have time in Japan, you should visit. It's breathtaking. 

Access: 
-- By car: Drive route 134 south in Miura Peninsula. At Miyukihama, keep to the coast, until you reach Arazaki. Parking is free during weekdays and non-holidays. 

-- By train & bus: From Yokohama, take the Keikyu Kurihama line to Misakiguchi Station (the last stop). Take a bus going to Arazaki. From the bus stop, it's a 5 minute walk. Cost: ¥550 for the train, bus cost unknown. Travel time on the train: 51 minutes. Bus travel time unknown. 

Arazaki Park's Wiki page is HERE. (Japanese only) 

Google Map showing Arazaki Park is HERE. 

大楠山 Oogusu Mountain - Part 2

I'll continue to show highlights from a local climbing group's hike up this mountain in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa prefecture. Part 1 is HERE. 


After enjoying a leisurely climb for 1.5 hours, we reached a communications tower, located about 500 meters below the summit:

I got a photo of the communications tower's sign, which shows the name of the mountain (top). The map shows Kanagawa prefecture in yellow, with the mountain's location marked by a small, red dot.

Past the communications tower, were bilingual signs marking various routes up the mountain:

Our hike was a total of 3.1 kilometers. Very easy!

 According to this sign, we had 100 meters to the summit. Woo!! ^_^

Yesterday, I mentioned that many women brought large packs for this short climb. Why? We were holding a nabe party (=a kind of Japanese hot stew)!

Nabe is traditionally eaten in the fall and winter months. It's simple, full of vegetables and warms your body up quickly.


The group unpacks all the ingredients: 

Group members set up three burners with pots for the stew:

We made kimuchi nabe, which is a Korean, spicy stew. It's full of vegetables: leeks, onions, cabbage, potatoes. I brought tofu and another lady even brought octopus!!

My nabe: 

As is tradition in Japan, we had to toast our fun climb. Some women brought beer, or cans of cocktails. Alcohol can be drunk in public here. Doesn't that make you happy??? ^_^

To say "cheers" in Japanese it's: "kam-pie!!"

As a non-drinker, I toasted with a vitamin drink. 

A lady recommended adding cheese to the nabe for a creamy taste. For my second helping, I tried that. Delicious!! ^_^

View of the summit area: 

My friend had recently returned from a trip to Africa. She shared these dried fruits. ^_^

Sign showing Mount Oogusu 大楠山 and its height: 242 meters. Very small eh? 

After cleaning up, we hiked an easier, different route to the bottom. This route is often used by mountain bikers:

At the bottom, we walked though a rural neighborhood: 

This bulldog caught my eye:

A sign marker showed the distance to the nearest bus stop: 

Our bus stop for the return trip to Zushi station: 

This sign says there is a bus which also goes to Yokohama YCAT station. 

I hope you enjoyed your climb up and down Mt. Oogusu.

Tomorrow, I'll share a scenic fishing spot. ^_^


~ Information ~ 

Oogusu mountain is located in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa prefecture. The mountain is only 242 meters high, making this a very easy climb. 

Access: 

-- From JR Zushi station, take a bus labeled: 長井、(Nagai) 市民病院、(Citizens Hospital) 大楠芦名口行きバス (Okusu-Ashina Exit). Get off at Mae-da-bashi stop. Cost: ¥360 one way ($3.60) 
-- From the bus stop, turn left and walk down the small road until you reach the river. The trail starts on your right at the river. 

Map and site for Oogusu Mountain (Japanese only): 
HERE 

On Google Maps, JR Zushi station:
 HERE

--You can take a train from Kamakura (a Kyoto-like town, closest to Tokyo) to Zushi station. Kamakura information is HERE (via Japan Guide) 

A hiking guide to Japanese mountains and their trails is HERE. (via Hiking in Japan) 

A sample recipe for Kimuchi nabe is HERE. (via Just One Cookbook -- an excellent site for Japanese recipes.)