As a result of the 11 March 2011 earthquake most of the supermarkets and conbini (convenient stores) in the local area are low on stock (mainly due to delivery and servicing difficulties).
While some of the standard items you would expect to be in short supply, like bread and milk, are being “voluntarily” rationed (that is, supermarkets only have limited stock and are restricting peoples access). Some unexpected items, like toilet paper, are also being rationed with most of my local stores limiting people to one packet of toilet paper per transaction. Good thing I'm not eating anything.
Following the detection of radioactive contamination in the Tokyo water supply local media reported this evening that supermarkets are now limiting the amount of water that shoppers can purchase.
1:58 AM |
Category:
Living in Japan
|
Just beside the Ueno zoo is the Ueno Toshogu Shrine. This shrine was built in the early 16th century and is one of a number of shrines across the Japan dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo Shogunate.
A pathway with 256 bronze and stone lanterns on either side leads up to the temple with the copper lanterns being gifts of various Daimyos.
The grounds of the temple also contain a Hiroshima flame that was said to have been lit originally by a relative of victims of the Hiroshima atomic bombing from the flames at their home.
Part of the folklore surrounding the temple is that the two dragons carved on the front gate are said to be so lifelike they go drink at the temple pond every night.
There is also a wall containing wooden pallets where people have inscribed their best wishes and hopes.
2:53 PM |
Category:
Living in Japan
|
On a wonderful spring day (well the last days of winter) we visited the Tokyo National Museum. Located in Ueno park the museum houses a number of different collections in several building including the Japanese gallery, the Asian gallery and the gallery of treasures.
After having a coffee in the sun and soaking up the warmth we visited the Japanese gallery. The gallery includes displays of pottery, lacquer ware and samurai artefacts.
Samurai saddle and stirrups
Samurai armour
Lacquer ware writing tray
Plum blossums
It has snowed in Tokyo on a couple of days over the last week. Snow fell for most of last Friday though it was too warm for the snow to sit on the ground but then on Monday night it started to snow around 10 pm and snowed for most of the night. Tuesday morning revealed a couple of inches of snow on the ground to go and play in.
I know that some of the people from North America who read this blog will comment on the fact that the snow that fell in Tokyo this year is nothing. In fact a Canadian I know has commented that he’s always amazed by how Australia’s react to a little bit of snow). Give us a break, for us this is something unique and special.
10:13 AM |
Category:
Living in Japan
|
While out walking the other day I came across a sight to warm the heart of even the most weary quasi salary man, a beer restaurant. Sensational, now to work through the menu…
4:54 PM |
Category:
Living in Japan
|
Located in the hills behind Yokohama is the Kanazawa zoo. The zoo is surrounded by parkland, has some interesting art work and wonderful views over Yokohama. On the day that we visited it was clear and cold with no humidity (dry) like all of the days this winter in Tokyo.
While trying to get to the zoo we had our first GPS mishap with the machine (its always the machines fault) taking us up a small road between vegetable plots to a space at the back of the zoo. It was nice to see something a little different.
The zoo separates the animals four distinct regional grouping and mainly houses herbivores. To enter the zoo you have to move through a tunnel that is lined with stylised scenes of animals. The zoo is not that large only taking a couple of hours to view all the animals including monkeys and an albino kangaroo.
In front of the elephant enclosure there is a box containing an example of elephants poos and information on how much an elephant produces. There was no shortage of people waiting to examine and touch the poo – some things I just don’t understand (or want to understand).
But there were plenty of signs directing you to places where you could have a little bit of time out and enjoy reclining in the sun.
The zoo also has a number of installations of art including sculpture and a totem pole.
We visited the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast for a chance to get up close and personal with some Australian native animals. Apparently the sanctuary is renowned for its feeding of huge flocks of free-flying wild rainbow lorikeets and on other visits we had seen this spectacle but we missed feeding time this visit. The sanctuary provides help to injured animals from around the area and also now houses one of the largest collections of Australian native species in the world.
There are any number of attractions including getting up close with koalas and kangaroos including young joeys.
We did not get anywhere near this guy for obvious reasons.
There were also a number of water lizards around the whole park that didn't seem all that worried about having people around.
The most memorable part of the day was the bird show that included wedged tailed eagles flying over the top of the crowd at head height.
7:38 AM |
Category:
Christmas,
Out and about
|
