Fox Wedding

In a rare treat, we managed to attend a Japanese festival in... Yokkaichi. Every year, on Setsubun (February 3rd), Miyamado Shrine near our house holds a Kitsune no Yomeiri (Fox Wedding). As you can see, the bride, with her attendant oni (demons), was quite terrifying. After the priests married them off with traditional blessings and sake, the newly married couple tossed dried soybeans into the crowd, as is usual at Setsubun. The old ladies went crazy, nearly killing each other for a few extra beans.

Hakone

We visited Hakone with Fiona's parents, to see Fuji-san in all its winter glory. It was as shy as it is reputed to be, but the peak did peek out briefly as we rode the cable car over a ridge towards Lake Ashi. In the mountains, the hot sulphur bubbled out of the earth and hordes of Japanese tourists ate sulphur-boiled black eggs. Down on the lake, the absurd "pirate ships" were every bit as kitschy as promised.

Bernadette and Ian in front of the Fujiya hotel

Sacred tree

More Fun in Kyoto

Bernadette and Ian in the bamboo forest in Arashiyama

Tea house at the Okochi-sanso villa

Maiko san leaving a party

New Year's foods

Mum and Bonsai

Lunch at Tenryu-ji

The oldest pagoda in Kyoto at Daigo-ji

Kyoto Machiya

In Kyoto with Fiona's parents, we rented an old machiya (merchant house) in the centre of town. The place was beautifully decorated with old scrolls and artifacts, and the internal garden and bathroom were subtle and traditional. A very tatami time was had.