Home, my sweet home. - week 1 in Japan -

The best destination of the year for me is Japan, where I was born, raised and spent most of my life. Returning here for the first time in the last 3 years, I was looking forward to seeing my family and friends again.

Mihara, my home town, is a small town in Hiroshima that faces the ocean and mountains. It is known for famous sake brands called  "Suishin" and for its Octopus. However, there is little entertainment, leading many younger generations to move to bigger cities to search of excitement like I did. As a result, 30% of the population here is over 70 years old, and many empty houses, known as "Akiya," are abandoned. The city has already launched initiatives to welcome newcomers to revitalise the town. I now understand why I was so obsessed with discovering something new in urban areas, rather than appreciating the beauty of this beautiful place. I was too young to realise  that I already had enough here.

1. Autumn at the last minutes.

We arrived home at the end of November. It was still a bit warm, and the vibrant colors of the ginkgo and maple trees were stunning. The view of the autumn trees through the entrance gate was picturesque. These photos were taken at Gokurakuji Temple, which is located on the mountain. The bell in the top right corner of the second photo is rung 108 times around midnight on New Year's Eve. In Buddhism, it is believed that humans have 108 earthly desires, known as "Bonnou." Striking the bell is said to help erase them: 107 strikes for the current year and one for the New Year.

2. Takehara visit

Takehara is known as "Little Kyoto in Hiroshima" and was a hub for the salt industry during the Edo period. It is also the birthplace of Masataka Taketsuru, known as the father of Japanese whiskey and the founder of Nikka whiskey  We visited several traditional residences that are open to the public, where we were amazed by the large wooden beams and the craftsmanship of these houses. I particularly appreciate the wabi-sabi interior style, which embraces imperfection and celebrates the beauty of things in their natural state. This design philosophy also influences my love for Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement.

3. Hiroshima visit

I can't start our walk around Hiroshima city without Okonomiyaki, a Japanese savoury pancake, Michan is the best shop for it. The Hiroshima style is cooked in layers like crapes, whereas the Osaka version is mixed together before cooking. This is truly my soul food.

Later, we went to an Izakaya for dinner and ordered grilled fish, deep-fried tofu and grilled eggplant with sweet miso paste. Everything was delicious, and it was fascinating to watch the cooks preparing our dishes right in front of us at the counter.

4. Food of the week

Authentic Japanese food! That was what I was craving!!!!  We started off with fish hot pot and sashimi at family gathering, followed by octopus rice and Takoyaki. I can't stop eating them!