Hiroshima Kashihaku 2013

"The National Confectionary Exposition is the largest confectionary fair in Japan, and is held once approximately every 4 years in various locations throughout the nation. Along with passing the history and culture of confectionaries along to the next generation, it also serves in promoting the confectionary industry and related industries, and invigorating the economy of the host area." -Kashihaku 2013 Website

Tada! The Hiroshima National Confectionary Expo was finally held in Hiroshima again after almost 100 years! So lucky for this spring-summer term I did not have to go outside Hiroshima for this big expo. ^^ We went there by walking from Hiroshima Station. Since it was weekend, there were so many people had the same intention: spent the weekend to go to Hiroshima Kashihaku.

The ticket!

Yeah, as you can see, the price of ticket is expensive, Y 2000. There was much cheaper ticket, for Y 1000 you could go in, called evening ticket. But since it only sold at 5 or 6 in the evening at weekdays, and there's no one would accompany me at that kind of time, I decided to go in a group.

I expected that I could try all the free okashii (snack) there, but, I had to wait for like, 3 hours just to get free snacks and bought some traditional snack T^T Finally we just go around and try some snack but not for free T^T

In this expo, there are so many snacks and candies from all over Japan, old and new ones. Unfortunately, as I said before, there were so many people, so I couldn't take good picture and explored all the regions that took a part.

Traditional Snacks :3

Some regions that taking a part in this expo

Many people >_<

 When we went out from the confectionary tour building, I supposed to get some free anko momiji manju. But the momiji manju was out of stock as it got in my turn T_T These three were lucky!

Sasa, Matsumoto, Amine

 I just bought this Lemon Ice Cream. The day was so hot it melted so fast!

 After filling our stomach with some snacks, we're going to theme park, where things shown there all made by sugar-y things!

Eat me? Eat me not?

"Welcome to our house!"

 And this is the most awesome!

Mini Miyajima!

Next: cake time!

It looked like the same, but actually there were, like, 10 stands for the cake, and each stands, if I am no t mistaken, contained 100 cakes!

***

At 4 o'clock, in the name of getting more free snacks, we went to Hiroshima Gas Stand to make waffles and hearing some safety instruction for using the gas. It actually just for the kids, but then all the exchange student try to cook. The explanation was in Japanese, we just understand by looking at the picture on the wall :D

Free waffles! Nyam

Meet The People of Candy Land! ^^

I wish I could get more free snacks T_T ehehehehehe :D

Flower Festival!

Hiroshima Flower Festival!!

Here comes the lovely flowers :3

Sasa and I went there because we had to present Indonesian traditional dances at HUE Stage. Actually that was my first time ever to dance in front of people. Our stages was at 6.20 pm, and since we arrived about one and a half hour earlier, we decided to take a look at the flower festival.

Mountain of Flowers

This 'mountain' was right in front of the main stage, where dances were presented by various groups from all over the place. One of them was Hiroshima University of Economics' dance club: Dance Razzle. That was wonderful performance! My jaw was dropping during the entire performance :p

広島経済大学 DANCE RAZZLE

Well, it was hot and we saw かき氷 (Kakigoori) :9 As the syrup, I chose blueberry and strawberry :9 After mixing the blue and red syrup, my kakigoori turned out purple! 

Before mixing. 

 There was also a stand for Kodokan Project, one of them was Indonesia Contribution Project and the were selling Indonesian handy craft, aromatherapy stick and candle. :3

Keita, one of Indonesian Project Member

Before the stage, we took a picture! By the way, I danced East Kalimantan's traditional dance: Burung Enggang (The Bird) and Sasa's was Tari Topeng (The Mask Dance) from Betawi (a tribe from Jakarta).

Me, Nicolas and Sasa 

***
After the stage, Sasa and me joined the others to went around the festival before going home. They were Shishido, Sangjin, and of course Nicolas. The price of snacks in the festival was quite high that we decided to go to restaurant to fill our stomach! :p it was another great day!

When will the other chance to walk in this big road?

Miyajima Tour

Another tour! ^^

After Hiroshima City Tour, next we had a Miyajima Tour. Seeing Itsukushima shrine, temple, and eating Momiji Manju (and also Age Momiji or fried Momiji) :9

From Train Station, we walked to ferry port. It took about 10 minutes to Miyajimaguchi. Arrived in Miyajimaguchi, we were welcomed by, deers! Deers everywhere! Unfortunately, the pictures of deers that I took, were blur. The only good picture was when I took it from behind. I guess it is not appropriate to put in here :p

Way to Itsukushima Shrine

The weather was good, and the smell of sea was also good. Since it was weekend, many people come sightseeing. There were so many tourist from all over the world. I think I could hear three or more languages in Miyajima.

Cold, cold water!

Before entering the shrine, we washed our hands with this water. I just forgot to ask why we should wash our hands. Maybe if you know, you can write a comment below this post? :D It still on the beginning of spring season, so the water was very cold! Well, for me. XD

Tie the Omikuji!

The first thing that caught my eyes was Omikuji, a random fortunes written in a sheet of paper. For 100 yen, you can get the Omikuji. We have to shake "this" and there will be a stick out from a hole that contain a number. After that, you can get your Omikuji. But, it's written in Japanese :'( 

What is "this"? Anyone? :D

After getting your Omikuji, tied it!

A place where you tie your Omikuji

After out from shrine, we were divided again into groups. As for me, the leader of group where I belong still Tatsuyoshi. We ate lunch before going to the next spot: Daishoin Temple! We tried to go inside the temple and feeling the total darkness! All I could do were just stick to the wall and walk slowly. Sometime I was surprised by the small cushion (maybe. Because I couldn't see) under my feet. There were some pictures of Gods inside that labyrinth. Of course I couldn't take a picture there T_T

Inside Daishoin Temple

And this is my favorite, he's hiding in flower pot!

Watanuki! XD

And then we ate Age Momiji and buy some Momiji Manju :3 There were many flavors of Momiji, Anko (red bean paste), cheese, chocolate, lemon etc :9 But I personally love anko-filled momiji manju. Yum!

I bought five actually :9

And as for closing, I took this picture on the way to ferry port:

A decoration

Tired but fun day ^^

***

I planned to go to Hiroshima Candy Festival! Wait for the post! ^^

Hiroshima City Tour

Actually, for Hiroshima City Tour, we were divided into three groups, and my group leader was Tatsuyoshi :) After Welcome Tea Ceremony, we were very hungry and decided to have a lunch before starting to explore the city. Because it was lunch time, although we were divided it was still a big group, a lot of restaurant were full. But the we found a Okonomiyaki restaurant.

Preparing Okonomiyaki

Then we go to Hiroshima Memorial Peace Memorial Park, Children's Peace Memorial, and The Memorial Cenotaph.

Children's Peace Memorial

Children's Peace Memorial

Thousands Paper Crane were made and some of it was arranged to form a kanji for Peace (平和 : Heiwa). 

The Memorial Cenotaph

 There are lots of mangas translated into Bahasa Indonesia, one of them is "Kocchi Muite! Miiko." One of the story is when Miiko joined her mother, who had a job to do, to Hiroshima. Fortunately, she met her friend, Tappei, who also came to Hiroshima to accompany his Father. The exact setting was in here, Peace Memorial Park, and I was very glad to trace what Miiko and Tappei did :D

Tulips, or, flowers everywhere!

Gateway to Castle

Hiroshima Castle

It was really a joy!

Tea Ceremony!

I love the Tea Ceremony! Last Saturday, on April 13th, we had a Welcome Tea Ceremony hold at Hiroshima Shukkeien Garden. We drank a Matcha (Green Tea) that prepared by the host.

And for the girls, we wore Kimono! Dressed up to feel the Japanese culture :D

The Tea Ceremony required us to sit on our leg, like this picture:

For some people it was a torture to sit in this position for a long time

The Matcha was a little bit bitter and the host said that they used a not-so-bitter matcha so everyone can drink it. They also have a super bitter matcha! Ow! But we also had sweet to overcome the bitterness :9

I forget the name *T_T*

After the tea ceremony, we had a free time to take pictures outside and enjoying the beautiful garden :)

The Host and Ryuugakusei Spring Summer Semester 2013!

"Who loves Cherry Blossom?" | "Me! Me!" XD

Being a HUE STEP Student is a bless :D

That Spring, The Journey Begins

Hello there :D

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Nadiyah Salsabila Yangcik and I come from Indonesia. I am an exchange student for Spring-Summer term.

So happy that I can take a part on this short term exchange program. :D
***
It has been a week since I arrived in here. As a tropical-life person, sometimes I can not bear the weather in here, especially at night. I always wrap my body with blankets and wear jacket everywhere! But I really love being in Hiroshima at Spring. Sakura (or Cherry Blossom) everywhere, giving you a pink view in the middle of green scenery, shower you with its petals.

You are in Sakura's home country :D

Sakura~~

Flowers everywhere :)

Do not forget to taste Hiroshima Okonomiyaki! The nearest one is in front of Kodokan and opens at about 5.30 pm. I went there on the very first time I got in Hiroshima :9 So many layers and toppings, and you can choose what toppings you want to put in your Okonomiyaki. Absolutely Oishii!! :9

Hiroshima Okonomiyaki

Ja, kyo wa koko made desu ne :D