Mame Diary

Freshly steamed and piping hot.
Enjoying it while looking out over the Yubatake—blowing gently to cool it down😋

The Yumomi Girls perform a dance while demonstrating the traditional yumomi technique.
Since the hot spring water is nearly 50°C, adding cold water would dilute its healing properties.
Instead, the water is cooled by stirring it with wooden paddles in this unique performance.
“Choi-na, choi-na~♫”

This is a tranquil scene of the Yubatake (hot water field) at Kusatsu Onsen, one of Japan’s three most famous hot springs.
The sight of the steam rising creates a calm and soothing atmosphere.

These are decorative sake barrels at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura.
They are barrels of sake dedicated during the annual festival, displayed as offerings.
It seems they are quite popular among visitors from overseas.

This is the pink dendrobium from a potted arrangement I received last year.
I left it just as it was—didn’t even repot it—and now it looks like it’s about to bloom💕
The flower’s meaning is said to be “temptation,” though to me it feels much sweeter and more delicate. I suppose it depends on how you look at it.
I’m looking forward to seeing it bloom. Next time, I’ll make sure to repot it properly.