My old friend from high-school day, has moved to Hiroshima-pref. after she got married. We have been good friends commuting the same train to school or go shopping together. Lovely memories of innocent young days, haha. After she married, I have visited her once to her house when her late elder boy was little. He passed away about 4 years ago leaving a little girl; I've wanted to see her again since then. It finally came true. She waited me at the station, I saw her waving her hand widely to me. Although we have changed a bit as middle-aged women and the time separated us was so long, we still have same caring heart toward each other.
*She took me to " Shukkeien"
Here is the link of PC site of the garden. I will put short quote,
Construction of Shukkeien was begun in 1620, the year following Asanu Nagaakira’s installation as Daimyo (feudal lord) of Hiroshima. It was built by his principal retainer, Ueda Soko, a famous master of the Japanese tea ceremony, as the garden of Nagaakira’s villa. Shukkeien's name literally means “shrink-scenery garden”, which expresses the idea of collecting and miniaturizing many scenic views.
(I hope you enjoy enlarging the pictures)
she allowed me to post 2 pictures, saying they are taken properly far,
we could enjoy viewing plum blossoms with various colors
She prepared "sukiyaki dinner" for me and "cheers !" with fruits taste soda.
Next day, she took me to the department store or mall. We had "hiroshimayaki" for lunch. The staff approved my request of taking pictures and seemed happy seeing the pictures and I explained why I needed them ♪
It is more delicious than you expect from how it looks p;)
After that, we've been to "peace park"; I've visited there long time a go, the museum has been renewed. I've seen many foreigners there. They were observing the exhibits intently. Pictures are from PC-site.
I could talk with her open-heartedly, and had a really nice time. I really appreciate her for the wonderful time and understanding for what I have experienced.
Thank you for stopping by and bearing with me for the long post ♬♬♬
Love you always, xoxo Miyako*
Oh my! Waht a wonderful time for you both. The photo's are just beautiful. Many years ago we visited the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco and your photo's remind me of that.
ReplyDeleteAlways; amazing how time and years fade away when we reunite with old friends. I think it brings back our youth a bit.
Lovely for you and thanks for sharing. Lov & Hugs
I loved this post Orchid! The pictures are just beautiful. I couldn't help but notice how clean and well maintained the park was. It also looked very peaceful and serene. I'm so very glad you got to spend your special time with your friend too. I look forward to seeing my best friend of 46 years when I travel up north. Very special. Big hugs!
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful visit for you! the park pictures are absolutely stunningly beautiful!
ReplyDeletethe food looks really delicious.
I'm so glad that you had such a wonderful visit with your friend. I know when I get to visit with my friend that we really enjoy it.
what a lovely time you and your friend had!! the garden is beautiful..the plum blossoms are gorgeous!!
ReplyDeletehow sweet of your friend to fix the meal for you..looks delicious..as does the meal from your trip to the mall!!
i enjoyed this post so much! how lucky you were to be able to spend this time with such a dear friend!
xoxo
How great it must have been for the two of you to catch up, I loved that you added the links and think the garden is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the link to the Peace Memorial Park.
I will take your word for it that the food tastes better then it looks as I do not like sea food at all.....
It looks so peacefully gorgeous! I am thrilled you had such a wonderful reunion with your friend. I'm sure she is telling her family and friends what a delight it was to get together with you.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Sunday, my sweet friend!
Thank you so much for the photos. What a beautiful place! The plum blossoms are lovely. I'm glad your friend and you could have a good visit and she could understand what you are going through. The food looks delicious! It was kind of the restaurant to let you take pictures. I'm happy for you. Blessings
ReplyDeleteMiyako...thank you so much for your very kind and loving comments about our Holdie. It was so touching and really meaningful to all of us in the family.
ReplyDeleteI love this garden you visited with your friend. It is enchanting and magical. Aren't friends from our younger days wonderful? Helps us remember happy, youthful days!
Blessings to you and all your countrymen on this March 11...I willl be praying for all of you and you and yours most of all.
Loves~
What a beautiful place! I am so glad you had a lovely time with your friend. Friends are the best :)
ReplyDeleteDearest Miyako,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad for both of you that you finally managed to get together!
So much has happened since and you know each other that long that it will be soothing for both.
The outings were very special, LOVE the garden! And of course LOVE the Japanese food.
Love to you dear friend and once more, so glad you could seal this special happiness into your heart!
Mariette
Dearest Miyako,
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you had such a nice visit with your friend. The photos of Shukkeien are lovely. What a beautiful place, so clean and well maintained. I have no idea what hiroshimayaki is but the preparation of it reminds me of my grandson's favorite place to meet for dinner when we get together.
I hope you and your friend won't wait for some much time to pass before you get together for your next visit. I'll be thinking of your today and wishing you a wonderful Sunday.
Love, Maddy
Dear Miyako,
ReplyDeleteLovely photo's you're sharing with us today and I'm happy to hear that you had a great time visiting your friend. Beautiful garden photos.
Have a lovely Sunday my friend!
Big hugs
Eva
Hi dear Miyako. What a lovely post today, and stunning photos of the park that you visited. Isn't it lovely to see all that blossom appearing. Spring isn't too far away now! :) I'm so glad that you had such a special time with your good friend. It was sad that she lost her son like that. Thank you for sharing your visit with us all. Big hugs to you x
ReplyDeleteHi Miyako san, glad to see you had good time with your friend!!
ReplyDeleteAnd the places she took you look wonderful! I'd love to visit Shukkeien if I go to Hiroshima. I love Japanese gardens. And gotta eat Hiroshimayaki!!
what a lovely time you must have had together. some friends are like that - you just catch up where you left off many years ago. I loved okinomiyaki when we stayed in Japan many years ago.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are wonderful! Japan is just beautiful and your friend is lovely with a radiant smile. Please tell her thank you for allowing her picture on your blog.
ReplyDeleteI love the gardens and the food. Oh, how I wish to one day taste real Japanese food. It makes my stomach growl. ;-) Have a beautiful week, my dear friend.
Miyako, isn't it always refreshing and wonderful to experience a dear friend from our youthful days. What beautiful gardens to spend with a beautiful friend...and the food appears delicious...I rejoice with you over the reunion of yesterday made joyful today! Thank you for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteI love your pictures, and wish I could stroll through the beautiful gardens and smell the blossoms. Sounds like you had a wonderful reunion with your friend. Thank you for sharing your special day with all of us!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you were able to reunite with your childhood friend...lovely pictures. Now you have new memories to keep w/the old.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Orchid-
ReplyDeleteYour blog is SO beautiful - I love the amazing photos of Japan that you are showing. What a wonderful place you live - I'd love to visit there someday! (It's on my list of places to visit!)
xoxo,
Vicki