Hubby’s birthday

Hubby’s birthday was on 12th March. Although hubby and I are not into celebrating birthdays or anniversaries in a big grand way, we usually have some simple funny celebrations to create happy memories for us. On 11th March, I went to a convenience store near our home and bought pancakes with three kinds of toppings, namely strawberry jam, pineapple jam, and whipped cream. I also bought several petit cheese cakes and custard pudding. We live in a village and it is very difficult to find shops selling fancy candles, so every year I end up using candles from our ‘emergency earthquake kit’ though I used tiny ones this year.

Birthday guy

I arranged the pancakes, cheese cakes, custard pudding, and tiny candles equivalent to hubby’s age on a plate. I lit the candles and was all set by 11.55 pm. Hubby was fast asleep but I woke him up exactly at 00.00 hour on 12th March and wished him a very happy birthday. He was nice enough not to grumble as he usually gets irritated when woken up from sleep. He blew all the candles out and we ate all the sweets.

A plate arranged with pancakes, petit cheese cakes, and tiny lit candles. I kept the custard pudding in another dish as there was no space in the plate due to too many candles.

Enlarged photo of the pancakes with all the three toppings, petit cheese cakes, and custard pudding

Hubby is blowing out the candles. There are too many candles to blow out in one breath.

Hubby having custard

Afterwards hubby relit all the candles and watched until all of them burnt out. A lot of wax remained on the plate, so he made a Diya lamp. In fact, arranging clay Diya lamps all around the home was my most favorite activity for Diwali festival during early childhood in India. But this time I improvised and told hubby to use aluminum cupcake mould that I had at home instead of clay Diya, and used wax instead of Ghee oil. In addition, he made wick from string used for rolling Chashu pork instead of the usual cotton balls. Making Diya lamp was a first-time experience for hubby and the result was very nice. Initially he was rather curious but afterwards he was very happy and enjoyed the burning Diya lamp for quite some time. In fact, I was overjoyed to see that he made the Diya lamp with two wicks, one for me and the other for him. It was so kind and considerate of him. I am thankful that God put the most wonderful husband in the world in my path. I am very happy and thankful for all the joy of having a loving and understanding hubby.

Hubby relit the candles and watched until all of them burnt out

Hubby making a Diya lamp

Hubby was initially rather curious to see the burning Diya lamp but was very happy afterwards

Diya lamp with two wicks

This year is considered to be hubby’s unlucky Yakudoshi age. In Japan, Yakudoshi refers to the belief that there are certain ages in one's life when their bad luck increases and good luck diminishes. Although it is just a superstitious belief, on 8th March hubby and I went to a Shinto shrine named Sanjin Gosaiden to pray for a healthy and good life for hubby and ward off any danger. The shrine is located at the top of Mount Haguro in Tsuruoka City of Yamagata prefecture. Mount Haguro is one of the three sacred mountains clustered together in the ancient province of Dewa. The other two mountains are Mount Gassan and Mount Yudono. The three mountains are collectively known as Dewa Sanzan. Sanjin Gosaiden Shrine is unique and important because it holds the deities from all three Dewa Sanzan shrines. Hubby and I had earlier visited Mount Haguro in October 2009 and the details about our visit to the mountain and the shrine can be found in this blog post.

The base of Mount Haguro is located about 105 kilometers south of our home in Yurihonjo City. We went to the mountain shrine by our car. After about 130 minutes of car ride, as we neared the mountain, we saw a huge red-lacquered gate named Otorii. Otorii represents the gateway to the entrance of the sacred precincts where shrine deities reside. Otorii was built in 1923, and is 21 meters high and 15 meters wide. We loved the grand Otorii Gate. After another 20 minutes of car ride, we reached the base of the mountain. At the base area, we walked along a walking trail surrounded by dense cedar forest. After about 5 minutes of walking, we reached a beautiful red-lacquered holy bridge named Shinkyo that crosses River Haraigawa. From the bridge, we got a beautiful view of Suga Waterfall and rugged cliffs that made for a stunning scene. It was winter season and therefore the entire trail was covered with dense snow. At one point hubby’s leg got stuck in the snow. So we walked cautiously along the trail and after another 5 minutes we reached in front of a five-storied pagoda. The pagoda was originally built in Johei era (931-938) and rebuilt in 1372. The 640-year-old pagoda is made entirely from wood and has thin wooden shingled roofs. The pagoda is 29 meters high and was built without a single nail. It is designated as a national treasure. The pagoda looked so elegant and graceful surrounded by cedar forest and the winter snow.

Otorii Gate

I am standing on Shinkyo Bridge along with Suga Waterfall in the background

Hubby’s leg got stuck in the snow while walking along the trail

Hubby and the five-storied wooden pagoda

After viewing the pagoda, we returned to the car parking area and next went to see Sanjin Gosaiden Shrine located at the top of Mount Haguro. We went to the top of the mountain by our car itself as the mountain is not so high. On reaching the summit, we walked along a paved pathway for about 10 minutes. But on reaching the shrine area, we realized that the main shrine was closed and not accessible during winter months. There was 3-meter-high snow all around this main shrine. But a sub-shrine named Reisaiden, located just next to the main shrine, was open. Reisaiden sub-shrine is a majestic red-lacquered building that was rebuilt in 1983. It is a single-storied wooden building having Irimoya-zukuri, Chidorihafu, and Gokensha-zukuri (five-bay sanctuary) architectural styles. We appreciated the architecture of the sub-shrine for some time and then went inside and I prayed for a healthy and good life for hubby. Afterwards I prayed some more standing in the snow outside the sub-shrine.

Hubby standing in front of Reisaiden sub-shrine

Hubby standing at the entrance area of the sub-shrine

I am praying standing in the snow outside the sub-shrine

Afterwards we left the shrine premises and next visited Mount Haguro ski resort area located just 2 kilometers south of the shrine premises. We enjoyed wonderful panoramic view near the ski resort area. Hubby wanted to ski but it was getting late, so we just watched several skiers skiing around and then left the area to return home.

Mount Haguro ski resort area

Snow everywhere near chairlift station

Beautiful panoramic view as seen from the ski resort area

Mount Gassan

On 5th June, hubby and I visited Mount Gassan in Yamagata prefecture. Mount Gassan is the tallest of the three sacred mountains of Dewa Sanzan and has a height of 1984 meters above sea level. It is one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan. The mountain is located at the center of Yamagata prefecture, and separates inland Yamagata from the coastal Shonai region. The mountain dominates the scenery from many regions with its imposing size and breathtaking beauty. The natural scenery of the mountain consists of a forest of primeval beech trees along with various rare animals and alpine plants. Mount Gassan is a well known place for mountainous faith and religion along with Mount Haguro and Mount Yudono located nearby. Nowadays Mount Gassan is more famous for skiing and trekking from spring to fall.

Mount Gassan is inaccessible for long periods of the year due to heavy snowfall often up to eight meters during winter. Due to this overabundance of winter snowfall, the ski-slopes are not accessible until the end of March. However visitors can enjoy skiing in snowy valleys with remaining natural snow from the beginning of April through the end of July. In fact, Mount Gassan is a well known summer skiing spot in Japan. Gassan Ski Area is actually located on a hillside subpeak of Mount Gassan. This subpeak named Ubagatake rises 1670 meters above sea level, and has a gentle slope which makes it an interesting summer ski training location for novices as well as for pro skiers.

In October 2009 we had visited a five-storied pagoda and a shrine located on Mount Haguro, which is one of the three sacred mountains of Dewa Sanzan. I have written about that visit in an earlier post. So this time we decided to visit Mount Gassan, which is another one of the three sacred mountains. But we visited Mount Gassan to specifically enjoy its natural beauty and not for visiting the shrine located at the mountain summit. We plan to visit the shrine some other time.

Mount Gassan is located about 140 kilometers south of our home and it took us three hours to reach there by car. When we were about 10 kilometers away from the base of Mount Gassan, we started seeing beautiful scenery all around us. So we stopped our car near a bridge over Gassan Lake and got out of the car to enjoy the stunning views. Beautiful fresh green color of the lake, green forest, and mountain range in the background was so serene and peaceful.

A signboard on the road indicating the way to Mount Gassan

Gassan Lake and forest along with a mountain in the background

Gassan Lake

Hubby standing on a bridge over Gassan Lake

Another bridge over Gassan Lake

Hubby standing on a bridge over Gassan Lake with another bridge seen in the background

After another 15 minutes of car ride we reached the foot of Mount Gassan. We could drive further from the foot of the mountain till the eighth stage of Mount Gassan where Ubasawa car parking lot is located at an altitude of 1160 meters. We paid 1000 Yen for parking our car. After getting out of the car, we saw Mount Gassan, Ubagatake Peak, and Mount Yudono right in front of us. Mount Yudono has a height of 1500 meters above sea level, and the peak of this mountain is located about four kilometers southwest of Mount Gassan. Ubagatake Peak is located to the west of Mount Gassan. We took a few photos of the mountains from the parking lot.

Ubagatake Peak is seen just to the left side of the center and Mount Gassan is partly seen on the right side of the photo. A few hills are also seen in the foreground.

Mount Yudono on the left side and a part of Ubagatake peak on the right side of the photo

Skiing area on Ubagatake Peak

I am standing at Ubasawa car parking lot with a mountain range in the background

I am standing at the car parking area with Ubagatake Peak in the background

Ubasawa car parking lot is rather big and while walking towards the exit of the parking lot, we reached a particular spot from where we got a beautiful panoramic view of the mountains. The scenery was breathtaking. We again took a few photos of the mountains from this position and angle.

Panoramic view of Mount Yudono, Ubagatake Peak, and Mount Gassan

Mount Yudono

Ubagatake Peak along with a few small hills in the foreground

Mount Gassan

A part of Ubagatake Peak

Another part of Ubagatake Peak

After coming out of the car parking lot, we walked towards the lower station of the lift service that takes visitors to the top of Ubagatake Peak. As we walked towards the lower lift station, the snow covered Ubagatake Peak became more and more distinct. We could see many skiers who looked like tiny dots moving around on Ubagatake Peak. We also saw a few snowmobiles parked around us.

Hubby standing next to an information notice board adjacent to the car parking area

We are walking towards Ubagatake Peak

Ubagatake Peak

Another view of Ubagatake Peak

Snow covered Ubagatake Peak

Skiers seen as tiny dots on snow covered Ubagatake Peak

Skiers can be distinguished in this photo

A snowmobile we saw while walking towards the lower lift station

After walking for about 5 minutes, we reached the snow covered area of Ubagatake Peak somewhere at an altitude of 1190 meters. We just wished to see the beautiful natural views around us and did not intend to ski. So we wore summer shoes and did not have ski gear with us. We walked on snow covered mountain for some time. It was a bit difficult to walk on snow with our summer shoes but it was really fun. After about 15 minutes of walking on the snow, we reached the lower station of the lift service located at an altitude of 1240 meters. We saw many skiers using the lift service to go up to the top of Ubagatake Peak. At this point, we turned around and started walking back towards the car parking area. There were many skiers (and snowboarders) returning back after skiing. Hubby got very excited to see so many skiers around him, and so he felt like skiing. Since ski gear hire facility is not available at this stage of the mountain, he just tried to slip and slide on the snow. It was so funny to watch him. I compiled a video of me walking towards the lower lift station and hubby sliding down the snow covered mountain.

I am walking towards the lower lift station on snow covered mountain

I am walking on snow

A snowboarder returning towards car parking area

Lower station of the lift service

Lower lift station with several visitors

Ski lift taking visitors to a height of 1540 meters on Ubagatake Peak

Closer view of the lift chairs

A compiled video of me walking towards the lower lift station and hubby sliding down the mountain

Hubby tired after sliding down the mountain

Hubby tired and posing

Hubby was rather tired after sliding down a small portion of the mountain. So after returning back to the car parking area, he drank one liter of cold drinks to drench his thirst.

Hubby drinking a cold drink

Hubby at Ubasawa car parking lot

It was really so much fun to visit Mount Gassan. We loved the natural views and the snow covered mountains, and enjoyed watching people skiing and snowboarding in the month of June.