The picture shows a coffee shop in Saijo City which we came across. It looked like an ordinary private house, but there was a coffee shop inside. In general, coffee shops in Japan were originally built following the western style, but nowadays such a Japanese style of shop is getting common. Opening the entrance sliding door, we were led to the dining room, which had a genuinely Japanese traditional style. It had tatami mats, an alcove and a fanlight or transom, which are the items necessary for Japanese people to feel at home. Besides, we could enjoy the beautiful Japanese garden. It was really refreshing. Just when we entered the shop, it started raining, but the rain made the garden look more beautiful.
(Vocabulary)
alcove a place in the wall of a room that is built further back than the rest of the wall アルコーブ (壁の一部を入り込ませた空間)
fanlight/ transom 欄間
HIDDEN JEWEL THAT ELUDE MANY TOURISTS:
It's a really beautiful expression! I'll re-use this phrase in another entry! Thanks!
Posted by: KUMO | Feb 18, 2011 at 12:16 AM
This is the great charm of Japan. It is the hidden jewels such as these that elude many tourists. There are many at my work who,either have gone, or will go to Japan in the future. I tell each of them to not to forget the many beautiful places in the countryside.
So many think Japan is about Tokyo. While it is a place to see. I say the majority of time should be spent in places such as Kyoto and the many smaller areas of great beauty around Japan. Japan is filled with so many places of natural beauty and the accompanying gems such as this photo.
Posted by: Shiroi Tora | Feb 17, 2011 at 07:52 AM