折々 — From the Central Highlands

Journal

  • Seasonal Eating: the Japanese way

    Seasonal Eating: the Japanese way

    The five element philosophy teaches that one fosters health by eating foods that correspond with the seasons. The five element…

  • The five seasons: Japanese traditions

    The five seasons: Japanese traditions

    Japanese culture honours the seasons. Japan is a mountainous country of islands stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the…

  • Green tea shortbread
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    Green tea shortbread

    People have been known to fall in love with Shizuka Ryokan when they taste the matcha shortbread that we serve…

  • Wasabi change

    Wasabi change

    Catherine Defina is the owner and manager of Shizuka Ryokan. Perhaps you have encountered Catherine (who wears red Swedish hiking…

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    Sashiko: Japanese traditions

    At Shizuka Ryokan we have an insatiable appetite for Japanese traditions. Whether it be Japanese cookery, Boro stitching, Sumi-e painting,…

  • Maple Viewing: Japanese traditions

    Momijigari–maple viewing–is the tradition of visiting areas where the maple trees have turned red.  The Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) at…

  • Irises: Japanese traditions

    The ancient art of gardening is alive and well at Shizuka Ryokan. Our gardens display a beautiful selection of traditional…

  • Forest Bathing: Japanese traditions

    In Japan, there is a tradition known as shinrin-yoku—or forest bathing. Shinrin-yoku describes the practice of ‘taking in the forest…

  • Ryokans: What to expect

    Ryokans: What to expect

    A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, typically located near onsen, or hot springs. The first ryokan, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan,…