Christina’s Journey Journal

Tag: cultural experience

  • An enriching farewell in Toyama: A day of art, culinary delights, and cultural experiences

    An enriching farewell in Toyama: A day of art, culinary delights, and cultural experiences

    Our final day in Toyama was a fun fusion of art—through glass, food and clothing! Unforgettable experiences that left us with lasting memories.

    First Stop: The Toyama Glass Museum🪷
    We began our day at the stunning Toyama Glass Museum, a haven for both local and international artists. The museum’s impressive collection showcases a variety of glassworks, including breathtaking pieces by the renowned artist Dale Chihuly. His intricate designs and vibrant colors truly captivated our senses.

    The Toyama Glass Museum
    The Glass Museum is also occupied by the Toyama City Public Library Main Building
    Toyama Reeds, 2015 (Chihuly)
    Toyama Float Boat, 2015 (Chihuly)
    Toyama Mille Fiori, 2015 (Chihuly)

    Lunch: An Exquisite Teppanyaki Feast🥢
    Next, we indulged in a culinary adventure featuring teppanyaki, where skillful chefs prepared the most succulent fillet we had ever tasted. The meal began with a warming bowl of soup, followed by a savory medley of fresh vegetables, and then the expertly grilled steak.

    Cultural Touchpoint: Kimonos! 👘
    To wrap up our day, we participated in a traditional kimono experience. It was fascinating to learn about the evolution of this beautiful garment; while modern kimonos typically feature just three layers, centuries ago, they boasted an impressive twelve layers, each serving its own purpose and signifying status. Adorning ourselves in these elegant fabrics allowed us to connect with Japan’s rich cultural heritage, making for a truly immersive experience. They also styled our hair!

    Kimono – ki means “to wear” and mono means “thing”—literally translating to “thing to wear”. Kimonos are worn for special / ceremonial occasions.
    Kimonos are worn left side wrapped over right (unless the wearer is deceased)
    Kimono colors have different meanings. For example, bright colors are associated with spring or youth, while the darker colors (black and navy) are used for formal occasions and winter. Red and purple used to be reserved for the elite.🪭💜🌸
    Obi knot – the large knot of the Obi (sash)

    After soaking in all that Toyama had to offer (including the hot springs), we embarked on the return journey aboard the bullet train🚄. The two-hour ride back to Toyoko was spent writing this post!