From Kamo Aquarium to Mt. Haguro | Summer Journey in Mutsu【14】

After arriving in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, in northeastern Japan, we first visited the Kamo Aquarium, which is famous for its jellyfish. The aquarium is located south of Yunohama Beach, the most popular beach in the area. The aquarium has more than 60 types of jellyfish, including various glowing jellyfish and colorful jellyfish, as well as the world's largest jellyfish species. It's like a dreamy underwater world, and it feels like you're wandering on an alien planet. The jellyfish emit colorful lights, as if they have a spirit, dancing to attract our attention. We then came to Mt. Haguro, one of the Three Mountains of Dewa (Mt. Gassan, Mt. Haguro, and Mt. Yudono). There is a five-story pagoda that is designated as a national treasure, which was under maintenance when we visited. At the top of the mountain, there is a Three Gods Shrine, which is designated as a national important cultural property, and enshrines the three gods of Mt. Gassan, Mt. Haguro, and Mt. Yudono. The cedar trees on both sides of the stone steps are very lush, and it feels like you're walking into a secret realm. Among Japan's mountain beliefs, the Three Mountains of Dewa have the longest history, and many devout believers still come to worship. In the evening, we stayed at the Kameya Ryokan, a very design-conscious hotel. Each room has a different design, and the creativity always surprises us. Dinner was the famous kaiseki cuisine. The chopsticks used were very special, with pointed ends on both sides, symbolizing that the gods and us are having dinner together. I like the waiting between each dish, which allows me to savor the taste of the previous dish and look forward to the next one. Kaiseki means that the saint is regarded as jade, and I really feel that I have been spoiled. We can find a slow life philosophy in kaiseki cuisine. By carefully feeling the ingredients, respecting the craftsmanship, and awe of nature, we can make our daily life more calm, simple, and indifferent, with quality and connotation.