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Transparent Diary 8/9 Mt. Iwaki Shrine and Summer Parfaits🍨

2025年8月22日 12:58

8/9 Sat

I decided to write my Transparent Diary during the Obon holiday about the days I went out to wonderful places! This is a record of the day I went to Hirosaki.

The main purpose of going to Hirosaki was to visit my husband's grandparents' grave, but we had to fuel up first. When I searched for lunch spots in the area beforehand, I chose a restaurant based on its name, which sounded just right.

🫜 Restaurant Cresson

A classic Western-style restaurant where you can eat steak, fried shrimp, and hamburger steak. Judging by the building, I felt it had probably been there since I was a child, and maybe all the neighborhood kids had eaten here at least once. A happy meal of memories. And isn't the name "Cresson" wonderful?!
I just knew it was going to be a hit!

A cozy and relaxing interior. Even though there were several other customers, it maintained a strangely pleasant quietness.

I ordered the "Cresson-style Hamburger Steak"✨ The combination of tartar sauce and teriyaki sauce was incredibly delicious~~ (TT). The fluffiness and tenderness of the minced meat inside, the fragrant, crispy sear on the outside, the texture, and the perfectly sautéed onions that were pleasant to bite into... Everything was perfect. (I get suddenly talkative when something hits my taste buds just right.)

It was a wonderfully lovely restaurant... I'm so happy~~! (Shout) I'm so glad I found such a wonderful place. I will definitely come back!

With my stomach and heart full, we headed to the grave visit. We bought flowers at a small home center and offerings at a convenience store before heading out.

The cemetery is near Mt. Iwaki, a spacious place that is quiet but feels full of life. It's surrounded by nature, with plenty of birds and insects. Since it was sunny, the whole sky was a bright, vivid blue. Summer clouds were drifting by, with beautiful patterns of sunlight reflections and shadows. The sky feels closer than usual. And the air is so good.

After paying our respects, we went to visit Mt. Iwaki Shrine for the first time in a while⛩
It's probably been about 2 or 3 years, I think?

⛩ Mt. Iwaki Shrine

Great weather! The photos might look a bit cloudy, but since it's the tallest mountain in Aomori Prefecture, it's always cloudy when you get close to it! By the way, Mt. Iwaki itself is the object of worship. (A sacred mountain)

A long stone-paved path continues. Along the way, there are places to drink tea and small, old shops where you can eat ramen.

There was a guardian dog that looked like the cat god, Kabegami, from the game Okami!
(There was also a guardian dog on the opposite side that was upside down)
So cute... ( ´∀｀ )

There was a light blue dragonfly, so I took a picture of it, but
the image quality is poor because I zoomed in (´・ω・`)
It is perched on a tree branch

I drew an omikuji fortune, and while I was praying, the sound of a drum started playing!
How grateful ✨ I'm so happy 💕
I was allowed to touch the ice-cold spring water, and then my visit was complete.
After visiting, I walk down the middle of the path.

The fortune was Daikichi (Great Blessing)! 🌟

🍵 Sakurabayashi Saryo

Cooling off at a popular cafe near Mt. Iwaki Shrine!
I called and made a reservation in advance before visiting. I knew that otherwise, I wouldn't be able to get in...! (I came without a reservation last time and had to give up)

Since it's a tea house, I enjoyed a matcha drink and a summer-exclusive parfait! ✨

I ordered a matcha latte.
(It didn't have much of a matcha flavor and felt more like cold milk)

The peach parfait I wanted was sold out, so I went with the melon parfait 🍈 It's huge!
Inside, there was melon ice cream, vanilla ice cream, cornflakes,
whipped cream, and chunks of melon,
it was so voluminous, I got incredibly full (lol)

I love fruit, so it was a delicious heaven 💖

🥧 Meikyoku & Kissa Himawari

The meat pie here is delicious...!
Before heading over, I called to reserve some for takeout and went to pick them up ◎

↓ This became my breakfast the next day ✨

🪑 green furniture

A vintage shop that has long been a favorite of mine.
I always stop by when I go to Hirosaki 🧺
A shop that sells unwanted vintage tools and furniture that have been remade into something very cute and wonderful.
Antiques are lined up, and for me, it's a space filled with excitement and a feast for the eyes...!

Not only large furniture, but small miscellaneous goods are displayed everywhere, so I browse with the feeling of hunting for treasure. It's also a bit like a flea market 🗃️

Things I brought home.
A small vintage glass and an old ceramic potpourri holder.
I fell in love at first sight with the star-shaped cut glass pattern and the flower pattern 🌸

It was already completely dark by the time I got back to Aomori City. The izakaya I had my eye on was full, so I couldn't get in. I hope I can go next time. It looked like such a great place...! (I don't drink alcohol, but I want to eat their food🤤)

So, I decided on Matsuya for dinner tonight!
Domestic Pork Mugikomachi Loin Katsu Bowl. It was so yummy🥺✨
I still have about an hour and a half of driving to get home from here.

It was a full moon even though I had already climbed far away🌕

Ah~ that was fun!