Honoring the Grave in Yamanashi Prefecture

I visited my parents' grave, which is located in Minami-Alps City, Yamanashi Prefecture. This has been an annual routine since my father passed away in January 19, 2014. In Japan, it's customary to pay respects at the grave on the Vernal and Autumnal Equinox Days. However I choose to go just before the Autumnal Equinox Day because that is the best time to buy Hyakume persimmons, which are most suitable variety for making dried persimmons (Hoshigaki). My husband drove all the way there-thank you!

On the way to Minami-Alps city, we viewed Autumn leaves which were at their peak color.

We made a detour to Soga kyuryo, mount graves (kofun) in Soga kyuryo and then we headed straight to my parents' grave. My husband was concerned about the early sunset at this time of year because he had to drive a narrow mountain road to reach the inn where we were staying that night.

These pictures are from our one-night stay at Auberge Minami-Alps. The French course dinner was superb!! They also had a great hot spring with water piped down from the spring source up in the Minami-Alps. The natural spring water is 30°C, so it is heated. And the owners-a nice, young couple-were very welcoming. What's more, as we kept gazing at the logs burning in the fireplace in the living room, it reminded us of our time 40 years ago in Stockholm, Sweden. We were able to relax and forget all about our daily life.

You might see so many bags of persimmons. Don't worry! I have several friends who are obsessed with making dried persimmons.

As soon as I returned, I hung those persimmons up in the sunshine.

The persimmons on the bamboo tray have been hanging for nine days. I think they will need one more week of drying before they are ready.