日本行 - 仙台

我一直在想，到底要怎麼寫這一篇遊記呢？一開始是在台灣時人懶，後來沒想到發生了日本大地震，就更不知該怎麼下手了。只因為在過年期間才和公婆全家出遊的仙台、北海道，現在恐怕都已經面目全非了吧。但是我還是想紀錄下當時日本的美，然後希望有一天，這些地方能夠再度重建得更美、更好。

It took me a while to write about our trip to Japan. I didn’t know how to start after the 311 earthquake hit Japan. I was devastated by it, because the places we’ve just visited a month ago was the places that was hit the most. At the end, I decided to document our good memories while we were there, and truly hope that one day, these places would be restored even greater and better!!

現在台灣人去日本只要落地簽，實在很方便啊！！不像某國發VISA這麼不甘不脆的，是的，我還在記仇！！是說搭了這麼多年的飛機，這還是我第一次坐長榮的飛機呢！！在日本轉機這麼多次，除了很小的時候和父母來過一次以外，說實在的還從來沒有好好玩過，所以我對這次的旅行一直非常期待。會有這次的旅行都要感謝我的小姪子們，因為爺爺答應要帶他們來坐新幹線，才有這次旅行的發生。又加上山姆大叔全家都愛吃美食，所以我們一路上不是在坐火車，就是在吃東西啊~~

Now a days Taiwanese won’t need a VISA to visit Japan, unlike CERTAIN country that took forever to give us our VISA… yes, I’m still bitter about it!! I have transferred in Japan countless times, but haven’t really visited there, therefore, I was very excited about this trip. I have to thank my two little nephews who made this trip happen, because their grandpa promised to take them to  experience Japan’s Super Express~~ Plus the whole Chiang family likes food, so the whole trip we were either on the train or enjoying delicious food!!!

仙台 Sendai -

我們就從桃園直飛仙台機場，是的，就是這次被海嘯淹沒的那個仙台機場。下面那張照片是我唯一在機場拍的照片，我只記得仙台機場很明亮、很乾淨，一點也不輸大型的國際機場呢！！

We took a direct flight from Taoyuan to Sendai airport, yup, it was the same airport that was attacked by the tsunami. The photo below was the only photo we took at the airport. I still remembered it being very bright and clean, quite outstanding for a small airport!!

從機場就有區間車可以坐到仙台市區，相當方便~~

There’s a train that takes to directly to downtown Sendai, very convenient~~

 

在晚餐前還有機會去逛逛神社，雖然不太清楚這座神社的典故，但是日本神社真得好有味道，先得爬上一條長長的階梯，在頂端迎接你的是鮮紅的鳥居，許願板上滿滿的都是人們的願望，連一旁的樹枝也被綁滿白色的紙片。我不知道是不是所有的神舍顏色都一樣，但這一座黑底鑲金的建築雄赳赳氣昂昂的很神氣呢！！不曉得這一座位在山丘上的神舍，是否躲過了大水的襲擊？

Before dinner, we had some time to visit a Shrine. I did not know the story about this one, but it had a special atmosphere. I love all the little details about this place, but again, Japan is all about the details!! I wonder if this Shrine was spared from the water?

     

到達日本的第一餐吃甚麼呢？炭烤牛舌！！！聽說仙台就是這種碳烤牛舌的發源地，所以來到這裡當然要來嘗嘗囉~~~就在仙台車站裡就有兩家很有名的碳烤牛舌店，我們選擇的是利久牛舌。會來這家吃的大多是當地人，因為座位不多，排隊的人通常都很多，我們很幸運的 "只等了" 半個小時就等到位置了。但這等待是值得的！！因為那牛舌真是太好吃了！！！肉超嫩一點也不難嚼，還帶著濃濃的碳烤香~~一份餐點還包含牛尾湯和一碗飯，以及我實在不敢恭維的山藥泥。甚麼？！照片怎麼這麼少？！吃都來不及了怎會有時間拍照？！

So what did we have for our first meal in Japan? Grilled beef tongue of course!!! It is said the this kind of grilled beef tongue was originated here in Sendai. We went to Gyutan Sumiyaki Rikyu which was located right in Sendai Station, people who comes here are usually locals. It was a small place, so there’s usually a line outside. We “only” waited for 30minutes in the line, but it was all worth it!! That beef tongue was sooooo delicious!!!!! What? Not enough photos? Sorry, I was too busy eating!!!

 

說到仙台車站裡面真是甚麼都有，簡直就是一個小商場啊！！光是逛裡面的糕點店就可以逛好久說~~因為那天正好是我生日，山姆大叔很有良心的說要買個蛋糕大家一起吃。在貨比三家之後，我們決定試試比較有特色的年輪蛋糕，長的真得很像樹木的年輪耶！！！我已經忘記我們買的是哪一家的了，在一陣混亂中忘了拍整體外型，不過長的就是這樣。那蛋糕濕軟綿密還有淡淡的蜂蜜香，最外面還刷上一層脆脆的焦糖，超美味的！！

Speaking of Sendai Station, it’s almost a world of itself!! There’re so many shops inside, including all sorts of bakeries and desert stands. Because it was my birthday that day, Sam suggested to get a cake for a little celebration. After a few tastings, we decided on the Japanese Baumkuchen (Tree Ring Cake). Doesn’t it look just like a tree ring?! It taste soooo good, with a touch of honey and a thin crispy outer layer of burnt sugar!!! Yummy~~~~~

 

到仙台第一晚住哪裡？就在火車站附近的Dormy Inn荻之湯~~這家商業旅館超讚的，房間很乾淨，有免費網路 (這對出來玩還帶著工作的山姆大叔而言是大大的加分！！)，而且還有室內及室外的溫泉，完全沒想到在市區裡也有溫泉旅館耶~~~ 重點是它的早餐超豐盛的，而且還是現烤的喔！！我發現日本人早餐都吃飯耶！！對我來說實在太豐盛了一點，但山姆大叔說這是他最愛的一頓早餐。

And where did we stayed for the first night? Dormy Inn Sendai Ekimae located right by the station. This hotel not only is clean and comfy, it also has free internet connection, and most impressive of all, indoor AND outdoor hot spring!!! Their breakfast is awesome as well, so many choices and grilled right in front of you!! This was Sam’s favorite breakfast from the whole trip~~

  

~未完待續~

~To be continued~