Mystical Soup | Sadao’s Japanese Dinner Event

You know, there is just something so mysterious about some things in the Japanese culture! The beautiful, wispy music, the powerful mythic stories that personify human nature and desire. Even though Japan is on the other side of the earth from us, so often it feels as though it’s a whole different world.

This is one of my favorite dishes that Sadao makes for our dinner guests. It captures that flowing, billowing feel of ancient Japanese battles, of the stormy seas crashing down on the island, of tormented love between separated lovers.

Yes! You get ALL that from a bowl of soup!

Watch this video, and you’ll see what I mean:

See! I told you!

Click to learn more about our bed and breakfast, as well as The Berkshires.

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Last Minute Weekend Getaway B&B Berkshires Opening!

We’ve been booked solid since late April, and we’ve had the Take No Ma – Bamboo Suite open up for this weekend, July 8-10!

If you have been thinking about getting away from it all, don’t forget, we are just a couple hours’ drive from most of the New England major cities, and located smack-dab in the center of The Berkshires, 10 mins south of Williamstown, MA and 10 mins north of Pittsfield, MA!

With all the wonderful summer events here such as Tanglewood,  Williamstown Theatre Festival, amazing exhibits at The Clark Art Institute, and outdoor activities such as Mt Greylock (JK Rowlings’ home to her newest wizardry saga!), Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, and Ramblewild (just 2 minutes away from our Bed and Breakfast!) you must give this weekend a try!

Our Take No Ma – Bamboo Suite boasts a spacious, secluded 415sq ft of living space, with separate bedroom and tatami mat room, which can be used for romantic dining, contemplation and meditation, or bring along a second couple to enjoy the atmosphere as well!

To take advantage of this last minute opening, fill out our short Availability Reservation form and let us know what time you’ll be arriving! This special offer obviously expires this weekend, and our next weekend opening is not for several more weeks! So don’t let the summer go by without taking advantage of this unique opportunity. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

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Spain has arrived in the Berkshires!

There’s so much going on both north and south of our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast romantic getaway here in Western Massachusetts!

First, until October 10th the Clark Art Institute exhibit of “Splendor, Myth, and Visions: Nudes from the Prado” is the only showing in the US. The show consists of 28 Old Master paintings that are here from the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid. Twenty-four of those painting have never before been shown in the US. http://www.clarkart.edu/Mini-Sites/Splendor-Myth-and-Vision/Exhibition

The Clark also was the venue for an exhibition of Flamenco dancing this past Sunday by Belén Maya who gave us insight into Spain’s national dance with a talk and demonstration. It was pretty amazing!

Then we move to Becket, MA and Jacob’s Pillow Dance from June 22nd to June 25th where the Santa Fe Ballet and Juan Siddi Flamenco Santa Fe will be in the Doris Duke Theatre. https://www.jacobspillow.org/events/juan-siddi-flamenco/

Summers in the Berkshires are always wonderful! I’ll be posting more event updates as we move through the coming months. Hope to see or meet you if you come to our neck of the woods!

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Ingenious Japanese Vending Machines

When we’re not running our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast, we try to do some traveling from time to time…and during those travels we’re able to see all kinds of new technology taking shape.

And I have to say…what interesting things can come in vending machines in Japan!

Sadao has taken me with him to Japan many times now and I was fascinated by the sheer quantity! I took this picture of these as we waiting for our ferry crossing.

They are on streets, train stations, even on some trains, and all over the cities. Some vending machines are outside convenience stores and some can be just on a street not near any business. You can even pass a vending machine in a quiet residential area.

They sell cold drinks, teas (of course), some machines sell hot teas in an aluminum can (not boiling, but quite hot). A different vending machine will sell cold drinks, teas & sodas.

The aluminum cans are a bit smaller than cans here in the US… and are made from thinner aluminum. There are also recycle containers in a lot of places as well.

I saw machines that sold just green tea, bugs and worms for fishing bait, batteries, floral arrangements, draft beer, liquor, umbrellas, Japanese snack food, rice, and all kinds of noodles!

Here is a post from someone who found even more unusual items in Japanese vending machines!

https://www.dramafever.com/news/25-things-youll-only-find-in-vending-machines-in-japan/

And I think this 13 minute video does a great job showcasing the huge variety of things you can find in vending machines just about anywhere in Japan!

So, comment below and tell us about some of the interesting things you have discovered during your travels… whether it be interesting technology… uncanny timeliness of trains, as in the case of Switzerland… or just some of your favorite spots around the world. We’d love to hear from you!

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May 13-15 – Last Minute Weekend Opening!

The road up Mt Greylock opens Saturday, May 13th!

You know what this means, don’t you?

Yep, it’s winter is finally relenting and spring is finally here! It’s been trying to come, in between bouts of rain and chilly weather….but if you saw my YouTube video post, you’d see that the bees and the buds persisted and are announcing spring is here!!

I’m also happy to announce a last minute opening in both suites! This is a rare thing, to have both suites available! The months to come are also filling up fast, so if you’re thinking of paying us a visit, be sure to look into availability now and reserve your time here! You’ll be happy for the time away, I assure you!

Come enjoy Spring at the best Berkshires bed and breakfast!

Check availability here: http://www.berkshires-shirakaba.com/reservations/

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Spring Has Arrived At Berkshires Shirakaba!

Watch on YouTube here: Spring Has Arrived At Berkshires Shirakaba!
Via Berkshires Shirakaba Video Channel

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