Onigiri (Rice balls): What is the filling?
Most people eat rice as a staple food in Japan, we have many kind of rice dishes. “Onigiri” (おにぎり) is one of them, rice balls, usually with a filling. They are very portable, and therefore are very popular for carry-along lunches since olden days. You can see many kind of “Onigiri” at convenience […]
Taste Autumn!: Ginnan(ぎんなん)
In Autumn, we can enjoy beautiful yellow of ginkgo trees. And we have another way to enjoy ginkgo trees! It’s….. “ginkgo nut”! We call it “Ginnan (ぎんなん, 銀杏)” We could see very smelly fruits under ginkgo trees. Ginkgo nuts are seeds of them. We could see some people picking them up […]
Autumn leaves at a Japanese garden
“Showa kinen park” is a huge park located in Tachikawa city, a suburb of Tokyo. It takes about 1 hour from Shinjuku on “JR Chuo Line” (orange line). For more detail of the information, Please check the park website. The park is good to enjoy Cycling, BBQ, Boat, Picnic, Pool in Summer… etc. […]
Kappa-bashi kitchenware street vol.2: Fake Food Sample
You could see “Fake Food samples” of dishes are displayed in the windows of restaurants in Japan. They look like the actual dishes, isn’t it? If you are interested in these “fake food samples”, how about going to “Kappa-bashi kitchenware street”? * please read the previous article, “Kappa-bashi kitchenware street vol.1” for more infomation of […]
Old Lady “Maid cafe”?!
As you know, Maid cafes (メイドカフェ) are cosplay restaurants found predominantly in Japan. Waitresses dressed in maid costumes act as servants, and treat customers as masters in a private home. ”お帰りなさいませ、ご主人様〜☆” Welcome home, my master☆ something like that… I found an article on a paper. Old Lady Maid cafe “Cafe Rottenmeier” is […]
Kappa-bashi kitchenware street vol.1: Find your favorite!
After visiting “Senso-ji” in Asakusa, how about going to Kappa-bashi kitchenware Street? Almost of all shops on the street, sell kitchenware & every kind of restaurant equipment imaginable. The nearest station is “Tawara-machi” on Subway Ginza Line (yellow line), next to Asakusa station. you can walk from Asakusa, 10 min. walk. I recommend going there […]
Try your luck! Omikuji (おみくじ)
Asakusa is a very famous sight-seeing place in Tokyo, a traditional downtown. There is a big temple named “Senso-ji”. Going through the gate, “Kaminari-mon”, there are a lot of souvenir shops selling goods and sweets. After praying at Senso-ji, how about drawing “Omikuji”, personal fortunes? Omikuji is a Japanese paper fortune which can be obtained […]
Amusement arcade: Purikura (プリクラ)
Let’s experience “amusement arcade” in Japan! There are many arcades in Tokyo. You can find some near your accommodation or ask your hotel staff/young Japanese where a nice amusement arcade is. where is a nice amusement arcade near here? どこに、大きなゲームセンターはありますか？ (dokoni oukina game-center ha arimasuka?) Let’s play there! Crane game! Horse Racing Game! Pachinko! (Not […]
Love taking a bath Vol.2: Planetarium in bathroom.
In “Love taking a bath Vol.1: Onsen at home“, I introduced “Bath Powder”. This time, I’ll introduce one more product for taking a bath, my favorite one! This is “Planetarium in the bathroom”, a planetarium that paints the room with stars. We can enjoy night sky with taking a bath, like outdoor hot spring bath! […]
Gyudon: A keen competitive battle
“Gyudon” is a Japanese dish that consists of a bowl of rice topped with beef and onion simmered in a sweet sauce flavored with soy sauce and mirin (rice wine). Japanese man like “Gyudon” because it’s cheap, delicious, and they can get their oder quickly. The largest “Gyudon” chains in Japan are Sukiya (すきや), Matsuya […]
Love taking a bath Vol.1: Onsen at home.
Japanese love taking a bath. Why we like it? It’s said that… – We have a lot of “Onsen”(Hot springs), more than 25 thousands, throughout Japan. It’s an old custom that taking a bath (going to Onsen) for cure of disease, because it’s said that “Onsen” has benefits – good for our skin, cardiac illness, […]
Today’s sweets: Taiyaki (たい焼,たいやき)
“Taiyaki”(literally “baked sea bream) is a Japanese fish-shaped cake. It’s made by using regular pancake or waffle batter. The batter is poured into a fish-shaped mold for each side. The filling is then put on one side and the mold is closed. It is then cooked on both sides until golden brown. The most common […]
Why “Tanuki” Raccoon Dog Figures?
We could see “Raccoon Dog” figures in front of some shops and houses in Japan. What are they for? They are a kind of charm. “Tanuki(たぬき)” has two meaning. one is “Japanese raccoon dog”, the other ( is short for “Ta wo nuku(たをぬく,他を抜く)” means “be better (than others)”. it’s a literal translation. Simply put, it […]
Shirasu: baby sardine
“Shirasu” is one of the smallest fish you could buy at stores. They are baby sardine that are usually around 1-2 months old. At some places we can eat raw “Shirasu”, but we have boiled/dryed “Shirasu” at stores. we usually enjoy shirasu with rice, grated radish. “Shirasu” looks weird? The taste is pretty good, I […]
Fell calm at temples in Tokyo
In Tokyo, there are over 300 temples, not only famous big temples but also small ones. You can find some small temples while walking around Tokyo. If you find a temple, just stop by. There are the quiet atmosphere with the exception of a few days (New year holidays, festivals), You can feel calm […]
Night out in Shinjuku, Tokyo!
Shinjuku is one of the most interesting places in the world at night. If what attracts you is the tempting night life in Tokyo, please walk around “Kabuki-cho” & “Omoide-yoko-cho” in Shinjuku:) You can have fun to just wander. Kabukicho – an entertainment and red-light district in Shinjuku. Kabukicho is the location of many host […]
Cheap way to experience food culture: Depa-chika(デパ地下)
What does ”Depa-chika” stand for? Depa-chika (デパ地下) is short for “department (デパート)’s basement (地下,ちか)”. Many departments have a food floor on the basement. So “Depa-chika” means Department store food floors. There are a lot of shops (sweet, Sushi, Riceball, Yakitori etc.). Each shop has a booth. it’s like a shopping street, rather than aisles like […]
“Edamame” （えだまめ） is superb!!
“Edamame” (えだまめ,枝豆) is a preparation of immature soybeans, green soya bean. The best season to buy fresh “edamame” at stores is summer, from June to August. Cooking Edamame is very easy.The pods are boiled in water together with condiments such as salt, and served whole. That’s it! “Edamame” is rich in nutrients. Especially it’s said […]
Oden: a Winter dish
As the weather become colder, Japanese want to have winter dishes. Oden is one of popular Japanese winter dishes, consisting of several ingredients such as boiled eggs, daikon (radish), konnyaku(Konjac), and Chikuwa, Satumaage etc. (processed fish cakes) stewed in a light, soy-flavoured dashi broth. Ingredients vary according to region, restaurant, and between each household. In […]
Nakano Broadway: Another Otaku Heaven
Where is “Otaku Heaven” in Tokyo? Of course Akihabara is a very famous “Otaku Heaven”. But we have another heaven in Tokyo. It’s….. “Nakano Broadway”! Nakano Broadway is near Nakano station (Just 1 station from Shinjuku on JR Chuo Line (Orange Line)). Outside Nakano station North exit, you can see a shopping arcade. This arcade […]
Great! Sushi Maker!!
To “Sushi” lovers, I have a good news today! Sushi is expensive even at Sushi boats, isn’t it? Don’t worry, you can make sushi by yourself! This is “Sushi Maker”, you can get it at 100 yen shops! Put Sashimi (raw fish) on the bottom, add rice and put the lid on and press it. […]
Yakitori!
Yakitori (焼き鳥/やきとり/ヤキトリ) is Japanise grilled chicken speared on sticks. We use all different parts of the chicken, thighs, skin, liver, etc. for “Yakitori”. • toriniku（とりにく）, all white meat on skewer • negima(ねぎま), meat with Japanese leeks • hatsu (ハツ) , chicken heart • rebā (レバー), liver • sunagimo (砂肝), chicken gizzard • tsukune (つくね), chicken […]
Welcome to electric stores!
If you are interested in electric appliances, visit electric stores!! One of big chain stores is “Yodobashi Camera”. In Shinjuku near the west entrance to the JR station, Yodobashi has several tall stores close together, also providing a wide selection of electronics. If you want to buy something, don’t worry. Nowadays, multilingual staff available. Amd […]
Look down on Tokyo City from a height of 202 meters!
Tokyo is such a huge metropolitan. How about seeing Tokyo from Observatories of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku? They have two observatories(North/South) in the main building. Admission: Free of charge. No reservation necessary!! Service hours: 9:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. *During the year change period, it will be closed. >>More info On a […]
Inogashira Park, Kichijoji
Kichijoji is one of the most popular towns in Tokyo. Why is Kichijoji so popular? One of the reasons is good for shopping. There are not only department stores but also a lot of shops, cafes on streets. You would find your favorite shop in Kichijoji. Well, another reason is “Inogashira Park”. Inogashira Park is […]
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
Do you like Ghibuli Films? Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, My Neighbour Totoro etc. They are very famous in the world. If you like them, how about visiting “Ghibli Museum”? This museum is located in Mitaka Inokashira Park. The nearest station is “Mitaka” station on JR Chuo Line (Orange […]