Happy Halloween Pumpkin Pie

Halloween has been getting more popular in Japan these days. Cute pumpkin ornaments, wired Halloween costumes and witch dresses are found in many shops. Not only children but adults enjoy "trick or treat" atmosphere in this season.

The pumpkin sweets is the one of pleasures in Halloween. Japanese-style confectionery has buns with squash paste. Pumpkin puddings or pies are in Western cake shops.

Let me introduce one of the best pumpkin pie in Japan, please. This is from Kobe, famous for many delicious cake shops. This pie is sold only in October for Halloween. Moderately sweet pumpkin paste is wrapped in the pie crust, so people who usually don't eat sweet can enjoy it.




Here is the information of the confectionery.

Fouquet's Kobe Yougashi Club
2-1-18, Shimoyamate-Dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe
3 mins walk from JR Sannomiya Station.

"Maid Cafe" - Welcome back, master!

Japanese animation is now popular not only in Japan, but across the globe. If you're interested in the world of the animated cartoon or you want to experience it, why don't you go to "Maid Cafe"?

There are many maid cafes especially in Akihabara, where figures or posters of animation film characters are sold, in Tokyo. Many "otaku", which means computer and animation nerds, visit there and enjoy animation fandom.

A waitress with maid costumes welcomes you saying, "Welcome back, master!". Many male customers feel "moe", happy, with this smiley treatment. You enjoy some games with "maid" as well as a cup of coffee.

"Maid Cafes" has not been only for otaku people any more since the movie about romance between otaku man and a beautiful woman was shown. Everyone comes there and enjoy this unique atmosphere, "Moe"......

It's cute! - Do you really think so?

I've never found that Japan has "Cute Culture" before reading the mail from my friend.

Her husband, who is from Hawaii, says that Japanese often use the word "kawaii", which means cute. For example, young girls say "choo kawaii", which means "very cute" when they find nice dresses or accessories. Some middle-aged women are crazy about high-school baseball pitcher with exclaiming "cute!".

Of course we say this word when we see tiny cats or babies. In addition, "cute" is often used for something/someone nice or cool, like good-looking women, well-designed suits. Japanese "kawaii" contains almost all of good impression for everything. That's why matured women like 20s or 30s feel happy when they are told "you are cute".

Japanese women know that they need the calm of mind that is suitable for their age. On the other hand, they don't want to forget their girlish sentiment for ever. That's woman mind.

August 31st - The hardest summer memory

For most elementary school students in Japan, August 31st is the hardest day in summer vacation.

The long summer vacation starts in many Japanese public schools (elementary, junior high/high schools) in late July and lasts for about 40 days. (Some schools in northern Japan have a little shorter holiday.) Students enjoy swimming, traveling, and doing what they can't usually do when they have classes in the school. They have precious experience during the summer.

On the other hand, students, especially in elementary schools, get much homework such as workbook, free topic research, handicraft, painting, and so on. They remember that they have a lot of homework to do at the timing that vacation is running out.

Then, happy vacation changes to "hell". Students rush into libraries to do research, access the websites for checking the weather. Some asks their parents to help finishing homework. Others do workbook till midnight. They manage to finish these tough works to turn them in the school on the first day of 2nd school term, September 1st.

The hardest memory changes into good memory in adulthood. Enjoy summer vacation, Japanese boys and girls!

Star Festival - Wishing upon stars

On July 7th, the Japanese prepare long pieces of colored paper written their wishes, and decorate bamboo grass with them and paper ornament. This is Star Festival, in Japanese, "Tanabata".

There is a Chinese myth about a couple, a cattleman and a weaver. They were hard workers, but they neglected to work after marriage. So the god decided to separate them, and made them meet only one day per a year.

People wish this couple to meet without any accidents, so they write the wishes on the papers.
Actually, however, they write their own wishes like "being healthy", "making dreams come true", "having a good partner" and so on.

What's your wish? Let's put it on colorful long cards.

Kamogawa - City of Japan's "Good old days"

Kamogawa City is located in the southern part of Chiba prefecture, and it takes about 2 hours by limited express from Tokyo Station. In general, it is famous for a aquarium, but there are many hidden nice spots to enjoy Kamogawa.

There are some studios of glass art and pottery, and you can experience blown glass or ceramic art in some studios. (Don't worry if your fingers are all thumbs. Studio staffs kindly help you. In fact, I could made a good vase which you see in the picture!)

Around a glass studio there are many rice fields; what impressed is people in this area don't use any chemical fertilizer or pesticides! So you can see lighting bugs in early summer - it's impossible in Tokyo or any other cities!!

If you are interested in everyday life culture of Japan in 10-40 years ago, I'd recommend you to visit an antique shop, called "Grim". It is located near JR Amo-Kamogawa station and has plenty things from antique kimono, artistic cups to magazine appendices.

Some good restaurants and shops don't want to advertise themselves, so it is a good idea to ask local people or explore your favorite. (Actually I found a very nice sushi bar in Kamogawa!!) Just enjoy calm weather and atmosphere!

100 yen Shop - Another "Convenience Store"

Now it's April - the season to start new life in Japan - new school, new job, new life.... Sounds very exiting!
Some of new starters, however, is struggling to manage for money. They need new furniture, new suits, cosmetics... And have to get commodities, pans and plates. So it's important to get them cheaper and easily.... Yes, 100 yen shop will help them!

"100 yen shop" is a kind of convenience store, but not like as Seven-Eleven or so. Various kinds of products from snacks, detergents and tableware to cosmetics, shirts and underwear are sold for 100 yen. (105 yen for including tax - about 1US$) The difference between 100 yen shop and Seven Eleven is that we can get small shelves at 100 yen shop, and eggs and box lunch at the latter. (Of course all products are not sold for 100 yen in convenience store.)

It's fun to enjoy shopping in this shop, but do not waste your money due to buying so many 100 yen stuffs!

Hama Rikyu Garden - Feel Nature in Tokyo

On hearing the word "Tokyo", what do you associate with it? You'll think of skyscrapers, electric shops in Akihabara, Tokyo Tower, busy businessmen, or traffic jam. Please add " beautiful wide garden" in your list from now on.

There is one of the famous beautiful garden called "Hama Rikyu Garden" in Shimbashi-Shiodome business district. This was originally constructed in 1654 for 4th Tokugawa shogun's brother, and opened in 1946 to people after repeating damage and repair.

We can enjoy greenery and flowers of season in the garden; now it's the best season for cherry blossom viewing. You also find a rape flower field in spring, cosmos field in autumn.




When you look up the top of pine trees, you'll see the high-rise buildings together around the gardens; you can experience current metropolitan Tokyo and traditional "Edo", which Tokyo was once called. It's like time traveling!

Taiyaki - Cute & Casual Sweet

You'll sometimes find that fish-shaped buns are sold in the supermarkets or stalls in the festivals in Japan.
The buns are called "Taiyaki", literally means "burned bream". Bream is regarded as a symbol of happiness or celebration, so it would seem that bream was used in this sweet's name.


Dough (mixed with water, flour, egg and a little sugar) is put on the fish-shaped iron plate, then sweet bean paste, custard cream or other sweet stuff are added. You can see the process making Taiyaki at most of shops.

Sometimes Japanese enjoy having the small "discussion" that from which part of Taiyaki you'll start to eat, head or tail. Taiyaki mixes with Japanese daily life well and plays an important role as communication tool among young and old.

White Mask - What happened in Japan?

If you visit Japan in early spring, you'll see many Japanese, regardless of age and sex, with white mask. It is slightly late for the season of flu, even getting wormer and homer.... And many women want to change the clothes from thick coat from soft shirts. Why Japanese wear a white mask though it doesn't seem fitting for spring fashion?

The answer is pollen allergy. Pollen of Japanese cedar or hinoki scatters throughout Japan in spring. The number of person who suffers from hay fever has been increasing, so otolaryngology hospitals are crowed in this season. ( Actually I saw the hospital flooded the patients, some of them couldn't enter the clinic!)

There are some foods and goods against this allergy in supermarkets and general stores. Hope cute masks, such as check, dot, and with pig nose, will replace the white ones.

Hina Matsuri - Doll's Festival

On March 3rd, Doll's festivals are celebrated throughout Japan.
"Hina-matsuri" is to observe girls' growth and pray for their further healthy growth. A pair of dolls which represent Heian era (from the end of 8th century to the end of 12th century) nobilities couple are displayed with some peach flowers at home and show windows.

As for food, they eat "hina arare" (pieces of fried rice cakes) as snack, and "chirashi-zushi" (sushi which is not hand-shaped nor rolled, but mixed with pieces of row fish, thin omelet, and dried mushrooms) as lunch or dinner. Food for Doll's festival is colorful and contains seasonal vegetables, so we can enjoy the coming of spring.

A Japanese tradition says that you'll be past marriageable age if you don't clean up the dolls after March 3rd. This doesn't seem to meet the trend of the time, but let's respect the traditional Japanese sensitivity of season!

Basement Floor in Japanese Department Store - Like a Food Expo

If you're looking for something delicious and fun, or not sure what you want, I really recommend you to go to basement floor in department stores.

You'll find Japanese deli-like shops with some displays which create the atmosphere of the season. Some of them are from prestigious restaurants, so you'll have a chance to enjoy their box lunches for reasonable price!


Dishes from many countries are also available in the department stores. Italian pizza, Chinese spring rolls, Korean Kimchi, French salad... You might wonder if you're really in Japan.

Not only side dishes, but sweets and drinks(both alcohol and fresh juice) are waiting for you. Sometimes cakes decorated with fresh fruits are sold near the Japanese sake shop. You can have a break with buns at the coffee stand if you're tired.

"Depa-chika", which means the basement of department store in Japanese, will make you satisfied and happy!

Olympics! Forza Giappone!

The Olympic Winter Games is held now!
Even though Japanese result is under our expectation so far, every performance, talk and attitude came from the top athletes all over the world really grips myself.
Hope all athletes do their best!!

Moreover, Olympic Games provides people on the earth opportunities for closs-cultural exchanges as well as of enjoying exciting performance. Volunteers may exchange commemorating pins and mail address each other, for example. Some people go sightseeing and find new friends. This worldwide event gives good chances to deepen the friendship.

I myself really want to help you to know Japan, and promote international exchanges among us now and in future.

Orthodontics - it needs courage!

Few Japanese used to think positive about orthodontics due to following reason;

1. Looks bad or ugly?
Many Japanese thought that braces were conspicuous. Also, the extraction of tooth may be needed in some treatment, so we sometimes were afraid to be looked bad for this.

2. Double tooth regarded as charming.
Japanese had thought that double tooth was cute, so we didn't think about straitening our own teeth.

3. It costs very expensive - about one million yen (about $8330, 7140 Euro) or more.

Recently, however, a number of Japanese has been positive to have orthodontics, and more and more grown-ups with braces are found in my country.
It seems because many Japanese have been concerned for their health. Many kinds of health foods are sold, and the number of going fitness center has been increasing. Orthodontics is the one of choice to be healthier.

Anyway, I wish it were less expensive....

Japanese taste in bakery

There may be many kinds of bread in your country, but bread or bun in Japan is unique - it's like a collaboration between Japanese taste and Western one.

For example, Japanese enjoy 'ann-pan' , sweet red bean paste in a bun. Here is the inside of the bun.
You'll find the pink topping; it's a pickled cherry blossom. Ann-pan is one of the Japanese favorite, so we have different kind of sweet bean paste buns.

Also, we have 'yakisoba-pan', fried noodle with bread roll, sweet potato bread, and sometimes we find a rice ball in a bun!! Each bakery in Japan tries to create new combination, so it's fun to go rounds of them.

Of course familiar rolls like crescent and muffins are available. Why don't you come to a Japanese bakery to find your own treasure?



Right photo: (from back; left is "yakisoba-pan", right is green bean paste bun front; left is "ann-pan", right is custard cream bun)

Setsubun - Spring is coming soon!

According to the lunar calendar, "Setsubun" is the day before the first day of spring.
In this year it falls on February 3rd, the last Friday.

I went to a temple to have a bean throwing ceremony last Friday.
In Japan, bean throwing ceremonies are held in houses, temples, and shrines to drive out bad luck and bring in good fortune.

The priests in this temple scattered lots of roasted soybeans. It was like a shower!
It is said that these soybeans bring happiness when you eat them of the same number as your age. I really concentrated on picking up the beans as much as possible.
(I don't mean I'm old - I wanted to share them with my friends!)

This picture is my happy beans in this year.














It was fun not only to eat beans, but to join the ceremony with friends.
I want to try to throw beans next year!