Point Card Flood

The sharp rise in the price of food and oil is one of the global headaches. Of course the situation is same in Japan. We have to live economically within regular earnings by various means.

One of good way for supplementing living cost is to make full use of "point card". Many shops from mega chain stores to local shops issue it. We"ll get some points based on how much we purchased, and receive services by points. Gift voucher, discount ticket, a bottle of wine or beer, sweets, cash.... various privileges encourage us to go the certain shops.
On the other hand, yes, point cards bring merits to shops, too; customers and sales, of course. Shop owner or marketing teams work hard to attract loyal customers.

Then, my wallet is full of point cards... mmm, let me consider about it. Well, my recommendation is the sandwich card of Subway, the American big sandwich chain shop. You'll get one free sandwich by collecting 8 stamps!

Homemade Plum Wine

June is the rainy season in Japan, and, the season for green plums. Green plums are found in the supermarkets. In addition, you'll find some large jars, bottles of liquor and bags of rock candies near plums. Yes, Japanese enjoy homemade 'umeshu', plum wine. Here is some steps how to make plum wine;


1. Soak green plums for a while (from 10 minutes to 2 hours reduce bitterness of plums) and wash them.


2. Wipe them well and take off the hull with a bamboo skewer or a toothpick.
































3. Put plums and rock candies into a jar.

4. Pour white liquor into a jar.


5. Leave it in a cool and dark space. (e.g. under the sink of the kitchen)














You can enjoy plum wine about 3 months after brewing, but 1 year brewing is the best. The color of the liqour will change to amber after a year. Mmm... I can't wait!!

Shuuchishin - What's that?

Here is the super group creating a sensation in the music industry. They are not musicians but TV stars who have a unique and charming character in common - they are a bit fools but very talented guys.

Yusuke Kamiji (Left, with yellow tie) played baseball as a catcher with a major leaguer Daisuke Matsuzaka in his high school days. Takeshi Tsuruno (Middle, red tie) is the only member who has children. He appeared a TV show about child care as one of good father. Naoki Nokubo (Right, blue tie) also used to play baseball. He was a possible player for the draft pick.

All three appears in the TV quiz show they become Japanese favorites with quite unique answers and comments. With riding the wave of popularity, they released the first CD as a group named "Shuuchishin".

The Japanese support this song because they always do their best and their supple mind. The words also find an echo of people's heart. It's like as they tell us the most important thing in the life in not just knowledge, but sincerity.

Well, they are keep entertaining us without thinking such a difficult thing. Yes, let's sing with "Shuuchishin"!!

Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine – A sunny day in Kamakura

In early April, cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Kanto area (around Tokyo). Some are having parties under the trees with sake and good food. Yes, that sounds nice, but how about appreciating both cherry blossoms and Japanese culture in a same place?

Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine is one of the famous sightseeing spot in Kamakura. In this season many cherry trees along the street to the shrine welcome visitors. As this road isn’t so wide that people can see flowers closely. Walking under the cherry gate in the sunny day is one of the happiest moments in Japanese spring.

After appreciating cherry blossoms, let us enjoy other Japanese culture. There is a dancing stage called maiden in this shrine. Dedicatory dances and music are performed, but traditional Japanese wedding ceremonies are conducted at the stage. You may see the ceremony if you’re lucky.

When you reached the main hall “honden”, you’ll see people praying to the Shinto deity. Also it’s good chance to try “omikuji” fortune telling slip.
There some places to enjoy both cherry blossoms and shrine experience throughout Japan. Please find your favorite and enjoy the part of Japanese style.

Bite into a sushi roll!

On"setsubun" day, commonly known as the day before the first day of spring, the Japanese often have the bean-throwing event.

Also, they rush into a sushi shop to get sushi rolls. It is customary to bite into a sushi roll without cutting in bite-size pieces. They must face “the lucky direction of the year” (we called it ehoh. Ehoh varies every year.) and not talk to anyone while eating a roll. It is said that people have a good and healthy year after following this custom.

This custom came from Kansai (ex: Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe) area, but it has been being popular throughout Japan because the nation-wide convenience stores started to sell sushi rolls on setsubun day.

You’ll find several kind of rolls; basic sushi roll (eel, cucumber, Japanese omelet, dried gourd shaving), salad-like sushi roll (canned tuna, lettuce with mayonnaise), fried cutlet roll and so on. Even thin roll cakes are sold for setsubun!

One measure against having cold

What do you do when you have a cold? Some go to doctors or pharmacies for medicine. Others eat nutritious meal and take plenty of rest. Of course these are the main measures for a cold.

On the other hand, there are some folk remedies for it. In Japan it is said hot lemonade or hot kudzu drink with ginger is good. Tamagozake (Japanese sake mixed with egg and sugar) also works on adults. For sore throat, white radish drink will ease your pain. Here is a recipe for this drink.

1. Cube the white radish and put them into the jar or bottle.

2. Add some honey up to covering the radish.

3. Keep the container till you find supernatant liquid.

4. Drink the liquid as it is. Add hot water if desired.

What are folk remedies in your country?

Baseball! – Three Japanese samurai face in the World Series

The Major Leagues World Series has just begun today. It’s striking that three Japanese players play as an opponent for the first time in the Major League history – Kazuo Matsui of the Colorado Rockies vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima of the Boston Red Sox.

Kazuo and Daisuke used to play together in the Seibu Lions, one of the greatest team that had been the first division of the league for over 25 years, as star player. It’s immeasurable how much they contributed to Lions’ Pacific League victory in 2002.
Okajima used to play in the Nippon Ham Fighters, which won the championship last year. Although he was not a “star”, he gained a strong position as reliever.

Detracting from the baseball a bit, Kazuo really loves his daughter. He told on TV interview a few years ago that his daughter’s name was sewed on his glove instead of his wife’s. (God knows how much his wife got angry… ;p)

Daisuke is going to be a starter on 3rd game. How exciting to see a face-off between previous Lions players in such a big game!

Get Energy! – Eel Day

For preventing summer fatigue, people in Japan eat sustaining food like grilled meat or curry rice. Especially on Doyo-no Ushi no hi, the day of the Ox in midsummer, many Japanese eat eel. *The day of the Ox changes every year.

In the mid 18th, a poor eel restaurant owner asked the multi-talented doctor Gennai Hiraga how to increase the sales. Gennai gave the advice to put the posters saying “Today is the day of the Ox!” being inspired by the legend that people don’t suffer from summer fatigue when they eat food beginning from the letter “u” in Japanese on that day. (Eel is called unagi in Japanese.)

This eel restaurant got more sales after putting poster. This story is regarded as the one of the reason to eat eel meal on the day.

Eel is expensive, but it is good chance to enjoy traditional kabayaki (charcoal-grilled eel) on this “eel day”.

Summer Battle - The Upper House Election

The most exited topic in recent Japanese news is the election of the House of Councilors, taking place on July 29. Since the imperfect management of payment record into the pension system was brought to light, the national annuity is one of the main issues in this election and each candidate and party runs a zealous election campaign.

Public interest in the election is relatively high. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the number of early voting increased in 54% compare with that of the last election. On the other hand, some people, especially the youth, don’t seem to give their mind to it. Some don’t think the pension issue concerns their own future.

Unaffiliated people might decide the outcome of the election. The importance of each vote is universal.

Teru-teru Bozu – Angel of Sunshine

Imagine that you’ll go to beach tomorrow. Blue sky, sea breeze, and suntan… it makes you excited. However the weather forecast says it will rain tomorrow…

Don’t worry. Teru-teru bozu will make your wish. Japanese, especially children, make this sunshine angel. Here is the process:

1. Prepare white paper or cloths and a string. (Facial tissue will often be used.)
2. Crumple paper to make a ball.
3. Place this ball on the center of the other paper.










4. Tie the paper with a string as a ball is wrapped.










When the doll is ready, please put it on the tringle or the space under the eaves.












Meanwhile, people are worried about water shortage in this summer. How can you wish for rain? – Oh, it’s simple, just put the sunshine doll upside down! (It may sound stupid, but it’s true!)

Mashiko - Village of Pottery

Mashiko is located in Tochigi Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, and globally famous for its pottery art called Mashiko-yaki. Mashiko-yaki is simple and has warm touch, which attracts people all over the world. (I found some ceramic arts made by foreign ceramicists!) (Photo Right : Mashiko-yaki dolls for Hina-matsuri)

Many people visit this village during the big ceramic market which takes place twice a year, in spring and autumn. They can experience pottery making at some studios. It is fun and exciting to make your own and wait for finished art!

However I really recommend you to go there in weekdays and stay at a small hotel or B & B. It's so calm and that you will find time goes slow. Each accommodation has its own uniqueness; e.g. the B&B where I stayed has a cafe and Mashiko pottery gallery. Sink or doorknob are made of Mashiko-yaki. In addition, Mashiko enjoys beautiful nature. You will enjoy greenery in the daytime and star shining clearly in the calm night. (Photo Left: Mashiko pottery sink)

Mashiko will make you renew your heart. Hope you appreciate every moment in Mashiko.

How to get there

From Narita Airport: (About 3hours total) Take Keisei Line to Keisei-Ueno station, then change to JR line from Ueno station to Utsunomiya station by Tohoku Bullet Train. From Utsunomiya station, Tohya bus takes you to Mashiko Village. (Bus leaves every hour from platform 14.)

From Nikko city: (About 1hour and 40 mins. total) Take JR Nikko Line to Utsunomiya station, then take Tohya bus to Mashiko area.

St. Valentine's Day - The "Bitter and Sweet" Day

St. Valentine's Day in Japan seems to be different from that in other countries.
One of big differences is that only women give some gifts to men. It might be because woman used to feel too embarrassed to tell a guy her feeling. St. Valentine's Day is a good chance to express how much she loves him.

It is customary for women to give chocolates to men. Many department stores or sweets shops sell many kinds of chocolates with special decoration. Some say that Valentine chocolate is just a business purpose for confectioneries, but Japanese enjoy purchasing this special sweets.

You might be surprised to hear that Japanese give chocolates not only their boyfriend or husband, but also friends, bosses, superiors in their companies! We call this chocolate in Japanese, "giri choco". It literally means "obligation chocolates". Some working women give chocolates to exacting and unfashionable bosses.

However, they don't waste the sweets; Valentine chocolate leads them good communication. They can express their thanks for bosses. Bosses feel happy about it. Giving chocolates on February 14th is one of typical Japanese gift-giving customs.

By the way, many boys are very interested in how many chocolates they can receive from girls.
Don't cry for bitter result; only one sweet chocolate saves your heart!

Good Bye, Bad Luck!

When you go to shrines or temples in Japan, especially in new year season, you'll find a notice about "The unlucky age of the year". It is called "yakudoshi" in Japanese. It is said that the unlucky age is 33 for woman and 42 for man. (This age differs from from each temple.) Many Japanese in yakudoshi have special service to drive evil spirit away.



To have this service, fill in the form at the reception first. Then go to the special room for prayer to have the service. During the service, monks light a holy fire with chanting the sutra. You may be requested to chant sutra with your palms together, or to bow to the statue of Buddha. After the service, a wooden or paper talisman is provided to you. (Light photo : a paper talisman.)



Don't worry even if you miss the chance of new year service. It is said that the bad luck will be driven away if you go to a temple to expel evil spirits by setsubun day. Hope all of you have a happy year!

New Year Porridge

It is common worldwide to celebrate new year. In Japan, we enjoy eating special meals for new year and drinking sake during new year holiday. Some have parties with their families and friends. Others go out and have nice dishes which we don't eat in our daily life.

Imagine how your stomach would be if you eat too much... It must be crying when you appreciate many ricecakes or much alcohol. So it is customary for Japanese to eat porridge on January 7th.

We call this porridge "nanakusa-gayu", which literally means "porridge with seven kinds of herbs". The seven herbs are, cicely, shepherd's purse, gogyo, chickweed, henbit, suzuna, and radish. This porridge is good for digestion, and it is believed that this protects people from illness though the year. It is very hard to pick all kinds of herbs in these days, but the Japanese can buy the pack of herbs at the supermarket.

Nanakusa-gayu is good for health, but don't eat too much!!

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!