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!
April 16, 2006
April 04, 2006
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!
March 25, 2006
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.
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.
March 13, 2006
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.
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.
March 03, 2006
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!
"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!
February 23, 2006
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!
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!
February 14, 2006
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.
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.
February 12, 2006
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....
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....
February 08, 2006
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)
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)
February 05, 2006
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!
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!
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