Picture this: you are studying Japanese intensively at a language school in Japan. It is the end of July and you have a couple of weeks off.…… Read more “Matsumoto Castle Grand Taiko Festival – Japanese Drumming”
Category: Japan
Visiting Matsumoto Castle (松本城), Japan
Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto, Japan, is one of the most impressive castles in Japan. If you search for Japanese castles, it is likely that you will find…… Read more “Visiting Matsumoto Castle (松本城), Japan”
Garlic Onion Chicken – another amazing Just One Cookbook recipe
Has anyone moved house recently? I did (and why there haven’t been many posts recently)! If you have moved, you know how it goes. Packing boxes, hiring…… Read more “Garlic Onion Chicken – another amazing Just One Cookbook recipe”
Tofuku-Ji Temple and Tsuten-Kyo Bridge, Kyoto, Japan
After visiting Fushimi Inari and Mt. Inari, the next stop on my trip to Kyoto was Tofuku-ji Temple (東福寺) and Tsuten-Kyo Bridge. Tofuku-Ji is one of the…… Read more “Tofuku-Ji Temple and Tsuten-Kyo Bridge, Kyoto, Japan”
Otter Café in Fukuoka – Kotsumate Fukuoka Daimyo
After my first experience at an animal café (Owl Café Tenjin), I was interested in visiting another animal café. After having a look around, I was able…… Read more “Otter Café in Fukuoka – Kotsumate Fukuoka Daimyo”
Hydrangea Festival at Takatôyama Park (Kitakyushu, Japan)
If you know anything about the Japanese, it is that they love their monoculture gardens. Many Japanese people also know when different flowering plants are in full…… Read more “Hydrangea Festival at Takatôyama Park (Kitakyushu, Japan)”
Owl Café Tenjin – Fukuoka, Japan
Japan is famous for many things: anime, kawaii culture, samurai, ninja, temples, tea, etc. Another concept that Japan popularised (but did not create) is animal cafés (Taiwan…… Read more “Owl Café Tenjin – Fukuoka, Japan”
Oshi Sushi (押し寿司) – Making sushi in a box
Before coming to Japan, I wasn’t very knowledgeable about sushi. I had eaten sushi in “Japanese” restaurants (Chinese people, not Japanese people, run most of the ones…… Read more “Oshi Sushi (押し寿司) – Making sushi in a box”
Toji Temple, Kyoto – The Temple for the Defence of the Nation by Means of the King of Doctrines
I recently posted about Fushimi Inari and Mt. Inari, Kyoto – The path of 1000 gates, which I visited during my trip to Kyoto. However, it was…… Read more “Toji Temple, Kyoto – The Temple for the Defence of the Nation by Means of the King of Doctrines”
How to make Japanese Rice – a guide by Just One Cookbook
So you are facing a problem: you either bought or someone gave you Japanese rice and now you need to cook it. How is it different from…… Read more “How to make Japanese Rice – a guide by Just One Cookbook”
Making authentic Japanese food – even if you don’t have all the ingredients
When I travel, I want the local experience: visiting local sites, seeing and doing local things, and eating local food. This is especially true when I move…… Read more “Making authentic Japanese food – even if you don’t have all the ingredients”
Fukuoka Botanical Garden – Roses Galore
While May may be the month best known for Peonies in Japan, we mustn’t forget the roses that are also out in bloom at this time. One…… Read more “Fukuoka Botanical Garden – Roses Galore”
Sumiso (酢味噌) and Sanshosumiso (山椒酢味噌) – A sauce to spice up any meat, vegetable or seafood dish
If you are looking for a new sauce to put with your vegetable, meat or seafood dishes, I am happy to announce that your search is over.…… Read more “Sumiso (酢味噌) and Sanshosumiso (山椒酢味噌) – A sauce to spice up any meat, vegetable or seafood dish”
Peony Garden in Fukuoka’s Ohori Park – Japan
Just like the bees that pollinate them, the residents of Fukuoka flock to the peony garden in Ohori Park in early May. Like the nearby Wisteria Garden,…… Read more “Peony Garden in Fukuoka’s Ohori Park – Japan”
A Garden After Blooming – Wisteria Garden, Ohori Park, Fukuoka
We see the effects of flowering plants year-round: sniffling and sneezing because of pollen, bees and insects invading picnics, and a sweet smell in the air. What…… Read more “A Garden After Blooming – Wisteria Garden, Ohori Park, Fukuoka”