Monthly Archives: March 2014

Author's life, Enjoy Japan's nature & 4 seasons

Merry Spring from Tokyo!

Merry Spring from Tokyo! This first day of Spring is a national holiday in Japan; I definitely appreciate it :) I could even see Mount Fuji from my building in Adachi ward this morning!

富士山 (Mount Fuji) seen from 足立区 (Adachi ward, Tokyo, Japan) on 21 March 2014.

Spring is gorgeous in Japan thanks to rows, skies and seas of white and pink perfumed cherry trees in streets, parks, riversides, mountains… Incomparable to the plum and peach blossoms seen since February! You can even enjoy cherry blossoms in Tokyo during walking tours with guides from March to April e.g. “2014 Best Cherry Blossoms” and “2014 Sweet Sakura Evening” by Travel Stand Japan.

Statue of a woman below cherry blossoms at 千鳥ヶ淵 (Chidorigafuchi, Tokyo, Japan) on 15 March 2014.

Why is Spring a great season in Japan? (1) You can enjoy beautiful nature through walks, hikes, rides on bicycles or horses… (2) You can eat sushi in a bento box with friends among cherry petals. (3) You can savour traditional Japanese sweets made from cherry flowers/leaves. (4) You can admire flying carps for Children’s Day on 05 May. (5) You can celebrate Buddha’s birthday at a Buddhist temple on 08 April…

Statue of Buddha at birth at 飛鳥寺 (Asuka-dera, Asuka, Japan) on 08 April 2013.

My travels in Japan and life in Tokyo formed dear “Spring memories”: a sea of cherry blossoms at Mount Yoshino in 2013, a Buddhist celebration for Buddha’s birthday at Asuka temple in 2013, sumo fights at Yasukuni shrine in 2004…

Sumo fight at 靖国神社 (Yasukuni shrine, Tokyo, Japan) on 09 April 2004.

This Spring, I plan to enjoy the 5 colours cherry blossoms festival in Tokyo, celebrate the Birth of Buddha at a Japanese temple, relax at outdoor hot springs, and visit the Fukushima prefecture. Contact me if you wish to join and enjoy inner Japan :)

USEFUL LINKS
  • Spring on Inner Japan.
  • Japanese calendar on Inner Japan.
  • Mount Fuji on Inner Japan.

 

USEFUL JAPANESE
  • Adachi ward = 足立区 (Adachi-ku), Tokyo = 東京.
  • Mount Fuji = 富士山 (Fuji-san), Mount Yoshino = 吉野山 (Yoshino-yama).
  • Fukushima prefecture = 福島県 (Fukushima-ken).
  • Asuka temple = 飛鳥寺 (Asuka-dera), Yasukuni shrine = 靖国神社 (Yasukuni-jinja).
  • Buddha’s birthday = 花会式 (Hanaeshiki), Children’s Day = こどもの日 (Kodomo-no-hi).
  • 5 colours cherry blossoms festival = 五色桜まつり (Go-shiki-zakura-matsuri).
  • Travel Stand Japan = トラベルスタンドジャパン (Torabelu-Sutando-Japan).
Explore international cuisine in Japan

Soft pork stew prepared with dark beer at Muusa (Tokyo)

I lunched at Muusa (Tokyo) today, savouring a pork stew prepared with dark beer and red tomatoes by TSUGAWA Sachiko and her assistant. It was sooo soft!

Pork stew prepared with dark beer at ムーサ (Muusa, Tokyo, Japan) on 11 March 2014.

Close-up: Pork stew prepared with dark beer at ムーサ (Muusa, Tokyo, Japan) on 11 March 2014.

Why not taste this delicious pork stew at lunch the next time you visit Tokyo’s Chiyoda district?

USEFUL LINKS

 

USEFUL JAPANESE
  • Muusa = ムーサ, Chiyoda district = 千代田区 (Chiyoda-ku), Tokyo = 東京.
  • TSUGAWA Sachiko = 津川・幸子.
Explore international cuisine in Japan

Delicious chocolate & raspberry galette at Muusa (Tokyo)

I just had a sweet break at Muusa (Tokyo) with two colleagues from Osanpo Jimbocho, savouring a French galette prepared with chocolate and raspberry by TSUGAWA Sachiko. It was as good as it looks nice on the photos :)

Chocolate and raspberry galette at ムーサ (Muusa, Tokyo, Japan) on 08 March 2014.

Close-up: Chocolate and raspberry galette at ムーサ (Muusa, Tokyo, Japan) on 08 March 2014.

I am glad I asked Sachiko to prepare what she felt like cooking this time: this delicious chocolate & raspberry galette is not on the menu… :)

USEFUL LINKS

 

USEFUL JAPANESE
  • Muusa = ムーサ, Tokyo = 東京.
  • TSUGAWA Sachiko = 津川・幸子.
  • Osanpo Jimbocho = おさんぽ神保町.
Explore the Japanese cuisine

Delicious goya omelette & surprising pork rolls at Nago café (Tokyo)

Eating delicious Japanese food was a great way to end a busy successful week of work so I ate twice at Nago café (Tokyo) this Friday!

For lunch, NASHIRO Tsugumi cooked a delicious omelette containing goya (from Okinawa) and cheese, topped with a spicy tomato sauce. The set also included a soup with sesame oil, seaweeds, white rice, hot coffee, and a tiny slice of tankan (orange) pound cake.

Goya omelette with a soup, seaweeds, and white rice at なごかふぇ (Nago café, Tokyo, Japan) on 07 March 2014.

Omelette containing goya from Okinawa and cheese, topped with a spicy tomato sauce at なごかふぇ (Nago café, Tokyo, Japan) on 07 March 2014.

Coffee and a slice of tankan pound cake at なごかふぇ (Nago café, Tokyo, Japan) on 07 March 2014.

For dinner, Tsugumi cooked a potato potage topped with banno-negi (onion) and surprising pork rolls containing bell pepper, green beans or okra.

Potato potage topped with banno-negi at なごかふぇ (Nago café, Tokyo, Japan) on 07 March 2014.

Pork rolls containing bell pepper, green beans or okra at なごかふぇ (Nago café, Tokyo, Japan) on 07 March 2014.

I learn new things about Japanese food and/or international cooking every time I go to this restaurant; these dishes are perfect examples!

USEFUL LINKS

 

USEFUL JAPANESE
  • Banno-negi = 万能ネギ, Goya = ゴーヤー, Tankan = タンカン.
  • NASHIRO Tsugumi = 名城・嗣巳.
  • Nago café = なごかふぇ, Tokyo = 東京.
  • Okinawa archipelago = 沖縄諸島 (Okinawa-shoto).