Ok, so bagels are something that is difficult to find here in Japan… and why they used this in the name is a mystery, but I bought this pillow partially cause I was curious if it was comfortable and partially cause I almost collapsed in a fit of giggles when I was reading the package. And I was pleasantly surprised to find that it’s pretty … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
The fall season brings cooler weather, beautiful changing leaves and lots and lots of mushrooms! Japan has many varieties of mushrooms in every shape, size and color and when fall arrives, the supermarkets have shelves of the well loved fungi. Mushrooms are very popular during all seasons in all types of Japanese cooking. I’m not the biggest fan of most fungi since the textures, which … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
One of my favorite things when traveling around Japan is looking for all the regional, seasonal and limited edition Kit Kat chocolate bars. Really? Yes, really! For whatever reason, they are a super popular sweet and souvenir in Japan. I think it’s pretty fun and gives me a good reason to search every conbini (convenience store) and train station to find the newest version. Here … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
Sorry, this week is a little busy so all you’re getting this week are some funny cartoons I found on the JapanTimes website ~Link back to a previous blog post ~ ~ Previous post about the Matsuri doll festival & a link to understand what Gundam is and why ~ ~~ Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
Instead of a nice easing into the summer heat after the rainy season, it arrived with a nasty bang – but not before “umeshu” making season – the time where the super market shelves are stocked with still green, unripe plums, large glass jars, sugar rock crystals, and white liquor or sake. There are many recipes available on the internet and I’m sure that many … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
One of the best things to write about is the food, drinks and snacks here in Japan, as there are just so many strange, er, interesting options… Here are a few brands you might recognize, but I’m betting you’ve never seen these flavors before! #1 This “consomme” flavor is not one of my favorites – I found it a little too sweet with a funny … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
One of my favorites times is the 2 afternoons a month I get to go to the ceramics studio and “play” for a few hours – during winter, I didn’t go at all, and I totally missed it. These pieces that I just picked up were made in March, and glazed 2 weeks ago. I’m so happy that they all turned out ok, cause I’ve … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
Ok, we’re back onto a few new food experiences and sitings last week… after Okazaki castle, we stopped by the massive mall to eat some lunch before heading home, and it was like nuthin’ I’ve seen before! When they suggested this place, all I understood about it was that it was buffet and something about skewers, so okay, it can’t be too bad right? Well… … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
Ok, since I’m kind of obsessed with my new hobby/sport, you’re going to learn a few things about it with me! And then you can watch a video I made of last week’s class – hilarious I’m sure! 1~ SPOCHAN’s policies are … Safety : You use a air-sword. Fairness : Men and women of all ages in the world are fair with each other. … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
All about the local festival I attended April 10th… I can’t find very much written information about it so this is what I’ve collected from my various students, some who are or have been involved in the festivals. This first video is a little long… but this was definitely the mood of the day – intricate, precise, traditional, and relaxed! The small neighborhood festival is … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays – Unakoji Matsuri
Yes, slightly different title today week for a highly unusual few days… hope it at least makes a little sense… I wasn’t sure what to write, I hardly know what to think, but I wanted to make sure I sent an update… First, I am ok physically, well, maybe a few sleepless nights and tension headaches but thats nothing compared to many… So far we … Continue reading Weary & Wary Wednesday
So this is part 2 of last weeks post because they will always be tied together in my head – the first time I saw Hina Matsuri dolls and some amazing “Tsurushi Kazari” which are hanging good luck charms and one of Japan’s many cool handicrafts with ancient ties that have survived through the centuries… These are handmade stuffed animals, dolls and other “lucky” symbols … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
Today’s post will have to be done in 2 weeks because I have to research a little bit more, and I don’t want to leave anything important out – sorry, but I found the history, details and beliefs too interesting to not post it all! *and what’s sorta funny, is that I wanted to post this on 3/3, the actual celebration day, but it’s still … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays – Girls Festival
So, here are a few more of the oddities my taste buds have experienced here in Japan thanks to some of my students… I think secretly they just like to see what my reaction to some of the snacks. I will give them credit for warning me that some are meant to be eaten while drinking beer (this from the adult students), but seeing as … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
Sestubun… means “the point which divides the seasons” so according to the old lunar calendar, February 3 is when spring is supposed to start and was considered the beginning of the New Year… Part of this New Year tradition was the cleansing of the house of evil spirits in a practice called “mame-maki” or “bean scattering ritual”. Wikipedia says… “Roasted soybeans (called fuku mame ) … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
December is flying by at warp speed and I can’t even remember if I did my W&W Wed post last week… I’m betting I didn’t since I was busy sorting the pictures and working on the posts from my Kyoto excursion… And now, it’s only 9 more days until I fly home and arrive back home for the holidays – I am SO excited! Anyways, … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
What’s the opposite of writers’ block? Writers’ waterfall?? Because that’s what I’m having right now… I’ve started and stopped about 5 different posts because I need more pictures, or more information, or more time to research or ask someone more questions and its going to drive me nuts if I don’t finish just one of them so I can go to bed! What happens is I … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
Oops, my auto post didn’t work from last week so here it is… More about the smaller things in life – in this case, the variety of coins that are a large part of life here in Japan… The 1-yen coin, which was first issued in 1955, is the oldest coin among presently-manufactured coins and marked its 50th anniversary in 2005. The design has not changed … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
More about money… I know this may not be the most interesting subject for some but whenever I go to a foreign country I love looking at the money and finding out what is on there and the significance to the pictures or symbols. I’ve been asking students about the Yen since I got here but it was hard to get answers, it wasn’t until … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
Sorry this is late – I was having a birthday! 1 ~ the Japanese currency is called Yen, but the Japanese pronounce it “en.’ The kanji is (円). It literally means “round object” in Japanese, referring to the coins that were circular in shape and widely used in Japan up to the Tokugawa Period 2 ~ Despite the ups and downs, the Yen is still the third most traded currency … Continue reading Weird & Wonderful Wednesdays
Source . of . the . Sun 