Tag Archives: japanese

Royalty and the End of the Line

February 16, 2016 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

Well, all good things must come to an end, and this is the last post from our visit to Japan. To end, we slip back into the traditional with a visit to the Imperial Palace grounds.

We came expecting a European set-up, where we could view certain parts of the palace, but we soon found out that the grounds were the only place we could visit. It seems that the Japanese still hold a certain reverence for their royal family.

The palace itself, unlike its European counterparts, has always been out-of-bounds to the general public except on New Year and the Emperor’s Birthday. There certainly were no paparazzi hanging around the gates.

Nevertheless, there were some nice bits of garden.

A 19th Century Meiji-era bridge, walls and moat.

And acres and acres of park land of the kind where walking on grass is prohibited. There are in fact 3.4 square km of palace grounds, and it’s all theirs from top to bottom. No public road, even subway, has been allowed to go through it. And given that it’s in the middle of Tokyo, one of the most expensive cities in the world, I’m guessing it’s worth the price of a country or three.

It’s a shame, because I would think there were some nice gardens inside if this was any indication.

And so ends our visit to Japan. Even after three visits, it is still a land that holds much mystique. Would I come back for a 4th visit? Sure would, although I would like to explore the other islands next time, like Kyushu in the south, or Hokkaido in the north. What is certain is that wherever I go, I’m sure to have fun, meet very lovely people, and eat very, very well.

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Asakusa – Part 4

February 5, 2016 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

Let’s take a break for lunch at a soba noodle restaurant. They’re a common sight in this part of Tokyo – and given that the district has one of the most popular tourist attractions, and thousands of shops to boot, it’s the done thing too go sightseeing, shopping and then eat these noodles. This restaurant was literally 50 metres from our hotel, and has a very traditional entrance.

Soba noodles are made out of buckwheat and wheat flours, and has a delicate taste. The best ones are handmade, and having once tried my hand at making it, I know that it’s no easy thing to do.

They can be eaten hot, in soup, or cold, dipped in a soy and mirin sauce. Ours was accompanied by diced raw tuna.

A delicious, light lunch.

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Morning Markets – Part 1

January 18, 2016 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

The next morning Obaasan greeted us with a hearty (but not excessive) breakfast in our room – after the bedding was put away, of course.

Then it was off to explore Takayama proper. First up was a visit to the Miyagawa morning markets across the river.

The river was running fast, and the ‘koi’ (or Japanese carp) were feasting on whatever morsels they could find.

The temperature was around freezing that morning – so different from the last time I visited nine years before when the weather was much milder.

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An Antique Inn

January 15, 2016 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

We arrived at Takayama at the end of a long day, hungry and a bit cold – the temperature was near freezing up in the mountains. So we were glad to stay at Sumiyoshi, an ‘Antique Inn’.

It’s a ryokan set up in an old house, run by one family (grandparents, parents, children) with quaint rooms, plenty of antiques, and most importantly, good old hospitality.

Our main host was the grandmother (or obaasan, as the Japanese call their grannies), and she was a hoot. Outgoing, very friendly and jokey, she was bounding up steep stairs with our dinner, which was very homely and welcome after all the more high-end eating we’d done.

A few little appetisers – some sashimi, tofu prepared in various ways, and assorted pickles.

Fish and scallop cooked in butter.

Tempura vegetables with a wedge of ponzu.

And last but not least shabu-shabu hotpot featuring local beef.

A perfect meal to end a winter’s day.

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Sights of Kawaguchiko – Part 2

January 12, 2016 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

Kawaguchiko is a tourist town through and through. There were plenty of large hotels by the lake trying to cash in on Fujisan.

The town had a few quirky sights, like this sculpture.

We found that the Japanese really appreciated geology. Unlike in Sydney where you’re lucky to find a mineral shop or museum in the entire city, there were little shops and museums everywhere. This museum had an extensive and impressive collection.

And what is a town without a big event – like a marathon right in front of our hotel.

But I think the meals, and its setting was a bit of a tourist attraction in itself. This was our dining room at the hotel.

Our dinners.

And breakfast!

In between, we just had enough room for a simple bowl of ramen.

The marathon began on the morning of our departure, and we struggled against the tide of thousands of eager runners to reach the train station. No rest for us though, we had another train to catch.

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Onsen Food

December 27, 2015 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

Breakfast at the onsen ryokan was appropriately lavish. This is Japanese rice porridge with many, many accompaniments.

And dinner was once again kaiseki style.

The dinners here were definitely the best we had in Japan. They utilised plenty of local seasonal produce, and being by the sea, it included plenty of seafood.

So very refined. There was also plenty of ingredients from the land too.

And of course, there were some intricate desserts too.

We were really happy after all that food! And a few kilos heavier too. Perhaps it was time for some exercise?

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More Kyoto Feeds

December 23, 2015 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

Eating in Kyoto, of course, was more than just kaiseki meals. We ate much simpler meals too.

At a cafe around the corner we ate this meal of ‘yasai kare setto’ – Japanese vege curry set meal with the curry, rice, salad and miso soup.

Down the road at a little izayaka (the Japanese version of a pub), the BBQ was going full-tilt, churning out all sorts of grilled things on sticks to have with our beer.

The restaurants often specialise in one type of food or ingredient. One night, we ate at a restaurant that was all about chicken.

One thing is certain, you’re never short of interesting eating options in Kyoto.

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Time for a rest and a feed – Kyoto style

December 22, 2015 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

After all that sightseeing in Kyoto, it’s time for a rest, don’t you think? Time to check in.

Tazuru is a modern ryokan – a hotel with Japanese-style rooms, o furo (bathroom), with breakfast, and even a kaiseki dinner. During the day, the room is the living area.

We ordered dinner on the first night, and it was a dinner that was kaiseki style – multi-course, refined meal with dishes that are highly seasonal.

I must say that this was a huge step above the food we’d eaten previously that we’d considered to be Japanese, in terms of taste and technique.

There were familiar dishes.

And then rather more unfamiliar ones.

The rice was served as its own course with accompaniments.

Eight courses later, we reached dessert!

After dinner, our room had been reconfigured to sleeping mode. It was comfortable, although Hubby was complaining that his knees couldn’t take getting off the floor all the time. Hmm, perhaps time for yoga?

And in the morning, we were greeted with a very hearty breakfast of rice, fish, miso soup, omelette, among other things. That should get us through until the following dinner!