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静岡県, 観光, Festivals, Izu Peninsula, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Festivals, Life, Life in Japan, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Festival, Tourism

Japanese Festivals: Nue barai Matsuri in Izu Nagaoka, Shizuoka Prefecture-第４９回鵺ばらい祭

January 29, 2014 dragonlife 4 Comments

The picture of the day: a smiling face inside a monster’s mouth!

Yesterday I traveled all the way train from Shizuoka City to Izu Nagaoka Station by train and took the the local bus to Yu Rakkasu Park to attend an unusual Matsuri/Japanese Festival!
I managed to arrive one hour before the start of the festivities which allowed me to have a good location at the location and its people!
As in any festival the locals were selling food to the visitors!

Okonomiyaki and karaage!

A local specialty, big deep-fried gyoza!

The stage!

I saw the students from Nagaoka Junior High School arriving directly from their school!
The lady in the middle is Ms. Kamoshita, Director of the Izu No Kuni City Tourism Bureau who had faxed me the details of the vent!

Mount Fuji was looking after us all the time!

The program clearly indicated for everyone’s benefit!

One of the great staff in attendance who kept me informed me all afternoon!

A great hapi/festival coat!

Great kids from Nagaoka Junior High School!
So well-mannered, ever smiling and enthusiastic!
Years ago the festival used to be performed by adults. Now it is exclusively enacted by Nagoka Junior High School!
And from this year boys and girls are equally represented!

the drummers practicing before the event!

The “nue/鵺”!
The nue is a monster of old Japanese lore. Check the NUE LORE HERE!
It is monster with the head of a monkey, the body of a tiger and a snake as a tail in Izu Nagaoka.
The legend was brought a lot time ago to Izu Peninsula from Kyoto by a Lord’s wife.
It is a monster/spirit thought to be a bringer of misfortune and illness.
This festival is held every year to make sure it does not appear to mistreat the local inhabitants!

Great kids again including some big boys!

One of the very old drums used during the festival!

A last practice!

But before the Nue Dance we witnessed a Japanese archery/Kyuudou/弓道 demonstration, which an integral part of the festival, held by the local Japanese Archery Association!

These two gentlemen might be of a grand age but they did not miss their target!

Male archers!

And female archers!

The nue did not stand a chance!
The target made of paper was subsequently shredded into small pieces to be distributed among the onlookers for good luck!
I got mine, which might come useful when facing the home dragon!

By then the nue dancers had got ready and were coming out of the changing room!

Some of the costumes had to be carried by hand!

Samurais!

I would like to thank these two young ladies who were so kind to answer this strange foreigner’s questions!

Peace!

Getting ready in the cold wind!

The choreographer giving his last advice!

And the dance starts!

The nue and its minions ready to pounce!

The fever went up a grade with the drumming!

The nue’s minions are taunting the samurai!

Mind you the kids inside are no monsters!

The nue has crept among its minions!

The minions first attempt to frighten the onlookers!

There must be some kind of hierarchy among the minions as a few carry big tail snakes!

The minions are attacking!

Why have they stopped?

This is the reason!

The samurai have come to defend the onlookers by first loosing arrows!

But the nue’s minions are undaunted and chase the samurai who have to unsheathe their swors!

All the while the nue is looking at the action from a safe distance!

Nothing frightening about these two sweet young ladies!

While the nue kept looking at the action I crept behind it for some photoes!

Big and horrible tail!

Nasty head!

The samurai were starting to get the upper hand!

Take that!

The nue’s minons were getting killed one by one!

The nue’s minoons had all been cut down!

The Nue still did not intervene!

Things seemed to be all but lost…

But this is when the Nue finally came into the fray!

The drummers lustily encouraged the samurais!

But the onlookers started throwing beans at it!

The Nue roars back into the fight!

But the samurais show no fear!

The Nue is struck with fear!

The samurais have started their killing dance!

The Nue has no chance!

The Nue is finally down!

The Town and its citizens are saved again this year!

Well done, lads and gals!

The onlookers picking the beans which contributed to the demise of the Nue!

The two choreographers who teach the kids every year!
They are brothers and volunteers.
As the second generation of choreographers they confided that they are aiming at teaching the next generation to make sure the Festival outlives them!
Well done, gentlemen!

All the while local geishas working at the hot springs establishments had been stoically waiting for their turn in the cold!

And they graciously danced for all!
Don’t ask me why I chose this particular lady! LOL

The Nue mascot!

Looking forward to my next visit to Izu Nagaoka!

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Non-smoking Japan: The Shinkasen Bullet Train Contradiction!

January 29, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

Shinkasen platform, 8th carriage, Shizuoka JR Station!

There is a big contradiction in common transport betwee local trains and Shinkansen Bullet Trains in the Shizuoka Prefecture and in all the stations between at least Tokyo and Osaka!

Poster found at the bottom of the stairs leading to the Tokaido Local Line in Shizuoka JR Station reminding commuters and passengers that the whole area including the platforms are non-smoking!

All local lines, including the Tokaido Line trains have been non-smoking for quite a while and the responsible authorities have been quite aggressive about it with a flurry of new signs being stuck everywhere.

Sign seen in Shiuzoka JR Station!

Bi-lingual, so no arguing, that is unless you want discuss the grammar!

Same sign inside Fujieda JR Station!

The non-smoking “box) on the Shinkasen platform inside Shizuoka JR Station.

Now, why are the rules not only different but confusing for the Shinkansen trains!
Interestingly enough it seems that the East Japan Railways have a different attitude as they seem to be the only line (between at least Tokyo and Osaka, and further?).
I recently rode Shinkasen trains moving east/north from Tokyo and they are all entirely non-smoking!

At least smokers on the Shinkasen tracks in Shiuoka JR Station have been asked (only very recently) to damage their health on their own cubicle at the very far side of the platform in front the 16th carriage door!
By the way what do they mean by “for adult smokers only”?

The only problem is that the 16th carriage is non-smoking!

Non-smoking signs are posted above heads and….

and at your feet, but….

Only the No 8 carriage is indicated as smoking allowed,…

But once you are inside the train you find out that the No 8 carriage is non-smoking!

Now somewhere in the middle of the train a map clearly indicates that carriages 10 and 15 are smoking allowed, a fact which is not advertised on the platforms!

Smoking allowed in carriage No 10 (Green Car=First Class!)!

Smoking alllowed in Carriage N0 15 (Second Class!)

From past experience I can tell you that cars No 9, 11, 14 and 16 had better avoided too as the smoke has a way to pervade into them!

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Public Hot Spring Foot Bath in Izu Nagaoka, Izu Peninsula!

January 28, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Izu Nagaoka, now part of Izu No Kuni City in Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture is a nationally known hot spring spa/resort and I had to visit it today to cover a local matsuri/festival (report coming soon!).
The place where the matsuri was held is called Yuu Rakkusu Koen/Hot Water Relaxing Park.
I was wondering about the meaning of the park’s name.
It took me little time to discover why!

The sign means “Health Pleasure walking Road”, or the equivalent!

Bathers certainly had a great time in the cold wind!

Th hot water flows directly from a subterranean hot spring!
And it is hot, at least 40 degrees Celsius!

Incidentally smoking and drinking alcohol are prohibited!

One foot at a time?

It was founded by the city 14 years ago as proven by the feet print of the then mayor of the Village before it was merged into Izu no Kuni City!

The reason why it is called a Health Pleasure Waking Road!
Visitors are invited to walk barefoot on three different surfaces covered with stones of different sizes and shapes!
A bit tough to me, but they go to length to explain the benefits!
You would certainly need a long bath after that!

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Public Hot Spring Foot Bath in Fujieda City!

January 28, 2014 dragonlife 8 Comments

Shizuoka Prefecture has the greatest number of hot springs and hot springs spas in Japan.
But recently another type of hot spring bath is getting increasingly popular: public hot spring Foot baths!

One day the Municipality of Fujieda City which sponsors the foot bath would do well to translate in English those explanations and instructions as they are certainly worth it!

Don’t worry the brown color is the real color of the water which is constantly changed although the water flows only in daytime!
Just take your shoes and socks/stockings off and dip your tired in the water for great healthy relaxation!

This sign, among others, explicitly says that smoking is strictly forbidden!

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Urban Art: FITS Bar in Fujieda City!

January 28, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

I was walking along the streets in daytime Fujieda City yesterday when I discovered this establishment not far from the JR Station north exit!

I cannot guarantee the quality of that bar/izakaya although the menu posted outside seemed to mean that the prices were quit reasonable, but the art outside is certainly worth a second and third look!
It is somewhat Halloween-inspired and very unusual in concept for Japan although the humor is very strong there!

The Cat or the Pussy is definitely the most untrustworthy member, very probably representing the Mama san or lady encouraging you to drink!

The Teddy bear is definitely the gullible, fat, probably rich middle-aged customer!

I certainly have a special fondness for the Night Owl!

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Japan, Wild Mountain Vegetables

Sansai/Edible Wild Japanese Mountain Vegetables (2014 edition)

January 27, 2014 dragonlife 16 Comments

“Sansai/Wild Mountain Plants” are around the corner so I thought it might be a good idea to draw people’s attention back to them for easier reference! They also include wild fruit that can be eaten both as vegetables and fruit with various preparations.
Some can be boiled, others fried, prepared as tempura, cooked in soup, prepared as pickles or jam, etc.

As it would become far too big (already massive, but inexhaustive) a posting if I wrote everything, please pick up one item at a time if you want more explanations and I will write an individual article for your pleasure!
But some have added some since the last time I wrote about them and I added some facts!

Here we go:
(No particular order)

AINU NEGI: ALIUM VICTORIALIS
Also called: GYOUJA NINIKU/VICTORY ONION/ALPINE LEEK

High in Vitamin B1

AKEBI: CHOCOLATE VINE

High in Potassium, Vitamin B1, B2, B6, C and vegetal fibers.
Provide great stamina!
The inside is eaten raw as it is sweet.
The outside can be pickled or fried as tempura!

AMADOKORO: POLYGONATUM ODORATUM

AZAMI: THISTLE
Try it as tempura!

FUKINOTO: GIANT BUTTERBUR/FLOWER CLUSTER

High in Vitamin A Beta carotene, B1, B2, b6, C, vegetal Fibers and Potassium.
Beautiful as tempura!

HAMABOUFUU: GLEHNIA LITTORALIS

HANGONSOU: SENECIO CANNABIFOLIUS

HASUKAPPU: LONICERA CAERULEA/HASCUP

HIKAGEHEGO: FLYING SPIDER MONKEY TREE FERN

IRAKUSA: URTICA THUNBERGIANA

ITADORI: JAPANESE KNOTWEED

KATAKURI: DOGTOOTH VIOLET

Flowers are also edible.

KIBOUSHI: PLANTAIN LILY HOSTA FORTINEI ( a variety of Hosta Montana)
Beautiful lightly steamed!

KOGOMI: OSTRICH FERN (exists as green and red)

One of the most eaten wild maoutain vegetable in Japan!
Great plant as it needs no special procees to erase tanginess.
High Carotenes, Vitamin C, Amino acids and vegetal fibers.

KOSHIABURA : ASCATHOPANAX SCIADOPHYLLOIDES

KUKO: CHINESE WOLFBERRY

KUSAGI: HARLEQUIN GLORY BOWER PEANUT BUTTER SHRUB

MATATABI: SILVER VINE

MITSUBA: JAPANESE HONEYWORT
has become a common garden vegetable!

NIRINSOU: ANEMONE FLACCIDA

NOBIRU: ALIUM MACROSTEMON
Another favorite in Japan!

High in Vitamin C, Carotenes, Calcium, Potassium and vegetal fibers.

OYAMABOKUCHI: SYNURUS PUNGENS

RYOUBU: CLERTHRA BARBINERVIS

SARUNASHI: ACTINIA ARGUTA

SERI: JAPANESE PARSLEY
has become a garden vegetable in Japan!

SUBERIYU: COMMON PURSLANE

TAKENOKO: BAMBOO SHOOTS (SPROUTS)

TANPOPO: DANDELION
A green and a yellow variety are already grown in Japanese gardens!

TARA NO ME: ARALIA ELATA

High in Potassium, Vitamin A Beta Carotenes, B2 and vegetal fibers.
Another favorite in Japan!

TSUKUSHI: HORSETAIL-Equisetum arvense (Source IVY)
A kid’s favorite!
High in Potassium, Magnesium, Carotenes and Vitamin E.

TSUROGANENINJIN: ADENOPHORA TRIPHYLLA

UDO: ARALIA CORDATA
Commonly found in Japanese supermarkets!
High in Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin B1, C, Pantotene acid.
Helps combat human body acidity.

YAMAUDO: same as UDO (above)

URUI: HOSTA MONTANA
Can be eaten raw.
Great in salads. Has become a common vegetable in Japan.

WARABI: PTERIDIUM AQUILINUM/BRACKEN
High Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Vitamin B2, C, E and vegetal fibers.
Commonly seen in supermarkets!

YAMABUDO: CRIMSON GLORY VINE

YAMAWASABI: WILD HORSERADISH
Consumed for its flowers, stalks and leaves, but not roots!

ZENMAI: OSMUNDA JAPONICA/ROYAL FERN
High in Potassium, Vitamin A Beta Carotenes, B2, B6, C and vegetal fibers.

FUKI:JAPANESE BUTTERBUR/GIANT BUTTERBUR-Petasites japonicus (Source IVY)

High in Potassium, Calcium, Vitamin B2 and vegetal fibers.

—————————
Still have to find the English names for the following ones!

AIKO/Laportea macrostachya (Maxim.) Ohwi (Source IVY)

AKAMIZU/ELATOSTEMA UMBELLATUM var. NAJUS

Found the name!

AOMIZU/Pilea Mongolica
Found the name thanks to IVY

INUDOUNA/Cacalia Hastata L. var . tanakae kitam
Found the name thanks to IVY

SHIDOKE

ITADORI
has become common in Japan! Can actually be very invasive!

HONNA/Also called SUPPON

YOMOGI/MUGWORT
Great as tempura or in rice cakes!
Not to be confused with absinthe!

NOKANZOU/Hemerocallis fulva, orange daylily
Found the name thanks to IVY

YUKINOSHITA/Saxifraga stolonifera (is the same as Saxifraga sarmentosa), known by several common names, including Creeping Saxifrage, Strawberry Saxifrage, Creeping Rockfoil, the quite ambiguous “Aaron’s beard”, and Strawberry Begonia or Strawberry Geranium (Source: IVY)

Found the name!

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Pavement “Regulations” Signs on Pavements in Shizuoka Prefecture! (Expanded, February 8th, 2014)

January 26, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

This sign against illegal bicycle parking was commissioned to a primary school by the City of Shizuoka!

If you look at pavements in any city in Japan, especially near stations and in crowded neighborhoods, you will discover all kinds of notices/signs directly printed onto pavements to remind citizens of regulations, be they friendly or prohibitive!
Some ar definitely welcome, while some are a bit useless, to say the least!
let me show you some examples I have have taken recently!

Non smoking street signs found in many spots in Shizuoka City. Note that the bird is a kingfisher, symbol bird of Shizuoka City!

A big no-smoking sign found near the south Exit of Hamamatsu JR Station!
It also extols on the benefit of good manners and not littering for a better environment in the city!

A faded non smoking street sign near Yaizu City JR Station!

Do not litter streets with cigarette butts in Fujieda City.
A bit of a half measure…..

Illegal bicycle parking in Shizuoka City!

Although Shizuoka City and Prefecture respectively hold the record for the largest numbers of bicycles citis have declared war, albeit a losing one, against illegal bicycle parking, a totally un-ecological measure when you know that Shizuoka is also suffering from one of the highest ration of car exhaust fume pollution!

Illegal parking for not only bicycles but also for bikes under a railway bridge in Hamamatsu City!

Illegal bicycle paring taken at night in Shimada City!

Two-hour limit bicycle parking zoen in front of Shizuoka City main post office!

Another type of illegal bicycle parking sign in Yaizu City!

Some sign manufacturer must make a fortune with all those different types being ordered by cities!

Another type of illegal bicycle parking sign in Shizuoka City!

Illegal Bycicle parking in Fujieda City!

A somewhat confusing sign!
Pavement area reserved to pedestrians and bicycles in Fujieda City!
Bear in mind that bicycles are allowed on pavements in Japan!

metallic pavement sign for illegal bicycle parking in Kakegawa City!

Within short distance from the sign foreamentioned you will find this sign in front of Shizuoka JR Station requesting people to get off their bicycles and push them along!

Signs in front of Shizuoka City main post office requesting pedestrians and cyclist to use their own half of the pavement! Unfeasible in practice unfortunately!

Cycle on this side of the pavement! (Shizuoka City)

Red-colored sign indicating pedestrians zone on the pavement!

Orange color instead of red color used for pedestrians!

Some streets in Shizuoka City have a blue lane area for bicycles along streets.
In that case cyclists are asked not to use the pavements along them!

Although no strictly on the pavement, the city felt obliged to warn cyclists using the blue area zone on the streets of bus stops!

In Umeya Cho, Shizuoka City, I was a bit flabbergasted to notice this sign asking bicycles to run along the houses and the pedestrians to walk along the street half of the pavement!

Sign asking bicycles to stop at the crossroads in front of the zebra crossing in Yaizu City!

Sign reminding school kids to stop, look left and right before crossing the street in Yaizu City!

The same with a different design in Yaizu City!

Sign reminding school kids to stop, look left and right before crossing the street in Kakegawa City!

The same with a different design in kakegawa City!

Pedestrian stop sign at a crossroad in Kakegawa City

This sign was sponsored by by the Shizuoka Prefecture Government to signify that the part of the parking in front of Yaizu Hospital next to Yaizu City Hall is reserved to physically impaired visitors>
Apparently pregnant women are also called physically impaired visitors…..

Mind the step sign at a side entrance of Act City, Shizuoka JR Station!

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Tofu Chiffon Cake Steamed in Rice Cooker

January 26, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

Rice cookers come very handy when you want to make lighter cakes you can either eat hot, lukewarm or cold!

Here is another simple and healthy recipe for a chiffon cake including tofu!

INGREDIENTS:

Silk tofu: 150 g
Eggs: 2
Hot cake mix: 200 g
Milk: 100 cc (1/2 cup)
Sugar: 30 g
Vanilla essence: 2~3 drops

RECIPE

Put the tofu into the rice cooker bowl.
There is no need to get rid of its water.

Beat the tofu with a whisk.

Add milk, eggs and sugar.

Beat until you obtain a smooth mixture.

Pour in the hot cake mix and mix well.
Last add vanilla essence and mix.

Set the steamer on, close and switch on.

Prick it with a wooden toothpick or a long and thin wooden pick.
If it comes out clean the cake is ready. If not cook again for a few minutes.

You should be able to easily take it out!

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Pavement Tourism Signs in Shizuoka Prefecture 2

January 26, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

A beautiful design found outside Hamamatsu City JR Station North exist welcoming tourists and commuters to the City!

Cities in Shizuoka, and I’m sure in many cities in Japan have an interesting, artful and subtle way to advertise their tourism as well as to introduce their many symbols: pavement signs!
I can guarantee you it could develop into another urban art photography album!

Hamamatsu City has recently applied some sturdy “stickers” on the pavement in front of the North Exits of their JR Station and around Act City Building Complex not only to welcome all visitors, but also to advertise they are in fact the music capital of Japan thanks to the big music instruments makers such as Kawai and Yamaha!

If you look carefully at them you also understand that Hamamatsu City is the home of great flower and garden parks!

And last but not least Hamamatsu City gastronomy is famous for its eels!

Other cities and prefectures should take heed to promote their tourism!

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Urban Art: Zodiac Pavement Tiles in Hamamatsu City!

January 26, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

The Crab/Cancer/♋!

If you go out of Hamamatsu JR Station and through the North Exit and then walk between the railway line and the ACT CITY Buildings you will discover tiles on the pavement describing the 12 symbols of the Zodiac!
They are not following the order of the modern Zodiac as far as I could determine but I will introduce them below in the walking order!
For a bit of interesting study I included Zodiac order, symbol, the ecliptic longitudes, with their Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, and Babylonian names (but note that the Sanskrit and the Babylonian name equivalents denote the constellations only, not the tropical zodiac signs). Also, the “English translation” is not usually used by English speakers. The Latin names are standard English usage.
Source: Wikipedia

4 ♋ 90° Cancer The Crab Καρκῖνος (Karkinos) Karkata (कर्कट) AL.LUL “The Crayfish”

5 ♌ 120° Leo The Lion Λέων (Leōn) Simha (सिंह) UR.GU.LA “The Lion”

6 ♍ 150° Virgo The Maiden Παρθένος (Parthenos) Kanyā (कन्या) AB.SIN “The Furrow”; “The Furrow, the goddess Shala’s ear of corn”

7 ♎ 180° Libra The Scales Ζυγός (Zygos) Tulā (तुला) ZIB.BA.AN.NA “The Scales”

8 ♏ 210° Scorpio The Scorpion Σκoρπιός (Skorpios) Vrśhchika (वृश्चिक) GIR.TAB “The Scorpion”

9 ♐ 240° Sagittarius The (Centaur) Archer Τοξότης (Toxotēs) Dhanusha (धनुष) PA.BIL.SAG, Nedu “soldier”

10 ♑ 270° Capricorn “Goat-horned” (The Sea-Goat) Αiγόκερως (Aigokerōs) Makara (मकर) SUHUR.MAŠ “The Goat-Fish” of Enki

11 ♒ 300° Aquarius The Water-Bearer Yδροχόος (Hydrokhoos) Kumbha (कुम्भ) GU.LA “The Great One”, later qâ “pitcher”

12 ♓ 330° Pisces The Fishes Iχθύες (Ikhthyes) Mīna (मीन) SIM.MAḪ “The Tail of the Swallow”, later DU.NU.NU “fish-cord”

1 ♈ 0° Aries The Ram Κριός (Krios) Meṣha (मेष) LU.HUŊ.GA “The Agrarian Worker”, Dumuzi

3 ♊ 60° Gemini The Twins Δίδυμοι (Didymoi) Mithuna (मिथुन) MAŠ.TAB.BA.GAL.GAL “The Great Twins” (Castor and Pollux)

2 ♉ 30° Taurus The Bull Ταuρος (Tavros) Vrishabha (वृषभ) GU4.AN.NA “The Steer of Heaven”

Great fun, ain’t it?

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Culture, Design, Environment, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Life, Life in Japan, Photography, Tourism

Drainspotting/Japanese Manhole Covers by Remo Camerota!

January 25, 2014 dragonlife 8 Comments

The cover represents a fire hydrant Manhole cover in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture!

Last Wednesday, my good friend Philip Kreiner made a man very happy when he gave a book called Drainspotting, Japanese manhole Covers by Remo Camerota!
Remo Camerota had an inspiration calling his book so as everyone has heard about the film, “Trainspotting”!

The book was issued by Mark Batty Publisher in New York in 2010 but I couldn’t manage to get in touch with them.
Maybe more information could be got through WHITEWALL STUDIOS.

Remo Camerota, a New York-based writer authored the book with his pictures and those of friends during a trip through Japan.
A must for all lovers of Urban Art, and Urban Art in Japan in Particular!

NOTE: If Remo happens to read this introduction, I would be extremely grateful to him for contacting me!

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Events, 静岡県, 観光, 農業, Flowers, Japan, Japanese Culture, Parks, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Hamana Lake Garden Park & Hamamatsu Flower Park Coming Events in Shizuoka Prefecture!

January 25, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Just outside Hamamatsu JR Station North Exit you will find an annoucement board you might do well to consult next time you travel to Hamamatsu City!

Just to put you in the mood, you will discover a tree trimmed into the shape of Ieyasu Kun!

The Hamana Lake Garden Park will hold its special opening from April 5th thru June 15Th!
Check their ENGLISH HOMEPAGE for great information!

The Hamamatsu Flower Park will hold its special opening from march 21st thru June 15Th!
Check this ENGLISH HOMEPAGE for great information!

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Environment, 静岡県, 観光, Health, Japan, Japanese Culture, Non smoking, Non-smoking issues, Pavement signs, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Non-Smoking Japan: No Smoking Pavement Sign in hamamatsu City!

January 24, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

I saw some (only a few unfortunately) of these signs south of Hamamatsu City JR Station.

The great thing is taht not only it asks people not smoking while walking along the pavement, but also warns not to throw cigarette butts or empty cans on the pavement!

“For the ske of goo manners in our city” says the line at the bottom.

Still some hope left if cities start a real non smoking streets campaign.

So far in Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka City is the most ahead!

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レシピ, Cakes, 美食, Dessert, 静岡県, 静岡美食, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes

Tea Chiffon Cake Steamed in Rice Cooker

January 23, 2014 dragonlife 6 Comments

Rice cookers come very handy when you want to make lighter cakes you can either eat hot, lukewarm or cold!

here is a simple recipe for a chiffon cake!

INGREDIENTS:

Eggs: 2
Egg whites: 2
White sugar: 40 g
Salad oil: 2 x tablespoons
Baking powder: 4 g
Flour: 4 x tablespoons
Black tea teabag: 1 (Darjheeling, Earl Grey or whatever your favorite tea!)

RECIPE:

Make 2 tablespoons of tea with teabag. The more concentrated, the better.
Warm up inside microwave oven.

Beat the egg whites with half of the sugar. Add the sugar in two steps.

Beat until you obtain solid meringue/beaten egg whites and sugar.

In another bowl the two whole eggs and the rest of the sugar.
Beat until the mixture becomes whitish.
Add the warm tea and salad oil and mix again.

Mix in 1/4 (one quarter) of the meringue/beaten whites) with a spatula.

Add flour and baking powder.
Mix gently with the spatula.

Having obtained a smooth mixture with no flour curd bits, add rest of meringue/beaten egg whites and mix quickly with the spatula.

Pour the mixture into the rice cooker basin. regulate the temperature a bit down and cook once.

Check if it is cooked to your liking with a wooden stick.
Actually it’s best to cook it twice!

Once cooled down serve it with a whipped cream of your choice.

Bear in mind that it tends to crumble easily so cut it with a very sharp knife!

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Bryan Baird Newsletter (2014/01/23): Seasonal Release: The Carpenter’s Mikan Ale

January 23, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

Seasonal Release: The Carpenter’s Mikan Ale

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

We are pleased, for the twelfth consecutive year, to announce the release of a now iconic Baird Beer winter seasonal: Carpenter’s Mikan Ale.

New Baird Beer Seasonal Release:
*Carpenter’s Mikan Ale (ABV 6%):

The mikans used in this brew are fresh, succulent, and local — harvested on the Heda land and by the hand of our carpenter friend, Nagakura-san. The Baird brewers hand-process the harvested mikans, shaving off the outer skin of the peel and pressing the juice. Both peel shavings and juice are added to the brew during wort production and before fermentation. The mikans serve to add depth and complexity to an already sumptuous ale; their role is to complement, not dominate.

Once again the character of this year’s version is marked most notably by the succulent aroma and piquant flavor of sweet-tart mikans and their wonderfully symbiotic interaction with our selected hop varieties (Summit, Citra, Centennial, Cascade).

The Carpenter’s Mikan Ale is available for immediate release in both kegs and bottles (360 ml). It begins pouring at our Baird Taproom pubs tonight (Thursday, January 23). If you visit our Fishmarket Taproom in the coming days, you likely will find the Carpenter perched on his counter stool sipping his namesake ale. Be sure to say ‘hello’ and ‘thank you.’

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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