Osaka is Japan’s second largest city. Near Kyoto, Osaka has developed as the commercial center of western Japan and is still a uniquely merchant-oriented city. Osakans hate to lose money and time. They speak bluntly and dress with a flair. While it has grown into an international city, at is core, Osaka still has plenty of that old merchant spirit. Konamon If you travel...
Zen in the Myoshin-ji Temple District There are more than 3,000 Buddhist temples and facilities in Kyoto, from the very famous to the very obscure. The oldest temple in Kyoto is Koryuji, which was built 1,500 years ago, and many others are several centuries old. People can enjoy the atmosphere of the ancient capital to this day. Taizo-in is a Zen Buddhist temple built...
This is a knife and cooking utensil store that has been in business for 450 years. The knife maker is one of Kyoto’s best-established shops. Aritsugu Fujiwara, the founder of the company, was the emperor’s sword maker. His techniques have been handed down to today’s craftspeople. Aritsugu kitchen knives are a chef’s dream. The amazingly sharp knives are handcrafted one by one to make...
The Iga school is the biggest ninja group. Iga, in current-day Mie Prefecture near Kyoto, saw many conflicts between its lords. Even civilians in this area were trained in guerilla warfare to be able to defend themselves. This is how the Iga Ninjas got their start. Eventually, the Iga Ninjas were governed by three ninja leaders called the Jyonin Gosanke. Iga is in a...
Ready to become a ninja? Ok, first we need to dispel a few myths. Becoming a ninja doesn’t mean you will fly through the air, disappear from view at will, or defeat your foes with shurikens. These images of the ninja come from movies and comic books. Let’s learn about what life was really like for a ninja. During the late 14th century, temples...
How you can experience true Edomae sushi in Japan The unpretentious Umenoki sits in a hard-to-find alley in Tokyo’s Akasaka neighborhood. The exterior is black, and only a colorful noren curtain that changes with the seasons indicates there’s something going on inside. It’s easy to pass right by this sushi shop. But if you do pass it by, you’ll be missing out. Duck inside...
The comeback of standing sushi bars in Japan When you’re looking for a reasonable, casual alternative to the high-end sushi bars, kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi restaurants spring to mind. In Japan, another option has been catching on lately: tachigui, or stand-and-eat, sushi restaurants. No seats, no frills, no omakase courses, no scary bills to worry about. You can order six pieces of maguro and...
Shellfish is an indispensable part of sushi. About 20 types of clams and abalone are used in the cuisine to add different texture and flavor. Here are some of the most delicious choices. Hokkigai (Surf clam) Hokkigai has a unique look: white flesh with a red pointy end. It is thick and chewy. A strong sweetness and umami fill your mouth with every bite....
“MAGURO” (Tuna) has always been the most popular sushi item all over the world, but recently “Salmon” is gaining its popularity almost to strip Maguro’s No. 1 status. Salmon is widely known in the world. It is the fish those sushi beginners can feel comfortable to try. Salmon goes well with western seasoning such as mayo, olive oil and cheese. It must be one...
Picture this: It’s the morning of February 14 at M High School, a private school in the Tokyo suburbs. The school is in total chaos. About half of the 300 students are female. They arrived earlier than usual on this day to line up by the school’s grand staircase. They form lines on both sides of the stairs extending to the third floor. As...
