Is there anything more charming than a restaurant to which one travels by small boat along a serene stretch of river in one of Japan’s most beautiful cities? One that also serves the highest quality Japanese cuisine, each dish a perfect balance between traditional classic and inventive modern? If there is, I am yet to ... Read more »
Once upon a time, the Old Man of the Moon decided to visit the Earth. Disguised as a beggar, he came across three friends who lived together in the forest – Fox (Kitsune), Monkey (Saru) and Rabbit (Usagi) and asked them for something to eat. Monkey leapt up into the trees to gather fruit and ... Read more »
I’m conscious that nearly a year has passed since our last trip to Japan and I still have so much about the trip that I haven’t shared yet. One of my favourite mornings was a visit to Kyoto’s Toji Temple for the monthly Kōbō-san flea market that’s held in the grounds on the 21st of ... Read more »
During our two recent holidays to Japan, we discovered a real love for yakiniku.* I was determined to recreate this indoor barbecue experience at home. But there were obstacles: no smokeless charcoal; no indoor barbecue container; no working extractor fan in the kitchen (it died and we’ve not had it fixed); and it can be ... Read more »
In China, Taiwan and North America, yakinuku (literally “grilled meat” *) is often referred to as Japanese barbeque but in Japan itself, it’s very much considered a Korean import. In the UK, it’s not well known at all. Showa Taishu Horumon in Osaka What is Yakiniku? Yakiniku is DIY dining at its finest! Diners gather ... Read more »
Although we always chose Japanese breakfasts when our morning meals were included in our ryokan or hotel stays, our Kyoto accommodation was room only, so we headed out for breakfast every day. On the first morning, we headed out to Toji Temple (for the monthly flea market) and decided to find breakfast once we ... Read more »
A random set of images from Japan: A friend of bread is a friend of mine Cupola Sanjo, the covered segment of Sanjo Dori (and its delightful chicken logo) Waiting at a tram stop, Osaka Details, Pontocho, Kyoto Children’s book, Kyoto Coffee Shop – rather surreal to try and understand it from the ... Read more »
More images from our last trip to Japan – these ones have a shopping theme. Cat and dog purses Trouser mannequins; Hello Kitty Pez dispenser Giant wasp or bee in honey; Mentaiko Kumamon charms; Maneki-neko (beckoning cat) ornaments ... Read more »
A few more images from Japan: Cats of Philosopher’s Path, Kyoto Pampered Dogs, Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), Kyoto Model of a biting dog outside a restaurant in Gion, Kyoto Cat in a hat, Sumiyoshitaisha Shrine, Osaka Cuddly Dominion, Kyushu Grammarly is a writing tool that checks ... Read more »
A photo album of Pete and I enjoying Japan. Pete loved his vending machine coffee and got antsy if he couldn’t find his favourite brands; Pete buying ramen Pete feasting on gyoza, katsu don, beef don and yakinuku Us enjoying okonimiyaki in Kyoto Us, feasting again Pete with coffee ... Read more »
The Place of Onions, in old Lille. After last night’s rainstorm the intense sticky heat has broken and today is cool, breezy, fresh… I love it! A drop of… [more]
We went to Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire at The Void this morning, an amazing VR experience where we got to be Rebel Alliance members going undercover as… [more]