http://en.source-international.jp/ I provide original and insightful information in my blogs about Japan, ranging from traditional culture to everyday life! Enjoy it! ja http://en.source-international.jp/article/37669055.html From the end of April to the beginning of May, we have consecutive holidays. So this week is called “Golden Week.”April 29 as Showa Day (showa no hi) is the holiday when the Emperor Showa (former emperor) was born.May 3 as Constitution Day ... Tourist Spots- Central Japan source-international 2010-05-07T17:31:39+09:00
April 29 as Showa Day (showa no hi) is the holiday when the Emperor Showa (former emperor) was born.
May 3 as Constitution Day (Kenpo kinen no hi) is the holiday when the present Constitution was established in 1947.
May 4 as Greenery Day (Midori no hi) is the day to get in touch with Nature.
May 5 as Children’s Day (Kodomo no hi) is the day to pray for healthy growth of boys of the family. In the past, May 5th was an important day to drive away evil spirits and sickness.

If weekends come together during Golden Week, it becomes longer vacations.
Even weekdays is included, some companies take the weekdays as Golden Week.

Though a lot of Japanese travel overseas I took a trip in Japan.
I went to the Ise-Shima area of Mie prefecture in central Japan to play golf at the ise-shima country club(Japanese) and to enjoy the amusement park called Spain Village.



I am about to knock a golf ball around!

After I enjoyed golf, we had really delicious beef for dinner called Matsuzaka Beef!!





These are the set.
In addition to them, a drink and dessert are served.



I had this Matsuzaka beef hamburger set.

What I most love for delicious Japanese beef is when you put it in your mouth, it melts! You don't have to bite it!

I think many foreign people know about Kobe Beef, but Matsuzaka Beef is also famous.

The Ise-Shima area is one of the popular tourist destinations in Japan.

You can also enjoy these below.

Ise shrine
Toba aquarium
Mikimoto Pearl Island
Cruising in the Ise bay (dolphin watching)



If you want me to guide, I can always do that! ]]> http://en.source-international.jp/article/37432098.html I often make sweets.If I tell my friends I like cooking, they get surprised.They mean I don't seem to be like that kind of person...Anyway,I want to share this simple recipe with you.-Ingredients-5 Eggs (bigger ones are better)Milk 500mlGra... Food- Cooking source-international 2010-04-28T14:26:31+09:00 If I tell my friends I like cooking, they get surprised.
They mean I don't seem to be like that kind of person...

Anyway,
I want to share this simple recipe with you.


-Ingredients-
5 Eggs (bigger ones are better)
Milk 500ml
Granulated suger 120g


-How to make-

1.
Put 60g of suger into a frying pan (21cm in diameter) and set an induction heater at the highest(strongest?)
Don't stir it.
Let the suger caramelize till it gets darker color as below.



Then stir the frying pan to spread it even and leave the pan on a wet cloth.

2.
Put all eggs, milk and the rest of suger 60g into a food processor and pulse 37 times which you can make the pudding the most delicious!



3.
Put it into the frying pan which caramel is left and set the temperature at 90 degree centigrade and heat it covered for an hour. (if eggs and milk were cold in making then heat it 10 more minutes)




Finished!




I actually ate two pieces right after I made it...秊 ]]> http://en.source-international.jp/article/37378946.html Walkathon will be held in Nagoya, Aichi pref.If you are interested in it, join it!Date: Sunday, May 23 <10:00-16:00>Place: Tsurumai Park If I am free, I will join it.Let's meet up there! Events source-international 2010-04-26T11:41:52+09:00 Walkathon will be held in Nagoya, Aichi pref.

If you are interested in it, join it!


Date: Sunday, May 23 <10:00-16:00>
Place: Tsurumai Park

If I am free, I will join it.
Let's meet up there! ]]> http://en.source-international.jp/article/37327884.html I had dinner yesterday at the restarurant "TO THE HERBS" with whom I respect as a professional guide She has been guiding for foreign visitors to Japan for more than 5 years.She is on the way for one week tour started from Tokyo and will en... Food- Cafe&Restaurant source-international 2010-04-23T14:56:48+09:00 TO THE HERBS" with whom I respect as a professional guide

She has been guiding for foreign visitors to Japan for more than 5 years.
She is on the way for one week tour started from Tokyo and will end in Kyoto. She is staying overnight in Nagoya tonight.
So we exchanged guiding information having dinner.

Anyway, the restarurant is all over Japan but the one in the shopping mall "Lachic" run by Mitshukoshi, downtown Shakae in Nagoya.

I chose a set menu of a salad, pasta or pizza, dessert and drink with a price of 1,980 yen.
Plus we ordered a glass of sparkling wine!
Finally, after hepatitis, I was able to drink alchol連連連

It tasted good撚 ]]> http://en.source-international.jp/article/36854665.html My sister in low have sent a four-panel manga to my husband the other day.It was about "nou_kousoku" (cerebral infarction) that her husband has been suffering from. He actually wrote this manga on his blog and stuff of the publishing compan... Health source-international 2010-04-04T00:03:18+09:00 a four-panel manga to my husband the other day.

It was about "nou_kousoku" (cerebral infarction) that her husband has been suffering from. He actually wrote this manga on his blog and stuff of the publishing company he was working with found it interesting and published in March.

Both of my sister and brother in low are catoonists.
But she stopped being a catooninst since her husband became sick in cerebral infarction in order to make a living cost.

Fortunately he was lucky that the part destroyed by the desease didn't cause any damages of his body movement.

Now he is gradually getting over.

After the world war second, the life tyle has been drastically changing. A lot of western-style food was brought to Japan, people became really busy in business and had no time to spend relaxing time including workout, etc.
This is one of the reasons that nou_kousoku is called a lifestyle disease.

Many Japanese people are now suffering from cerebral infarction.

Japanese food is world-famous when it comes to healthy food. Japanese people might have to pay more attention to their food style now. ]]> http://en.source-international.jp/article/36833258.html Do you know what Ganban_yoku is?It is one of the method to detox and a hot stone spa.You lie down on a body-sized hot stone for about 80 minutes, which has a lot of minerals, are inseted into the floor and heated(about 40 degree centigrade)... Beauty source-international 2010-04-02T18:30:51+09:00
It is one of the method to detox and a hot stone spa.
You lie down on a body-sized hot stone for about 80 minutes, which has a lot of minerals, are inseted into the floor and heated(about 40 degree centigrade).

Ganban_yoku are said to have a detoxification effect, improve the circulatory system and are good for skin.
Actually, you get sweat a lot and the sweat becomes the most effective cream on your skin to make you more beautiful.

These days, I started to go to Ganban_yoku near my house because my helth condition wasn't good.
I had a hepatitis caused by chinese medicine from December up to now. It is almost gone though...

And I heard that Ganban_yoku is good for revitalization.
So...

I am not sure how popular it is all around the world.
But, to make your life happier, you should be in good shape.
Ganban_yoku could make your life better. ]]> http://en.source-international.jp/article/36618618.html Hi, there!It has been a long time since I posted an article on this blog... since July?Since my mom's intractable disease ALS was found I really had a difficult time.At the same time it was found, I passed a national licence of being a tour... Life source-international 2010-03-23T14:57:16+09:00
It has been a long time since I posted an article on this blog... since July?

Since my mom's intractable disease ALS was found I really had a difficult time.

At the same time it was found, I passed a national licence of being a tour guide for foreign visitors to Japan.

It was a new field to me to join.
I needed to study hard about anything related to Japan all the time. (I have to study still now though....)
You know, I had to handle both at the same time.

That happening gave me a difficult time.

However, since my mom died in August 2009, How I handle my feeling was more difficult than that. But I thought I should get away from that kind sadness.
I don't think mom mother would like me to be sad for her.
In addition, my mom once told me that she is very happy I work internationally.

Posting articles here must be also one of her happiness.
So I will start it again!

Enjoy it! ]]> http://en.source-international.jp/article/30955495.html Author: ChikamyToday is the day we Japanese eat eels.According to the Chinese "Natural Philosophy" of Wu Xing, "Doyo" is said to be the last 18 days of each season.Generally speaking, it is indicated the Doyo in Summer.Doyo falls on one or ... Culture- Traditional Culture source-international 2009-07-31T11:35:04+09:00 Chikamy

Today is the day we Japanese eat eels.

According to the Chinese "Natural Philosophy" of Wu Xing, "Doyo" is said to be the last 18 days of each season.
Generally speaking, it is indicated the Doyo in Summer.

Doyo falls on one or two days in the summer time each year.
And, this year, today is the day "Doyo-no-Ushi"
It fell on July 19th, as well.

It is derived from the Japanese custom to get through the hot summer healthy by eating highly nutritious food of eels.

It is a good opportunity to try an eel dish today!

]]> http://en.source-international.jp/article/30891856.html Author: ChikamyLast Saturday and Sunday, I guided for foreign tourists to Japan.There were three families and two of them are from Hawaii. The other family is from Mexico.Coincidentally both of the father are a lawyer.The daughter and son f... Food- Cooking source-international 2009-07-28T14:54:00+09:00 Chikamy


Last Saturday and Sunday, I guided for foreign tourists to Japan.
There were three families and two of them are from Hawaii. The other family is from Mexico.

Coincidentally both of the father are a lawyer.
The daughter and son from Mexico will be a lawyer too.
The other daughter from Hawaii will become a doctor.

What a smart family!

When we had lunch, a buffet-style lunch, together, the mother from Hawaii took the dish called "Zenzai. It comes with mochi with sweet red azuki bean paste.

I usually feel that westerers, especially caucasians, don't enjoy chewy food.

Because she enjoyed the dish as well as her daughter, I told the story western people don't like it very much.

Then daughter continued, "In fact, there is a pumpkin mochi we enjoy in Hawaii which is a good dish at a party."

I have never seen the recipe in Japan and haven't heard of it.

So I searched it.

Here is the recipe.

Actually she said there is a pumpkin mochi flour that you just mix it with water or something...

Is it mabe sold only in Hawaii???? ]]> http://en.source-international.jp/article/30703415.html Author: ChikamyOne of my friends went to France on vacation two years ago and told me after he came back to Japan that instant noodles (cupped noodles for this conversation) are very pricey!We can run a business in this field!!It usually c... Food- Cooking source-international 2009-07-21T12:16:12+09:00 Chikamy

One of my friends went to France on vacation two years ago and told me after he came back to Japan that instant noodles (cupped noodles for this conversation) are very pricey!

We can run a business in this field!!

It usually costs about 100 yen to 300 yen. (1 US dollar equals to about 100 yen)
But in France at that moment, it was about 1,000 yen.


There are many things we still don't know what is hot about Japan in the world...


Here is one of the cupped noodles.



You pour the exact amount of hot water until the line you see inside the cup.

Close the tab for 3 minutes.

Wait...


And finish! (Seafood flavor below)




It is very easy to make.

I sometimes eat it when I am too busy to cook food for myself. ]]> http://en.source-international.jp/article/30678520.html Author: ChikamyThe World Cosplay Summit 2009 will be held at OASIS21 in downtown Nagoya, Sakae, Aichi prefecture!The "World Cosplay Summit" was started to promote international exchanges through the Japanese youth culture of manga animation... Events source-international 2009-07-20T12:18:48+09:00 Chikamy

The World Cosplay Summit 2009 will be held at OASIS21 in downtown Nagoya, Sakae, Aichi prefecture!

The "World Cosplay Summit" was started to promote international exchanges through the Japanese youth culture of manga animation.

Representatives in other countries had been held in their countries. However, Japan's representative will be selected on the same day as the World Cosplay Championship.

Please click here for the latest news. ]]> http://en.source-international.jp/article/30581436.html Author: ChikamyMore than ten years ago when I was studying in US, It was difficult to find vending machines for drinks.Even though I found one at an university, I didn't satisfy the machine.Cold coffee wasn't sold through vending machines. ... Others source-international 2009-07-16T10:42:44+09:00 Chikamy

More than ten years ago when I was studying in US, It was difficult to find vending machines for drinks.
Even though I found one at an university, I didn't satisfy the machine.
Cold coffee wasn't sold through vending machines. So I gave up cold ones and decided to buy a hot coffee.
Even so, I sometimes couldn't get one after I put coins in.
It looked working OK, but it was actually broken...

With those experience, I thought Japan is a really good place to buy any kinds of food or drinks through vending machines.


The first vending machine in Japan was a tobacco vendor, which was made in 1888.

Here is the interesting story of vending machines I found in the magazine of att.JAPAN. ]]> http://en.source-international.jp/article/30609335.html Author: ChikamySince Japan was westernized after the world war two, we Japanese started to eat more western food including bread.But even so, we eat a lot of rice.We Japanese really love Onigiri, or rice balls which are sometimes explained ... Food- Cooking source-international 2009-05-15T09:14:32+09:00 Chikamy

Since Japan was westernized after the world war two, we Japanese started to eat more western food including bread.
But even so, we eat a lot of rice.

We Japanese really love Onigiri, or rice balls which are sometimes explained as picnic food.

We often eat them for lunch. When we go driving we stop by at a convenience store and buy some different kinds of Onigiri for breakfast or for lunch. It could be also for dinner or even more! We eat them as snacks.

When I guide for foreign visitors to Japan, I tell them about Onigiri if I have a chance.


Here is the recepi.
(I am not sure if I can say this is a recepi. It is very simple)

This is Onigiri




1. Ingregients are varied according to your taste.
I have some sour plum, kelp boiled in soy sauce, and grilled salmon(chunked later).




2. Put the amount of rice you want in a bowl and sprinkle some salt and mix it. You see seaweed on the left.




3. Put some rice on your palm and then put one of the ingredients in the center of rice. You hold the rice to make a triangular shape.




4. Finish!




If you haven't try Onigiri yet, this is the MUST thing you should eat. ]]> http://en.source-international.jp/article/28111821.html Author: ChikamyDo you know anything about Tokai area including Aichi prefecture?In ancient times about 6 million years ago, Tokai area had a huge lake called Lake Tokai.Rivers running through to Lake Tokai had brought earth and sand for yea... Events source-international 2009-04-01T14:22:51+09:00 Chikamy

Do you know anything about Tokai area including Aichi prefecture?

In ancient times about 6 million years ago, Tokai area had a huge lake called Lake Tokai.
Rivers running through to Lake Tokai had brought earth and sand for years and, at last, Lake Tokai had vanished.

Blessed with the earth and sand seto city got fertiled, and became a famous pottery town.

If you want to know more about Aichi prefecture, Nagoya city, why don't you join this walking tour!


Date: Sunday, April 19th, 2009
Time: 13:30-15:30
Place: Meet at the owari-seto station of Meitetsu line

For more details, please click here.

You can also enjoy bargaining for nice potteries!! ]]> http://en.source-international.jp/article/28109713.html Author: MegOn March 8th, Brandon who had stayed at my house last year, came over to Japan with his mother. Because they were really eager to eat Okonomiyaki, a Japanese style pizza, we went to Okonomiyaki restarurants for three weeks consec... Events source-international 2009-03-27T12:23:48+09:00 Meg

On March 8th, Brandon who had stayed at my house last year, came over to Japan with his mother.

Because they were really eager to eat Okonomiyaki, a Japanese style pizza, we went to Okonomiyaki restarurants for three weeks consecutively after their arrival.
You know, I wanted them to have nice and delicious food for my guests.

After we had Okonomiyaki, we went to see Shidare Ume, plum flowers that the branches are flowing down, held at agricultural center near the Hirabari statoin in Nagoya.

This is the "MUST" thing you should do in Japan!
Just gorgeous!!

However, the most interesting thing for us was "gelati" they make from cows brought up there.


]]>