tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368982032024-03-14T14:49:39.591-04:00日本酒道NYC Nihonshudō NYC"The way of saké" Established October 31, 2006.KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-76293140366301731472011-03-21T20:12:00.002-04:002011-03-21T20:41:40.468-04:00How YOU Can Help<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >S</span></b>ome of you may remember that I have friends from <a href="http://nihonshudo-nyc.blogspot.com/2008/10/102508-kampai-with-tohoku-girls.html">Tohoku</a>. One of my friend informed me that Miyagi Prefecture, which may have been hit hardest, organized their "alumni meeting" to decide what they can do. Their decision was to create an account so that they can "avoid all administrative costs and every cent would be sent directly to the account the Miyagi Prefecture Government."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you would be kind to participate in this initiative, please send your donation to: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-weight:bold;">100 Overlook Terrace Apt#816</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">New York, NY 10040 </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Attn: Ryo Abe</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* Please make your check payable to “The Japanese American Association of NY, Inc.”</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-style:italic;"><div style="text-align: center;">(The Japanese Association of NY, Inc. is a tax exempt organization. It is classified under Internal Revenue Codes as 501(c) (3). If you need a receipt for your donation, please indicate upon payment. The receipt will be sent from The Japanese American Association of NY, Inc. after 4/20.)</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* If you have any questions or need any other information, please feel free to contact at: </div><div style="text-align: center;">ny-miyagikenjinkai2@hotmail.com</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can view the coverage of the <a href="http://www.fujisankei.com/video_library/local-news/miyagiken.html">Miyagi Alumni Meeting</a>, along with my friend, courtesy of FCI, Inc. (The video is in Japanese)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course, you can also make donation through the <a href="http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_src=RSG000000000&s_subsrc=RCO_NewsArticle">American Red Cross</a>, which will provide relief for other heavily affected Prefectures such as Iwaté and Ibaraki.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lastly, my friend Mr. Urbansaké announced that there is a <a href="http://www.urbansake.com/sake-blog/donate-to-support-japans-sake-brewers.html">donation program</a> in place designed to specifically aid Japanese Saké Brewers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Again, no amount of help is too small - thank you for your support!</b></div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-51162146360533259622011-03-21T19:29:00.005-04:002011-03-21T20:08:35.397-04:00Japan Earthquake<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">O</span></b>n March 11, 2011, unprecedented tragedy struck the Tohoku (Northeast) region of Japan. At a staggering magnitude measuring 9.0 Richter Scale, the "The Great East Japan Earthquake" and tsunami struck with vengeance as never seen before in Japanese history, leaving trail of destruction that is beyond this world. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Imagine a wall of sea so tall that it left boats stranded on top of buildings; a force so strong that it easily displaced houses hundred of yards, if they didn't shatter like pile of match sticks upon impact; a scope of the damage large enough to wipe out entire communities and towns off the map.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Despite the advanced earthquake warning system and years of evacuation drills, over 20,000 people are reported to be missing or dead.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Compounding the matter, the survivors are struggling with winterly weather with minimal or no housing, electricity, food, drinks, and medicine - all the things we assume to be readily available in this day and age.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While they try to survive in as disciplined, orderly, and honorable manner as possible, it is clear that they can't do it alone.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">JAPAN NEEDS YOUR HELP.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Whether it's cash or volunteer work (here or abroad), there are no such things as wasted resources when it comes to humanitarian efforts of this magnitude. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> No amount or effort is insignificant. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Please help.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmnTMK4QMYa2v0yoDk8H5-mZa7W0WkAVNFlaztBvVQNwq0imL53mG17DXl2aVLpnN_B2StfEtgRdcGME1WLbS47ALEoAFN9ngC1fK6FWGBwtg541MnA5Ofd32v3HEgHsoEnB2HQ/s1600/pray-for-japan.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmnTMK4QMYa2v0yoDk8H5-mZa7W0WkAVNFlaztBvVQNwq0imL53mG17DXl2aVLpnN_B2StfEtgRdcGME1WLbS47ALEoAFN9ngC1fK6FWGBwtg541MnA5Ofd32v3HEgHsoEnB2HQ/s200/pray-for-japan.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586687688274360210" /></a></div></div></div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-44940436842436436782010-08-05T21:38:00.005-04:002010-08-10T00:04:52.980-04:0012/04/10: Going Home<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwhCSnxGsZFBpRZHxatkm-mh-_bAM36hmPQckC8PHZ4OLsW3j0ejIjB5q80IlUfhceoh9JGsP4hQ-zsJXeN_7srlCefT-WRY-pkRYK8tJzxyHnYr4BvQ35GSkdd9gylPppNWxfA/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502111278739287458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwhCSnxGsZFBpRZHxatkm-mh-_bAM36hmPQckC8PHZ4OLsW3j0ejIjB5q80IlUfhceoh9JGsP4hQ-zsJXeN_7srlCefT-WRY-pkRYK8tJzxyHnYr4BvQ35GSkdd9gylPppNWxfA/s200/1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span></strong>o work off the calories from the night before, I took a walk to Ueno Park. With luggage. And, by "work off the calories," I mean, to catch the Skyliner to Narita Airport.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6FrLpXPbjOlweUn3CdHa7MLVCHZQULdX1_uh4H83aDyFZQ7frwTvktz0mY22kRv2qAPzrYP8qZoiY5IS3kl2Gp9dkRAdUFjP8RkZHtew8OdUny3LF2uYQkJ02E4YEvmvmY6U5A/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502111056970634018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6FrLpXPbjOlweUn3CdHa7MLVCHZQULdX1_uh4H83aDyFZQ7frwTvktz0mY22kRv2qAPzrYP8qZoiY5IS3kl2Gp9dkRAdUFjP8RkZHtew8OdUny3LF2uYQkJ02E4YEvmvmY6U5A/s200/2.jpg" /></a>At the airport, I had my last meal in Japan. Walking around the food court, I chose Italian restaurant, as I haven't had Italian in about 12 hours. There, I ordered Japanese-style pasta with spicy Mentaiko fish roe sauce.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOmt2Uq8pLtimUqqlMww6gDsxPern0rkfiW1sXJ9iO-PBawjKEa1TQ1mfHYczfYW2P4tf1K35OuCPEALL4q1gThiUTVWYjNWqvhtYETzT8-CyLJXsdq0dDAfhw-hYh6bXOkENyQ/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502111053231381042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOmt2Uq8pLtimUqqlMww6gDsxPern0rkfiW1sXJ9iO-PBawjKEa1TQ1mfHYczfYW2P4tf1K35OuCPEALL4q1gThiUTVWYjNWqvhtYETzT8-CyLJXsdq0dDAfhw-hYh6bXOkENyQ/s200/3.jpg" /></a>Up in the air...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Wgy9JxVAeV2tkiqylOwZSHLsEhnsM-aeOTCh_eKx_GDiWSYwrYX3SjiU8Jm9_xTF8hZ8bM_5Z_s-k6XvwucO2Kb0FQGplY7irNguSDpMYRvBQWdo-AL47ImGSKsu1y_wEbmmAw/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502111046524706706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Wgy9JxVAeV2tkiqylOwZSHLsEhnsM-aeOTCh_eKx_GDiWSYwrYX3SjiU8Jm9_xTF8hZ8bM_5Z_s-k6XvwucO2Kb0FQGplY7irNguSDpMYRvBQWdo-AL47ImGSKsu1y_wEbmmAw/s200/4.jpg" /></a>It's a good thing Japanese airport isn't too picky on bringing in food, as I was able to bring in juicy <a href="http://nihonshudo-nyc.blogspot.com/2010/01/113009-day-10-in-japan-dinner-in.html">pork cutlet sandwich</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJxv7Yl-rIa8MQypkAWZiGR9zlRhyphenhyphenLqbJCZisEoCt2UhMAz8n7z1BpgwatspIHr2krtGOakfHMcuR6AlY4ZOODYBDsfQqUNOY-4siNnUQvCfoyqexc5cl2EYpoNLyRJtPNV4_Dg/s1600/5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502111041395980514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJxv7Yl-rIa8MQypkAWZiGR9zlRhyphenhyphenLqbJCZisEoCt2UhMAz8n7z1BpgwatspIHr2krtGOakfHMcuR6AlY4ZOODYBDsfQqUNOY-4siNnUQvCfoyqexc5cl2EYpoNLyRJtPNV4_Dg/s200/5.jpg" /></a>Of course, I had to have saké. Little on the brawny side, but a saké nontheless.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87Txy6PFsnYWI2x9xBWwtz9-zxEHoiLOPKaZElCZnoDd1zQrIGm7US1FDUEUD-PJrL8dgGMKA2ldsrkmckDNktdp0SQI6Sc9Ymc0FJOAvuR0Jt9WjLtLGQP5ysaRu-gNu044z0g/s1600/6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502111037134005250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87Txy6PFsnYWI2x9xBWwtz9-zxEHoiLOPKaZElCZnoDd1zQrIGm7US1FDUEUD-PJrL8dgGMKA2ldsrkmckDNktdp0SQI6Sc9Ymc0FJOAvuR0Jt9WjLtLGQP5ysaRu-gNu044z0g/s200/6.jpg" /></a>Not surprisingly, my time in Japan went by far too quickly. With tons of new memories made, 13 hours are not enough to relive them all. </div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-1052547314488278492010-08-05T20:34:00.008-04:002010-08-06T09:32:46.782-04:0012/03/09: Day 13 in Japan (Last Full Day)<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoV9Q2oyJEwvxYO0D3QhDZKhf7MQmEkHb19QLcrWtZoZEejtYpjDQjw_6MYCsCfIfDofWHluJ5XpG7Ycgs558IULqQxgH_h2k5gCIv07-Qyxn0bZoTRRy8EJB6m_pNHhedueL9MQ/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502090981647544594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoV9Q2oyJEwvxYO0D3QhDZKhf7MQmEkHb19QLcrWtZoZEejtYpjDQjw_6MYCsCfIfDofWHluJ5XpG7Ycgs558IULqQxgH_h2k5gCIv07-Qyxn0bZoTRRy8EJB6m_pNHhedueL9MQ/s200/1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span></strong>s noted on the title, today was my last full day in Japan. What to do? Start with a hearty lunch, of course. This is Japanese-style hamburgers with demi-glace sauce. (The burger is hidden underneath the fried egg.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_P_vNrVTdLkjsCCI2LXJFGhss2bI_53Jam2d51FNc6snLSXxrFISEYrgBO7lOU_MjLDp8NF3H3-afnU_Otoj85mW9zAPdqhDFHZJajcfXZx09BJLTs05kQFUx7mT8r_CWN6qIhw/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502090975867989378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_P_vNrVTdLkjsCCI2LXJFGhss2bI_53Jam2d51FNc6snLSXxrFISEYrgBO7lOU_MjLDp8NF3H3-afnU_Otoj85mW9zAPdqhDFHZJajcfXZx09BJLTs05kQFUx7mT8r_CWN6qIhw/s200/2.jpg" /></a>Afterwards, I asked my friend to take me to a driving range for some exercise, to work off some calories I am about to consume.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2jae2fqOdvfB0CKpKOQ-VSTykNomYNxiwP6QKtdW2NgA8zR3Pvu8MaScZ5RkuCISScGDn9h2av0bKy6ofUOT-ZRiPR_CU6zM-d0rkXP4DPG5PNtN9nGUnD2QW_zl22-THGw4xg/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502090972632164114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2jae2fqOdvfB0CKpKOQ-VSTykNomYNxiwP6QKtdW2NgA8zR3Pvu8MaScZ5RkuCISScGDn9h2av0bKy6ofUOT-ZRiPR_CU6zM-d0rkXP4DPG5PNtN9nGUnD2QW_zl22-THGw4xg/s200/3.jpg" /></a>After the range, we went to Isetan department store and their saké section to pick up souvenirs. Wise choice, as they had rare sakés including <a href="http://nihonshudo-nyc.blogspot.com/2010/01/113009-day-10-in-japan-dinner-in.html">Jokigen Yamahai Junmai Ginjo</a> and <a href="http://nihonshudo-nyc.blogspot.com/2009/10/92409-scenes-from-joy-of-sake-2009.html">Yuki No Bosha "Hiden" Yamahai Junmai Ginjo</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo7gjGN64VsVcOP2o_Cw-8DWxEGGSZIa44m1g7MhQ8aslQiw4Q0tsiGMgp-2sWhzMBNjqEfhQwgP0xGVl_Dkml22cFjmmncAFC6OZJ2y9Bot6SgqZLwb3DfD-fHWLZ2j18b_y-g/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502090961560858290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo7gjGN64VsVcOP2o_Cw-8DWxEGGSZIa44m1g7MhQ8aslQiw4Q0tsiGMgp-2sWhzMBNjqEfhQwgP0xGVl_Dkml22cFjmmncAFC6OZJ2y9Bot6SgqZLwb3DfD-fHWLZ2j18b_y-g/s200/4.jpg" /></a>The main point of today is to enjoy as much food in Japan as possible. First stop was made at an izakaya "Nonbei", at 6:00 pm.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3hSN3VwAQvl7928a7pU0rwNEwET87RBlPo879485FR65Sudw6L9ZaK4hw9PDz_R0DILS9ulKklyr14m8AjIiCtl1h50QYV6kJfe2NZlUNOedlNfNFiShpGizb7sk_7I5Sk0YwQ/s1600/5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502090472522064898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3hSN3VwAQvl7928a7pU0rwNEwET87RBlPo879485FR65Sudw6L9ZaK4hw9PDz_R0DILS9ulKklyr14m8AjIiCtl1h50QYV6kJfe2NZlUNOedlNfNFiShpGizb7sk_7I5Sk0YwQ/s200/5.jpg" /></a>Our poison of choice included Shimé Hari Tsuru, Nanbu Bijin Tokubetsu Junmai, and Kokuryu Junmai Ginjo...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhxNHj1UaqObOGgQZu6iHloqB6w5XKhKiH1vtOKG8ziglfz3tNHYXz8T7k7-k8DD65Jp2R2yW75pGP9vVgx3rePzxWVm7a-RcY2ij5AoxeTb5ag9-_f1kCat60u6qk_RGSsnYUQ/s1600/6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502090463129444306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhxNHj1UaqObOGgQZu6iHloqB6w5XKhKiH1vtOKG8ziglfz3tNHYXz8T7k7-k8DD65Jp2R2yW75pGP9vVgx3rePzxWVm7a-RcY2ij5AoxeTb5ag9-_f1kCat60u6qk_RGSsnYUQ/s200/6.jpg" /></a>...with orders of bottarga and...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2v_hLT2qM8xaZG6ejbpwoEmLkPexGYtGMKUGf2kedqiW5UlY4k5bQFVonZ6SQwyJk6yV_0F688-3XLkD6JyEVYYhXqzx3tYaw45QWszhNHv0IBcYD4HzumpN0y1HTIJXcM0qd2A/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502090453133852578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2v_hLT2qM8xaZG6ejbpwoEmLkPexGYtGMKUGf2kedqiW5UlY4k5bQFVonZ6SQwyJk6yV_0F688-3XLkD6JyEVYYhXqzx3tYaw45QWszhNHv0IBcYD4HzumpN0y1HTIJXcM0qd2A/s200/7.jpg" /></a>...chicken kara-agé.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhsnoqW1paEORpr49270mfeTm9PRIsLKHcHjPfrnjxvv0Q9rMKhOgkHqqnPUwBF2DaRzJ3s2Ji-XzmhJR_ucQmlAo_hAcRa2_s_jLR1zS6oRl2x7vMZv9xsvDLMldaSUhHlXKwg/s1600/8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 151px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502090445181717858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhsnoqW1paEORpr49270mfeTm9PRIsLKHcHjPfrnjxvv0Q9rMKhOgkHqqnPUwBF2DaRzJ3s2Ji-XzmhJR_ucQmlAo_hAcRa2_s_jLR1zS6oRl2x7vMZv9xsvDLMldaSUhHlXKwg/s200/8.jpg" /></a>It's not uncommon for the Japanese to go to izakaya for a happy hour, followed by dinner. Thus, next stop was Italian restaurant "Corsica."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG28Vcsr3aBV4iFUu9soZAfA349pzvnloFelOAdxqU7Uib10Lji9aib6b6csN_4RLlxJyc1pkpYRtlyyoRz0JOI5BOdwwqN5wQv9897zLBAjCALoqeg3HZtgTgj-rdTgISPIRpyw/s1600/9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502090016130284978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG28Vcsr3aBV4iFUu9soZAfA349pzvnloFelOAdxqU7Uib10Lji9aib6b6csN_4RLlxJyc1pkpYRtlyyoRz0JOI5BOdwwqN5wQv9897zLBAjCALoqeg3HZtgTgj-rdTgISPIRpyw/s200/9.jpg" /></a>Small but authentic, we started with beef carpaccio...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhR34htqVHBUiBb2D9A3-ButaEioLSfwF1I43Gyk7tzLhGAHEuEOTXs19iazBoWi2U5dh8q7B_2SNacnlt0Ylo7itU-1GjJvoXGjTqXDGDmCwJtR01KzBZDDtAJvhJFeLAAkZTdA/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502090008109850338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhR34htqVHBUiBb2D9A3-ButaEioLSfwF1I43Gyk7tzLhGAHEuEOTXs19iazBoWi2U5dh8q7B_2SNacnlt0Ylo7itU-1GjJvoXGjTqXDGDmCwJtR01KzBZDDtAJvhJFeLAAkZTdA/s200/10.jpg" /></a>...sauteed spinach...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpNniYuIRsrgJVtcrPGJFVVfeJyqZonrgYFs3pyqIP4qDz8-xa5gSm1j8TtwYbGnf2XwMUL1iEQzhEeAg0YzsOvaiDr3Ho3OyKUslWWI6tisrM8Uff_t9zAwzNaS9pej8EKLdhA/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502090005427698914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpNniYuIRsrgJVtcrPGJFVVfeJyqZonrgYFs3pyqIP4qDz8-xa5gSm1j8TtwYbGnf2XwMUL1iEQzhEeAg0YzsOvaiDr3Ho3OyKUslWWI6tisrM8Uff_t9zAwzNaS9pej8EKLdhA/s200/11.jpg" /></a>...veal marsala...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0HcQ3E3TGaoE6bbUafFwM86JgzSMDw3sr1WmBGWJx95TK69-mGz9uLSXykFVngHaKzmI_lh1TjG7zBYnNwY3yZ08sh62LezAgrBZWQTI2br7dwDduJ4MJectqtvPUg6sSZbPoQ/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502090001068645794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0HcQ3E3TGaoE6bbUafFwM86JgzSMDw3sr1WmBGWJx95TK69-mGz9uLSXykFVngHaKzmI_lh1TjG7zBYnNwY3yZ08sh62LezAgrBZWQTI2br7dwDduJ4MJectqtvPUg6sSZbPoQ/s200/12.jpg" /></a>...pizza...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGI0KVbFN1jvpABllPDl6FM-bkncMd8NUkFFtgQP5jHEQ_QCIhEYpmRYAsOXiU5aOtE82fBZRTqspgVHLIk1Z_2gydBMTbg2gwByGzCkbYY5GvERrXeiQkYFc3mBIbAe0QY5pYA/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502089996929696562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGI0KVbFN1jvpABllPDl6FM-bkncMd8NUkFFtgQP5jHEQ_QCIhEYpmRYAsOXiU5aOtE82fBZRTqspgVHLIk1Z_2gydBMTbg2gwByGzCkbYY5GvERrXeiQkYFc3mBIbAe0QY5pYA/s200/13.jpg" /></a>...lasagna...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSizORjLmJZKTkSJeTCk53daopmnojc-O4FM5sow-AEZSx5cmY4Ychv4l5moadIH3EdCGuvLeH6D1s8jjD9Yon3HeYA1WTRl4VtrCMYJuImaq46hmf2jM1EL80euKPj_SF-80-Hw/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502089353316326306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSizORjLmJZKTkSJeTCk53daopmnojc-O4FM5sow-AEZSx5cmY4Ychv4l5moadIH3EdCGuvLeH6D1s8jjD9Yon3HeYA1WTRl4VtrCMYJuImaq46hmf2jM1EL80euKPj_SF-80-Hw/s200/14.jpg" /></a>...and spaghetti Bolognese. Yes, we ordered a lot, but portions are smaller than they appear, and there were three of us. At least, that's what I kept telling myself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPF2C5-CbO7IKgBrTVOBJ1m9UIG9SStWxZSVkniqyH4QStgu5AR8tFX5DbUlK9jY9UjzJGg2kYHBVarG-RTzD_DAHl6PWbXJGcnA_bL2_n4iSLcnEdld3rKK3_z5eKUXgvAgdmiA/s1600/15.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502089344259944050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPF2C5-CbO7IKgBrTVOBJ1m9UIG9SStWxZSVkniqyH4QStgu5AR8tFX5DbUlK9jY9UjzJGg2kYHBVarG-RTzD_DAHl6PWbXJGcnA_bL2_n4iSLcnEdld3rKK3_z5eKUXgvAgdmiA/s200/15.jpg" /></a>It is also not unusual for the Japanese to go to "Niji-Kai" afterparty after dinner. We went to a different izakaya, not too far from Nonbei.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZUhyphenhypheneI7q8_KEOqopxbtZC58aokYJv8hNiMlf53gvXMfHlvMoTB_GenfZgCYWBWf59mVv64VYMNlVFjvx9gVRVrC24nDPgSRl4jRYCEaovEvu3J4NsFuRhQXsWhNe8YQNZiX1vA/s1600/16.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502089341748635858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZUhyphenhypheneI7q8_KEOqopxbtZC58aokYJv8hNiMlf53gvXMfHlvMoTB_GenfZgCYWBWf59mVv64VYMNlVFjvx9gVRVrC24nDPgSRl4jRYCEaovEvu3J4NsFuRhQXsWhNe8YQNZiX1vA/s200/16.jpg" /></a>As my friend knows the manager, we were able to bring in our own bottle. The choice was the spectacular <a href="http://nihonshudo-nyc.blogspot.com/2010/01/112909-day-9-in-japan-part-ii-visiting.html">Shichida Junmai Ginjo</a> that I received on my visit to Tenzan Brewery.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i4k6a8zP85PuWMsz5bLbSoOIxsSNWRjV-otqeBcBTnC9M1tiVTDuRMSc7YRR0j3MA8hv_wQLpGcoCO8pwtO-TvcclLu0w7G8wdHZ-ASKf8wzGSk2ZSrpgcAkJKFInwalgbo3UQ/s1600/17.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502089336989300130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i4k6a8zP85PuWMsz5bLbSoOIxsSNWRjV-otqeBcBTnC9M1tiVTDuRMSc7YRR0j3MA8hv_wQLpGcoCO8pwtO-TvcclLu0w7G8wdHZ-ASKf8wzGSk2ZSrpgcAkJKFInwalgbo3UQ/s200/17.jpg" /></a>To accomodate, we ordered some pasta...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTAdEdQ2LQr-r3UO_lAu2r7jBxC-IaK9XJ-LkQcsk2m_fqmvvzAaCm3UfKzPZsVHIql3u7iUD5oQ0tSewOBVEpIGwfMDmU909LH_hEi5BPeZc56FnAIx4H2JZeTpH0J0c1JXCqA/s1600/18.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502089329458409810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTAdEdQ2LQr-r3UO_lAu2r7jBxC-IaK9XJ-LkQcsk2m_fqmvvzAaCm3UfKzPZsVHIql3u7iUD5oQ0tSewOBVEpIGwfMDmU909LH_hEi5BPeZc56FnAIx4H2JZeTpH0J0c1JXCqA/s200/18.jpg" /></a>...and dumplings as we apparently didn't fulfil our carbohydrates intake for the day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSj8z7OqX_bq7edyM42BXFZ0SjwD2CDf-mfa1WRK2p24qzany-dibRxJy-k6G9lx4s2hSPLQrPvqm5M4qNEjAmORCC0SI2JK54ijqg8CItMBaTrolMGbl18KkUcfrwVk87EgiF9g/s1600/Trio.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502101437918284466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSj8z7OqX_bq7edyM42BXFZ0SjwD2CDf-mfa1WRK2p24qzany-dibRxJy-k6G9lx4s2hSPLQrPvqm5M4qNEjAmORCC0SI2JK54ijqg8CItMBaTrolMGbl18KkUcfrwVk87EgiF9g/s200/Trio.jpg" /></a>My partners in crime!</div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-18115381628336126652010-02-15T20:05:00.008-05:002010-03-09T09:15:00.146-05:0012/02/09: Day 13 in Japan, Part II - The Autumn Leaves<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJ0kfrPxWm8I183o-5UeaB0qQiXc_3T4FVWObDddIWgk1rM7JwS87vFxIQuNXS_ahjy_WHIZhRL45GSTHwRhSHXozFE9LR4-7dlApYTQOfEiOTtb75A-joWxOMPag3aRl-JAJTQ/s1600-h/2+-+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJ0kfrPxWm8I183o-5UeaB0qQiXc_3T4FVWObDddIWgk1rM7JwS87vFxIQuNXS_ahjy_WHIZhRL45GSTHwRhSHXozFE9LR4-7dlApYTQOfEiOTtb75A-joWxOMPag3aRl-JAJTQ/s200/2+-+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438642002331992082" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><b>A</b></span>fter Mampukuji, we headed to Kamakura to visit Kayagiya, where they serve the best unagi (grilled eel).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVJt9DBr2ifUijDhzDDu6AnbXPaK6bwA10qXoE-3LmxdolnHet4L0YqL1iUy2tNKLjR07GKKyV5SLbZFgPg_935r6qY_z-sR3NwxrJBNiTtJc0I5RVY6TAcPNVSj1N8nFPugX_Q/s1600-h/2+-+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVJt9DBr2ifUijDhzDDu6AnbXPaK6bwA10qXoE-3LmxdolnHet4L0YqL1iUy2tNKLjR07GKKyV5SLbZFgPg_935r6qY_z-sR3NwxrJBNiTtJc0I5RVY6TAcPNVSj1N8nFPugX_Q/s200/2+-+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438641997902936642" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Made in the traditional eastern Japan style, Kayagiya's eel is steamed prior to grilling, resulting in a fluffy texture.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziozAL1TLlt3hLn9mRBL87vFCeKiX4Rox8fSSOKJTrsHA4RG1wEWbYNW7umZJGxPgnB2xdIY3D4v1uK3UnLFlZRMAOWrnDiSwwHy1AMGFkkaQ93fYslkYL-EScKifM_P4ZG29wA/s1600-h/2+-+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziozAL1TLlt3hLn9mRBL87vFCeKiX4Rox8fSSOKJTrsHA4RG1wEWbYNW7umZJGxPgnB2xdIY3D4v1uK3UnLFlZRMAOWrnDiSwwHy1AMGFkkaQ93fYslkYL-EScKifM_P4ZG29wA/s200/2+-+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438641991948945474" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We spent the afternoon walking around the temples of Kamakura and Kita-Kamakura ("North Kamakura") to view autumn foliage. This is a gingko tree at Hachimangu, a temple established by Yoritomo of the Minamoto Clan, whom you may recall from my <a href="http://nihonshudo-nyc.blogspot.com/2010/02/120209-day-13-in-japan-part-i-koshigoe.html">last post</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDCrXnVuea6NxP6B8HQa7R4mmjCiEBA5VuSu9La00HcoG90UOP9dgas2U67pYr50bSatftPWWwAebT3IXF4FcbZ3QeTekUwztU9yz5am6Aimy_dW267cSE8aITRf9-aazMdVErA/s1600-h/2+-+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDCrXnVuea6NxP6B8HQa7R4mmjCiEBA5VuSu9La00HcoG90UOP9dgas2U67pYr50bSatftPWWwAebT3IXF4FcbZ3QeTekUwztU9yz5am6Aimy_dW267cSE8aITRf9-aazMdVErA/s200/2+-+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438641987981378002" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Japanese maple back lit by sun in Hachimangu.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAZIRcslGv1B9GNygaOy5r3BBZOlPHcd8kstAvilYTIz6teKCYCa3mvrrC7w2aT6G6Azb9p5WaZgy4GN9_LNf7HBHiy6GBeicpgcBlVE_BDyE19j5ftbQXcNdPlF8cM2Fy3tgLA/s1600-h/2+-+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAZIRcslGv1B9GNygaOy5r3BBZOlPHcd8kstAvilYTIz6teKCYCa3mvrrC7w2aT6G6Azb9p5WaZgy4GN9_LNf7HBHiy6GBeicpgcBlVE_BDyE19j5ftbQXcNdPlF8cM2Fy3tgLA/s200/2+-+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438641514612829858" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">More Japanese maple at Hachimangu.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvVy3mx80rKcEqziZOUQBApGbp9PMt7zALwII81CD6AI0u1qnbnGu0BPw2A7a5SZ5abl0J3wofXOg-Ir0o5sMDiFdPphkgulxZTj8leiPCFG7yiST6Z6ZaRzmNh9uBPxW_UqEEg/s1600-h/2+-+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvVy3mx80rKcEqziZOUQBApGbp9PMt7zALwII81CD6AI0u1qnbnGu0BPw2A7a5SZ5abl0J3wofXOg-Ir0o5sMDiFdPphkgulxZTj8leiPCFG7yiST6Z6ZaRzmNh9uBPxW_UqEEg/s200/2+-+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438641508447284498" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Red Japanese maple providing contrast to the blue sky at Engakuji in Kita-Kamakura.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYnZzExYHOm5QUaWYxhR-I8ZyGYcdSrV64w3zPwgz368EHJM9Fb3FrbiWDo5D7riX6ZFkhGWslTWO1A4RSwdPeSBnp1uJwlNQqAGnGGHWEH-gTXBCu1sBzFwPUm-8_mYwYMT5jQ/s1600-h/2+-+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYnZzExYHOm5QUaWYxhR-I8ZyGYcdSrV64w3zPwgz368EHJM9Fb3FrbiWDo5D7riX6ZFkhGWslTWO1A4RSwdPeSBnp1uJwlNQqAGnGGHWEH-gTXBCu1sBzFwPUm-8_mYwYMT5jQ/s200/2+-+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438641504882820786" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Japanese maple trees surrounding the pond in Engakuji.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb92bUCHSI5-Rtq0Z0-64fzG8PvOqtnMcIw2SKaLW9rxRvm79IfQGsh4kU8L5BxGRE6pCuh2vlofoh1fuZDx0vMRtNL1j_BptQxFkOCfqMwfo5Y0Nw1G2eljd2PJ3gvztwqcyj5g/s1600-h/2+-+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb92bUCHSI5-Rtq0Z0-64fzG8PvOqtnMcIw2SKaLW9rxRvm79IfQGsh4kU8L5BxGRE6pCuh2vlofoh1fuZDx0vMRtNL1j_BptQxFkOCfqMwfo5Y0Nw1G2eljd2PJ3gvztwqcyj5g/s200/2+-+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438641501365744114" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">From the other side, looking towards the pond. Lighting creates a much different ambiance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYkrz41BSgMEtjqD2-qZhFRSUc4MrZk6dMlndYE5TTX3CBuyGpuUjApvJ_VVlQNXiV5TbxbRjWgzo5CIlP7CwnkmI4roEKXBpst3fHFoBd1X96Bahys919GbkNhYTOsKyXUa_ig/s1600-h/2+-+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYkrz41BSgMEtjqD2-qZhFRSUc4MrZk6dMlndYE5TTX3CBuyGpuUjApvJ_VVlQNXiV5TbxbRjWgzo5CIlP7CwnkmI4roEKXBpst3fHFoBd1X96Bahys919GbkNhYTOsKyXUa_ig/s200/2+-+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438641498177427714" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Simply amazing...</div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-59873010685064937152010-02-15T19:58:00.010-05:002010-02-17T22:20:07.605-05:0012/02/09: Day 13 in Japan, Part I - Koshigoé<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGg8KE8fd-Qmk17s9zlea4VNIpJO2nrd4CPuYTLkkeViL1U8x_LPZ5w1RzL7RjVKA55bm7DuI1aQT28YIPSuVcOMdS_sannWS9QuGEPVSMBhl8afhEOXxW67HOYY9mCcHMqd2dw/s1600-h/1+-+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438640909740199554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGg8KE8fd-Qmk17s9zlea4VNIpJO2nrd4CPuYTLkkeViL1U8x_LPZ5w1RzL7RjVKA55bm7DuI1aQT28YIPSuVcOMdS_sannWS9QuGEPVSMBhl8afhEOXxW67HOYY9mCcHMqd2dw/s200/1+-+1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">I</span></strong> started the day by retracing the route from <a href="http://nihonshudo-nyc.blogspot.com/2010/01/113009-day-11-in-japan-part-i-enoshima.html">few days ago</a>, except that my destination was not Enoshima but the town next door, Koshigoé. That fact did not prevent me from taking a glance of Enoshima, however.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMPU1jYZinVQw6VS0ug1FujgRdD04LSJRBMERmQkMrjmsSbOraR4nHIvHrK5lGA_V96SP_FZMp0rc5lJKrAYun2EIA8LX-4Zb9NslDjynyRocTMbzTrOzWda0XJKMtF-ElwhxGg/s1600-h/1+-+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438640906656574162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMPU1jYZinVQw6VS0ug1FujgRdD04LSJRBMERmQkMrjmsSbOraR4nHIvHrK5lGA_V96SP_FZMp0rc5lJKrAYun2EIA8LX-4Zb9NslDjynyRocTMbzTrOzWda0XJKMtF-ElwhxGg/s200/1+-+2.jpg" /></a>The road along Shonan Beach is picturesque, reminds me of a driving course one might see in video games.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhKjZYgLMC2OPWsiFoDP7DtDxjcqgIGD4adcvLORtMwz9JHztw0caNrYc_2DhjuOHy16julNLw6AuDln0lVSqwuDg0D_mJuFA2GyCRtRH0_sTw4pj1pTKHh20IMG1VehDi88xsw/s1600-h/1+-+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438640793985456274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhKjZYgLMC2OPWsiFoDP7DtDxjcqgIGD4adcvLORtMwz9JHztw0caNrYc_2DhjuOHy16julNLw6AuDln0lVSqwuDg0D_mJuFA2GyCRtRH0_sTw4pj1pTKHh20IMG1VehDi88xsw/s200/1+-+3.jpg" /></a>The stretch between Enoshima and Koshigoé is where the Enoden runs steet-level, amidst cars.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkHTJbTbm3lU_gTxIn1NQdvQh7AD8j-OGTjiA8f7YbYgw7nQZxERRmhSmQasJi-ntohprs9fq6CySJbtGiD25HMtRj6oCGSzEwkEJYZA-oBj8PyvcqPE36nAnYFxH2OWNbe5oAg/s1600-h/1+-+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 144px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438640792401269394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkHTJbTbm3lU_gTxIn1NQdvQh7AD8j-OGTjiA8f7YbYgw7nQZxERRmhSmQasJi-ntohprs9fq6CySJbtGiD25HMtRj6oCGSzEwkEJYZA-oBj8PyvcqPE36nAnYFxH2OWNbe5oAg/s200/1+-+4.jpg" /></a>In Koshigoé, I visited Mampukuji, a temple where tragic hero Yoshitsuné of Minamoto Clan held fort while trying to reconcile with his older brother and Shogun, Yoritomo.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_N9IYXjnVP9QS_R6-E2wnPxDI5TyDJb12yoau3A1dUt0aA-y-Em23PmbkSLXeobway9eUBrgPdp_1imen9-2QPN8rQ7J3ylFlqgx5L8lVY0mo0anzppNhKAfHlIzrSaLzLJnRQ/s1600-h/1+-+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 147px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438640784372597858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_N9IYXjnVP9QS_R6-E2wnPxDI5TyDJb12yoau3A1dUt0aA-y-Em23PmbkSLXeobway9eUBrgPdp_1imen9-2QPN8rQ7J3ylFlqgx5L8lVY0mo0anzppNhKAfHlIzrSaLzLJnRQ/s200/1+-+5.jpg" /></a>Memorial for Yoshitsuné. Highly talented strategist, Yoshitsuné had a tense relationship with his older brother Yoritomo. It has been said that rather than different bloodlines, Yoshitsune's seemingly aloofness towards politics led to this friction.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpAlmjBzw9XHTnpJas2PohwPriVOeTvkY85_JPqfSzWvYryK4vOrB5OXkcnoBDRQywuivhAOdAu68lZUVlFMh2Bj7-fmaOsgYpgcdH1DyTyMoGfLTYphNKBm55qZ-XlkxcIXkHA/s1600-h/1+-+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438640781356028418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpAlmjBzw9XHTnpJas2PohwPriVOeTvkY85_JPqfSzWvYryK4vOrB5OXkcnoBDRQywuivhAOdAu68lZUVlFMh2Bj7-fmaOsgYpgcdH1DyTyMoGfLTYphNKBm55qZ-XlkxcIXkHA/s200/1+-+6.jpg" /></a>This is "Benkei's Juggling Stone." Benkei was a fiercely royal follower of Yoshitsuné, legendary for his last stand. More on that later.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBakI1AJqfc3xTGKV8WXfAdQkpf2zMWGAhRI5cLgfSo3i_ZXa9pFp3rSh20Azxns3P9Liog2kwXPZ50xMY7iDbtW21j_OkopizLZHlvhpPRm9jkt1AB10KiixL6i1cZUhK6aDwsw/s1600-h/1+-+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438640773977782210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBakI1AJqfc3xTGKV8WXfAdQkpf2zMWGAhRI5cLgfSo3i_ZXa9pFp3rSh20Azxns3P9Liog2kwXPZ50xMY7iDbtW21j_OkopizLZHlvhpPRm9jkt1AB10KiixL6i1cZUhK6aDwsw/s200/1+-+7.jpg" /></a>On his way to Kamakura to deliver captured enemy general, Munemori of Taira Clan, Yoshitsuné and his charges were ordered to wait at Koshigoé, essentially forbidden from entering the capital. During his stay at Mampukuji, Yoshitsuné wrote "Koshigoé-jo," an emotionally charged letter to Yoritomo that was meant to reconcile their differences.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R-O9MScwYEKoOk5CEU_kLIOLL0wimNKjtpi7n18tCficaqiS9Vjy2hpVKr6iImBUhVqAtzeGF2vXRLzjx4qu6pwQn5aZutkMhLXnOC-8dRbGMI7MxGIu1IKd29KHF5ju-iQDnw/s1600-h/1+-+8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438640489217229650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R-O9MScwYEKoOk5CEU_kLIOLL0wimNKjtpi7n18tCficaqiS9Vjy2hpVKr6iImBUhVqAtzeGF2vXRLzjx4qu6pwQn5aZutkMhLXnOC-8dRbGMI7MxGIu1IKd29KHF5ju-iQDnw/s200/1+-+8.jpg" /></a>This picture on the shoji sliding door shows Yoshitsuné waiting longingly at the temple, hoping that the letter will thaw the relationship. However, Yoritomo saw the emotional appeal as further sign that Yoshitsuné didn't understand that the new government needed reason and logic to rule, further widening the gap between the two.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8L_Pbos99gaIGADxO9LJe3laQkc7fgBO9vQXz00KhOWSPpiULnIdC9okCDdBxrzbJ2kKP4roUe8HtGWG_IlNbpRJ55adliA015BShd82r4UCtahG6MR0bagJNmshJOPInbzb4A/s1600-h/1+-+9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438640490317012930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8L_Pbos99gaIGADxO9LJe3laQkc7fgBO9vQXz00KhOWSPpiULnIdC9okCDdBxrzbJ2kKP4roUe8HtGWG_IlNbpRJ55adliA015BShd82r4UCtahG6MR0bagJNmshJOPInbzb4A/s200/1+-+9.jpg" /></a>Eventually, Yoshitsuné was seen as expendable figure in the new government, and his persecution was seen as a necessary step to unite the Kamakura Shogunate. Along the way, he bid tearful farewell to his wife Shizuka.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGsnIBzHDqvhit-eT5bous5zE_VRroBUYZaTnaW0lQ1RVNUvEFmMiKx1UB49-gHdWagLtM7mvs26ZsyaYxWR1kzAYu7w2Kb65u29NG99imCTP_2GRAlZ0nZZYTleD2wB5_T144A/s1600-h/1+-+10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 149px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438640485792428290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGsnIBzHDqvhit-eT5bous5zE_VRroBUYZaTnaW0lQ1RVNUvEFmMiKx1UB49-gHdWagLtM7mvs26ZsyaYxWR1kzAYu7w2Kb65u29NG99imCTP_2GRAlZ0nZZYTleD2wB5_T144A/s200/1+-+10.jpg" /></a>Eventually, Yoshitsuné escaped to northern prefecture of Iwaté, but his allies eventually turned on him. Badly outnumbered with nowhere left to go, Yoshitsuné decided to do the honorable thing. As his last duty, his loyal follower Benkei gave his life holding off the enemy while Yoshitsuné took his own life. The legend has it that Benkei died on his feet, determined not to let his master down.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDKXhyfojtn2CHLhtu_zxyp6Jq1Z4BLc8n8DEnXFbtpoSOgk6m6YjN0FKcYn-o3h5eeB_YHJhwrdTi62A_3kHzbaplmktEMUG6Jdhhv0TLadDGvQvlX4WN6UHQKhcYDe3Kn9pCw/s1600-h/1+-+11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438640475771264754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDKXhyfojtn2CHLhtu_zxyp6Jq1Z4BLc8n8DEnXFbtpoSOgk6m6YjN0FKcYn-o3h5eeB_YHJhwrdTi62A_3kHzbaplmktEMUG6Jdhhv0TLadDGvQvlX4WN6UHQKhcYDe3Kn9pCw/s200/1+-+11.jpg" /></a>Inside the temple was the armor. Was not sure if it was the actual armor of Yoshitsuné, but the crest on the chest is of the Minamoto Clan.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSrWmqzv-Z8dnghGAKdQfAGwNOP8l_4LVhO9QtA47AKlR8-5m0mXVaafqYgzqaPJhyPr9QLY4BkSxXpT_XE3roVhJX1L9cK1xLnqiqUslqHPcOc5Q_zZy2hd1ef3IcTN5KklzyA/s1600-h/1+-+12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438640472143050978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSrWmqzv-Z8dnghGAKdQfAGwNOP8l_4LVhO9QtA47AKlR8-5m0mXVaafqYgzqaPJhyPr9QLY4BkSxXpT_XE3roVhJX1L9cK1xLnqiqUslqHPcOc5Q_zZy2hd1ef3IcTN5KklzyA/s200/1+-+12.jpg" /></a>Last fascinating item were decorations on the shoji sliding doors. These designs were carved out in wood and laquered in a traditional method called "Kamakura-bori" (literally, "Kamakura carvings.")<br /><br />Visiting shops in Kamakura, one can find many examples of Kamakura-bori souvenirs including chopsticks, rice bowls, plates, trays, sandals, hand mirrors, and saké servers, among others. </div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-80097095340398408522010-02-15T13:38:00.007-05:002010-02-15T16:03:54.532-05:0012/01/09: Day 12 in Japan - Visiting the Headquarters<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv3GPBg2w-ioK4BFAQARq3bckGNfp-PsRijdh1eLf0lInP3gHhyphenhyphen53jBy_8UW-RR4iTadNFOSo0YARlcVO2weWcaf5MHnU1ZTpYMxHUrg7pUKgnvIg_IrSo15cjSa6KE_dYUcC1Q/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438559875737647602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv3GPBg2w-ioK4BFAQARq3bckGNfp-PsRijdh1eLf0lInP3gHhyphenhyphen53jBy_8UW-RR4iTadNFOSo0YARlcVO2weWcaf5MHnU1ZTpYMxHUrg7pUKgnvIg_IrSo15cjSa6KE_dYUcC1Q/s200/1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span></strong>he day started off as usual...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvvc0L-WYNWcohANa4zH0kjnZP_-EQ-_U2udyu0ksMeisEuvXOPNRI3V9pNUURQ2KCKrtkY4yarsxf_83NR4ZQDhnrpWdmBnq9YEHlvSnc4WtDV1yiETa3y6q4iXrGkmafqazcg/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438559407265635938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvvc0L-WYNWcohANa4zH0kjnZP_-EQ-_U2udyu0ksMeisEuvXOPNRI3V9pNUURQ2KCKrtkY4yarsxf_83NR4ZQDhnrpWdmBnq9YEHlvSnc4WtDV1yiETa3y6q4iXrGkmafqazcg/s200/2.jpg" /></a>I spent the morning going for a walk. As my hotel for the night was in Ueno, I headed to there to drop off my luggage. Near the train station is Ueno Park, where there is a statue of none other than <a href="http://nihonshudo-nyc.blogspot.com/2009/11/112609-day-6-in-japan-part-ii-satsuma.html">Saigo Takamori</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JDg8eVrmIoXfWOGy94CTvE4lLqsYjw2hxGPCGSgOjksDk-UZjNekHjhKbMyqBGO9HlWQYXq-mJADUt-LdRjP5iqqUnTIKspPSVi1OUeXJpY9NF4IAqP_GmNMKreSbedA8P_iRg/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438559402401614514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JDg8eVrmIoXfWOGy94CTvE4lLqsYjw2hxGPCGSgOjksDk-UZjNekHjhKbMyqBGO9HlWQYXq-mJADUt-LdRjP5iqqUnTIKspPSVi1OUeXJpY9NF4IAqP_GmNMKreSbedA8P_iRg/s200/3.jpg" /></a>After Ueno, I went to check out the day time scene of the famed night spot of Ginza. With lot of brand name brand stores and absence of neon lights, Ginza resembled Fifth Avenue rather than Times Square during the day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4DD14NmsaS9lHWc1h1mpPCkVL_KZtZViIvh7Uzjz_CKHBj2QYdpa7IXU5zsiy5yIlXzxAjQsCPe1OFGl8i1ur4zxIRMZMpLFGgYqTSQwal82KsC9Do32E0CnaTj_0FreQepecA/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438559397918144690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4DD14NmsaS9lHWc1h1mpPCkVL_KZtZViIvh7Uzjz_CKHBj2QYdpa7IXU5zsiy5yIlXzxAjQsCPe1OFGl8i1ur4zxIRMZMpLFGgYqTSQwal82KsC9Do32E0CnaTj_0FreQepecA/s200/4.jpg" /></a>After walking from Ginza back to Shimbashi, it was time for lunch. I came across this small shop specializing in hand-made Sanuki udon.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIONuvrI3Or5fDXbkzuYdY2kOw8XzmtVpQqoNYTVeM9L30KpQko1L5DSgj21rFLGHJdtlkXF5TS8I8MBWVYiAWU4Xw10TjNn828dFrvlQ_uOkyXAXuAZ8TLs5CwfsLUee8A6TXZA/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438559389175110290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIONuvrI3Or5fDXbkzuYdY2kOw8XzmtVpQqoNYTVeM9L30KpQko1L5DSgj21rFLGHJdtlkXF5TS8I8MBWVYiAWU4Xw10TjNn828dFrvlQ_uOkyXAXuAZ8TLs5CwfsLUee8A6TXZA/s200/6.jpg" /></a>I ordered lunch set that also included small plate of curry rice. The noodles were thick, chewy, firm, and excellent.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipueBEbg0Ri3c8229sYw3fjgT3DYdmf3NUSt3S3l03NVRV1Ztfws3xgt7tPkK60m-Z3Xc7ddIoL0AV6UOHfk-Tkh8yPkVqWAAdZQPn0HOKrWbUBg_zmvKib3H0uQriuSLJTZfUVA/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438559167839921106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipueBEbg0Ri3c8229sYw3fjgT3DYdmf3NUSt3S3l03NVRV1Ztfws3xgt7tPkK60m-Z3Xc7ddIoL0AV6UOHfk-Tkh8yPkVqWAAdZQPn0HOKrWbUBg_zmvKib3H0uQriuSLJTZfUVA/s200/7.jpg" /></a>I had an afternoon appointment to visit the headquarters of my employer. To get there, I took Yurikamomé train that meandered between city buildings before heading out to the harbor.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOsKPcU76VVEyOKIKcFSqv8pHlj1S7WzmoKIYG6rHyIVxpCTm59lN0atLkSTM4pW2lLwuWqiNAw3MwxwCJHfYI_9yWOHhTydNNK2u0GrfJcXYZFPiUojYpTn-Mljp2HCOaJTYXA/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438559164454779314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOsKPcU76VVEyOKIKcFSqv8pHlj1S7WzmoKIYG6rHyIVxpCTm59lN0atLkSTM4pW2lLwuWqiNAw3MwxwCJHfYI_9yWOHhTydNNK2u0GrfJcXYZFPiUojYpTn-Mljp2HCOaJTYXA/s200/8.jpg" /></a>Here it is, the Fuji TV Headquarters. It's slightly larger than the NY office. Just slightly...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadox0Ba5yBUonD4JtqDZgnhA1HEmq4Cec6xwz9uhIpw_zrRzjx0c0kW26JyLLMAIR17Qfm0r2MSL-tgFf-b2d6JmU_5-6GvdoXIUzyMppM4KXLH6OtfYIkxj5AHVwaH-PDrJQnQ/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438559158035037874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadox0Ba5yBUonD4JtqDZgnhA1HEmq4Cec6xwz9uhIpw_zrRzjx0c0kW26JyLLMAIR17Qfm0r2MSL-tgFf-b2d6JmU_5-6GvdoXIUzyMppM4KXLH6OtfYIkxj5AHVwaH-PDrJQnQ/s200/9.jpg" /></a>Fuji TV is located on a man-made island located in the Tokyo Harbor. Looking towards the mainland, there is a familar sight of the Statue of Liberty for the reasons unknown to me to this day...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlYsTztWrnK-pdW8jR0kRoHaZnvb3mWplFOV9rpn17i3StCabeCDYWzWXeQrDE4JXfFOnR1ne2N2Xrrflhuvs51lHyMd5fMbeX-6c8quUgyPLScbzATVcJFw5seyv6G3IqW1j6w/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438559154303383234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlYsTztWrnK-pdW8jR0kRoHaZnvb3mWplFOV9rpn17i3StCabeCDYWzWXeQrDE4JXfFOnR1ne2N2Xrrflhuvs51lHyMd5fMbeX-6c8quUgyPLScbzATVcJFw5seyv6G3IqW1j6w/s200/10.jpg" /></a>Before going inside, I wanted to see the tourist areas. To do so, I took the encased escalator up to the welcome area.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLVkYuBTgYy1s4saLu4FPt5-GOodtV0vr7kc9zQgsEsK9sFS0Jf8sMCthlIqarBaDFW-aLSKcYys-52HGh5tUG93nUAFvUoVTn7xCqAJ-a4qttkA8A9uMuWMdNwJ5WXoNtUtYrw/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438559147552545026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLVkYuBTgYy1s4saLu4FPt5-GOodtV0vr7kc9zQgsEsK9sFS0Jf8sMCthlIqarBaDFW-aLSKcYys-52HGh5tUG93nUAFvUoVTn7xCqAJ-a4qttkA8A9uMuWMdNwJ5WXoNtUtYrw/s200/11.jpg" /></a>Inside the escalator.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30iX5rm5qNeN1p7ic_R_zhdV_rje_H7ZbiqGYtnOja-Zw3wWhscribMdLBbhU0AQFYekYtIMcdprm4Tyn_-9IVdLXKNPwLxjXqaDmbwVgJJe9hldeTbBdt8Dy0JJPpyIxYpSZKw/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438558939964128898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30iX5rm5qNeN1p7ic_R_zhdV_rje_H7ZbiqGYtnOja-Zw3wWhscribMdLBbhU0AQFYekYtIMcdprm4Tyn_-9IVdLXKNPwLxjXqaDmbwVgJJe9hldeTbBdt8Dy0JJPpyIxYpSZKw/s200/12.jpg" /></a>The symbol of the building, main observatory, can be seen through the glass enclosure.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_Li0xQ0lnEiOMvEKPHN4GEUSRfLFmT3fieAIeswLBcn8nsBSmjybi06_uUe7pcncZVDI37hUheEKZqQycC3SxRFWYGGDKKOTSNSlrKwwDPJHY7UAfQwGK0psnVqa1Kw_YUCMYA/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438558936213754322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_Li0xQ0lnEiOMvEKPHN4GEUSRfLFmT3fieAIeswLBcn8nsBSmjybi06_uUe7pcncZVDI37hUheEKZqQycC3SxRFWYGGDKKOTSNSlrKwwDPJHY7UAfQwGK0psnVqa1Kw_YUCMYA/s200/13.jpg" /></a>At the welcome area, I met Fuji TV mascot. Yes, it does look like a blue relative of Snoopy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CNKCmXoFVLLZx-B6WpbFzyVhRdb-9_Soq-rIspN_vDb_m7jtZ1gDKNHEh8I-k8qAVOUWL8nBfeztcnBxK1xBP4C6TG4uJLXJ_yf8mTcNnoHx9QJ2Njf8CSvBYvmZ8c2s-zrhIQ/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438558930611137842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CNKCmXoFVLLZx-B6WpbFzyVhRdb-9_Soq-rIspN_vDb_m7jtZ1gDKNHEh8I-k8qAVOUWL8nBfeztcnBxK1xBP4C6TG4uJLXJ_yf8mTcNnoHx9QJ2Njf8CSvBYvmZ8c2s-zrhIQ/s200/14.jpg" /></a>Looking up inside the welcome area.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_KHdTNtcJqqUoohd_BBh5WKN0ReCxi-UModOinBASzwlZG734XHezuSFKEng-setGeYaHaaTvKz9hNp7YnCMNnnEF_uQjC4vnHyhyphenhyphen1E0xxmJDBPenWF93FSAuHQgdHCZm1FIdQ/s1600-h/15.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438558926349495426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_KHdTNtcJqqUoohd_BBh5WKN0ReCxi-UModOinBASzwlZG734XHezuSFKEng-setGeYaHaaTvKz9hNp7YnCMNnnEF_uQjC4vnHyhyphenhyphen1E0xxmJDBPenWF93FSAuHQgdHCZm1FIdQ/s200/15.jpg" /></a>Due to the private nature of the business, I was unable to take pictures in most areas of the tour. One place I could take picture was inside the observatory, which is open to public. This is what the ceiling looks like. The observatory is occasionally used for on-air purpose, so you can see the lighting track in place.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8jAOVmKMrNA7Rtdcj0k6wg9EBerXINwMG4N4eR66AATgZkDtqrm0oa3Pv2p8KO1B8WEUJw2agANSrPi6-9ZhfiRSzlELa4XOqiLCavVwF3AwsSG73ppe1DYZtTgbjEMM394bmg/s1600-h/16.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438558920801908882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8jAOVmKMrNA7Rtdcj0k6wg9EBerXINwMG4N4eR66AATgZkDtqrm0oa3Pv2p8KO1B8WEUJw2agANSrPi6-9ZhfiRSzlELa4XOqiLCavVwF3AwsSG73ppe1DYZtTgbjEMM394bmg/s200/16.jpg" /></a>View of the Tokyo Harbor from the observatory.<br /><br />Following my visit, I had dinner with the members of the International Department at an izakaya back on the main land. Due to the nature of the dinner, I refrained from taking pictures...</div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-82409889269580595372010-01-18T22:04:00.003-05:002010-01-23T15:55:28.393-05:0011/30/09: Day 11 in Japan, Part II - Return To Tsukushi No Ko<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnKV8FRLmn_4LocX85j4pbuOw4vCqn9MDNEvfienoINI6KRbFxKWKzYHc6IJuYScT8muoX9epJ9OlPrxjAL0oUJ25af_qcTcY4caoGrffFp7W1HCzsXio0apYszcjQwzf3_YSQQ/s1600-h/2+-+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428233587051491602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnKV8FRLmn_4LocX85j4pbuOw4vCqn9MDNEvfienoINI6KRbFxKWKzYHc6IJuYScT8muoX9epJ9OlPrxjAL0oUJ25af_qcTcY4caoGrffFp7W1HCzsXio0apYszcjQwzf3_YSQQ/s200/2+-+1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span></strong>fter freshening up, it was time for dinner at one of my favorite saké-centric izaaya in Tokyo:<br /><a href="http://nihonshudo-nyc.blogspot.com/2009/05/111109-day-12-in-japan-tsukushi-no-ko.html">Tsukushi No Ko</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFH7eQdZ2EInDPOxgaR7S1F-t0aeEltTwbAUttA_YokhgoIhfqHtL8qLpRpuIx6-8hCNHafp6G3A3pdKhMOLF2-2KPylEB_FFfxONl33KkK-182Dy6hIHN2mDvgI0eyXAmSZEkgA/s1600-h/2+-+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428233574872421570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFH7eQdZ2EInDPOxgaR7S1F-t0aeEltTwbAUttA_YokhgoIhfqHtL8qLpRpuIx6-8hCNHafp6G3A3pdKhMOLF2-2KPylEB_FFfxONl33KkK-182Dy6hIHN2mDvgI0eyXAmSZEkgA/s200/2+-+2.jpg" /></a>Love the interior!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRLKHF98KazF20AU0Spm26n8xXxSuSWI03LKkQxJBKEgD0RCUM_H3DaLzRgtdCqvVIM_E2p49udR5E3e5W__sSk9lVd-XBdYyvYhIFY2mMv6yIvPaB3zqp220JtBf_as_zCh6qw/s1600-h/2+-+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428233571359008786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRLKHF98KazF20AU0Spm26n8xXxSuSWI03LKkQxJBKEgD0RCUM_H3DaLzRgtdCqvVIM_E2p49udR5E3e5W__sSk9lVd-XBdYyvYhIFY2mMv6yIvPaB3zqp220JtBf_as_zCh6qw/s200/2+-+3.jpg" /></a>Started with "that beer," which is a Dassai sparkling nigori.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYBVpmgxzTHzX_D0QETSevuxjuiY8vCtFvDnVyV1iFHMGfb4huWaJkR0AoZZzw-VNVKbWRUzTcvnU3_VEjBvxqo-75NK0Ri1RzmwuKWaUj-l0_UrATVL6AIKcqtNE6QwAjVfMWQ/s1600-h/2+-+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428233439427681426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYBVpmgxzTHzX_D0QETSevuxjuiY8vCtFvDnVyV1iFHMGfb4huWaJkR0AoZZzw-VNVKbWRUzTcvnU3_VEjBvxqo-75NK0Ri1RzmwuKWaUj-l0_UrATVL6AIKcqtNE6QwAjVfMWQ/s200/2+-+4.jpg" /></a>We started with some mackeral...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGdCOebDvpch7DivqSysM3Casuw0FAQhodUQY6J1DwJp78qEb8XLrymZwFm_rSkribin8N7tXlLj4I0qlzTojofwW3J-FsUDn6XNH29f3yCFLMbpgRoAegAn000DsIRkW6oFdLg/s1600-h/2+-+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428233431342728162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGdCOebDvpch7DivqSysM3Casuw0FAQhodUQY6J1DwJp78qEb8XLrymZwFm_rSkribin8N7tXlLj4I0qlzTojofwW3J-FsUDn6XNH29f3yCFLMbpgRoAegAn000DsIRkW6oFdLg/s200/2+-+5.jpg" /></a>...and yellow tail as the first order.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQHwwmD8fv0jP7UNIhhA1Tf7ob6MXZ_UpJXxf1YtRJuAJ9r2qz8csK4G_aqE4cCtR-3rL_d75N-_OQt05dPQpurNTfOd8FIDLNmNEQnGirzpj_H2ElF8odp1keQy8cNEF1IhwPg/s1600-h/2+-+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428233428122825762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQHwwmD8fv0jP7UNIhhA1Tf7ob6MXZ_UpJXxf1YtRJuAJ9r2qz8csK4G_aqE4cCtR-3rL_d75N-_OQt05dPQpurNTfOd8FIDLNmNEQnGirzpj_H2ElF8odp1keQy8cNEF1IhwPg/s200/2+-+6.jpg" /></a>The first saké was Wada Ryu (not pictutred), as my friend who accompanied me has a last name of Wada. Following that, we went with Juyondai Yamadanishiki.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZXCMbsChCRVcIXsZ8tJaNa2pZB3-qRiUroLMscWfz1-sRIYeeE1LLAOWHeUGI8-64FDsSYszVkbs_4nZk8lnEIyPq2kOEzYE-z8pIhjypOMV7XQJR-9GL6hYuD9rFavpoBlOBA/s1600-h/2+-+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428233415608075026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZXCMbsChCRVcIXsZ8tJaNa2pZB3-qRiUroLMscWfz1-sRIYeeE1LLAOWHeUGI8-64FDsSYszVkbs_4nZk8lnEIyPq2kOEzYE-z8pIhjypOMV7XQJR-9GL6hYuD9rFavpoBlOBA/s200/2+-+7.jpg" /></a>Third saké was Masurao, which is a Yamahai Junmai Ginjo from Ishikawa Prefecture. I recalled liking it very much when I visited last year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPV0FItzy0zwoKeGN1CbKPCGhj_8LzE8P0PKTcPBd9GPnH_inPYEKiae1YaqJvzsPTupdOMGNnFjwnnfECXYwD188etG8EpN2AZfNgdbhGj0PSDlKjcjePjMYie-TGc36Mn-aNTw/s1600-h/2+-+8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428233411977001410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPV0FItzy0zwoKeGN1CbKPCGhj_8LzE8P0PKTcPBd9GPnH_inPYEKiae1YaqJvzsPTupdOMGNnFjwnnfECXYwD188etG8EpN2AZfNgdbhGj0PSDlKjcjePjMYie-TGc36Mn-aNTw/s200/2+-+8.jpg" /></a>The second order included some rice noodles and fish roe balls...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErdj2qYBtpIUBLffyC-G_8lYIdWPW9TRa0ZWhDiOcSpxNC1kDw1bBbFmQ8EB2GM0piuCIOpDLnGY6hZ6pv2oJoakFfLhBEt-rxtRqIl8bTFTDp1GZZPCnvzmeykQBgZ-Ws5sVzw/s1600-h/2+-+9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428233175285627218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErdj2qYBtpIUBLffyC-G_8lYIdWPW9TRa0ZWhDiOcSpxNC1kDw1bBbFmQ8EB2GM0piuCIOpDLnGY6hZ6pv2oJoakFfLhBEt-rxtRqIl8bTFTDp1GZZPCnvzmeykQBgZ-Ws5sVzw/s200/2+-+9.jpg" /></a>...and marinated chicken liver. Yes, it was as intense as it looks!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMZt7trwWfeyTBFM2IHfgOJyyow203yq0FZ0nMuJKQato_IYH0i63lOrCbXND1uVyicjLdabM3DQ3rwnwJhz5vkPgRX1h_b2Kj3y6l92IuNWbNexYfh51VI_SeDk2So956r4rBQ/s1600-h/2+-+10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428233170276943746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMZt7trwWfeyTBFM2IHfgOJyyow203yq0FZ0nMuJKQato_IYH0i63lOrCbXND1uVyicjLdabM3DQ3rwnwJhz5vkPgRX1h_b2Kj3y6l92IuNWbNexYfh51VI_SeDk2So956r4rBQ/s200/2+-+10.jpg" /></a>The fourth saké was Hakuro Suishu Nama Genshu made using Miyama Nishiki.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNal3rLmvwPMrktHdUx4zgsa72cGbEqV5hVkOaSyl7n-Zf9LOUKxBUtP0zVa0-Swbyv7sZooBWJsRZV58ySqa8i8OI6OC5ZZV_RPooswgllAatlTV3pYnuRiFuH0brJpTHMB_9vw/s1600-h/2+-+11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 146px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428233165827712322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNal3rLmvwPMrktHdUx4zgsa72cGbEqV5hVkOaSyl7n-Zf9LOUKxBUtP0zVa0-Swbyv7sZooBWJsRZV58ySqa8i8OI6OC5ZZV_RPooswgllAatlTV3pYnuRiFuH0brJpTHMB_9vw/s200/2+-+11.jpg" /></a>By this time, we were getting more thirsty, so we ordered a 1.8L size of... water. That's a water used to brew saké, sent directly from the brewery.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b0Vn0Nfiie1id8CYeN33YV5Jo9jj90MPOa-WsP_EiF1kkINNfDon9INuao_s2PbXUxycqpUoCdusbmsCYiRq-_wyqCV0teuJ1ck4Tl6M4iGPssi6nhWwHFIPZST7HG8y4O5anQ/s1600-h/2+-+12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428233158341074610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b0Vn0Nfiie1id8CYeN33YV5Jo9jj90MPOa-WsP_EiF1kkINNfDon9INuao_s2PbXUxycqpUoCdusbmsCYiRq-_wyqCV0teuJ1ck4Tl6M4iGPssi6nhWwHFIPZST7HG8y4O5anQ/s200/2+-+12.jpg" /></a>Next food order included the Japanese staple of "Niku Jaga," which is stewed potatoes and minced meat...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojjrjTS6W3FbIKEkhgdIP7HRmqDEhRwcgwRkkjnqE9sh078gDyEW0kqm6uyPaEt6DmtnFxCzJCTGNEMd4V2kTFFzFDPqvUlHH0fTO7Kc9mN7Jjyxl_LH_kmLvkl38DECQ6c1UXw/s1600-h/2+-+13.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428233153490341442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojjrjTS6W3FbIKEkhgdIP7HRmqDEhRwcgwRkkjnqE9sh078gDyEW0kqm6uyPaEt6DmtnFxCzJCTGNEMd4V2kTFFzFDPqvUlHH0fTO7Kc9mN7Jjyxl_LH_kmLvkl38DECQ6c1UXw/s200/2+-+13.jpg" /></a>...and order of tofu and stewed pork.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEu-FEQ7tNQQ0pXRBJaK5j30ERLhhNQW-PYUFR_mqeqUv6zIi125iI3VdMY5UBbC6ckLwGkT6wnLa8BVs-asqgA3PxriJrt36sVwXmMsDpYAtZNXAYP2uOPH9jas1PG4XP2Liing/s1600-h/2+-+14.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428232930811496722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEu-FEQ7tNQQ0pXRBJaK5j30ERLhhNQW-PYUFR_mqeqUv6zIi125iI3VdMY5UBbC6ckLwGkT6wnLa8BVs-asqgA3PxriJrt36sVwXmMsDpYAtZNXAYP2uOPH9jas1PG4XP2Liing/s200/2+-+14.jpg" /></a>The fifth saké of the evening was Fukucho "Toru Special," which is a private bottling for Tsukushi No Ko.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-906Rfh6r0i39vnoJanJRPyIYf1g85EJQah9LV69dD3-QcjW4YlTQ_JE62apNbE1b177xrLUm_seH8u6ZPXyb2uc4RbVFnZDYjBk7vZgSbJn8svODJ469nB_lt7gtLRy7VFsANg/s1600-h/2+-+15.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 148px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand; text-: center" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428232927133476930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-906Rfh6r0i39vnoJanJRPyIYf1g85EJQah9LV69dD3-QcjW4YlTQ_JE62apNbE1b177xrLUm_seH8u6ZPXyb2uc4RbVFnZDYjBk7vZgSbJn8svODJ469nB_lt7gtLRy7VFsANg/s200/2+-+15.jpg" /></a>Fukucho is headed by female Toji, Miho-san, and her picture graces the label.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VbITJMI3R2cBn08JgvZYye2nmEbTbbpcJ8e1xin3jfzazT_vm_OThNObphRNOrcfM0oQS-5kqKQ8XZamdD8ycflB7K6NvJWWXBMZRqUZaB5gtMqwuKoPzB_zlfdCXbXrCu11fw/s1600-h/2+-+16.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428232918309673506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VbITJMI3R2cBn08JgvZYye2nmEbTbbpcJ8e1xin3jfzazT_vm_OThNObphRNOrcfM0oQS-5kqKQ8XZamdD8ycflB7K6NvJWWXBMZRqUZaB5gtMqwuKoPzB_zlfdCXbXrCu11fw/s200/2+-+16.jpg" /></a>The sixth saké was Azumaichi made from Yamadanishiki polished down to 50% from Saga Prefecture in Kyushu.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8p3uFgr0SS8tM2XqdObPJfLD4PUuaoZruMpBBiWsJ6tRUtVn5K435FIcv4Cub6Kw3rp03gvC0nDKQ-Lt0xxV4t31xHPa6VHxooPlrOy3LYOupRM8-On1fUFk1UE1ER6cpMi15Uw/s1600-h/2+-+18.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428232905569980322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8p3uFgr0SS8tM2XqdObPJfLD4PUuaoZruMpBBiWsJ6tRUtVn5K435FIcv4Cub6Kw3rp03gvC0nDKQ-Lt0xxV4t31xHPa6VHxooPlrOy3LYOupRM8-On1fUFk1UE1ER6cpMi15Uw/s200/2+-+18.jpg" /></a>We ended up drinking 2 mega bottles of water. The second bottle was from Aoki Shuzo in Niigata.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoabdbZVwkywzfbpZ8eEE9sJj6hpHVbhiw06Xs4d4lqj-v8pQpRkF_JipFCzQ9Uy8stGU_n57pbFyibl5j6vV_UrDHlInbOjlI-hdukXvtVZ2j48lmvohrT9Qm_nyS44w7GYDtQ/s1600-h/2+-+17.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428232910225339522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoabdbZVwkywzfbpZ8eEE9sJj6hpHVbhiw06Xs4d4lqj-v8pQpRkF_JipFCzQ9Uy8stGU_n57pbFyibl5j6vV_UrDHlInbOjlI-hdukXvtVZ2j48lmvohrT9Qm_nyS44w7GYDtQ/s200/2+-+17.jpg" /></a>Our last food order was Japanese omlet, which is slightly slight and very fluffy. Perfect end to a perfect evening!</div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-27709446984994124192010-01-17T19:05:00.008-05:002010-01-17T23:12:27.165-05:0011/30/09: Day 11 in Japan, Part I - Enoshima Island<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0z1xc8Ib6K1_BjAZDFLgYO1muzFaq3SOqoI7K3hJHimdqZE8bpHD9PPi16E9om1MNwecieee9iB_eolW60FV27lKl_TJsg3uJ82lS30kyvnZUVqwkkGcj-ee1MJ7g6362eCrC6A/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427865146341512850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0z1xc8Ib6K1_BjAZDFLgYO1muzFaq3SOqoI7K3hJHimdqZE8bpHD9PPi16E9om1MNwecieee9iB_eolW60FV27lKl_TJsg3uJ82lS30kyvnZUVqwkkGcj-ee1MJ7g6362eCrC6A/s200/1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">B</span></strong>elieve it or not, I made it to breakfast.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYp809FA5l1LPLUPb3D1DDw7nqbQ87gMYTjKbeBSNNra3I7hI-xljcezPPtBQHG7Gjv0wpBWMosgtANbGZwGNAokZ2poQLTS7Z9jwwdidum0lkIyGkEy1IyIEGegn2gzMt56ZgA/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427865037332362306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYp809FA5l1LPLUPb3D1DDw7nqbQ87gMYTjKbeBSNNra3I7hI-xljcezPPtBQHG7Gjv0wpBWMosgtANbGZwGNAokZ2poQLTS7Z9jwwdidum0lkIyGkEy1IyIEGegn2gzMt56ZgA/s200/2.jpg" /></a>After fueling up, it was time to board the Yokosuka Line on the way to <a href="http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/kanagawa/enosima.html">Enoshima Island</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfvTDRmvV7ZlL7s57CPqNFDYNE62w2q2xMkVVACGNZB-M25kbcWFUvbD2AONl8wEuMSmc06XpvpikC6qchnLZEs_0J-TGNdQ1b8XO06nFWJzFSKIzeZfLLM_J88Vex1mYIVNEbw/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427865036759949410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfvTDRmvV7ZlL7s57CPqNFDYNE62w2q2xMkVVACGNZB-M25kbcWFUvbD2AONl8wEuMSmc06XpvpikC6qchnLZEs_0J-TGNdQ1b8XO06nFWJzFSKIzeZfLLM_J88Vex1mYIVNEbw/s200/3.jpg" /></a>At Ofuna Station, I transferred to the Shonan Monorail, which runs direct to Enoshima. Believe it or not, it's my first time ever boarding the monorail. The design reminds you of <a href="http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&hl=en&sa=1&q=ULTRAMAN&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g10&start=0">these guys</a>, no?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk7TxyCdlVd-FJXuTHPN7D66rULYDmN0abPWybzsBaQTPaZKkVWn09Dgwk6OL0UrcDQYiRzNGb2oMbgujJ1faGQnwT_T6No1JKDczOvQ0Slgvk0zFmn3YJ22VH36u46yh-Z0Dpg/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427865028489574114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk7TxyCdlVd-FJXuTHPN7D66rULYDmN0abPWybzsBaQTPaZKkVWn09Dgwk6OL0UrcDQYiRzNGb2oMbgujJ1faGQnwT_T6No1JKDczOvQ0Slgvk0zFmn3YJ22VH36u46yh-Z0Dpg/s200/4.jpg" /></a>View of Kita-Kamakura from the monorail.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUAjz2j_MM_ZUgJFHqRGP00HdFUxBGxbmJ8bKXt8Fi71JNcxtyXG-xah2Kwkuk-iJGNLtOXjJOcZp7mg219MUFgDEV3rMSCJaw1yM3oUYYawXJzqFXUSweRRH8vTBV0dktVoTQg/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427865023434344962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUAjz2j_MM_ZUgJFHqRGP00HdFUxBGxbmJ8bKXt8Fi71JNcxtyXG-xah2Kwkuk-iJGNLtOXjJOcZp7mg219MUFgDEV3rMSCJaw1yM3oUYYawXJzqFXUSweRRH8vTBV0dktVoTQg/s200/5.jpg" /></a>Going to Enoshima is a good exercise. After walking 15 minutes, you arrive at the 600 m long Enoshima-ohashi bridge.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9tEzmYH14EQjw0NzWlt2-mmisYzN66QMijTU37Aj8LtziXEPm3lR9VnTpvtpoqQ7FCMEZi_4GfpZHoGx5W5W-HPAaePzTkh4k-gsiIC6Ady4CTZa-n6nvz74JGZn6ZU-iY772A/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427865022158699106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9tEzmYH14EQjw0NzWlt2-mmisYzN66QMijTU37Aj8LtziXEPm3lR9VnTpvtpoqQ7FCMEZi_4GfpZHoGx5W5W-HPAaePzTkh4k-gsiIC6Ady4CTZa-n6nvz74JGZn6ZU-iY772A/s200/6.jpg" /></a>The main street of Enoshima is full of souvenir shops and seafood stands.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyg2mxVPWKHsXqszJ-t_hoJkTX6URMM2tpWAfCcNO8MnJslHOTdHtx15Sut3JcMSJ9-V9q-vWVjx-8CIfbj9US-1WV2bnALUaPntvlKUHWAzq673C4mosL92EAhhY4d50e97-dDw/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 148px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427864856769071314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyg2mxVPWKHsXqszJ-t_hoJkTX6URMM2tpWAfCcNO8MnJslHOTdHtx15Sut3JcMSJ9-V9q-vWVjx-8CIfbj9US-1WV2bnALUaPntvlKUHWAzq673C4mosL92EAhhY4d50e97-dDw/s200/7.jpg" /></a>Statue on the way to Enoshima Shrine.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfvbLQ9sRsg79hpy_Vg3TGZHcL79BYrrWWZS1gX9ZSsJXp19FfXGobiBF2EWPbd_CCzacjTmxJJCgzkUMBzN43iU_v6nnyk_BtZ53ociesO2JSXdO_GZnNl5pNNG8scilGCUGjw/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 149px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427864851790012946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfvbLQ9sRsg79hpy_Vg3TGZHcL79BYrrWWZS1gX9ZSsJXp19FfXGobiBF2EWPbd_CCzacjTmxJJCgzkUMBzN43iU_v6nnyk_BtZ53ociesO2JSXdO_GZnNl5pNNG8scilGCUGjw/s200/8.jpg" /></a>Evidently, going through this rope will cleanse your spirt.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4u_1zRHgC1YhVrJ2thL9_leO7fiBZ1YXRfMdDkBAFBDcxIq_aEfTndcVn7sHwbHcwUZoJH-n_eYQqWNM_KOt3kDZgNJQ3VjsKjAi1_-KNnjFixrm6PfwChyphenhyphen4yrddr_dmnSz4h0Q/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427864851010010130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4u_1zRHgC1YhVrJ2thL9_leO7fiBZ1YXRfMdDkBAFBDcxIq_aEfTndcVn7sHwbHcwUZoJH-n_eYQqWNM_KOt3kDZgNJQ3VjsKjAi1_-KNnjFixrm6PfwChyphenhyphen4yrddr_dmnSz4h0Q/s200/9.jpg" /></a>Although Enoshima is a small island, it is very hilly. Here is a view towards the mainland.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlRqn_CpbMm0jdFaqPm_xBp8PXxufkwkxmbHJfP0LH3jsJZshqeyqK3VWfOSyCwiGHsW4AhXkiLawICBIH_ARI_d85AUIA874geWDrkq-tu-xEn__XIM99j9mGxDRaPUH6aOz2A/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427864844065425970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlRqn_CpbMm0jdFaqPm_xBp8PXxufkwkxmbHJfP0LH3jsJZshqeyqK3VWfOSyCwiGHsW4AhXkiLawICBIH_ARI_d85AUIA874geWDrkq-tu-xEn__XIM99j9mGxDRaPUH6aOz2A/s200/10.jpg" /></a>After much walking, it was time to refuel. I came across "Enoshima-Tei" specializing in local seafood.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKlNCqAkvKAd_QNRRZZjrEqr6TL00hyg0rykwJ1U6uQBjxpCMHnvZ_RltkJ2YzfjoHSBrzXs5fhdRWZvvI532N4FPST7rFj6p8UCOZM1R7cZ5eZ2gEfYVf83c1VTqlb5r5tFSgA/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427864844511058546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKlNCqAkvKAd_QNRRZZjrEqr6TL00hyg0rykwJ1U6uQBjxpCMHnvZ_RltkJ2YzfjoHSBrzXs5fhdRWZvvI532N4FPST7rFj6p8UCOZM1R7cZ5eZ2gEfYVf83c1VTqlb5r5tFSgA/s200/11.jpg" /></a>The restaurant feature spectacular view of the ocean and mainland looking west.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4sIkY0ilRWhsjc_gQVcnG7Yr0D6-v_6hFfbwv2Im7ruOGPq1xRzdrIyJ_-pXbsvmQPLRQkYY5CsWOajnyNVM4zeIeqMT6IYBy0MGq8DuiBjCSaDRMPRNjKDX0SvOYnOJMuD9Og/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427864581908387746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4sIkY0ilRWhsjc_gQVcnG7Yr0D6-v_6hFfbwv2Im7ruOGPq1xRzdrIyJ_-pXbsvmQPLRQkYY5CsWOajnyNVM4zeIeqMT6IYBy0MGq8DuiBjCSaDRMPRNjKDX0SvOYnOJMuD9Og/s200/12.jpg" /></a>My order was seafood rice bowl, featuring fried oyster and shirasu fish.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQHg8tHw4-DuSYF5czfbt6KCctjbzcx4nuWTclh556gaEwey90PDTVVf_DZQzXluUk1XEITkJ1_Na0zm9BxJspJ3XDQfsGcMTVb2DYnayCRvD-0Vr9ryiKdquXO0KLmFEjCVyrQ/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427864578510621458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQHg8tHw4-DuSYF5czfbt6KCctjbzcx4nuWTclh556gaEwey90PDTVVf_DZQzXluUk1XEITkJ1_Na0zm9BxJspJ3XDQfsGcMTVb2DYnayCRvD-0Vr9ryiKdquXO0KLmFEjCVyrQ/s200/13.jpg" /></a>At the rear of the island, fisherman is seeking out crabs and shells during the low tide.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mshoxPGamM_lBLpdp2XNXxVviQnUMeeyR9mnsZVEx2SSqbbWhUB55XqGovFDWmhltfnHJNAmJ8jwdudtRX7AFmMzavJI5Lf-zJbxzkKcvxBzKzczKEpmeo97uHyc470YJlgsAw/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427864574264734242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mshoxPGamM_lBLpdp2XNXxVviQnUMeeyR9mnsZVEx2SSqbbWhUB55XqGovFDWmhltfnHJNAmJ8jwdudtRX7AFmMzavJI5Lf-zJbxzkKcvxBzKzczKEpmeo97uHyc470YJlgsAw/s200/14.jpg" /></a>More view of the rear of the island. You can easily spend some time being mesmerized by the movement of the ocean current.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk_tFey25HwGJk1NwLg6RDqKNNvylo912ZjRkOUn0kOy-fUyL0gU5Vjdr8_NTZ6ADyix6WLnX0G3b4iT8r0TqCagJkYjwXFBs8kr37BFCRwv_scWQ597vOXJVyy-HVGtgFKaj7Q/s1600-h/15.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427864571202408034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk_tFey25HwGJk1NwLg6RDqKNNvylo912ZjRkOUn0kOy-fUyL0gU5Vjdr8_NTZ6ADyix6WLnX0G3b4iT8r0TqCagJkYjwXFBs8kr37BFCRwv_scWQ597vOXJVyy-HVGtgFKaj7Q/s200/15.jpg" /></a>After walking around the island, it was time to head back to Tokyo. From Enoshima, I rode my favorite local train, Enoden.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fJDH95UgByhVy5KBJge4-QGqbcTbCRH5GPxgwXGLnZwzHJiRJtbsOs2MA0fHftHLLHqjoEk8Lk6z5ngGvijBtDSrz24np4xzjwtrfYDaH-Bv-m64QkqGIQU2-WLulTrGRUC4tQ/s1600-h/16.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427864567500134274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fJDH95UgByhVy5KBJge4-QGqbcTbCRH5GPxgwXGLnZwzHJiRJtbsOs2MA0fHftHLLHqjoEk8Lk6z5ngGvijBtDSrz24np4xzjwtrfYDaH-Bv-m64QkqGIQU2-WLulTrGRUC4tQ/s200/16.jpg" /></a>From Enoshima, it runs along the streets like a trolley in San Francisco, before running seaside where you can see Enoshima fade into the distance. </div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-69730240315181485072010-01-13T22:17:00.011-05:002010-01-17T19:26:30.361-05:0011/29/09: Day 10 in Japan - Dinner in Yokohama<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0HYeA70HmkjFqB-mhdeh4F2pOkS2NwiC1MkwYe17g9fMkBvwWwjYAurM_iPf4Ok7eKP7NRnznDwDdle4t_8_TTYaqqLwQkEHJDhIOLPMWmI43MZMzS-DTse67yWK9ZJGJWqhGg/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426431384031741282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0HYeA70HmkjFqB-mhdeh4F2pOkS2NwiC1MkwYe17g9fMkBvwWwjYAurM_iPf4Ok7eKP7NRnznDwDdle4t_8_TTYaqqLwQkEHJDhIOLPMWmI43MZMzS-DTse67yWK9ZJGJWqhGg/s200/1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span></strong>fter a restful night of sleep, I was on my way back to Tokyo. At the JR Shin-Osaka Station, I called <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLsh3SL5fw7pa2GTdUel5IX9_alEZjhEQiXOCPSCV0BsAQ4LE27igZJij8xKa5-z8OU3qxeC6ZIoTzj-A60Nkt2ekgt8PhfhPUJNVT4ykWaA1WP47RiRnMzQqy9Hi-1HvOXXklQ/s1600/3+-+9.jpg">my friend</a> to set up plans for the evening.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOt-9emdXapzzZliyzvVri0zNlHIt9zKZcbetEz-DLYbI21FdTLn6oFqP67GLcS8rjITQQEOKMt1w2g-zS-c_E9btnUFqrC-YzGgT_vMdaVgx9hSV9d0HZLSKyMg9t5zjOZs-24w/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426431372574033186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOt-9emdXapzzZliyzvVri0zNlHIt9zKZcbetEz-DLYbI21FdTLn6oFqP67GLcS8rjITQQEOKMt1w2g-zS-c_E9btnUFqrC-YzGgT_vMdaVgx9hSV9d0HZLSKyMg9t5zjOZs-24w/s200/2.jpg" /></a>As we decided on a feast at my friend's place in Yokohama, I picked up few dinner items for the night. Accordingly, my lunch was relatively light pork cutlet sandwich.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLCXi744b3cqYAmrZoyqsw1h9rksJpsv7iV35zswtFG0BdhQ1NNPbwVqr2x7Ids5kzmOYoSlcJXlanuYr_bFb-zGd1dG2G3d9KEzj3a7TNpX9egy16Waqlf1LZmhOphAwquyH1w/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426431233267677362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLCXi744b3cqYAmrZoyqsw1h9rksJpsv7iV35zswtFG0BdhQ1NNPbwVqr2x7Ids5kzmOYoSlcJXlanuYr_bFb-zGd1dG2G3d9KEzj3a7TNpX9egy16Waqlf1LZmhOphAwquyH1w/s200/3.jpg" /></a>My hotel was in Shinbashi, located between Tokyo and Yokohama.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6cNy85QLoUSIscZ29PRc6dN_vazkuHsjaGOnYZAcV2RCWlOENUUJzrmn0B-I_iWeP-pEWFdH2kKrnJroqMR9wjQmuLGw9MAILV856InO-5kYp0mTFwtjOENP0PnihLZ7_Ics_w/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426431227431056626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6cNy85QLoUSIscZ29PRc6dN_vazkuHsjaGOnYZAcV2RCWlOENUUJzrmn0B-I_iWeP-pEWFdH2kKrnJroqMR9wjQmuLGw9MAILV856InO-5kYp0mTFwtjOENP0PnihLZ7_Ics_w/s200/4.jpg" /></a>My friend lived in a nice apartment near the harbor area. Before we got to his place, we went grocery and saké shopping at a nearby depachika of Sogo.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTcFDYxsXirXBQCIpywdiiBcs3M2iFiHlfDJjvHXqfAcfSx_uMFMMsDUcIMKct2IcU4sCxuXZa6mRNuw-o3-fe3RJ7008z6mk12HXxFTcInFR3CaPsjctHbLnPEkAaD61eHbPsw/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426431224493409442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTcFDYxsXirXBQCIpywdiiBcs3M2iFiHlfDJjvHXqfAcfSx_uMFMMsDUcIMKct2IcU4sCxuXZa6mRNuw-o3-fe3RJ7008z6mk12HXxFTcInFR3CaPsjctHbLnPEkAaD61eHbPsw/s200/5.jpg" /></a>Once at his place, we toasted with the sparkling version of <a href="http://nihonshudo-nyc.blogspot.com/search?q=rokushu">Kariho "Rokushu"</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXubRl31BUVEZqsv2IfaRfgV_laJlLPw-iebOdvZSQ4l5ypFbxaBnqGqd34wtuoL5I_rys-hvpbxguf3gpORJwJg5IwswIfySbaTqIBI6QI9smsLGNse6tVjfefD8VwqOPK0bseA/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426431217193965314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXubRl31BUVEZqsv2IfaRfgV_laJlLPw-iebOdvZSQ4l5ypFbxaBnqGqd34wtuoL5I_rys-hvpbxguf3gpORJwJg5IwswIfySbaTqIBI6QI9smsLGNse6tVjfefD8VwqOPK0bseA/s200/6.jpg" /></a>Now on to the feast. We started with the sashimi selection...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSztGm2gX9iPyh6ZnLldFc_li2Sv34ykb_u46gOGqA5Ty4tXW-vWxy1YwOaKFDQrTK2-6rS6ZEVZe73H-wn0L1GqdxMcJ6cXtLtkyFgf1mn4b3LlaJil_owQjpiJ9Vbsw66EvmQ/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426431216764726274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSztGm2gX9iPyh6ZnLldFc_li2Sv34ykb_u46gOGqA5Ty4tXW-vWxy1YwOaKFDQrTK2-6rS6ZEVZe73H-wn0L1GqdxMcJ6cXtLtkyFgf1mn4b3LlaJil_owQjpiJ9Vbsw66EvmQ/s200/7.jpg" /></a>...and takoyaki from Osaka.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcYN0Jdz_3Wxo7-eXV0UI9nTcG4KsGJfmAJgC5wxO3CXRar-T9lHrEIrJfvp2fU3n46To99nDS1KDL4PT_gnCybVTDVrG66iqPJlv41yfldZXMxHRaYlOLhuo38CgHI-pMiOsTw/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426430953330977010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcYN0Jdz_3Wxo7-eXV0UI9nTcG4KsGJfmAJgC5wxO3CXRar-T9lHrEIrJfvp2fU3n46To99nDS1KDL4PT_gnCybVTDVrG66iqPJlv41yfldZXMxHRaYlOLhuo38CgHI-pMiOsTw/s200/8.jpg" /></a>Then came pork served in three different ways: plumpy kuro-buta (berkshire pork) shumai...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgntpK-g52tyZsAUhe9eQUyLIwV-GZ815bEwHY-9Dstu-JN_UfikQPQimR8XVsisd0xfNBtMSYfUgos8drT_5-UhE7FryUanjIA_Wkxjoll3znUgyK9JgVM-JMc4feBicy0m4Bg/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426430946844879826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgntpK-g52tyZsAUhe9eQUyLIwV-GZ815bEwHY-9Dstu-JN_UfikQPQimR8XVsisd0xfNBtMSYfUgos8drT_5-UhE7FryUanjIA_Wkxjoll3znUgyK9JgVM-JMc4feBicy0m4Bg/s200/9.jpg" /></a>...flavorfully marinated buta-yaki (roasted pork, also from Osaka)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE-YLpNpYZaQOhP0aEzFENopHGVBt5DFCoTsxIeSmaaV0iC7-k1QXTfp7fJ9kqSTjr9ezR_6KthIqHEvOhONnR3fXM1We66OTL5ewBu0xFBNzNz56EfSBALiCHiIumT9SYaeJ6w/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426430945622078242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE-YLpNpYZaQOhP0aEzFENopHGVBt5DFCoTsxIeSmaaV0iC7-k1QXTfp7fJ9kqSTjr9ezR_6KthIqHEvOhONnR3fXM1We66OTL5ewBu0xFBNzNz56EfSBALiCHiIumT9SYaeJ6w/s200/10.jpg" /></a>...and incredibly soft and juicy kuro-buta kakuni (braised pork belly).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZcFq4ihdg7VOmaPGLyZXQN770Y1kpNzze6waN8reySKvqRHLXfWm3oWZ1vUm9xisv2fUVX2omFzKC42CsAE3zcNub58FMfn21p1UAWMZhp1KoAcExwhw2NnkHv0MnNX-EC9nPw/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426430938792291874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZcFq4ihdg7VOmaPGLyZXQN770Y1kpNzze6waN8reySKvqRHLXfWm3oWZ1vUm9xisv2fUVX2omFzKC42CsAE3zcNub58FMfn21p1UAWMZhp1KoAcExwhw2NnkHv0MnNX-EC9nPw/s200/11.jpg" /></a>At Sogo, I caught eye of one of my favorite fish, hata hata. Fatty by nature, it's perfect for grilling and great with saké.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxAyWskwtWKx6MK9XeC8U6GugimxpPsQMzgFeM3rh_0wRgy_piIzlajle-FAJ13rvL-x34g5YRzyAkBrRadkLjJ6KDYL7Zt3go7L42DMbhWw-bIxxImtEvxVtJzG3bjawyXQvVg/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426430934649183314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxAyWskwtWKx6MK9XeC8U6GugimxpPsQMzgFeM3rh_0wRgy_piIzlajle-FAJ13rvL-x34g5YRzyAkBrRadkLjJ6KDYL7Zt3go7L42DMbhWw-bIxxImtEvxVtJzG3bjawyXQvVg/s200/12.jpg" /></a>As a signal to end the meal, Yucca prepared suiton, which is a soup with gnocchi-like dumpings. Just a perfect way to end the meal.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSASt0Wts6XcGX_zo_32K5xaQ7wo4W7AJweJWxhDRHAHB2IiLVOqBD_vVgtNnE8OysOvoj4hSG0YxBUTX5yOa9Lb6RlCRZXQ8c8Z9y1XaYFyJGDVEX02vEpRTfPBewIYh8P5aGg/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426430022697805714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSASt0Wts6XcGX_zo_32K5xaQ7wo4W7AJweJWxhDRHAHB2IiLVOqBD_vVgtNnE8OysOvoj4hSG0YxBUTX5yOa9Lb6RlCRZXQ8c8Z9y1XaYFyJGDVEX02vEpRTfPBewIYh8P5aGg/s200/13.jpg" /></a>The real finish was of course, dessert. When in Japan, I had to have the gigantic Kyoho grapes, which are phenomenal.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3emSWVt_AINDXkYbRzvXwL1FH5f8crydD1W7ZhyphenhyphenrZfhYMhXrJ3mPgAZ2XXk3yonDMSrfIug_Nb9k2ps9FS70U_ZW4k68pt1uvoUvbWEpQIiCMXFVX99p-uiDhPBbAGgK3urdjfQ/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426430015698046818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3emSWVt_AINDXkYbRzvXwL1FH5f8crydD1W7ZhyphenhyphenrZfhYMhXrJ3mPgAZ2XXk3yonDMSrfIug_Nb9k2ps9FS70U_ZW4k68pt1uvoUvbWEpQIiCMXFVX99p-uiDhPBbAGgK3urdjfQ/s200/14.jpg" /></a>For the evening, we went through 3.5 bottles: Ama No To Umashine that I opened <a href="http://nihonshudo-nyc.blogspot.com/2009/12/day-7-in-japan-part-i-on-to-yufuin.html">three days earlier</a>, the aforementioned Rokushu sparkler, Tenzan "Extra Dry" Honjozo I received <a href="http://nihonshudo-nyc.blogspot.com/2010/01/112909-day-9-in-japan-part-ii-visiting.html">at the brewery</a>...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Xe8GBOS7L2QjGN-mbQdOQ9vO-3frG4_6gEeT4-OH1mazOXLS-AtvoxGjrQXEJ6gzTuCR6ZjMTiA_6BUn3tIxE2716YUGT1H_C9JD233yHEbN0DHXBz6j-BZkjgYHUJRSR1G4kQ/s1600-h/15.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 148px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426430013143173154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Xe8GBOS7L2QjGN-mbQdOQ9vO-3frG4_6gEeT4-OH1mazOXLS-AtvoxGjrQXEJ6gzTuCR6ZjMTiA_6BUn3tIxE2716YUGT1H_C9JD233yHEbN0DHXBz6j-BZkjgYHUJRSR1G4kQ/s200/15.jpg" /></a>...and Jokigen (Ishikawa Prefecture) Yamahai Junmai Ginjo. Loaded with umami towards the finish, this may have been the best saké I had this year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkT9qcW8c6fRu1TG1luJRQOIcldvuEov3Rk-k0oqoS0DhrYssjQkP__aOGYrTT2cEx9ksDxwPAhH4nTDDE77wJd8bci2uic1WZEiolJ_07PvhYP6Gv9tyy0UGny0OaXzNPoAjzhQ/s1600-h/Tessie+Yuka.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426430007335067730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkT9qcW8c6fRu1TG1luJRQOIcldvuEov3Rk-k0oqoS0DhrYssjQkP__aOGYrTT2cEx9ksDxwPAhH4nTDDE77wJd8bci2uic1WZEiolJ_07PvhYP6Gv9tyy0UGny0OaXzNPoAjzhQ/s200/Tessie+Yuka.jpg" />Here are the gracious hosts. </a>You can read Yucca's account of my visit <a href="http://yuccaintransition.seesaa.net/article/134494354.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQt09FlP6Wo7z2YKby4SYirtSDt8S1hiJboMQhzSitNjw6n5HIAOBIS0jiMAu7v37FdKmPBfsww1AzmQqlt9yCbjB24WY4wnFhtRUhQc4xVRP8OXE3J5ATrBE58qMFLcyLvlQbg/s1600-h/KC+Tessie.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426429999729831490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQt09FlP6Wo7z2YKby4SYirtSDt8S1hiJboMQhzSitNjw6n5HIAOBIS0jiMAu7v37FdKmPBfsww1AzmQqlt9yCbjB24WY4wnFhtRUhQc4xVRP8OXE3J5ATrBE58qMFLcyLvlQbg/s200/KC+Tessie.jpg" /></a>Just like the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLsh3SL5fw7pa2GTdUel5IX9_alEZjhEQiXOCPSCV0BsAQ4LE27igZJij8xKa5-z8OU3qxeC6ZIoTzj-A60Nkt2ekgt8PhfhPUJNVT4ykWaA1WP47RiRnMzQqy9Hi-1HvOXXklQ/s1600/3+-+9.jpg">last time</a>we sure had a great time!!!</div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-84924262249145850312010-01-03T17:48:00.007-05:002010-01-17T19:26:18.941-05:0011/28/09: Day 9 in Japan, Part III - Dinner in Osaka<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSbvnvfFRNk8WH6BU9kkt9VwChxnQfCy1iII2Ob1aLZuDO0i4AQnWTnS-mKWSzQ6txBOYFly6UH6bQSI9cNWe_y06Zr6VBqYy4T_YBi3fZHlLlJIew2QlLk72NPSsrPGgieZUCA/s1600-h/3+-+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422649762701598850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSbvnvfFRNk8WH6BU9kkt9VwChxnQfCy1iII2Ob1aLZuDO0i4AQnWTnS-mKWSzQ6txBOYFly6UH6bQSI9cNWe_y06Zr6VBqYy4T_YBi3fZHlLlJIew2QlLk72NPSsrPGgieZUCA/s200/3+-+1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span></strong>fternoon was spent traveling to my next destination, Osaka. Osaka is one of my favorite cities to visit for their positive vibe and awesome food. Since I had no reservations, only thing I knew was that I'd meet up with a friend, and go for a random walk.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAarc-t01euWfo-XVCK7d6wyABcLjzUgX094-0GJ-ZMjmaw3WZgsCbPZ0UEMPcJTBkhnsVQ8E-p4nhg4b9uaaReluw09_ZcqEPQdAiEi4GfY1hiSkrMzanVz2YF3moO7RcXPLlkg/s1600-h/3+-+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422649762242716066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAarc-t01euWfo-XVCK7d6wyABcLjzUgX094-0GJ-ZMjmaw3WZgsCbPZ0UEMPcJTBkhnsVQ8E-p4nhg4b9uaaReluw09_ZcqEPQdAiEi4GfY1hiSkrMzanVz2YF3moO7RcXPLlkg/s200/3+-+2.jpg" /></a>We came across some izakaya, yakitori, Korean, then this one caught our eye. Isshan is like a yakitori place, except that they cook their meat on heated stones rather than over coal. Apparently, this is style originated in Kumamoto prefecture in Kyushu.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwHzDzuthiZQlmopsbdLbc6S5uydU8iXzFOdIFTE5izqvab3IyCy34A_MU7sHsAuRAdRGxNuq9taD5Kx33IwJcTpgdNhNhZGcDtAeM_J3DYcAvLOWSH34MomcJcixwFk7Qap-0g/s1600-h/3+-+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422649759209927154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwHzDzuthiZQlmopsbdLbc6S5uydU8iXzFOdIFTE5izqvab3IyCy34A_MU7sHsAuRAdRGxNuq9taD5Kx33IwJcTpgdNhNhZGcDtAeM_J3DYcAvLOWSH34MomcJcixwFk7Qap-0g/s200/3+-+3.jpg" /></a>Unlike yakitori, you can also order beef, pork, seafood, and vegetables. Here, we ordered minced chicken, chicken thigh, "kurobuta kalbi" pork, and chicken "horumon."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowwtWrMLn0v1jCIKraZ7GH2JLiRPQEdyeIbhn8EpbaS4cezKDN6Hr-do3ht3c7FmRK7Expw63oKfFR5z-GLFWszaPhlqnali6pkbbpp0axJLv6cOG3IAJeVAizN0QDYcM5IRrwg/s1600-h/3+-+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422649615002463138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowwtWrMLn0v1jCIKraZ7GH2JLiRPQEdyeIbhn8EpbaS4cezKDN6Hr-do3ht3c7FmRK7Expw63oKfFR5z-GLFWszaPhlqnali6pkbbpp0axJLv6cOG3IAJeVAizN0QDYcM5IRrwg/s200/3+-+4.jpg" /></a>Chicken cooking on a polished stone grill. This type of food was perfect for shochu. My choice for the evening was Kuro Kirishima potato shochu.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmQl8dj6iQ7P5d2E_UKdxhtim41hvPx0nLNXeN0_H3GjVpkQCxmd08v3orsl_6mNOGP4b_LLiUZmNY6BWspLNqmB3IiR1RkDp7yR0lZRy9Gin_pR8wy2nj22LoZoxQ30-QYN7Rg/s1600-h/3+-+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422649610497750642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmQl8dj6iQ7P5d2E_UKdxhtim41hvPx0nLNXeN0_H3GjVpkQCxmd08v3orsl_6mNOGP4b_LLiUZmNY6BWspLNqmB3IiR1RkDp7yR0lZRy9Gin_pR8wy2nj22LoZoxQ30-QYN7Rg/s200/3+-+5.jpg" /></a>We also ordered mushrooms and gyoza.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWPHUxNA0XDI9NMQiMHKWE8a5tOjGTASDTqdBX5NQSvR6JTh91LVDWBWgNRDdw1dGHwfett4h3DCUQ_z4YZ032_1SG9axmzwNCW_FC2zpsOuvNgT9uioTaVhGmqdWj4njrQ1Scw/s1600-h/3+-+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422649608012862306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWPHUxNA0XDI9NMQiMHKWE8a5tOjGTASDTqdBX5NQSvR6JTh91LVDWBWgNRDdw1dGHwfett4h3DCUQ_z4YZ032_1SG9axmzwNCW_FC2zpsOuvNgT9uioTaVhGmqdWj4njrQ1Scw/s200/3+-+6.jpg" /></a>We finished with their signature rice dish cooked in traditional metal pot ("kama").<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBM0CK2RHVSPJFUQkAZNHAxMIEckaSegUBwMeRBmLn-KRgLW2WfMPEAU1dXezp_3g2fz7JGFPVoD5S_B-IOnIVv65H1J0mfbmiGlgnYwJsh7xxcJxGiMESMAkeIgug_6yx28suQ/s1600-h/3+-+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422649601831801778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBM0CK2RHVSPJFUQkAZNHAxMIEckaSegUBwMeRBmLn-KRgLW2WfMPEAU1dXezp_3g2fz7JGFPVoD5S_B-IOnIVv65H1J0mfbmiGlgnYwJsh7xxcJxGiMESMAkeIgug_6yx28suQ/s200/3+-+7.jpg" /></a>They use Kikuchi rice, said to have been served to Shoguns and the Emperor. We ordered "Chicken Kama Meshi," steeped in dashi stock. I could've easily eaten few orders' worth for sure.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW4NQ9GWxEOGuP77aTkMcfLuOvtIvCGcJBKCrJTMIf0UBg7ASRE7-n5hjoQZaHs1fwfJX9OEk7kdrf9oHxJ7ULl9A_nOjLI1BdsAscy40NuXAvmP9_4khIaaEFeTwibCqKGDiSA/s1600-h/KC+Yuka.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422649599435799186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW4NQ9GWxEOGuP77aTkMcfLuOvtIvCGcJBKCrJTMIf0UBg7ASRE7-n5hjoQZaHs1fwfJX9OEk7kdrf9oHxJ7ULl9A_nOjLI1BdsAscy40NuXAvmP9_4khIaaEFeTwibCqKGDiSA/s200/KC+Yuka.jpg" /></a>My friend and I agree, Isshan is a must-visit! Fortunately, Isshan has multiple locations throughout Japan.</div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-59059813953486813982010-01-03T16:43:00.008-05:002010-01-17T19:26:06.067-05:0011/28/09: Day 9 in Japan, Part II - Visiting Tenzan Brewery, Continued<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GV5CDQIhGekA0i7mYNdgU1qwuv0JU3dd95LhskKoqFyzzghTnfgp9-8lAqXwZ4EvGIPFqn7kukinHxiDr6yevhAK4jsCuuGKzrKB4_Vxln7jP9n3m-tf63_2efEBnnG7ats4YA/s1600-h/2+-+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422633423580689810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GV5CDQIhGekA0i7mYNdgU1qwuv0JU3dd95LhskKoqFyzzghTnfgp9-8lAqXwZ4EvGIPFqn7kukinHxiDr6yevhAK4jsCuuGKzrKB4_Vxln7jP9n3m-tf63_2efEBnnG7ats4YA/s200/2+-+1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">W</span></strong>hat are these, you ask? They are pieces of tree that make up the sugidama (a.k.a., "sakabayashi"), those green or brown balls (depending on the season) you see decorated in <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYc0WzeekX5zncDb1EKHfnWGsi9kWTihD24W3WJ3fmuoZl1zUx2qsej1CLoChawL-GsCbdsUW-b8H6qeTAIuUNqPhZdxX7IeBO9Ntydc3zYhlcrl0hrx98kA0jSgGwaGTEVyhjw/s1600-h/1+-+3.jpg">front of breweries</a>. It takes about 1 week between brewing to complete.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41nHlf0FQveK-7ENTIVPPM3ReCwyWpAt5csgw9VAS3Uho-SUHR1asVCOu86PDZMdJ-ChUxJw8v9FQdMaDWnPBUxtWMMo5Nl-GsaYDjj3JuJMNvLTPEHZlzLBAFjmmFOz5-dM5ww/s1600-h/2+-+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422633419628108946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41nHlf0FQveK-7ENTIVPPM3ReCwyWpAt5csgw9VAS3Uho-SUHR1asVCOu86PDZMdJ-ChUxJw8v9FQdMaDWnPBUxtWMMo5Nl-GsaYDjj3JuJMNvLTPEHZlzLBAFjmmFOz5-dM5ww/s200/2+-+2.jpg" /></a>After the tour came tasting. I tried Tenzan line of saké...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwtltnP5dAkagJX5snDmdt38-scF6SrWxtVW5GW4mjPtgj2RN426aBbN-zIRIR-FEcb5dH9eme6E_v1kL9EjCBXvGAlSAdDfCVLGjpzUISJEJqif_zB_08byo0Z5gdJwTbTm4qA/s1600-h/2+-+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422633421150461714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwtltnP5dAkagJX5snDmdt38-scF6SrWxtVW5GW4mjPtgj2RN426aBbN-zIRIR-FEcb5dH9eme6E_v1kL9EjCBXvGAlSAdDfCVLGjpzUISJEJqif_zB_08byo0Z5gdJwTbTm4qA/s200/2+-+3.jpg" /></a>...as well as Shichida line, which reflects the family name of the proprieter.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXyTy0X9Koor8HXmuiAdH0fbWfBf1it4tUwbOYCxb-86kh3LSbsjEASVWXgBgXIhX8-AMW3yJtK2SHTU9CMb7uWXWjI3gHfW-y4blEX1X0smSiY0D6gM22bfWtKsFJNOXcmbM5w/s1600-h/2+-+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422633417842060930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXyTy0X9Koor8HXmuiAdH0fbWfBf1it4tUwbOYCxb-86kh3LSbsjEASVWXgBgXIhX8-AMW3yJtK2SHTU9CMb7uWXWjI3gHfW-y4blEX1X0smSiY0D6gM22bfWtKsFJNOXcmbM5w/s200/2+-+4.jpg" /></a>Tenzan brand is made in the traditional style. From this group, I especially enjoyed their "Extra Dry" honjozo (SMV: +10, Acidity: 1.2, Rice: Saga grown Reihou, Seimaibuai: 65%) for their sweet flavors of grain and clean, sharp, and dry finish. Interestingly, it says "saké for the guys" on the label.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQXHFBAaWp-t4E5-QhBj0maRdMKeQoHs_lAbvHrxg66S-y3a2FL53BdmkWFp2rNDUDtKYoGGQ-IUZU91W18bRJbN8HKA5bd_6jJiA_W49oBEOfx3ODfQWIirrgL8UQ3n6NjQ9nw/s1600-h/2+-+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422633411885715378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQXHFBAaWp-t4E5-QhBj0maRdMKeQoHs_lAbvHrxg66S-y3a2FL53BdmkWFp2rNDUDtKYoGGQ-IUZU91W18bRJbN8HKA5bd_6jJiA_W49oBEOfx3ODfQWIirrgL8UQ3n6NjQ9nw/s200/2+-+5.jpg" /></a>Shichida brand, on the other hand, was started by Kensuké Shichida, the current Managing Director. These sakés are made in the image of what Shichida-san sees as ideal saké, and are brewed unfiltered and pasteurized once, prior to shipping. I particularly enjoyed their Junmai Ginjo Muroka Nama (SMV: +4~5, Acidity: 1.5~1.6, Rice: Yamadanishiki, Reihou, Seimaibuai: 50%). The saké had a sweet aroma of a ginjo, followed by gentle yet firm flavor.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHGjg3iR1OfRlOfsn6nlkTDUwCv-xSkw-xYKBLjsrhbxDn_0yv461GlGBjOwGYa6lMxh53_ubf4KZKvL0_V5MRE8dBoGnIg6WQfjA0id76SQtx6Y_8fprcnb6dnGjgci4tmdu_Q/s1600-h/2+-+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422633211095231682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHGjg3iR1OfRlOfsn6nlkTDUwCv-xSkw-xYKBLjsrhbxDn_0yv461GlGBjOwGYa6lMxh53_ubf4KZKvL0_V5MRE8dBoGnIg6WQfjA0id76SQtx6Y_8fprcnb6dnGjgci4tmdu_Q/s200/2+-+6.jpg" /></a>After the tasting, Shichida-san treated me to their local gourmet: koi. Koi, as you may know, is carp. Ogi City is famous for carp, and many restaurants shuttle in diners with buses.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXzEHJpbZujR_7VU7oqf50WcHtrCI3YgrSH-1pCm2TnENk4G-02evp1MaJ-5QeUwGdnMwHl2bHg70aChkD7jjRzDFz8bTwv-MFMaUMnhmag_rxEhqqXd_EQB1QeKi9DxFHd7Fiw/s1600-h/2+-+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422633207892333698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXzEHJpbZujR_7VU7oqf50WcHtrCI3YgrSH-1pCm2TnENk4G-02evp1MaJ-5QeUwGdnMwHl2bHg70aChkD7jjRzDFz8bTwv-MFMaUMnhmag_rxEhqqXd_EQB1QeKi9DxFHd7Fiw/s200/2+-+7.jpg" /></a>Appetizer comprised of locally grown ingredients. I have never had the green leaf vegetable next to the cucumber. It was incredibly crunchy, and good.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvE7GjHBzLlnyEGgVU5rDW8FoM9bZCfFVDpEbVhv2iHuTG0QlWBXrsvA2Gje6wWRcgz1sKj-98KiHIbTEdkjXmwEsoYiT2LPBZHtrQkV11lqyZmKK0OuuzJee5U0DN80IuwwF4A/s1600-h/2+-+8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422633206763899426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvE7GjHBzLlnyEGgVU5rDW8FoM9bZCfFVDpEbVhv2iHuTG0QlWBXrsvA2Gje6wWRcgz1sKj-98KiHIbTEdkjXmwEsoYiT2LPBZHtrQkV11lqyZmKK0OuuzJee5U0DN80IuwwF4A/s200/2+-+8.jpg" /></a>Miso soup was next, containing koi meat. They used white miso, which is milder in flavor and imparts more sweetness than the red, making it an ideal pairing for fish. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjpz-xb5dhq4zj8dk72TSKTe4ouK7S2_qmtuAc1SqSoRff5sCFq7ByCO6UnkZlaR0fHw6rbHOyQyvIC1sAAeYHwSJik1nP2F_ed80F4t-Rc8kt7dqGLguIXh0ThJ8mCuplhWCdw/s1600-h/2+-+9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422633200005173698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjpz-xb5dhq4zj8dk72TSKTe4ouK7S2_qmtuAc1SqSoRff5sCFq7ByCO6UnkZlaR0fHw6rbHOyQyvIC1sAAeYHwSJik1nP2F_ed80F4t-Rc8kt7dqGLguIXh0ThJ8mCuplhWCdw/s200/2+-+9.jpg" /></a>Koi served on the rocks. Koi is said to be very gamey in flavor, but the clean water and restricted diet is said to remove the intenseness. The flavor was indeed mild with excellent texture.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Z9B4b7jkBssgZQzIY27JwAFWCpVWNnTf_cDZzGNy-XVReI-7TJ-JqhtY1sH9p-ZDGpOdFXy7OhlwXt9wE3hk2RDkgxas95dKdYbPharP-khl2owcGrNnG7cycKgEVUiSt0fr0g/s1600-h/2+-+10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 149px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422633195213311650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Z9B4b7jkBssgZQzIY27JwAFWCpVWNnTf_cDZzGNy-XVReI-7TJ-JqhtY1sH9p-ZDGpOdFXy7OhlwXt9wE3hk2RDkgxas95dKdYbPharP-khl2owcGrNnG7cycKgEVUiSt0fr0g/s200/2+-+10.jpg" /></a>Shichida-san in front of Ogi City train station. <br />Thank you very much for your hospitality!!! </div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-87555827006661392962009-12-27T22:22:00.012-05:002010-01-17T19:25:54.695-05:0011/28/09: Day 9 in Japan, Part I - Visiting Tenzan Brewery<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkEnFiLR87R0nKUJL7e2CiygvbhjPX95WsXYPgrQZEzEDSAfp7zezy_nRUhGzREb5wZhXy7z9R3wFFvcUvXujpdIMPJ4XvN82G2Sa5STUXXrEiJS-GxCleR2kugOMPOiUnb1AKw/s1600-h/1+-+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420123306785981586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkEnFiLR87R0nKUJL7e2CiygvbhjPX95WsXYPgrQZEzEDSAfp7zezy_nRUhGzREb5wZhXy7z9R3wFFvcUvXujpdIMPJ4XvN82G2Sa5STUXXrEiJS-GxCleR2kugOMPOiUnb1AKw/s200/1+-+1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span></strong>he hotel breakfast was a buffet, and it included, among others, a non-traditional breakfast item such as tako-yaki.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDnBOH4R_m729BFYrbpxu62GVqo9p2ZqeGfTLr88zyxROy3m8OFzgKoR72x2YVbo8MOGyFRr28lGG6G5DygcOAvDjxmIC1u0s05no1eCS_kEV-IFFxn93CodP5DUd1rEkByc5-Q/s1600-h/1+-+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420123307333832114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDnBOH4R_m729BFYrbpxu62GVqo9p2ZqeGfTLr88zyxROy3m8OFzgKoR72x2YVbo8MOGyFRr28lGG6G5DygcOAvDjxmIC1u0s05no1eCS_kEV-IFFxn93CodP5DUd1rEkByc5-Q/s200/1+-+2.jpg" /></a>After that, I was on my way to a town of Ogi to visit Tenzan Brewery aboard Karatsu line. Incidentally, this was to be my only brewery visit of this vacation.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYc0WzeekX5zncDb1EKHfnWGsi9kWTihD24W3WJ3fmuoZl1zUx2qsej1CLoChawL-GsCbdsUW-b8H6qeTAIuUNqPhZdxX7IeBO9Ntydc3zYhlcrl0hrx98kA0jSgGwaGTEVyhjw/s1600-h/1+-+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420123302449933314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYc0WzeekX5zncDb1EKHfnWGsi9kWTihD24W3WJ3fmuoZl1zUx2qsej1CLoChawL-GsCbdsUW-b8H6qeTAIuUNqPhZdxX7IeBO9Ntydc3zYhlcrl0hrx98kA0jSgGwaGTEVyhjw/s200/1+-+3.jpg" /></a>Tenzan is available in the U.S., famous for their junmai genshu wrapped in bamboo leaf packaging.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP50rIhU7O3Vzzl7vF3gMfVScHRemE4MOQ098RDc6ng-R-5CcMdxzFysvfQ6Cd6WmnWwfmDqKjzRUInNC6ZBBvmGh_N_1M29Urfpd59Y0rQJCQ6H8e4jR4sjD3lJ5ILw5ZB7RStA/s1600-h/1+-+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420123298219240274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP50rIhU7O3Vzzl7vF3gMfVScHRemE4MOQ098RDc6ng-R-5CcMdxzFysvfQ6Cd6WmnWwfmDqKjzRUInNC6ZBBvmGh_N_1M29Urfpd59Y0rQJCQ6H8e4jR4sjD3lJ5ILw5ZB7RStA/s200/1+-+4.jpg" /></a>The brewery is located at the foot of Mount Tenzan, along the Gion River. During summer months, the river is said to be illuminated by swarm of fireflies.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwuzhFB15BfCDPUIBsUnj0XacVjg737k7ztybDTRflK4QaHtSqE-k8zM3q-OsAgZY2cXj5qVOm9Fa8Im94AyHVaI8Svdty4pApCxHqUhf3xE5uWPMd3kQCB6RtkqkD4X8xbPvtg/s1600-h/1+-+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420123294683777874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwuzhFB15BfCDPUIBsUnj0XacVjg737k7ztybDTRflK4QaHtSqE-k8zM3q-OsAgZY2cXj5qVOm9Fa8Im94AyHVaI8Svdty4pApCxHqUhf3xE5uWPMd3kQCB6RtkqkD4X8xbPvtg/s200/1+-+5.jpg" /></a>The property is surrounded by rice paddies and orange groves.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEiWd2gedT6IsUBJZ-hgjoEZETWZh1dx0KhlgyyMis_wmvc4u3TqMdBRCakd8P74MhqFD2f_a7kU_561Uamb55hnX7Ku_z4TIXb-kiBibmYvp7KS8t0ggx3eDLI1-QKGLAdOEdQ/s1600-h/1+-+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420123117830929858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEiWd2gedT6IsUBJZ-hgjoEZETWZh1dx0KhlgyyMis_wmvc4u3TqMdBRCakd8P74MhqFD2f_a7kU_561Uamb55hnX7Ku_z4TIXb-kiBibmYvp7KS8t0ggx3eDLI1-QKGLAdOEdQ/s200/1+-+6.jpg" /></a>The kura itself is comprised of 3 buildings that are named after recent Emperors: Showa Kura, Meiji Kura, and Taisho Kura.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMRDiL0jRQryX8if3HT8qgpAi4M54gw9u4X6aqUKkpPq4uUAhhjR8hrQ6sPGQChoNY42J9f8ucOkNMDk4HqrEYdaQoHD7md6LuRh8BOdPYRPrD8NK4wst7d9Nbsgs6_hTJc4Ivw/s1600-h/1+-+10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420123104138515394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMRDiL0jRQryX8if3HT8qgpAi4M54gw9u4X6aqUKkpPq4uUAhhjR8hrQ6sPGQChoNY42J9f8ucOkNMDk4HqrEYdaQoHD7md6LuRh8BOdPYRPrD8NK4wst7d9Nbsgs6_hTJc4Ivw/s200/1+-+10.jpg" /></a>Here are some of the rice used by Tenzan: locally grown Yamadanishiki, Yamadanishiki from Hyogo, Omachi from Okayama, and locally grown Saga No Mai. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6ifLWxDC1tsvnjMViukY-gqSJ2I2DFPos1gc4dw2tavxdUx7Wmgmf8K4bfn5Ji5DWRGTzOfxuQFmSOzkwgAmlz9YPQ27cPdYY2nyNpxm3COQerFgWsLaE-oWJCkffNeXrcOVGQ/s1600-h/1+-+8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420123115707574546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6ifLWxDC1tsvnjMViukY-gqSJ2I2DFPos1gc4dw2tavxdUx7Wmgmf8K4bfn5Ji5DWRGTzOfxuQFmSOzkwgAmlz9YPQ27cPdYY2nyNpxm3COQerFgWsLaE-oWJCkffNeXrcOVGQ/s200/1+-+8.jpg" /></a>Here is their machine to wash and soak rice.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmlEkQ-xpBxuEPoests7SNy0oxJ68iht1Q99lpH0q40uaoC-bpxMugF6hfaUg-y7bbLiiwpM_TIcNRrs3zbkvxEp1ALNkdtRGn4RYRBauM87eMXKVpBi2Z3dUAzgnnHO6tILivg/s1600-h/1+-+9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420123111505794738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmlEkQ-xpBxuEPoests7SNy0oxJ68iht1Q99lpH0q40uaoC-bpxMugF6hfaUg-y7bbLiiwpM_TIcNRrs3zbkvxEp1ALNkdtRGn4RYRBauM87eMXKVpBi2Z3dUAzgnnHO6tILivg/s200/1+-+9.jpg" /></a>Conveyer to cool down steamed rice.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAizf_JyPvdLSEK5Z3Yyknsuy9818N5eYJ3TfILZSk3vus99e1E74yUIT42yV0QKDmMmlVi4IPAIAFJqSCAEpkwUR2TFunegkZfg8HoQhqp3Q4hWHcmAR1UOueBMHmlPtLsgHBw/s1600-h/1+-+11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420122876869945442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAizf_JyPvdLSEK5Z3Yyknsuy9818N5eYJ3TfILZSk3vus99e1E74yUIT42yV0QKDmMmlVi4IPAIAFJqSCAEpkwUR2TFunegkZfg8HoQhqp3Q4hWHcmAR1UOueBMHmlPtLsgHBw/s200/1+-+11.jpg" /></a>Stacks of rice in the process of being converted to koji.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUolSbdYKLj680BcBc20_TjS89Yt7BH9djE0TlFvtXdycA8B5R6qDYhg35Q319TUkRenEfRJoGIcal8jguntpK1mcwfDhbGD1aNDm2l4ymIfsXGPMJ3USs_8E6HVXdD4n9AoFtQ/s1600-h/1+-+12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420122873846878946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUolSbdYKLj680BcBc20_TjS89Yt7BH9djE0TlFvtXdycA8B5R6qDYhg35Q319TUkRenEfRJoGIcal8jguntpK1mcwfDhbGD1aNDm2l4ymIfsXGPMJ3USs_8E6HVXdD4n9AoFtQ/s200/1+-+12.jpg" /></a>Fermentation tank to make shubo mash.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGB7sDdytoQaz3n99mpyRBXuEvF5dEZsLZXuXDykDuv8x3lAVtGfvknjvV3maK8ghVbk1-KFJ56fvIiwpN8cJgtaiJaebRchI9NamzXJPY5x4PtKQOVuRbErPbkcr1YV26otVmg/s1600-h/1+-+13.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420122869337902114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGB7sDdytoQaz3n99mpyRBXuEvF5dEZsLZXuXDykDuv8x3lAVtGfvknjvV3maK8ghVbk1-KFJ56fvIiwpN8cJgtaiJaebRchI9NamzXJPY5x4PtKQOVuRbErPbkcr1YV26otVmg/s200/1+-+13.jpg" /></a>Active fermentation.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d_mt3s7ZR3KKdEexlMAx_rAZB13QTGS2hvJbrsltftS2FxA0zcfbOPjnbq6bU-L-Odeer75hXYWommwFnxdOZWSVt2kVQOB525BnM4uxtBzqZcBZWmoeETcC1QHeshL_DUONgQ/s1600-h/1+-+14.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420122867196049810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d_mt3s7ZR3KKdEexlMAx_rAZB13QTGS2hvJbrsltftS2FxA0zcfbOPjnbq6bU-L-Odeer75hXYWommwFnxdOZWSVt2kVQOB525BnM4uxtBzqZcBZWmoeETcC1QHeshL_DUONgQ/s200/1+-+14.jpg" /></a>Looking into storage tanks from above.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0GnnsbRnW-MD5G2wfgpcAF_Msx3kkHURRRRV9DlRFBaiBiaO6AAfhTT7Ex1M2UCGFAJ-lAz8RDg-4X5pREHPlRlKU3QGo-BJW6P4uxpuT9ij6NmOLdxOEFQ6BFh-jPI7N2jhLg/s1600-h/1+-+15.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 148px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420122862775056642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0GnnsbRnW-MD5G2wfgpcAF_Msx3kkHURRRRV9DlRFBaiBiaO6AAfhTT7Ex1M2UCGFAJ-lAz8RDg-4X5pREHPlRlKU3QGo-BJW6P4uxpuT9ij6NmOLdxOEFQ6BFh-jPI7N2jhLg/s200/1+-+15.jpg" /></a>Looking at the storage tanks from the ground level.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WCD8tbGGYNS2aIz0QY3NF260b5wvAydTi-COxRwQSGhMBujyKnXa9U_SmMqefYR0qkIFTjoZPd-OtYZeOU6J208Z2KCKasF3z8CiZwOAj63TxD-oZcVQzCoXIYvqqbYQ3tRnKg/s1600-h/1+-+16.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420122634343387362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WCD8tbGGYNS2aIz0QY3NF260b5wvAydTi-COxRwQSGhMBujyKnXa9U_SmMqefYR0qkIFTjoZPd-OtYZeOU6J208Z2KCKasF3z8CiZwOAj63TxD-oZcVQzCoXIYvqqbYQ3tRnKg/s200/1+-+16.jpg" /></a>Tenzan uses yabuta for pressing.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRzxkdz8l0S3vSsS5joXpdMA0Il0jQ1xBfSq1_4Wj9mYOEQ1yu4WpLohPv74-9c7fl_Iqa1K6blDHALmBiwn01UhVD58kVYOPzfGiV80z3RBfMVtMLiagb2_stsgKUe_z9YJPOg/s1600-h/1+-+17.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420122626731446578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRzxkdz8l0S3vSsS5joXpdMA0Il0jQ1xBfSq1_4Wj9mYOEQ1yu4WpLohPv74-9c7fl_Iqa1K6blDHALmBiwn01UhVD58kVYOPzfGiV80z3RBfMVtMLiagb2_stsgKUe_z9YJPOg/s200/1+-+17.jpg" /></a>As luck would have it, yabuta was on, meaning freshly pressed saké.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMX9pPHRQZVzWvGPsdvg29oiENUqvtC4kaJGLAHgwUWLCwIGhRsOzdxqRNbYt0lh9EmGo3PPV9InEbCBZQYQZ3Y2XERed4tOq_bKzlUEoYZ5fYyqV3d4YhO9iLLDOl_rwoltTckQ/s1600-h/1+-+18.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420122624270581218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMX9pPHRQZVzWvGPsdvg29oiENUqvtC4kaJGLAHgwUWLCwIGhRsOzdxqRNbYt0lh9EmGo3PPV9InEbCBZQYQZ3Y2XERed4tOq_bKzlUEoYZ5fYyqV3d4YhO9iLLDOl_rwoltTckQ/s200/1+-+18.jpg" /></a>Shichida-san poured me a glass, a very rare treat. The saké was very crisp, vibrant, and intensely juicy, which is not unexpected when it is unfiltered and unpasteurized. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI4zMIgs8HcG55LaUcVlELswz0JpuJaXbWy4w-SwOIKgowIYm6muAgzfCcuiHgOLCIyA2Ie22RQS5fUtGDQcMldSgz59t_uCUpHtWK0zSC13ENF2CLUTZ4O-zmBoC90H2TSfRpA/s1600-h/1+-+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420123113776795218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI4zMIgs8HcG55LaUcVlELswz0JpuJaXbWy4w-SwOIKgowIYm6muAgzfCcuiHgOLCIyA2Ie22RQS5fUtGDQcMldSgz59t_uCUpHtWK0zSC13ENF2CLUTZ4O-zmBoC90H2TSfRpA/s200/1+-+7.jpg" /></a>After the saké is bottled, they are packaged. For the aforementioned junmai genshu, the bamboo leaves are carefully wrapped by hand. The purpose of the bamboo leaves, imported from China, is not only for appearance - it also serves to protect saké from light.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWujKiCM4K_tBdNuN-QpEfKuP0gPH4GN-l0D4Z5B5hVZjxwDlKIpsxlXtbAP6tSacOPmkymn8w6W34CF2-NJj982bfwq4sGguiLINozYEOhZDTVlgu5ecyNdE49NybT5eB2LTv1Q/s1600-h/1+-+19.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420122621942481570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWujKiCM4K_tBdNuN-QpEfKuP0gPH4GN-l0D4Z5B5hVZjxwDlKIpsxlXtbAP6tSacOPmkymn8w6W34CF2-NJj982bfwq4sGguiLINozYEOhZDTVlgu5ecyNdE49NybT5eB2LTv1Q/s200/1+-+19.jpg" /></a>The sakés are refrigerated until shipping.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkICXHLXnAM2Ij8grTJm-vA9G3np5JAbrl0XKh6q8-jt0ZO83KBuMtNMBDqK9wDTXIWTC95B4K5ML5vd8edlaH4O0ypAEULfdGVeVZDIEtcTwrWn0-zwLAdPatiGKHN1_k3XNe_g/s1600-h/1+-+20.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420122615794037970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkICXHLXnAM2Ij8grTJm-vA9G3np5JAbrl0XKh6q8-jt0ZO83KBuMtNMBDqK9wDTXIWTC95B4K5ML5vd8edlaH4O0ypAEULfdGVeVZDIEtcTwrWn0-zwLAdPatiGKHN1_k3XNe_g/s200/1+-+20.jpg" /></a>One of the things I enjoy about visiting breweries is their architecture. Looking up, you can see intricate structure of the beams supporting the kura.<br /><br />TO BE CONTINUED...<br /></div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-66095995335516562812009-12-20T13:43:00.009-05:002010-01-17T19:25:43.661-05:0011/27/09: Day 8 in Japan, Part II - Izakaya in Saga City<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAyyblRbxkllh85YrOdFdG4ISw3Tx8Vo7Q4AYpQw58WXStKPP9pAkJjHKEpt57Y0M83kzV9aIYGkF0HvLpJunSWArZO_QFSJeKjK8bzzO1rDLDkHeGDyTvq0geBl9T1qe2UrMvw/s1600-h/2+-+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417392771945866418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAyyblRbxkllh85YrOdFdG4ISw3Tx8Vo7Q4AYpQw58WXStKPP9pAkJjHKEpt57Y0M83kzV9aIYGkF0HvLpJunSWArZO_QFSJeKjK8bzzO1rDLDkHeGDyTvq0geBl9T1qe2UrMvw/s200/2+-+2.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span></strong>he next stop on the itinerary was Saga City. I knew very little about the prefecture of Saga, but my reason for being here will become apparent in the next entry.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfSFhiM8QKUtQv3KUmjgowIn9e4Lc4WSwK_x2ilr12ayXadEFJ8fWpAVZ6mDDE9LuhqrLoBPZunoUQZkwJHj6tciF4rNpiH6PoYviMtYOQpXDPodpCUcw233s4JzW2GRfFobujw/s1600-h/2+-+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 142px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417392772107864738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfSFhiM8QKUtQv3KUmjgowIn9e4Lc4WSwK_x2ilr12ayXadEFJ8fWpAVZ6mDDE9LuhqrLoBPZunoUQZkwJHj6tciF4rNpiH6PoYviMtYOQpXDPodpCUcw233s4JzW2GRfFobujw/s200/2+-+1.jpg" /></a>I checked in at a business hotel in front of the JR Saga station. One of the great thing about Kyushu so far? Hot spring bath every day, even in business hotels.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2w61QGRBQH2z6Cg8cFsND-3D9FawH9_WCN3Jf1clmEIypde0usyV9T-hZCSBzE6wyQU50vBSR2Mk2pPND_ltX8ZU09vnZli8sjtL07YAh8rCIHarnHP3I6N4K3IulWEbJqw8hIQ/s1600-h/2+-+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417392663818664162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2w61QGRBQH2z6Cg8cFsND-3D9FawH9_WCN3Jf1clmEIypde0usyV9T-hZCSBzE6wyQU50vBSR2Mk2pPND_ltX8ZU09vnZli8sjtL07YAh8rCIHarnHP3I6N4K3IulWEbJqw8hIQ/s200/2+-+3.jpg" /></a>As I had no agenda this evening, my dinner option was up in the air. Checking the internet didn't yield an "a-ha!" moment, so best bet was to walk around the old neighborhood. Just couple of blocks away, Za Watami visually caught my attention.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4X8vKilzaL9xKD4jicdbBSy5phh9UIIZuMOpKa9OFcNlcYKsiVzh1eWU7JFvg-i2j9f8z7Mya8ECbD8JTXcF9-hVbuopxoU-BI8JgUuaAokcKxEEc__mc49xo3CiFcyBwBxd9kg/s1600-h/2+-+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417392661020376002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4X8vKilzaL9xKD4jicdbBSy5phh9UIIZuMOpKa9OFcNlcYKsiVzh1eWU7JFvg-i2j9f8z7Mya8ECbD8JTXcF9-hVbuopxoU-BI8JgUuaAokcKxEEc__mc49xo3CiFcyBwBxd9kg/s200/2+-+4.jpg" /></a>Za Watami is an izakaya, and as being in Kyushu, featuring shochu. I received a seat by the bar.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nN4nhxOnPH9lLTnwk9UCvtf9QDqhm5E1MLMRXAuf9ZMqp3g0pOose3zDJ8HNQFtL24-FiY4ijDO9a98_zdbZnqgw0BLUlhTC9TF-PocvWzBZYYuY7up9YhlCwSZd-bGoXVJA-Q/s1600-h/2+-+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417392658207988082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nN4nhxOnPH9lLTnwk9UCvtf9QDqhm5E1MLMRXAuf9ZMqp3g0pOose3zDJ8HNQFtL24-FiY4ijDO9a98_zdbZnqgw0BLUlhTC9TF-PocvWzBZYYuY7up9YhlCwSZd-bGoXVJA-Q/s200/2+-+5.jpg" /></a>The menu was colorful with lot of pictures. "Cherry Meat Sashimi" looked great, so I ordered it as part of the first order. It was melt-like-butter soft. I found out after the fact that "Cherry Meat" is a code for "horse meat."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJbtNzdult4KuTNgj_pWVx4_mIJUyrlOLf2-5ynlD3TO6OKfltoLCBZaGmOEAVZbfCNFuhQmJRJpQOl-LdY6OiwTjzgoq1xzPWBLC8hJ0lMTWSmiom3kvYqhyphenhyphenIezyhpm9k8OsNw/s1600-h/2+-+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417392654442288674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJbtNzdult4KuTNgj_pWVx4_mIJUyrlOLf2-5ynlD3TO6OKfltoLCBZaGmOEAVZbfCNFuhQmJRJpQOl-LdY6OiwTjzgoq1xzPWBLC8hJ0lMTWSmiom3kvYqhyphenhyphenIezyhpm9k8OsNw/s200/2+-+6.jpg" /></a>Also part of the first order was spring roll wrapped in yuba, or chewy tofu skin...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMJ4rpBfdwIP13tlfEG5Vv_MpHiikGLqOelEId5tf2J0OSM4_UcvqpEVr_HHtbWsDIFN9Xm6M2LozDaAy5qDtJNs1_CSosRy8xo_BKduiEh4fPgPiQHO4SSQQD_8ksiVPiuqo3w/s1600-h/2+-+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417392647831192098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMJ4rpBfdwIP13tlfEG5Vv_MpHiikGLqOelEId5tf2J0OSM4_UcvqpEVr_HHtbWsDIFN9Xm6M2LozDaAy5qDtJNs1_CSosRy8xo_BKduiEh4fPgPiQHO4SSQQD_8ksiVPiuqo3w/s200/2+-+7.jpg" /></a>...and yellow tail sashimi.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS05UgLrxYONoD9F4LISp7kvJRTxZS72J0dKpdwoPuhEAbAFdfr-rE3Pi9RG26f-Y7HP1QJ01nwxoFpCeabaNTIUmippa6jzTSrBAKDue-kzusfj7kZO79kDKFSdSy_IRRWQcfnw/s1600-h/2+-+8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417392407575873794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS05UgLrxYONoD9F4LISp7kvJRTxZS72J0dKpdwoPuhEAbAFdfr-rE3Pi9RG26f-Y7HP1QJ01nwxoFpCeabaNTIUmippa6jzTSrBAKDue-kzusfj7kZO79kDKFSdSy_IRRWQcfnw/s200/2+-+8.jpg" /></a>The drink was barley shochu all the way. I had Shira-shin-ken from Oita Prefecture, home of Yufuin.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpM9aYVNFV6rV-Sc0G8kEsuZQKqRi-ujA1kXjwph003_sOKY7Odte8zmVxVfD7j0JV5cb2h-ZSPmnWZ-OUg0ZELs93Mkwq1fDzKewRDXeMA84oDhijsUG2vVYC9u9Y4sNd6xNpnw/s1600-h/2+-+9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417392406775853634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpM9aYVNFV6rV-Sc0G8kEsuZQKqRi-ujA1kXjwph003_sOKY7Odte8zmVxVfD7j0JV5cb2h-ZSPmnWZ-OUg0ZELs93Mkwq1fDzKewRDXeMA84oDhijsUG2vVYC9u9Y4sNd6xNpnw/s200/2+-+9.jpg" /></a>The second order included juicy pork cooked in sukiyaki-like sauce served with scallions and egg...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-aw22v95RqZFpL-BHyfIPh5mDR4eMvs8VuBBinO7EXo9K2Xr0-QPKyHpeUJISWGs6hVfP2zP2mem9vSLZNany_4XmDW3_F693vhyphenhyphenWKbI5mvfgBxfplyR407fx0jdeF2dq2gWVg/s1600-h/2+-+10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417392401471216754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-aw22v95RqZFpL-BHyfIPh5mDR4eMvs8VuBBinO7EXo9K2Xr0-QPKyHpeUJISWGs6hVfP2zP2mem9vSLZNany_4XmDW3_F693vhyphenhyphenWKbI5mvfgBxfplyR407fx0jdeF2dq2gWVg/s200/2+-+10.jpg" /></a>and deep fried chicken tatsuta-agé.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ndxt6KrLman2mTluEzF0HK9pQyU7YYTp9s41UlpRSbvVKt-XwpkCIs-B25tk6kT8Xa21f5cIiQ3Q3BnsQEyYDuONndD3dlMZ9KLSNCgexD0h93KfixC0IRGTl9rgYDtH9Xbl1g/s1600-h/2+-+11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417392395421752290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ndxt6KrLman2mTluEzF0HK9pQyU7YYTp9s41UlpRSbvVKt-XwpkCIs-B25tk6kT8Xa21f5cIiQ3Q3BnsQEyYDuONndD3dlMZ9KLSNCgexD0h93KfixC0IRGTl9rgYDtH9Xbl1g/s200/2+-+11.jpg" /></a>The last order (〆) was fried champon noodle with egg served in a hot stone bowl, inspired by Korean bibimbop. With all the food, I took home some of the fried chicken and noodles for lunch the next day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLU3W7odyXz9qlHlwnFL8iZ26wXrT0tCG6EgnrTqgiStvze0Zap3zbo8QdfMjw2zswQ0sOeWVmfQdUrUsJeIwlUtM5-1HS1AU_LIP7VNbJOMf4KGv01s9ubGtEhD5hwywrlJN9BQ/s1600-h/2+-+12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417392390103118354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLU3W7odyXz9qlHlwnFL8iZ26wXrT0tCG6EgnrTqgiStvze0Zap3zbo8QdfMjw2zswQ0sOeWVmfQdUrUsJeIwlUtM5-1HS1AU_LIP7VNbJOMf4KGv01s9ubGtEhD5hwywrlJN9BQ/s200/2+-+12.jpg" /></a>The total tab was about 4,000 yen ($46). Not bad at all! As Za Watami is a chain izakaya, it's definitely worth a visit when you're in Japan.</div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-27648761174130625302009-12-13T19:38:00.009-05:002010-01-17T19:25:33.122-05:0011/27/09: Day 8 in Japan - Leaving Yufuin<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uOThwgi0BtuNtMthyphenhyphen9FW4kDy9yob7BvO9RRMjojxhnlnMuvdZE_kBsGlrQ13N-1UgTcNPBYFQXClJLkvIRwOKM5Pyx-WMszuApIJgWOnNNo5tVrecgJMlwjD9vAFothN1clnKw/s1600-h/1+-+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414885506163001602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uOThwgi0BtuNtMthyphenhyphen9FW4kDy9yob7BvO9RRMjojxhnlnMuvdZE_kBsGlrQ13N-1UgTcNPBYFQXClJLkvIRwOKM5Pyx-WMszuApIJgWOnNNo5tVrecgJMlwjD9vAFothN1clnKw/s200/1+-+1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">W</span></strong>hile Nurukawa Onsen did not come with dinner, it did come with breakfast. I made reservation for the earliest alloted time. Not surprisingly, the breakfast was the traditional Japanese arrangement.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpVOHuBmMoYwQwoKqqkf5uJi0Mk7dKAo6VcqcTvbGs5IMkWJsla9Paqvz1hzVtVlJRu78eGOrm_L-wLhyxUJr1PUTQX6ClNmNp_GXJeMZGfNOlMN4iRKNjZOibJTTM6WrcJgW3Q/s1600-h/1+-+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414885502405550514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpVOHuBmMoYwQwoKqqkf5uJi0Mk7dKAo6VcqcTvbGs5IMkWJsla9Paqvz1hzVtVlJRu78eGOrm_L-wLhyxUJr1PUTQX6ClNmNp_GXJeMZGfNOlMN4iRKNjZOibJTTM6WrcJgW3Q/s200/1+-+2.jpg" /></a>Poached egg in dashi? In Japan, appropriately, it is called "onsen" eggs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReqTAIBo1WEnQaQ7fe4FaKvOoEsGyjBoGb5b_kOi8MwHZP0z8aaDrM1mEch8pX3dPtoIt2QYXdSiOrmYTGcEP28Efw6vN-9GQiw1fx3BD8W1ikZ-5FVOxEQ9ra6zBc2tzhvk5GA/s1600-h/1+-+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414885497043234338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReqTAIBo1WEnQaQ7fe4FaKvOoEsGyjBoGb5b_kOi8MwHZP0z8aaDrM1mEch8pX3dPtoIt2QYXdSiOrmYTGcEP28Efw6vN-9GQiw1fx3BD8W1ikZ-5FVOxEQ9ra6zBc2tzhvk5GA/s200/1+-+3.jpg" /></a>After digesting for 1/2 hour, it was time for a quick dip in the onsen. There aren't too many better ways to start one's morning than taking an outdoor bath at the foot of glorious mountain in the autumn, especially when it's 50 degrees outside.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_pbkH2RkF41OyYVY4HVAk__easg9riDr5Q9PArknUvklxxDnAQWicWb_YL0Q5qZLxLmRxs9i9CDKkp0US9Q7xVQJcpv999tylBKKbE9_r6AzaFT-AmUnJwHxv1dHPQWbMj1gCQ/s1600-h/1+-+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414885493924425922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_pbkH2RkF41OyYVY4HVAk__easg9riDr5Q9PArknUvklxxDnAQWicWb_YL0Q5qZLxLmRxs9i9CDKkp0US9Q7xVQJcpv999tylBKKbE9_r6AzaFT-AmUnJwHxv1dHPQWbMj1gCQ/s200/1+-+4.jpg" /></a>On the way out, I noticed this Japanese maple. Wa, or harmony, is everywhere if you just take a time to look around...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFVH5cFFcEegFmM1PCExKUWRKgqXjC6iVsst6nOD9uwoDCcqeF-HIJwM-NLJj9jtne1PINtIXHGmw3lsPv2LGDPnX29at1lOlgcLXvnaVqCppJ0MFAWeeSCExPnwsFlv5wz4W3g/s1600-h/1+-+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414885254276662066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFVH5cFFcEegFmM1PCExKUWRKgqXjC6iVsst6nOD9uwoDCcqeF-HIJwM-NLJj9jtne1PINtIXHGmw3lsPv2LGDPnX29at1lOlgcLXvnaVqCppJ0MFAWeeSCExPnwsFlv5wz4W3g/s200/1+-+5.jpg" /></a>Down by Lake Kirin, the ducks were washing themselves amidst the rising mist.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizr8MjpVn_q8B5ozWgZymQjcwg_G_fQOQ40br23AsYbQVpcwR_rE-6CkzmfFI8PrS5P1v3WC5syVa4Oedzjtb89JauH_UHVUf9FBPOuGVGjqc1NdaqpNTJGxhRe8uZxQ9ufdlbWw/s1600-h/1+-+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414885248326725138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizr8MjpVn_q8B5ozWgZymQjcwg_G_fQOQ40br23AsYbQVpcwR_rE-6CkzmfFI8PrS5P1v3WC5syVa4Oedzjtb89JauH_UHVUf9FBPOuGVGjqc1NdaqpNTJGxhRe8uZxQ9ufdlbWw/s200/1+-+6.jpg" /></a>Rustic sign at the train station.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnWAsXvybOF6Aq7J4K09UeX8F8Ef77mcsVDvM91JH6roRCdsgbAi4OC0Kdi-eS4o-Ii5KRth_uQXvGAH24CHPWd1KGtPG-lxiDDyRiTl12mrKI9da9xpYZpVsZiu4NtDvyLOE2A/s1600-h/1+-+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414885242973572514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnWAsXvybOF6Aq7J4K09UeX8F8Ef77mcsVDvM91JH6roRCdsgbAi4OC0Kdi-eS4o-Ii5KRth_uQXvGAH24CHPWd1KGtPG-lxiDDyRiTl12mrKI9da9xpYZpVsZiu4NtDvyLOE2A/s200/1+-+7.jpg" /></a>The train we were scheduled to take was the retro-styled "The Forst of Yufuin."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZ8yOXcC-Dhx1d06IcQrh3dFyoPFXrZvUOUSMkX7FwtDMKAFTRSsFAdYY2r-qrQJgHa8TNzFO8_L3e3LkWlwUU1D-9iYFpk6LTQyWHf1Tu9Uwuz_8kpg8LW4sUEN2JAqLLASYjw/s1600-h/1+-+8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414885234710341346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZ8yOXcC-Dhx1d06IcQrh3dFyoPFXrZvUOUSMkX7FwtDMKAFTRSsFAdYY2r-qrQJgHa8TNzFO8_L3e3LkWlwUU1D-9iYFpk6LTQyWHf1Tu9Uwuz_8kpg8LW4sUEN2JAqLLASYjw/s200/1+-+8.jpg" /></a>In Japan, many of the trains operates with reserved seating. I was assigned to Car #2.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KwlF_qZilIy3UjPP_8BxGievE3m2EhaIqvDzQmSZcV6yhkqSVolcr8xo24I1Drf4042z0mobFuOkFPzraj35D2TmD81sNbx2X7SbJiLJOi0K2l8r11qRSFZ1EaxT6_x1ic6XmQ/s1600-h/1+-+9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414885234356154338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KwlF_qZilIy3UjPP_8BxGievE3m2EhaIqvDzQmSZcV6yhkqSVolcr8xo24I1Drf4042z0mobFuOkFPzraj35D2TmD81sNbx2X7SbJiLJOi0K2l8r11qRSFZ1EaxT6_x1ic6XmQ/s200/1+-+9.jpg" /></a>Having lunch on the train is one of the pleasures of the Japanese long distance rail travel. The stations vend lunch boxes with local flavor. I chose tender Bungo beef and rice bento. </div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-30709883503006547322009-12-10T08:07:00.004-05:002010-01-17T19:25:20.060-05:0011/26/09: Day 7 in Japan, Part II - Town of Yufuin<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2byHVNzhf16yfg3fqtgHQ4Hp0ScCV6pm4WX4B8pqqd78pEwz9NyaI_r9nXfmeuTLl_YvLH41VnhjPn_iVQ58Nh6EH07repTPZL2hTPk0YrNyudVhXiUVW87b8YisZ3M6qUrQQg/s1600-h/2+-+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 148px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413593713788591698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2byHVNzhf16yfg3fqtgHQ4Hp0ScCV6pm4WX4B8pqqd78pEwz9NyaI_r9nXfmeuTLl_YvLH41VnhjPn_iVQ58Nh6EH07repTPZL2hTPk0YrNyudVhXiUVW87b8YisZ3M6qUrQQg/s200/2+-+1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span></strong>he town of Yufuin, along with neighboring Beppu, is famous as resort town for onsen hot springs. Its rusticness is evident from the design of their rail station.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RGWeke9C-R7BFAC-cPWnuIXkos975RG1GbpbDjPAETIQZoIM4XUsfGxJSheFhZJrtxgtug5TkxNYoNYXDxBu7KVPAkqG1CzNeNBf2mEYm5PJSYAl2Ss7MxOyOSzr89SI8GbP2g/s1600-h/2+-+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 149px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413593709097843938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RGWeke9C-R7BFAC-cPWnuIXkos975RG1GbpbDjPAETIQZoIM4XUsfGxJSheFhZJrtxgtug5TkxNYoNYXDxBu7KVPAkqG1CzNeNBf2mEYm5PJSYAl2Ss7MxOyOSzr89SI8GbP2g/s200/2+-+2.jpg" /></a>To further accentuate the point, there is a foot bath onsen on the platform. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YKpzdkfocMKsbsDwoOJZJ_0-bBTA1KR4nFIOxwpELbzMgkR77f5VhwYLhtoZhP5mcX0Q9UmNZ1q1Zx4v0rMTP57z7YAUSzT1ntwUFJIxORnurbydbVPMTL66zEfvpr8iI_YbGw/s1600-h/2+-+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413593695833553298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YKpzdkfocMKsbsDwoOJZJ_0-bBTA1KR4nFIOxwpELbzMgkR77f5VhwYLhtoZhP5mcX0Q9UmNZ1q1Zx4v0rMTP57z7YAUSzT1ntwUFJIxORnurbydbVPMTL66zEfvpr8iI_YbGw/s200/2+-+4.jpg" /></a>Surrounded by the moutains, the view is spectacular. Clean air, calming vista, and relaxing hot springs are just what the doctor ordered. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xsBcSdumu65koIW6OjRDTB7uXXCoCxugrL7nKWz14xla9GPup_j2Bp0SCTV9vh2j4E1NAn-iddk7_8PQ3s32pFUdqjUc2LS5_6CFS7YubVcBoEA7Yg6k0Muqk4Qy_d4OegckQA/s1600-h/2+-+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413593691216807826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xsBcSdumu65koIW6OjRDTB7uXXCoCxugrL7nKWz14xla9GPup_j2Bp0SCTV9vh2j4E1NAn-iddk7_8PQ3s32pFUdqjUc2LS5_6CFS7YubVcBoEA7Yg6k0Muqk4Qy_d4OegckQA/s200/2+-+5.jpg" /></a>Walking around the town, you can easily locate the hot springs. How do I know? Look for the plumes of steam! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvG6XGgA5Wolxgo4jsAzYXJNRoC6nqxRAGrMt2U7tjgzrVOVafbPEESaWUyNvmT5JFUj5GUMKfEloq1Jfan5fmQCqnciJ5hSN9jo3g0JJDrBAezxmF757ai60f-Ehd7XyQJzFg-A/s1600-h/2+-+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 148px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413593702877044322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvG6XGgA5Wolxgo4jsAzYXJNRoC6nqxRAGrMt2U7tjgzrVOVafbPEESaWUyNvmT5JFUj5GUMKfEloq1Jfan5fmQCqnciJ5hSN9jo3g0JJDrBAezxmF757ai60f-Ehd7XyQJzFg-A/s200/2+-+3.jpg" /></a> One thing to keep in mind about visiting Yufuin: as onsen ryokan (inn) typically include kasiseki dinner, the town becomes very quiet around 5:00 pm as guests hurry back to take a quick dip in onsen before dinner. By 5:30, most of the shops and restaurants are closed. For those staying in a ryokan without dinner accomodations, they ought to head towards the train station to find restaurants that are open.</div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-22238569046575950962009-12-07T21:09:00.008-05:002010-01-17T19:25:10.725-05:0011/26/09: Day 7 in Japan, Part I - On to Yufuin<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-zWZcXj_daZHWBrEbDQy2iCMzLlMEUsPCl1MymCm4PvwJJcft2Xjuze2zIIBCvsbhwf9-lOMAcXkdv26R3RWZWw6IXzm-L41fSkWBTAAlg9eyKD92js12gH1l1eVUMyKVf4-jA/s1600-h/1+-+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412682798740937826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-zWZcXj_daZHWBrEbDQy2iCMzLlMEUsPCl1MymCm4PvwJJcft2Xjuze2zIIBCvsbhwf9-lOMAcXkdv26R3RWZWw6IXzm-L41fSkWBTAAlg9eyKD92js12gH1l1eVUMyKVf4-jA/s200/1+-+1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span></strong>fter all too short stay in Kagoshima, my next destination was Yufuin in Oita prefecture. With another few hours on the road, hearty breakfast was in order...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZb9Mn-JdTFYif4GY1QRgNlQD4EYBePS9W-DqGg8UZNQiwWLLAv71hnM-RALlVAuTRC5JqgGwxJjPxzN4a_yJtMmUd8a8Ax43sBpV1IRFM2ux6GuZbPiQ6ORdkxahudIKC7Dkfw/s1600-h/1+-+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412682793745128050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZb9Mn-JdTFYif4GY1QRgNlQD4EYBePS9W-DqGg8UZNQiwWLLAv71hnM-RALlVAuTRC5JqgGwxJjPxzN4a_yJtMmUd8a8Ax43sBpV1IRFM2ux6GuZbPiQ6ORdkxahudIKC7Dkfw/s200/1+-+2.jpg" /></a>...hearty and healthy, mind you...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxkiEmRmazMFR6If4PizqektUzOVFSZlaCczZGvLwOxr2iPn_m624_y5dJkIb2cjb2e3fd1bGziupG_Z-7i2l4CiPV42FUXfoF_0ED9s4ouPdz4dWUUtj6E4gUgZ0_dzdpwRDZA/s1600-h/1+-+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412682782849686002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxkiEmRmazMFR6If4PizqektUzOVFSZlaCczZGvLwOxr2iPn_m624_y5dJkIb2cjb2e3fd1bGziupG_Z-7i2l4CiPV42FUXfoF_0ED9s4ouPdz4dWUUtj6E4gUgZ0_dzdpwRDZA/s200/1+-+3.jpg" /></a>...and not to mention traditional.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-muvCFFBvO0HF_OnJfULbFL7r9O3_EvOernOUUDYACMAw6fIU2BPVlbq9ASr4NDtYlmUXdwFyiQGoPnvcrelwV6fDS5lYowipmGphm8desoIbT7BszeSz8cdpV-OfhuC72C0RA/s1600-h/1+-+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412682778216016866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-muvCFFBvO0HF_OnJfULbFL7r9O3_EvOernOUUDYACMAw6fIU2BPVlbq9ASr4NDtYlmUXdwFyiQGoPnvcrelwV6fDS5lYowipmGphm8desoIbT7BszeSz8cdpV-OfhuC72C0RA/s200/1+-+4.jpg" /></a>After few hours, I reached Nurukawa Onsen, a rustic inn located about 20 minute walk from the train station.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZA72tEK_wanxG9I45ofUUuhUpY7m98ZgxoR3Rj-OJuJ7wn3xP1ZAu_IbaG-U-jUhyt1LHszBavOJbgmUuLSJds_mMWIQK_xoiQJulkLnOeZtrKkfEdWymeC1b8VoLXYk8oZdgw/s1600-h/1+-+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412682775932157234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZA72tEK_wanxG9I45ofUUuhUpY7m98ZgxoR3Rj-OJuJ7wn3xP1ZAu_IbaG-U-jUhyt1LHszBavOJbgmUuLSJds_mMWIQK_xoiQJulkLnOeZtrKkfEdWymeC1b8VoLXYk8oZdgw/s200/1+-+5.jpg" /></a>My room was the traditional tatami room.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQq79fgdLJ5zREyEFuJKNj38TcwqXRtwvK5851aVVLKd0vkcenbZqMWfc8MFjQ3hfvsXfYPAQ3EUmdwSktPeRJph6T5n_DN7UYld_lZgAFLdHDhkeyi8JfOSVoFjzG3070d-pYg/s1600-h/1+-+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412682389518234178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQq79fgdLJ5zREyEFuJKNj38TcwqXRtwvK5851aVVLKd0vkcenbZqMWfc8MFjQ3hfvsXfYPAQ3EUmdwSktPeRJph6T5n_DN7UYld_lZgAFLdHDhkeyi8JfOSVoFjzG3070d-pYg/s200/1+-+6.jpg" /></a>Before going for a walk, I had to take advantage of their onsen. Aside from the communal men/women baths, they offered several private 'family bath' units available on first-come first-serve basis. I grabbed an open-air "roten buro" overlooking the neighboring mountain.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JAhq816kUjjR0Nm2Vk7Y_Tw0CFI7B87vKPfeFhsWBthW9M2Z3wzEdN4ZqWNmPXo4tSyAghtIT0uCI-AwB56vYZ1XYUp5SFd4NgfiVyGjdSxqtg9DvVaXzHjJkv6yFd9FwY-AAA/s1600-h/1+-+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412682386337575714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JAhq816kUjjR0Nm2Vk7Y_Tw0CFI7B87vKPfeFhsWBthW9M2Z3wzEdN4ZqWNmPXo4tSyAghtIT0uCI-AwB56vYZ1XYUp5SFd4NgfiVyGjdSxqtg9DvVaXzHjJkv6yFd9FwY-AAA/s200/1+-+7.jpg" /></a>Just two minutes from the inn was picturesque Lake Kinrin, showing off the reflection of the foliage. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vzDV9vzOFCc32qxXYWZg4ULtZu4PniAv0-XAhceUQ8P0k5vqmWP2W3Mvi2VVsvdf66wlefDpVZ8noC4uCj58EVDsYeqtkX46gW_0zKHXY4xDOLn_tc9GF9Su8CGWesvo5q7S6g/s1600-h/1+-+8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 148px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412682379650186578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vzDV9vzOFCc32qxXYWZg4ULtZu4PniAv0-XAhceUQ8P0k5vqmWP2W3Mvi2VVsvdf66wlefDpVZ8noC4uCj58EVDsYeqtkX46gW_0zKHXY4xDOLn_tc9GF9Su8CGWesvo5q7S6g/s200/1+-+8.jpg" /></a>For dinner, I was recommended "Dot to Dot" restaurant close to the train station. Generally, the place seems bit trendy, but I was sworn by their quality by a friendly shopkeeper.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHONv8FmK67QST8PQKCr7Qa9qBQCxiT4ovPTx_Dm1PdU0ZoBFYO_A8Up7pXqZ-zfXJUr72QaTQGHqqV2wfuh26A0_ZNlC14rGZPhlZXhXu5v3-lZD3KaxQLzDlDeiVbnFQRbGRA/s1600-h/1+-+9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412682371606396306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHONv8FmK67QST8PQKCr7Qa9qBQCxiT4ovPTx_Dm1PdU0ZoBFYO_A8Up7pXqZ-zfXJUr72QaTQGHqqV2wfuh26A0_ZNlC14rGZPhlZXhXu5v3-lZD3KaxQLzDlDeiVbnFQRbGRA/s200/1+-+9.jpg" /></a>Their menu feature locally grown vegetables...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-TOweJ9RVm_oi2vbQ3boB9O8tBSUOnmZldH7jS6SSSAfsWdVPJzeGAEaV1TJ1AFmZ2jk7cywaLkYd0PcJ8kuQklJulb5ntC9LOQyNC5e3oCSB_40AWyMEcjiglM8uPlqrTL6mQ/s1600-h/1+-+10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412682362887412066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-TOweJ9RVm_oi2vbQ3boB9O8tBSUOnmZldH7jS6SSSAfsWdVPJzeGAEaV1TJ1AFmZ2jk7cywaLkYd0PcJ8kuQklJulb5ntC9LOQyNC5e3oCSB_40AWyMEcjiglM8uPlqrTL6mQ/s200/1+-+10.jpg" /></a>...as well as fresh meat from a local meat store. Many of the dishes are prepared organically, and it indeed was a feast for my stomach as well as my eyes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4dqEzYp2Uf-kYq7RW_xE5n0sg8oCXyVHnj89w5El91FY4JcA8zpLan-aXY0VPh73vER8P8QzfrNtbaaYHVjTPpM186LqQwGPdCi1w4ol7PDQxn4CcuANLKgPmuu31eyFaUpXfg/s1600-h/1+-+11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412681977414308194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4dqEzYp2Uf-kYq7RW_xE5n0sg8oCXyVHnj89w5El91FY4JcA8zpLan-aXY0VPh73vER8P8QzfrNtbaaYHVjTPpM186LqQwGPdCi1w4ol7PDQxn4CcuANLKgPmuu31eyFaUpXfg/s200/1+-+11.jpg" /></a>Because the restaurant had a very limited alcohol selections, I opened up a bottle of Ama No To "Umashine" upon my return. Polished to 80% and unfiltered, the saké had a light golden hue, surprisingly smooth texture, and long umami-laden flavor.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD78tu6ozoHiuPciCf28wpJFKdXO58gk0TMbT80emNESVevBjVQGRvmlLC4ExEPja3a_4ITHo8tLxqhCpddDadcYy9reInaK-Mhc7EURWa8wJdpeY6kK8scKdF-k0AqOBGG8svOg/s1600-h/1+-+12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412681972896714098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD78tu6ozoHiuPciCf28wpJFKdXO58gk0TMbT80emNESVevBjVQGRvmlLC4ExEPja3a_4ITHo8tLxqhCpddDadcYy9reInaK-Mhc7EURWa8wJdpeY6kK8scKdF-k0AqOBGG8svOg/s200/1+-+12.jpg" /></a>After some time to digest, I had to take an evening bath. The attendant told me that I can try the bath unit that feature both indoor and outdoor bath.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmWhsOvOKKik9Bd6ylUiXK0tmLytzwoWIz2gwka2l9HOWziYcPoo5KZ7QT6Z-v_V8nY9spUUWwdRmK9bpXTnc75zTcLtq3sf8OlX_N5FDIbOMM-qJZxgxRJmESbbDiuJzgXz4CA/s1600-h/1+-+13.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412681968703378626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmWhsOvOKKik9Bd6ylUiXK0tmLytzwoWIz2gwka2l9HOWziYcPoo5KZ7QT6Z-v_V8nY9spUUWwdRmK9bpXTnc75zTcLtq3sf8OlX_N5FDIbOMM-qJZxgxRJmESbbDiuJzgXz4CA/s200/1+-+13.jpg" /></a>As the temperature was bit nippy out, the contrast with the hot spring was just right.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjBjKchN-RmBrB2twy2KRVAst22BptjQ4ip9Ijy83TCtRKiFH6bV5f1wNQwIe-PqH9onusKcZAanoOlatXY7zstXWVOmpVQt2hKeZ7tLTDhPdrZqlNR-iadFeJx7nvTHh6ipD6A/s1600-h/1+-+14.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412681964193349426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjBjKchN-RmBrB2twy2KRVAst22BptjQ4ip9Ijy83TCtRKiFH6bV5f1wNQwIe-PqH9onusKcZAanoOlatXY7zstXWVOmpVQt2hKeZ7tLTDhPdrZqlNR-iadFeJx7nvTHh6ipD6A/s200/1+-+14.jpg" /></a>There isn't much better way to relax by listening to the trickling water...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacWwfmmE_9RPI85YpBzNO3BiqRSbF_uXHeE5cEzsF3-YXeFSSwsKZPV7QeGqQ8YB1tjZ02v5DJl_Wax6nBcLkB013NDIgD16DCzy7Sb-WmWxKXOAjUVY2ONzvH-QU83eEg-b92Q/s1600-h/1+-+15.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412681960600899682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacWwfmmE_9RPI85YpBzNO3BiqRSbF_uXHeE5cEzsF3-YXeFSSwsKZPV7QeGqQ8YB1tjZ02v5DJl_Wax6nBcLkB013NDIgD16DCzy7Sb-WmWxKXOAjUVY2ONzvH-QU83eEg-b92Q/s200/1+-+15.jpg" /></a>...while staring into the lit up Japanese maple tree in all its autumn glory.<br /></div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-34732239110090314112009-11-29T18:51:00.008-05:002010-01-17T19:24:56.392-05:0011/25/09: Day 6 in Japan, Part II - Satsuma Clan<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDb6G3LHwCNV2Q3oKFxgrekklYwdHRvVB-wr0xzWdP2vCLewIo03EssKxWY2o3_3yJ-f2BaoUsR6Jky43elnyweb-EfyMUcXEfIopV5aL-XE9geapLsyJfuQgjMSCP2rzJXO6CA/s1600/2+-+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 197px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409679752129697442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDb6G3LHwCNV2Q3oKFxgrekklYwdHRvVB-wr0xzWdP2vCLewIo03EssKxWY2o3_3yJ-f2BaoUsR6Jky43elnyweb-EfyMUcXEfIopV5aL-XE9geapLsyJfuQgjMSCP2rzJXO6CA/s200/2+-+1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">S</span></strong>atsuma Clan (薩摩藩) is one of the more intriguing and important political power during the mid to late 1800's, as the Tokugawa Shogunate (徳川幕府) came to a close. Initially, they were very much against foreign influence, but after couple of engagement that demonstrated superior western power, they became close with the British and pushed for modernization.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIepzV8OyA0utGYDOBFTyPvSJ3-ml5RImeKxOFBdhNCpA_q9CILaQwB_gZwBBmeqcV2wDYOLBzDOB0XNkrYII63s6ldpSWn8N1s65jafMRQRNNHpTSMz2dCAZT5P6HCobMIhma9w/s1600/2+-+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409679468166042306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIepzV8OyA0utGYDOBFTyPvSJ3-ml5RImeKxOFBdhNCpA_q9CILaQwB_gZwBBmeqcV2wDYOLBzDOB0XNkrYII63s6ldpSWn8N1s65jafMRQRNNHpTSMz2dCAZT5P6HCobMIhma9w/s200/2+-+2.jpg" /></a>One leading figure is Shimazu Nariakira(島津斉彬, top), the 11th leader of the Clan. He was proactive in importing western technology to Japan. Ohkubo Toshimichi (大久保利通, top center) was one of the key politician that transformed Japanese government by importing western concepts. Perhaps the most popular figure is Saigo Takamori (西郷隆盛, right), who along with Ohkubo became top figures despite their lower-class upbringing. Saigo was known as a samurai, but also one of the key figures in forming Satcho Doumei (薩長同盟), an alliance between <strong>Sat</strong>suma and <strong>Cho</strong>shu cans that eventually brought down the Tokugawa Shogunate. The alliance was brokered by Sakamoto Ryouma (坂本竜馬) of Tosa Clan (土佐藩, bottom center), and also included Katsura Kogoro (桂小五郎) of the Choshu Clan (長州藩).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdqfyC9HtbkW7buCT9Ov1sz1Ft9-M9LBCDdKgkqC1_aANvAhLQwyDJbTp0bRRoBprPITzTCONAOnb69erv3AjZXO4Za8S9E2Ut3Y-9Eg9jM272utmEbLzivKUlYKmX5xtptZ8MA/s1600/2+-+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409679452243502882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdqfyC9HtbkW7buCT9Ov1sz1Ft9-M9LBCDdKgkqC1_aANvAhLQwyDJbTp0bRRoBprPITzTCONAOnb69erv3AjZXO4Za8S9E2Ut3Y-9Eg9jM272utmEbLzivKUlYKmX5xtptZ8MA/s200/2+-+5.jpg" /></a>This marks the birthplace of Saigo Takamori. Towards the end, he developed friction with his childhood friend Ohkubo. Saigo eventually led Satsuma Revolution to keep samurai class from being abolished. Injured and defeated, Saigo took his own life at the battle of Shiroyama. It is said that the shogun Katsumoto depicted in the movie "Last Samurai" is based on Saigo Takamori.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdIUUTr0W1my7F2nWJFAauWHO0CDzOgRGNkM55MkPIxoQPpL3mY0XJbL0Zdd72OpBOxmQKRC7OIE-K35g33kqkUKI_8KM6tb_ZZZmqVAg_WbwNwP5-NFrZDcJn46JAvc79F5dWg/s1600/2+-+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409679444758687090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdIUUTr0W1my7F2nWJFAauWHO0CDzOgRGNkM55MkPIxoQPpL3mY0XJbL0Zdd72OpBOxmQKRC7OIE-K35g33kqkUKI_8KM6tb_ZZZmqVAg_WbwNwP5-NFrZDcJn46JAvc79F5dWg/s200/2+-+6.jpg" /></a>On the other hand, Ohkubo devoted his efforts in developing infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and ports while reforming the government. One of the key changes were made in 1871, when he set an edict that banned samurai from wearing swords in public.<br /><br />From the international relations point, Ohkubo determined that the Japan had been weakened, and took a strong stance against invasion of Korea to the dismay of Saigo. Eventually, the differences in philosophies led to Ohkubo fighting Saigo's charges. As Saigo was wildly popular in Satsuma, Ohkubo was seen as a traitor to many. Eventually, Ohkubo was assassinated.<br /><br />In fiction, Ohkubo is said to be represented as Omuro in the movie, "Last Samurai."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPnhSTp6mJ7ZSY9uztADjX-d7h3W86dwQcXwzoehC4A3l9W80KOKHlnTHUlHJmY4pakOMl9mky9XnoirSGzdy3ybAh8NCf6plRfhOElQ5rBdBOUXoZ5FF4w8X0wic6YlVqtXyDw/s1600/2+-+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409679463661345170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPnhSTp6mJ7ZSY9uztADjX-d7h3W86dwQcXwzoehC4A3l9W80KOKHlnTHUlHJmY4pakOMl9mky9XnoirSGzdy3ybAh8NCf6plRfhOElQ5rBdBOUXoZ5FF4w8X0wic6YlVqtXyDw/s200/2+-+3.jpg" /></a>One of the turning point of the Satsuma Clan was the Teradaya incident of 1862. Shimizu Hisamitsu quelled a plot formed by some of the anti-modernization extremists within their clan at the Teradaya Inn. This action set the tone of Satsuma as modernists, as well as gaining needed political capital from the Imperial Palace.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsceqrw9O20LRUWa3Gi_KqRqtQpC_7UG0P9J_NfOC7E-1OpB578AF8ds-9I0ncVTFrPcRm9YD6P9SJjhpDz5pCc7X8DeRrI8LRvtXsXEkwLGlAlca7QtkfNpsln2MOg_-C6lxUw/s1600/2+-+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409679453414719634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsceqrw9O20LRUWa3Gi_KqRqtQpC_7UG0P9J_NfOC7E-1OpB578AF8ds-9I0ncVTFrPcRm9YD6P9SJjhpDz5pCc7X8DeRrI8LRvtXsXEkwLGlAlca7QtkfNpsln2MOg_-C6lxUw/s200/2+-+4.jpg" /></a>Satsuma Clan also produced a famous female historical figure, Atsuhimé (篤姫). Raised by Shimazu Nariakira, she was eventually arranged to marry the Shogun, Tokugawa Iesada. This move was motivated to gain Satsuma political power, but eventually, the clan decided to support the Emperor instead of the Shogun forcing her into a very difficult situation. NHK produced "Atsuhimé" drama, which is highly suggested. These keepsakes were used in the series.</div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-44899170465784932482009-11-29T01:54:00.008-05:002010-01-17T19:24:46.047-05:0011/25/09: Day 6 in Japan, Part I - Kagoshima<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7U0uy9pGHmCeQSfu1yfPJsk3Eq2sWtUi1MK6DujMR5X-_V8r1Z8fyocfHoWMNMUu3xtt-XWgyuaEKiu58qKN2P8El-ovDV_zNeQ24LAtiesPobHQTjrL7jkbmyjQer2BBBsqTA/s1600/1+-+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409416300148046274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7U0uy9pGHmCeQSfu1yfPJsk3Eq2sWtUi1MK6DujMR5X-_V8r1Z8fyocfHoWMNMUu3xtt-XWgyuaEKiu58qKN2P8El-ovDV_zNeQ24LAtiesPobHQTjrL7jkbmyjQer2BBBsqTA/s200/1+-+1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span></strong>he next destination on my itinerary was Kagoshima, the southern-most prefecture on Kyushu. As it would take 2.5 hours to get there, I picked up Chicken Namban lunch...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIFyec-mI2SLzi18vvs7s2EzDtgjibpvRhO7Gtfhfe3wI-m6F2eej0RQMXCtSnpojB3rZxTbeXxIESM5dZXtk7tsYIPeEJeKgpPFC-o8L-7AdnoLWY72uJtsCGP5QTBqtlWOXZg/s1600/1+-+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409416295897904850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIFyec-mI2SLzi18vvs7s2EzDtgjibpvRhO7Gtfhfe3wI-m6F2eej0RQMXCtSnpojB3rZxTbeXxIESM5dZXtk7tsYIPeEJeKgpPFC-o8L-7AdnoLWY72uJtsCGP5QTBqtlWOXZg/s200/1+-+2.jpg" /></a>...and side orde of Yakisoba for the rail trip.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-ollxmTwdb9zcGxr1Bc9Jip8T5xw1DlI8dTgUszhHALYKthoKDiY03m0mnmnk0DzWew90p8Qpz_YxtqVmDQUZidynUVxLGaFduob9cuDCvOvzCcpvh2JLCg90wj4SFFSQ8B8IQ/s1600/1+-+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409416284345050226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-ollxmTwdb9zcGxr1Bc9Jip8T5xw1DlI8dTgUszhHALYKthoKDiY03m0mnmnk0DzWew90p8Qpz_YxtqVmDQUZidynUVxLGaFduob9cuDCvOvzCcpvh2JLCg90wj4SFFSQ8B8IQ/s200/1+-+3.jpg" /></a>The Satsuma Clan, based in Kagoshima, was one of the more progressive power in Japan. During the Meiji Restoration, they sent 15 students to England to study the western technologies such as steam power to help modernize Japan. For their contributions, they are honored with a statue outside of the Kagoshima Central Station.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagLB1bY7aiT53WCTTkEtYUTDXnP7IPK_FyFVlJx-aT87iDyAHIiodj1TPDZNaCoaAZuyxHmRBpdBe7Q2KymLl3U22YO6o3v8tFDAPVLHsxGjd82JjugxLFZKDyc4PWXcuJKBkRw/s1600/1+-+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409416279688381522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagLB1bY7aiT53WCTTkEtYUTDXnP7IPK_FyFVlJx-aT87iDyAHIiodj1TPDZNaCoaAZuyxHmRBpdBe7Q2KymLl3U22YO6o3v8tFDAPVLHsxGjd82JjugxLFZKDyc4PWXcuJKBkRw/s200/1+-+4.jpg" /></a>Not too far down the Napoli Street is the Meiji Restoration Museum. Spending one hour is a great way to understanding role of Kagoshima in shaping modern Japan.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQ_IQWnpAR2sBK1PvHINwSz27qETqwYs4cJOtopISmjsmdqVElBCYGKWuabTJ4BjNWV_E1kDg4WibCbA1JGnJQGitnTm_SOe4ql5SJ4cd0EtYz46ZRMkueIudlEXGzmMQqdBFNg/s1600/1+-+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409416278231338130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQ_IQWnpAR2sBK1PvHINwSz27qETqwYs4cJOtopISmjsmdqVElBCYGKWuabTJ4BjNWV_E1kDg4WibCbA1JGnJQGitnTm_SOe4ql5SJ4cd0EtYz46ZRMkueIudlEXGzmMQqdBFNg/s200/1+-+5.jpg" /></a>Crossing the bridge to the museum, you can see the beautiful Sakura Jima.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gNymrFPRDCFtPDie1XU9gc3BUQgAXIZxudgeJ6RTWvZtCq42pQ1iieW-4SOrUjjsQg32zR_z3_6VgYI8FPyBoQf0udLMI8O6R9Y44kM06nBArD4SHQG2vOD70DipbzYkBtLIvQ/s1600/1+-+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409416028479823090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gNymrFPRDCFtPDie1XU9gc3BUQgAXIZxudgeJ6RTWvZtCq42pQ1iieW-4SOrUjjsQg32zR_z3_6VgYI8FPyBoQf0udLMI8O6R9Y44kM06nBArD4SHQG2vOD70DipbzYkBtLIvQ/s200/1+-+6.jpg" /></a>After the museum, I headed down to the area called Dolphin Port to catch the glimpse of Sakura Jima up close. Sakura Jima is a picturesque island/volcano located in the Kagoshima Bay, and is featured in some Kagoshima-based drama such as Atsuhimé.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq8f0juWrhUqp-Ei8EV0ZCbfJYHxEP1Hdst0IxMSXfiUV_HlKB2aFTZiOIRJ229oPCwbo5h3OdyxzWd8oem1GGtGomE180mS36IaRFYP1FztrOkl5ObkUG46wGGqCpkaU2FrdLg/s1600/1+-+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 144px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409416020771498226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq8f0juWrhUqp-Ei8EV0ZCbfJYHxEP1Hdst0IxMSXfiUV_HlKB2aFTZiOIRJ229oPCwbo5h3OdyxzWd8oem1GGtGomE180mS36IaRFYP1FztrOkl5ObkUG46wGGqCpkaU2FrdLg/s200/1+-+7.jpg" /></a>As the sun set, I began to make my way back towards the train station. At the intersection where the Tenmonkan Dori and Izumi Dori crossed, I couldn't help but notice the heavily westernized buildings that were lining the street.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxggYk0Hr2-r769TD9VaVwhA1XqdfBAwffxhB8C6r6zduQcJD5_qcaUAElVBUaLsyWQD4d4RHVbsIPfv-qgIpJj3TUtnhrJI-wBTpq6gN0cFZpKeDShrmLkiN-zd0k89V_F-ioA/s1600/1+-+8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 148px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409416016409206514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxggYk0Hr2-r769TD9VaVwhA1XqdfBAwffxhB8C6r6zduQcJD5_qcaUAElVBUaLsyWQD4d4RHVbsIPfv-qgIpJj3TUtnhrJI-wBTpq6gN0cFZpKeDShrmLkiN-zd0k89V_F-ioA/s200/1+-+8.jpg" /></a>For dinner, I decided to go two blocks north to Tenjin Baba Dori to look for a local flavor. As Kagoshima is famous for their Berkshire Pork, this lantern caught my attention.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNsYJnc4Ii6wLnpiY2MrsF7aDR_xZav4v4W1P_VQ7ykOCHZYTatsGrEt3PPTQTpUf9LRnD5QSReZtE071wB4w2b8_18dA-Chdxs0U2Q_qQtPIc7M-K-uDmIYW7P-xWrcTp_07sw/s1600/1+-+9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 126px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409416011676007170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNsYJnc4Ii6wLnpiY2MrsF7aDR_xZav4v4W1P_VQ7ykOCHZYTatsGrEt3PPTQTpUf9LRnD5QSReZtE071wB4w2b8_18dA-Chdxs0U2Q_qQtPIc7M-K-uDmIYW7P-xWrcTp_07sw/s200/1+-+9.jpg" /></a>Tonkatsu Jubei has been in business for over 40 years, and it's located on a second floor of a building, tucked away in the back.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NqdMh8VnWvFIMRITbHYGiBIEo2WofejA56B6FP98guuUzyDevrO8E0NgHBlkIBPAy_1Jvcb6_jbnXgdQhFkyJcpTwsr0i4UtpovtxcorAgd-yJ4XCPxFbzMWRdXMmRd66OdZwg/s1600/1+-+10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NqdMh8VnWvFIMRITbHYGiBIEo2WofejA56B6FP98guuUzyDevrO8E0NgHBlkIBPAy_1Jvcb6_jbnXgdQhFkyJcpTwsr0i4UtpovtxcorAgd-yJ4XCPxFbzMWRdXMmRd66OdZwg/s200/1+-+10.jpg" /></a>I ordered the roast cutlet set (1,550 yen).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRudUlJlegO4tCvZkiAAPjr-nVXBOq_FhU05oRJhOrtN0ICjAAIoilOUr6vRGWs_I2jYymUFLFXF-lqvGbFocLW4hkTJiwny8wgL3Gc0UiESuINvGv9A9x4G-a8wOJY3vIz6NsQ/s1600/1+-+12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409415737219513106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRudUlJlegO4tCvZkiAAPjr-nVXBOq_FhU05oRJhOrtN0ICjAAIoilOUr6vRGWs_I2jYymUFLFXF-lqvGbFocLW4hkTJiwny8wgL3Gc0UiESuINvGv9A9x4G-a8wOJY3vIz6NsQ/s200/1+-+12.jpg" /></a>The Kagoshima pork was very tender and juicy, cooked to perfection. They were served with miso sauce, tangy tonkatsu sauce, and salt/pepper to enjoy in different ways.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj112ZEs8AJevG44zJug8iRHIwVl09wV1lax6rwYSTwDgDK-AGAPnKNyU5yCeTQK1JCDFe4Et2ridBr8CmywVrxgLnlvX4BisykhbgHJyDASRPz8GyiFclpMw3hxZ2JsCn93Vd8EQ/s1600/1+-+13.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409415732597883362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj112ZEs8AJevG44zJug8iRHIwVl09wV1lax6rwYSTwDgDK-AGAPnKNyU5yCeTQK1JCDFe4Et2ridBr8CmywVrxgLnlvX4BisykhbgHJyDASRPz8GyiFclpMw3hxZ2JsCn93Vd8EQ/s200/1+-+13.jpg" /></a>As I was the first customer in, the chef came out and entertained me. He made ballerina out of tissue paper (right), cut outs of two swans kissing (bottom), hawk (left), and deer (top).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji49_AlyZbiLKa8HoV_ciAGgLJKg4Kf9MMNDnLxch0KOclbrPzBUU5Y_R_7Y4ftkiMHuT3UI5ZgduIybTGHxpd1OC-bYg5pISilqPKkMesItk8UBxfi88d8tymemEWzZRsYsvUtg/s1600/1+-+14.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409415728364725410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji49_AlyZbiLKa8HoV_ciAGgLJKg4Kf9MMNDnLxch0KOclbrPzBUU5Y_R_7Y4ftkiMHuT3UI5ZgduIybTGHxpd1OC-bYg5pISilqPKkMesItk8UBxfi88d8tymemEWzZRsYsvUtg/s200/1+-+14.jpg" /></a>Here is the photo of ferris wheel above Kagoshima Central Station.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44RGqbVnSrxC7PvNxoHb-eI4eOeAkx5Id2VmZ432nh2yxQbnFjvsu_VOH5m-fzZAEnwgJ61qMaaAM-SroKEnve5wUPTJ5jOOoLXD_2nx1XYnCphJs4KTrGN40WQYua7tGN5l4Fg/s1600/1+-+15.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409415716282209202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44RGqbVnSrxC7PvNxoHb-eI4eOeAkx5Id2VmZ432nh2yxQbnFjvsu_VOH5m-fzZAEnwgJ61qMaaAM-SroKEnve5wUPTJ5jOOoLXD_2nx1XYnCphJs4KTrGN40WQYua7tGN5l4Fg/s200/1+-+15.jpg" /></a>I ended up staying in a town called Sendai (川内). After getting there, I saw a Christmas light display in the shape of Doraemon.</div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-57202329881864583442009-11-27T02:33:00.010-05:002010-01-17T19:24:29.600-05:0011/24/09: Day 5 in Japan, Part II - Yatai<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNkJbdSV37BGMfivMQlS_9QJYZSB-IAKRAzf0-LeFiXxwTto8qVULfKvX43BJngoEWb8_inmpb7tnYvrD85ZFrcmfuLG61UeBGRnTXy-AXD1TVrK_cGUsFuNPTlTpO-2e4ti97A/s1600/2+-+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408939239855191970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNkJbdSV37BGMfivMQlS_9QJYZSB-IAKRAzf0-LeFiXxwTto8qVULfKvX43BJngoEWb8_inmpb7tnYvrD85ZFrcmfuLG61UeBGRnTXy-AXD1TVrK_cGUsFuNPTlTpO-2e4ti97A/s200/2+-+1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">O</span></strong>n the way back from onsen, I got off the shuttle bus in Tenjin. On my agenda was to try a certain Hakata cuisine, as well as dining in yatai. Here is the bridge over Nakagawa at night.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxUV2yjk3zcBz0U2IjkswO0-07lqM-4CcrJxTzdi2v820PYxoYvFhuYGJyRzsNTTuNIL89g-U6BJSZFHMJSXdVSC5ysEx8R71KIIp6uaHHGDeZtz3MrpqG-dx2x52bkN85ZJ8JQ/s1600/2+-+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408939137073344930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxUV2yjk3zcBz0U2IjkswO0-07lqM-4CcrJxTzdi2v820PYxoYvFhuYGJyRzsNTTuNIL89g-U6BJSZFHMJSXdVSC5ysEx8R71KIIp6uaHHGDeZtz3MrpqG-dx2x52bkN85ZJ8JQ/s200/2+-+3.jpg" /></a>Not too far from the bridge, I came across an izakaya called Fuurin Kazan. The kanji signifies wind, forest, fire, mountain that were seen on the battle flags, short hand for "run like the wind, quiet like the forest, attack like fire, and defend like a mountain." With such an impressive name, I figured I can't go wrong.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZecw6RSOWB98U7Td4Ko7M6TX9sh5hd1nHnSN015tXLI8Npk3nGp3wQGXwMxSPvvjTHNU6QDmE9KFD_OmEi5FQBetoePCKurnuG82Bwsd7YWdPd4xhQk6KfWadvzMi66y6A-HaYA/s1600/2+-+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408939132034895602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZecw6RSOWB98U7Td4Ko7M6TX9sh5hd1nHnSN015tXLI8Npk3nGp3wQGXwMxSPvvjTHNU6QDmE9KFD_OmEi5FQBetoePCKurnuG82Bwsd7YWdPd4xhQk6KfWadvzMi66y6A-HaYA/s200/2+-+4.jpg" /></a>It was a yakitori place, run by two chefs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyNRjqajzTwr0_PHGEJD5-_v7PDqld79pFbfWZ4tMEhZZF5wW0hNGKGeReHuOgsWjmV3FYTfku3Xo8cOVl5UWRr8nbBK_hc55otkCaM4Tb2woO9QfxrmLFrq7GktMsOoBAJbylw/s1600/2+-+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408939127733356466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyNRjqajzTwr0_PHGEJD5-_v7PDqld79pFbfWZ4tMEhZZF5wW0hNGKGeReHuOgsWjmV3FYTfku3Xo8cOVl5UWRr8nbBK_hc55otkCaM4Tb2woO9QfxrmLFrq7GktMsOoBAJbylw/s200/2+-+5.jpg" /></a>I started with angel hair-like enoki mushrooms cooked in a foil...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEh5mBXMKHww4_tst35KHVH7xTPe4oJsZU6g8XaWf6eezyp6GqzAuElrLZCoNGVaS-AT5Av_Pqv5QjyAvAnm9eXuQXBUgXlGTu2-iTfsrMddQt3v2tR-mZIZUm5eTsEH17DbT1Ww/s1600/2+-+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408939117292519074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEh5mBXMKHww4_tst35KHVH7xTPe4oJsZU6g8XaWf6eezyp6GqzAuElrLZCoNGVaS-AT5Av_Pqv5QjyAvAnm9eXuQXBUgXlGTu2-iTfsrMddQt3v2tR-mZIZUm5eTsEH17DbT1Ww/s200/2+-+6.jpg" /></a>...followed by few skeweres of chicken...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9_uSU_qzbLj_bLTowCOMTv-hCBi3wAM34ydDGAByGadOC9fbptcjE1J8bsIAGa8GGoQrZLRfWAm148SFjKhyphenhyphenN3p58I2YGghfdJTqiSG0zXxTyuJ2yQcY3vZZiwSwbA6MNuntlw/s1600/2+-+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408938948389482098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9_uSU_qzbLj_bLTowCOMTv-hCBi3wAM34ydDGAByGadOC9fbptcjE1J8bsIAGa8GGoQrZLRfWAm148SFjKhyphenhyphenN3p58I2YGghfdJTqiSG0zXxTyuJ2yQcY3vZZiwSwbA6MNuntlw/s200/2+-+7.jpg" /></a>...before settling on juicy tonsoku. What's a tonsoku, you may ask? Why, it's pigs feet. Yup, you read that right, pigs feet. It's chewy and rich in collagen which is supposedly great for your skin. Not surprisingly, pigs feet are very popular among those cute little Japanese women.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJqxW20N64gZgN2Wl_C_RUTrVTYUIWaZ0KKq7dmrJBvZcqP4o_3pJokO46me9JLnJDqVCZ3jFY7sC5COf24LmOm5VkpWXKVm_aOeuxmr3vCxstw-Om7eAS03fKXDkQpAL2rdQkg/s1600/2+-+8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408938943561954754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJqxW20N64gZgN2Wl_C_RUTrVTYUIWaZ0KKq7dmrJBvZcqP4o_3pJokO46me9JLnJDqVCZ3jFY7sC5COf24LmOm5VkpWXKVm_aOeuxmr3vCxstw-Om7eAS03fKXDkQpAL2rdQkg/s200/2+-+8.jpg" /></a>Yakitori and Tonkotsu went very well with Den En (田苑) potato shochu served on the rocks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbR8Uny9pK64EJTH5ZR60JPJd_qOif2pp1soDSNbCl5VYbkocdO_K5rgK8fvxG3tygE049zV110jzp3xglLhVb2sp8QW6ehoCHeJMyxEes7pUAfYFWRrUkBN9Ng1kgLh-kjotabA/s1600/2+-+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408939139091279538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbR8Uny9pK64EJTH5ZR60JPJd_qOif2pp1soDSNbCl5VYbkocdO_K5rgK8fvxG3tygE049zV110jzp3xglLhVb2sp8QW6ehoCHeJMyxEes7pUAfYFWRrUkBN9Ng1kgLh-kjotabA/s200/2+-+2.jpg" /></a>Mext on the agenda was visiting yatai, which is a food stand. More than food carts we see in NYC, food stands include seating. Nakasu, an island located between Nakagawa rivers, has a famous yatai row but it is frequently visited by out-of-towners.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXnmKGhXo0b5KJ0yB9ufEY5tlh3Va90mfp-jkAkA3hvUqunOQGjypRBefEeKJUh9e9vISW6gOrQly9lyr7sziVXy5X23lUNs0ClBjPObuUUbyKuxqvI2ntjq60lEtrFh2IW1trQ/s1600/2+-+9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 152px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408938940401075874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXnmKGhXo0b5KJ0yB9ufEY5tlh3Va90mfp-jkAkA3hvUqunOQGjypRBefEeKJUh9e9vISW6gOrQly9lyr7sziVXy5X23lUNs0ClBjPObuUUbyKuxqvI2ntjq60lEtrFh2IW1trQ/s200/2+-+9.jpg" /></a>My Fukuoka-based friend recommended I stop by yatai frequently visited by the locals in the heart of the main street. However, that yatai was already full, and I was told it would take at least an hour to get a seat. Fortunately, there was another one called Kitaro right near by, with some seats to spare.<br /><br />While yatai is there to serve food, the local ones offer much more than that. Because the space is enclosed, creating intimate space, it encourages interaction. The yatai visited by locals has their "regulars" that gather regularly.<br /><br />Fortunately, they were quick to include me in the conversation, and I had good companions for the night.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiMLNxiVQXdc8MAhCh3PMD1KRJtlTPk-88AuBI0fQZ3gLI68hQBqIQRuOZc-6HBM6c4XkZ119C9TvMi61k0bbX8oGN9Rg5CFpxBHFlMreqyBq0ruk0a2doEpHbiRvpT0_SILllg/s1600/2+-+10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408938930855446338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiMLNxiVQXdc8MAhCh3PMD1KRJtlTPk-88AuBI0fQZ3gLI68hQBqIQRuOZc-6HBM6c4XkZ119C9TvMi61k0bbX8oGN9Rg5CFpxBHFlMreqyBq0ruk0a2doEpHbiRvpT0_SILllg/s200/2+-+10.jpg" /></a>I had their ramen with Suigei Junmai Ginjo...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OVBbsqkhmFnPJ6-Jdvf7WnbEHIxZb3f7PQhKtu813OFU7zbTxsFjHB-5SA9xavo0aE6Sd3nonZ-D-4t9hBHXLPLJaffRrydPirgs2daECVdowlFDK3_nV5GeGyZ8V_qLab58Pg/s1600/2+-+11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408938926877739090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OVBbsqkhmFnPJ6-Jdvf7WnbEHIxZb3f7PQhKtu813OFU7zbTxsFjHB-5SA9xavo0aE6Sd3nonZ-D-4t9hBHXLPLJaffRrydPirgs2daECVdowlFDK3_nV5GeGyZ8V_qLab58Pg/s200/2+-+11.jpg" /></a>...and some more yakitori with house barley shochu. While I don't remember much about the taste of the food, I will never forget the cameraderie I enjoy inside this particular yatai.</div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-64215871601125442622009-11-25T18:00:00.005-05:002010-01-17T19:24:18.709-05:0011/24/09: Day 5 in Japan, Part I - Tenjin<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Z5eFNeVR_niSNIuaTcIQF1ORzbYfiNMvalZeLnpeyDcMtWy7T7Cc0LaB_9simPksfZxSJ-c-wQhdr1v7chL1DkwSdW3z4tQOE12eL_i5EAI63ZCTOMfgYX0z0rJsesRSzsw-lg/s1600/1+-+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408180416855415730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Z5eFNeVR_niSNIuaTcIQF1ORzbYfiNMvalZeLnpeyDcMtWy7T7Cc0LaB_9simPksfZxSJ-c-wQhdr1v7chL1DkwSdW3z4tQOE12eL_i5EAI63ZCTOMfgYX0z0rJsesRSzsw-lg/s200/1+-+1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">W</span></strong>hile Hakata is where the Shinkansen stops, Tenjin is where the action is. To find out more, I decided to take a walk in the morning.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2ZVmIKnzXk_SUiCYmRdlrt0vtev0ezlRP-iico4mfCb_VfhcQKRU9n6dholkcW6JkoJ_H33LcYx54u8Ovc52cg0LkjxmfXgbF_DbStn7Enid3ffJuZrGn-NgmeFfyNZ6e8SP7w/s1600/1+-+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408180406466869922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2ZVmIKnzXk_SUiCYmRdlrt0vtev0ezlRP-iico4mfCb_VfhcQKRU9n6dholkcW6JkoJ_H33LcYx54u8Ovc52cg0LkjxmfXgbF_DbStn7Enid3ffJuZrGn-NgmeFfyNZ6e8SP7w/s200/1+-+2.jpg" /></a>Tenjin is about 20 minutes away from Hakata station by foot, separated by Nakagawa River. Watanabe Street is the center of the town, and it's flanked by Fukuoka/Tenjin Station of the Nishitetsu line, as well as numerous department stores and shops.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qzP7LySJ_4F_PX3nRjcbtxK2pXGl7yY96N51vPBcBQOYn0jmvXlJ-EfEQ6mCu8N1K73hWxH-WDu1C-p-adWQU1VIr2MBWYRSHb0ys_nciS1VCwi_nyGIiqiYfjzb-MVjjkBbKg/s1600/1+-+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408180404743282402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qzP7LySJ_4F_PX3nRjcbtxK2pXGl7yY96N51vPBcBQOYn0jmvXlJ-EfEQ6mCu8N1K73hWxH-WDu1C-p-adWQU1VIr2MBWYRSHb0ys_nciS1VCwi_nyGIiqiYfjzb-MVjjkBbKg/s200/1+-+3.jpg" /></a>Just as busy is the underground concourse right beneath Watanabe Street that houses bunch of shops while allowing pedestrians access to all the surrounding buildings without the fear of cars or waiting for lights.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbb_lJJ6W0C_ace-55jj_JaEGnZtu4nvDVYCQtfWMtlvtbJgjZP0njD7tE9IGk9gMppDZivaiRmi6vhta-ZudokhuiY8XsqxNlRszw6tBa445U1fbLB_LnwUsDj_C1R-tPZd_YQ/s1600/1+-+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408180401297878002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbb_lJJ6W0C_ace-55jj_JaEGnZtu4nvDVYCQtfWMtlvtbJgjZP0njD7tE9IGk9gMppDZivaiRmi6vhta-ZudokhuiY8XsqxNlRszw6tBa445U1fbLB_LnwUsDj_C1R-tPZd_YQ/s200/1+-+4.jpg" /></a>On the way back to the hotel, I found a booth that sold something called Inaho Yaki. It was to okonomiyaki what pizza pocket is to a pizza.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6TxO8GMyWtuiS9rH6kyd8TBteiPDdnkLtBtt3p8b9ehsqnw-J9XP1NGk_VzH4q1kysrjQvBC90Xs-p65Cdxszvq4Os-u03P6fd3kav_cutSIJQjMYAqN_s8ttAl-aCS1rnFAhg/s1600/1+-+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408180395330259858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6TxO8GMyWtuiS9rH6kyd8TBteiPDdnkLtBtt3p8b9ehsqnw-J9XP1NGk_VzH4q1kysrjQvBC90Xs-p65Cdxszvq4Os-u03P6fd3kav_cutSIJQjMYAqN_s8ttAl-aCS1rnFAhg/s200/1+-+5.jpg" /></a>For lunch, I stopped by a ramen joint near the hotel called Chen Mar Ya.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFd2MVJkKNXm7ND-LT81MWVgCxdV2JtRiKj3kr9nUpgynOLWVvjlDlN_ZDhYM4Xyp9sceM-4IW6DbIoqH7eRhU-5DTG7qWmj4B9A_NbHusaEFawn6R26dgpFZ9pwMiWulDVnWNw/s1600/1+-+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408180237361871218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFd2MVJkKNXm7ND-LT81MWVgCxdV2JtRiKj3kr9nUpgynOLWVvjlDlN_ZDhYM4Xyp9sceM-4IW6DbIoqH7eRhU-5DTG7qWmj4B9A_NbHusaEFawn6R26dgpFZ9pwMiWulDVnWNw/s200/1+-+6.jpg" /></a>Their speciality is the spicy Dan Dan Noodles using tonkotsu soup base. As you can tell by the picture, this was richer and much spicier than usual tonkotsu ramen, with hints of sesame and Szechuan peppercorns.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAnj5ATXIxD1c5wn5RZ8e3lcyyerSdrYX_jXLKWxek_0vVzgVIQvdhVQDsESg45YwLBXkeRxxW3udiDX6K1qnnSuSa0fkUGFy4hoQ20OljT0pMg1a2biTmzoEN1IvUhsk__EXFg/s1600/1+-+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408180233326084146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAnj5ATXIxD1c5wn5RZ8e3lcyyerSdrYX_jXLKWxek_0vVzgVIQvdhVQDsESg45YwLBXkeRxxW3udiDX6K1qnnSuSa0fkUGFy4hoQ20OljT0pMg1a2biTmzoEN1IvUhsk__EXFg/s200/1+-+7.jpg" /></a>The lunch set came with Ma Po Tofu served over rice. Thicker than the Ma Po Tofu I am used to, it nevertheless had good flavors of the Szechuan peppercorns.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bRbHxRoZeYHMIYgYjeI747xGT4QSta1vlr1MD9ONAiWo9nfk0FvP3FZVTP95ZDwv4bv4sc1UCwAXCPSsWQ8zwiwbkF6_Ss28mnTlgNl9EeoP4ATauVkBULrPKs1C5CycoXPf0Q/s1600/1+-+8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408180226378448114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bRbHxRoZeYHMIYgYjeI747xGT4QSta1vlr1MD9ONAiWo9nfk0FvP3FZVTP95ZDwv4bv4sc1UCwAXCPSsWQ8zwiwbkF6_Ss28mnTlgNl9EeoP4ATauVkBULrPKs1C5CycoXPf0Q/s200/1+-+8.jpg" /></a>Here is the obligatory serving of gyoza...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Q8lrBhhVpa4L0oAheT7vp9Qmy4d6WbseoaEaWrD4jA3SYIjRvelKJede17s-alGAbEofeM6B2n4gfwjv08pZzwt-lwkpa1zybpCry6s_qtlCRLowE8f8YKFCAyxh63tGw6icNA/s1600/1+-+9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 139px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408180223901552290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Q8lrBhhVpa4L0oAheT7vp9Qmy4d6WbseoaEaWrD4jA3SYIjRvelKJede17s-alGAbEofeM6B2n4gfwjv08pZzwt-lwkpa1zybpCry6s_qtlCRLowE8f8YKFCAyxh63tGw6icNA/s200/1+-+9.jpg" /></a>I again spent the afternoon at Ryusei Onsen. The hotsprings are invigorating, and I read sauna is great for digestion which is much needed at this point.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Fzb3UJXmkEgMsrJlwo2zOTViHJfwJnFdLoMWKKAEBGlTTKOYIU6lRFzU78x8Wnpva8Cehbcse2YRSBgrK71A9Fkuz0EJikFUZTf1Q3TNV8BzSMJXYr_qQ4lxSu2v1CP1C9w65g/s1600/1+-+10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408180213423697122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Fzb3UJXmkEgMsrJlwo2zOTViHJfwJnFdLoMWKKAEBGlTTKOYIU6lRFzU78x8Wnpva8Cehbcse2YRSBgrK71A9Fkuz0EJikFUZTf1Q3TNV8BzSMJXYr_qQ4lxSu2v1CP1C9w65g/s200/1+-+10.jpg" /></a>The hotspring is located in the mountains, and it offers calming scenery to ease my soul...</div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-23508659547833936952009-11-25T08:41:00.010-05:002010-01-17T19:24:03.384-05:0011/23/09: Day 4 in Japan - Arriving in Hakata<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">N</span></strong>ot unexpectedly, my eyes opened around 7:30, but I woke up around 9:30 only because I had to check out by 10:00.<br /><br />I skipped breakfast, but that's not a bad thing in retrospect, based on the pace I am helping out Japanese food industry.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirohwgU64AQedbCuiAtHJLxGeQYCziI2uk3T7qcK8yGLhkGLPXnpPBGdTYpTYt82czLDL-HPcG8KP-Qq4esMTGQLhYH-DReTJ_MVKsOEPlugKljeSoyDJCqQgYuEugUxQ86B7gmA/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408037264818145026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirohwgU64AQedbCuiAtHJLxGeQYCziI2uk3T7qcK8yGLhkGLPXnpPBGdTYpTYt82czLDL-HPcG8KP-Qq4esMTGQLhYH-DReTJ_MVKsOEPlugKljeSoyDJCqQgYuEugUxQ86B7gmA/s200/1.jpg" /></a>After leaving the comforts of bed, I spent couple of hours by Hiroshima Station working on rehydration. Interestingly, the city of Kyoto was promoting tourism, so there was a lady dressed as geisha and a gentleman clad in the coat of <a href="http://nihonshudo-nyc.blogspot.com/2009/02/11808-day-9-in-japan-shinsengumi.html">Shinsengumi</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vh82w9M5KAP0CFkK08m8sAsC1yZUAk16-2h0HYVeWhfKk3VaqcRR8vnTypeaMqLWtWuSKbkcU_os5DFLC_4gZqIvM-u0DHZpREyans4W1yGQVs0HEN7ljKMRBCqDTOcx45AH7w/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 149px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408037261455364866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vh82w9M5KAP0CFkK08m8sAsC1yZUAk16-2h0HYVeWhfKk3VaqcRR8vnTypeaMqLWtWuSKbkcU_os5DFLC_4gZqIvM-u0DHZpREyans4W1yGQVs0HEN7ljKMRBCqDTOcx45AH7w/s200/2.jpg" /></a>My next stop is Hakata in Fukuoka prefecture, located on the island of Kyushu. This will be my first visit on the island where my father's side of the family is based.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEffnNXM68hvbVXfoqN5mbFNKgTcT_6d6LGEA1mVUnzLFXOZkC8sYlHxWY1dr4FsFKrccreWXy3PsqvM969SOVcAc7ZJ3r0sBl3214nuX1zsM4mpoOtZy0U0Ez_ccKxw8YyDg4dw/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408037157273008018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEffnNXM68hvbVXfoqN5mbFNKgTcT_6d6LGEA1mVUnzLFXOZkC8sYlHxWY1dr4FsFKrccreWXy3PsqvM969SOVcAc7ZJ3r0sBl3214nuX1zsM4mpoOtZy0U0Ez_ccKxw8YyDg4dw/s200/3.jpg" /></a>As my appetizer was virtually nonexistant, my lunch included 3 different breads. First was the bacon and cheese roll...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUAorJD74cSxWRazy-wcec1fz04j2dEN6w4CqUrHKhClFrR9EZkzWXevvi7KxtGMc7LjsFJDyLvgFLsPDcYDIJ66HBiAfg2zTk2dNAuwLzNp9sgSDXQFS6qcj4WXW055Y41UhgA/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408037155872220674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUAorJD74cSxWRazy-wcec1fz04j2dEN6w4CqUrHKhClFrR9EZkzWXevvi7KxtGMc7LjsFJDyLvgFLsPDcYDIJ66HBiAfg2zTk2dNAuwLzNp9sgSDXQFS6qcj4WXW055Y41UhgA/s200/4.jpg" /></a>...followed by fried chicken with tartare sauce on a roll...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9IqVELzyux_kYkKVlAx4bcqlwkbLb-8iHJmojTeaWmdV6q_JD88SaTEQRXjbie3DPThWjT88-z4H0fU-L96gdJKyhw8zZLQKuZeAJ5JqgC_3czaGoIfNdwkGU7FOr1tmlYnk_w/s1600/5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408037150009917442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9IqVELzyux_kYkKVlAx4bcqlwkbLb-8iHJmojTeaWmdV6q_JD88SaTEQRXjbie3DPThWjT88-z4H0fU-L96gdJKyhw8zZLQKuZeAJ5JqgC_3czaGoIfNdwkGU7FOr1tmlYnk_w/s200/5.jpg" /></a>...and curry bread, a must-eat item when in Japan.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0e41dViZfmc7NX8FqfD14gcuEa1SYTOvI4uEu5GkVro1Oz7teBXtJylBwr1xQ8Z1JC_rqZ6Hxf0e7AfS4dHl4esiwJJ7F0F6C1T0p_e7iYJxWH5B8f4zUNfiEc123j_ahX5_oA/s1600/6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 148px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408037140008657042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0e41dViZfmc7NX8FqfD14gcuEa1SYTOvI4uEu5GkVro1Oz7teBXtJylBwr1xQ8Z1JC_rqZ6Hxf0e7AfS4dHl4esiwJJ7F0F6C1T0p_e7iYJxWH5B8f4zUNfiEc123j_ahX5_oA/s200/6.jpg" /></a>After checking into the hotel, it was time to relax and detox by visitig <a href="http://www.nakagawaseiryu.jp/">Seiryu Onsen</a> hot springs, recommended by a friend.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpQC04dvO0ujokpWU2TStD3B3r8DO1Y-SMOPtixBxiHQxVzyT-8r9cK9uUrHPGbtZuuBbq_jaZLgUS5k3myv9c1PH_Me_YLKtpjiKYi-j2OHGTfJKhEN3Kb9_NkTYCZVtAHqdVw/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408037138258874642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpQC04dvO0ujokpWU2TStD3B3r8DO1Y-SMOPtixBxiHQxVzyT-8r9cK9uUrHPGbtZuuBbq_jaZLgUS5k3myv9c1PH_Me_YLKtpjiKYi-j2OHGTfJKhEN3Kb9_NkTYCZVtAHqdVw/s200/7.jpg" /></a>Housed in a traditional-looking lodge, the onsen featured 6 different hotsprings (2 inside, 4 outside) and 2 spa facilities. The onsen is located about 50 minutes from Hakata Station, but thankfully, there is a free shuttle bus that runs hourly. This visit was much needed!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6GgLPcvUJEhd-hqRXBPTc61G9sgwQhgvAJHOkDfcibg-hLrQiQMpeoQwKb_LaBJHBDtIoLI3a13-M7RjgIex0YeB4jIXjgrbfg9z5NK2JESlhPnmRBYD132NOYEZLKDQELEA_w/s1600/8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408036973269522114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6GgLPcvUJEhd-hqRXBPTc61G9sgwQhgvAJHOkDfcibg-hLrQiQMpeoQwKb_LaBJHBDtIoLI3a13-M7RjgIex0YeB4jIXjgrbfg9z5NK2JESlhPnmRBYD132NOYEZLKDQELEA_w/s200/8.jpg" /></a>Hakata is famous for their tonkotsu ramen, which is made from deriving broth from pork. In a lucky coincidence, the restaurant my friend recommended, Fukuchan, was located just 2 blocks away from the hotel.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4tAgOUFGHXEfVoQYWfL7V21CAURXVAWCwlY4dC6OwV3QKDddAe-LAt8k9CmixJ7i-LvDzKnuUe3qyRcu6aSWRFLWcpjA3dQRs_fvlycs6mndlbXylrt4BHHnH_fVwBjGfDvJvQ/s1600/9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408036966948984018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4tAgOUFGHXEfVoQYWfL7V21CAURXVAWCwlY4dC6OwV3QKDddAe-LAt8k9CmixJ7i-LvDzKnuUe3qyRcu6aSWRFLWcpjA3dQRs_fvlycs6mndlbXylrt4BHHnH_fVwBjGfDvJvQ/s200/9.jpg" /></a>As my appetite recovered sufficiently, I ordered Char-Siu Tonkotsu Ramen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYNaM7yKfd_p8rpfWtPsEq6f46aAPuQdQE4ew6i_lYeg4U3UqIf3t8qpKg2P-kO1hDgozxmW_c11ah-_TItasIDHwtjMoY49DiwSLLftjyCX0aUxlE4AbF7rrtvDmqgpfC8oTBw/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408036961589979794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYNaM7yKfd_p8rpfWtPsEq6f46aAPuQdQE4ew6i_lYeg4U3UqIf3t8qpKg2P-kO1hDgozxmW_c11ah-_TItasIDHwtjMoY49DiwSLLftjyCX0aUxlE4AbF7rrtvDmqgpfC8oTBw/s200/10.jpg" /></a>The taste did not disappoint, the firm noodle pairing well with creamy but well-balanced soup.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqB1-N4sWhhyphenhyphenfxNPAOH2uywWw7BPcHGmlG75s10FY50nJlIW8OhVy5jLf8LfNGlGhhsZyKHz7IO6Xy_uOaySuPYf5OJkzlsr3KrCbWr6bXq1BQDL5xfTFboe4TPJeB6arosEbGBQ/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408036956082969986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqB1-N4sWhhyphenhyphenfxNPAOH2uywWw7BPcHGmlG75s10FY50nJlIW8OhVy5jLf8LfNGlGhhsZyKHz7IO6Xy_uOaySuPYf5OJkzlsr3KrCbWr6bXq1BQDL5xfTFboe4TPJeB6arosEbGBQ/s200/11.jpg" /></a>Of course, I had to have their gyoza as well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIAZxW44wStUuHs4bpUCbZZMtRggp__s9_9TvMz6qJGyluqi00BXIrqlBdPbUfDJTFu9TW3foSCLfuVqFBjivSRpNSxeIsDtfIhGcWuiovMmMd8yZoTTrxZ9tZBCwFZtR_oN1Pw/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408036949870275442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIAZxW44wStUuHs4bpUCbZZMtRggp__s9_9TvMz6qJGyluqi00BXIrqlBdPbUfDJTFu9TW3foSCLfuVqFBjivSRpNSxeIsDtfIhGcWuiovMmMd8yZoTTrxZ9tZBCwFZtR_oN1Pw/s200/12.jpg" /></a>On the way home, there was a tunnel running under and across the rail tracks. Within the tunnel was a mural, and one section featured Kondo Isami, leader of Shinsengumi. Man, they're everywhere!</div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-1425669041365647162009-11-23T19:50:00.008-05:002009-11-24T00:07:59.163-05:0011/22/09: Day 3 in Japan, Part III - Hasshou Okonomiyaki<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLnX0APvm8zQ2Ra5lanXDdxxvmRZCN6JTMoLzOUM52mFUf-hpPXB_2ZyeyZFNh7V87DQBvaQ387km_rwrTnULMSVUt9S0ADTinZal1lV1LL1Wx_58SMndxAsb2929ZtyagicKyw/s1600/3+-+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 146px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407530141047173058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLnX0APvm8zQ2Ra5lanXDdxxvmRZCN6JTMoLzOUM52mFUf-hpPXB_2ZyeyZFNh7V87DQBvaQ387km_rwrTnULMSVUt9S0ADTinZal1lV1LL1Wx_58SMndxAsb2929ZtyagicKyw/s200/3+-+1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">O</span></strong>konomi-yaki, a Japanese cuisine made like an omelette, stirs passion among people of Japan, esepcially in the western parts. In the US, it's akin to asking who makes the best pizza.<br /><br />Rgionally, Osaka is known as the <a href="http://nihonshudo-nyc.blogspot.com/2009/03/11908-day-10-in-japan-food-of-kansai.html">capital of flour-based food</a>, so naturally, they dominate the conversation.<br /><br />However, Hiroshima is also very famous for their okonomiyaki, made in a more layered style with crepe-like crust.<br /><br />Tonight, my friend recommended we go to Hasshou, said to make one of the very best Hiroshima style okonomiyaki.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZETMVbeOkcXBv2Zg28dfKaa1WPv7TOq8PQVlGBia4ALsvNVsIpQq0DMzXeZpPZjKFTlf__Wytsc_nvhKP1Ev339ln8FxR2E66SAQeuk8J74Fe-ZxSsrbC8wFHZycMLUBpvfLRg/s1600/3+-+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407530136163699714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZETMVbeOkcXBv2Zg28dfKaa1WPv7TOq8PQVlGBia4ALsvNVsIpQq0DMzXeZpPZjKFTlf__Wytsc_nvhKP1Ev339ln8FxR2E66SAQeuk8J74Fe-ZxSsrbC8wFHZycMLUBpvfLRg/s200/3+-+2.jpg" /></a>There was a waiting line, not surprising for a store with such reputation.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOBxs7dObMWtGnL6jzzOZLZhQxZkc7rYhBcX4nfyFyaw6-DpCEOP25EcLR4KQjAzX1Mz-crgxAA9mwsOFwDoraklQ9BhgjTGHaPGJIqRGBoJJdF6s2YPT2UjCYQ1Awsi5CfKZAg/s1600/3+-+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407530133567956178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOBxs7dObMWtGnL6jzzOZLZhQxZkc7rYhBcX4nfyFyaw6-DpCEOP25EcLR4KQjAzX1Mz-crgxAA9mwsOFwDoraklQ9BhgjTGHaPGJIqRGBoJJdF6s2YPT2UjCYQ1Awsi5CfKZAg/s200/3+-+3.jpg" /></a>The interior was small, seating about 16. The place was run efficiently by two chefs.<br /><br />Here is the process:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKY-_hDJg2bTqY6FZJN4rNNpDU1Fd9eFj2B5oBWoSN4PyOiyC3x5dTGGOZOZAVLHSPBG6-aOCXrP6cCluIANp0kpg_1NFt_GZpfWJqAq0MSJVBNEK_ybyl5qGvgXLFpHX83w8SpQ/s1600/3+-+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407530124560354770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKY-_hDJg2bTqY6FZJN4rNNpDU1Fd9eFj2B5oBWoSN4PyOiyC3x5dTGGOZOZAVLHSPBG6-aOCXrP6cCluIANp0kpg_1NFt_GZpfWJqAq0MSJVBNEK_ybyl5qGvgXLFpHX83w8SpQ/s200/3+-+4.jpg" /></a>The chefs take order from people on the line. Like assembly line, they prepare several at a time...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeT5w2ihBXGKxAlRJoX3TBHteQf6EmZuknoqAQSx1KQAHEAv3s9Y3KW3n5SSPcXnHBy2AeJYmkDB1XYuUUz34h0D8k2ChzZrYuRJ2iAjxJLmxOh9jVn2Mxl1VNtTtRf1X4CBsXrQ/s1600/3+-+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407529863617554754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeT5w2ihBXGKxAlRJoX3TBHteQf6EmZuknoqAQSx1KQAHEAv3s9Y3KW3n5SSPcXnHBy2AeJYmkDB1XYuUUz34h0D8k2ChzZrYuRJ2iAjxJLmxOh9jVn2Mxl1VNtTtRf1X4CBsXrQ/s200/3+-+5.jpg" /></a>...flip to make sure both sides are cooked...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQF3IbBubFg9wC_6eBoyVHFvmChIxv-TwpA0_C93uSMjE-rT7sTcgXmDAd5OX8LV7NQci74PVEhlt-AQ_zx8AeNNfXjXVK5NlAHnwvhXXtXjdIAuafQAT_3c3D5wAe3a-nYlrQOw/s1600/3+-+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407529857905698690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQF3IbBubFg9wC_6eBoyVHFvmChIxv-TwpA0_C93uSMjE-rT7sTcgXmDAd5OX8LV7NQci74PVEhlt-AQ_zx8AeNNfXjXVK5NlAHnwvhXXtXjdIAuafQAT_3c3D5wAe3a-nYlrQOw/s200/3+-+6.jpg" /></a>...coat one side with egg, cook, then apply the secret sauce...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jgw-qCzR4wPYcaPpWd7_k4jB2BlIrwtY0C1JI9Iqz2mIpvjlydbERmRmPvyMPcLFs0Dqza0wf4JObcKm-2dL6wxFBEj4Xjk4jVjuUfjFUgaKXsEglEVpmYFESI6eUnQkI3MlPw/s1600/3+-+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407529850487061474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jgw-qCzR4wPYcaPpWd7_k4jB2BlIrwtY0C1JI9Iqz2mIpvjlydbERmRmPvyMPcLFs0Dqza0wf4JObcKm-2dL6wxFBEj4Xjk4jVjuUfjFUgaKXsEglEVpmYFESI6eUnQkI3MlPw/s200/3+-+7.jpg" /></a>...here we are, one step away from the finish...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JA69rSIXeCRF-OT6qD-OOb6fubV4pbCTvpcea03nV7LFPA8Yu7_CNjcnpwv9PRpp8LV_kip47x0w56dfYOyyboj_MayptGmKjqaTeto0XAX8m-O968_nNVIoQLt9DAWjEORk5Q/s1600/3+-+8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407529846835388290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JA69rSIXeCRF-OT6qD-OOb6fubV4pbCTvpcea03nV7LFPA8Yu7_CNjcnpwv9PRpp8LV_kip47x0w56dfYOyyboj_MayptGmKjqaTeto0XAX8m-O968_nNVIoQLt9DAWjEORk5Q/s200/3+-+8.jpg" /></a>...finally, sprinkle ao-nori, and we are done!<br /><br />The verdict? This was definitely one of the very best I've ever had. The noodles were thin,firm, and chewy, and in perfect harmony with the cabbage, crepe, and sauce. The next time I'm back in town, I am definitely there!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLsh3SL5fw7pa2GTdUel5IX9_alEZjhEQiXOCPSCV0BsAQ4LE27igZJij8xKa5-z8OU3qxeC6ZIoTzj-A60Nkt2ekgt8PhfhPUJNVT4ykWaA1WP47RiRnMzQqy9Hi-1HvOXXklQ/s1600/3+-+9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407529841613281538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLsh3SL5fw7pa2GTdUel5IX9_alEZjhEQiXOCPSCV0BsAQ4LE27igZJij8xKa5-z8OU3qxeC6ZIoTzj-A60Nkt2ekgt8PhfhPUJNVT4ykWaA1WP47RiRnMzQqy9Hi-1HvOXXklQ/s200/3+-+9.jpg" /></a>Yup, we had a real good time!</div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-66809037844136131652009-11-23T19:27:00.007-05:002009-11-23T23:56:29.066-05:0011/22/09: Day 3 in Japan, Part II - Izakaya Danjiri<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESH0gHPYZ9irazpYrsxBxjILS6dkUajjrLE-XsXxWolfGY__s56jdxfUxWwZgc0XFDQ3wwbaaTcXv2vfIkWm8IKpm7kWJf7AmmXmXoIeEydpKNQUG8osZ7fYQBnGdq78pTRJr3Q/s1600/2+-+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESH0gHPYZ9irazpYrsxBxjILS6dkUajjrLE-XsXxWolfGY__s56jdxfUxWwZgc0XFDQ3wwbaaTcXv2vfIkWm8IKpm7kWJf7AmmXmXoIeEydpKNQUG8osZ7fYQBnGdq78pTRJr3Q/s200/2+-+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407528628277217474" /></a><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">S</span></strong>ince I enjoyed <a href="http://nihonshudo-nyc.blogspot.com/2007/11/11607-day-5-part-ii-hiroshima-photo.html">Danjiri</a> izakaya so much 2 years ago, I decided to go there again. Accompanying me this time is a teammate from my baseball team.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_3gD341GH-QGOwtbZFtDWkW1ReYQFrBKTjNWNzkSpgiJMM4phLspS5UetpXgiNZfGNyvkaSy8B9QQWjmqPqGekQl1AflmI-YS4XL9PgOwaVm2kNAMocUoFpC2QECzcRYnIAk2Q/s1600/2+-+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 146px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_3gD341GH-QGOwtbZFtDWkW1ReYQFrBKTjNWNzkSpgiJMM4phLspS5UetpXgiNZfGNyvkaSy8B9QQWjmqPqGekQl1AflmI-YS4XL9PgOwaVm2kNAMocUoFpC2QECzcRYnIAk2Q/s200/2+-+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407528621603059202" /></a>As we are in Hiroshima, we toasted with Ugo No Tsuki "Koiomachi" Special Junmai Ginjo, refreshingly dry saké.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzolfer9gDxVR1BXUhkU8upiOKpMa1kEXT_hGZi_wbI-pYFBFOU74JFQa4WjuHLbW5m9V5JZhw-_aS9u0kYzjjb-0BsZLXHm8cTq4B68I20Hs_fioB37wsykhqjjVARkMUo4aZg/s1600/2+-+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407528347141227490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzolfer9gDxVR1BXUhkU8upiOKpMa1kEXT_hGZi_wbI-pYFBFOU74JFQa4WjuHLbW5m9V5JZhw-_aS9u0kYzjjb-0BsZLXHm8cTq4B68I20Hs_fioB37wsykhqjjVARkMUo4aZg/s200/2+-+3.jpg" /></a>As we were drinking, the food arrived. Our selections were various orders of Yakitori. This is tsukune, formed like a meatball.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqB6S8jLIOwDkjgQ95Ia20t1UlAdZtR-_M-ye-CXrJnqHoYh4z75O4yIIIVZDIlMLtj-eOJ6EoGeWp_qY4GeH6Gn1CDqF6E4YXJzD3Sd_fV3DDFczWkTIDu-ECYBHzDHZEeehdw/s1600/2+-+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407528335902747682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqB6S8jLIOwDkjgQ95Ia20t1UlAdZtR-_M-ye-CXrJnqHoYh4z75O4yIIIVZDIlMLtj-eOJ6EoGeWp_qY4GeH6Gn1CDqF6E4YXJzD3Sd_fV3DDFczWkTIDu-ECYBHzDHZEeehdw/s200/2+-+4.jpg" /></a>Yakitori uses all parts, including cartilege (left), liver (to the right), among others. We also ordered shiitaké mushrooms.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnMwV9nNUzKWyLPlEPL4OTf3C_9CSmcEaRP-CMGhZlH1_dPvPMJiNv8ue-0JYq40UGD1XCb3O7bZNqNE_Osu-rbNUJgRB0LaRQS0KC7QdlYu_BqJofYMgmNUe0_FTrmpo4sMdSw/s1600/2+-+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 148px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407528332507146226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnMwV9nNUzKWyLPlEPL4OTf3C_9CSmcEaRP-CMGhZlH1_dPvPMJiNv8ue-0JYq40UGD1XCb3O7bZNqNE_Osu-rbNUJgRB0LaRQS0KC7QdlYu_BqJofYMgmNUe0_FTrmpo4sMdSw/s200/2+-+5.jpg" /></a>The next two sakés were also Ugo No Tsuki, including their twisting "Black Moon" Junmai Ginjo and mineral-driven Aiyama Junmai Ginjo.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQim4XNWpRWKre3PP4y6cGihCwahlgGuecoq_2KrgKcq5VrVeVageTg-Ben0oLDoanKFqTGt-0VN0lqKn_m4L6hcN6siivKxmM-BdoUKuvhHS6c5cOO-1tk4762waUaMFBYqj9EQ/s1600/2+-+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 148px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407528325008142626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQim4XNWpRWKre3PP4y6cGihCwahlgGuecoq_2KrgKcq5VrVeVageTg-Ben0oLDoanKFqTGt-0VN0lqKn_m4L6hcN6siivKxmM-BdoUKuvhHS6c5cOO-1tk4762waUaMFBYqj9EQ/s200/2+-+6.jpg" /></a>Moving on to other brands we tried Kokuryu #39 Junmai Ginjo, bit less dry but rich in umami.<br /><br />By this time, we were feeling pretty good, and I am relying on my photographic evidence to indicate what we drank. My friend recommended Kyokuhou brand, so we went with their Hiroshima Hattan Junmai Ginjo.<br /><br />Somewhere along the way, we also ordered a nama of some type, but I don't remember which one...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsD-eo4QxoN-zvaoBJZB4su4iX2l_lQLefeu78DKIURwl8t5Od63HdGirOl6WUCBhHMsni-_1DOwSd-rdCJd6EUeRJ0nk8EaZ8h-tTPINu-yFHiZ5hG4jmfw7ZThkX2RdeUiIKA/s1600/2+-+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407528318922986626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsD-eo4QxoN-zvaoBJZB4su4iX2l_lQLefeu78DKIURwl8t5Od63HdGirOl6WUCBhHMsni-_1DOwSd-rdCJd6EUeRJ0nk8EaZ8h-tTPINu-yFHiZ5hG4jmfw7ZThkX2RdeUiIKA/s200/2+-+7.jpg" /></a>Last order was Shichi Hon Yari Yamadanishiki Junmai as I caught the sight of the bottle in the big fridge. I don't remember the taste as much as the fact that we had a blast drinking it.</div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36898203.post-22499971350320889212009-11-22T02:49:00.007-05:002009-11-23T19:28:15.303-05:0011/22/09: Day 3 in Japan, Part I - To Hiroshima<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXB2BiSvmPdxznpCgJfbHNNo4sT1PqMGTv-gNWLnmXnpkb0v2BTUF8v-SB0-GOqVBHCYEbRcAtuVqGrhw04Qo5mtL6pNq-YxZ3tRsDQDAy1rGhmcrA9u1yxmhw6Y9xLp9koLPMBQ/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406843587466410562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXB2BiSvmPdxznpCgJfbHNNo4sT1PqMGTv-gNWLnmXnpkb0v2BTUF8v-SB0-GOqVBHCYEbRcAtuVqGrhw04Qo5mtL6pNq-YxZ3tRsDQDAy1rGhmcrA9u1yxmhw6Y9xLp9koLPMBQ/s200/1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">S</span></strong>o, the hotel has this breakfast plan. Pricing for the food looks appealing (ham and sandwich for $1.25 or so.) However, you have to pay for drinks, which costs something like $8. Figuring I can have better use for my $800, I stepped right outside into McD's. Normally, I don't do McD's, but it's always fun to see the regional differences. Here, they have Mega Muffin Combo (490 yen), which includes Hash Browns and small drink (roughly 6 oz). Mega Muffin has 2 layers of sausage sandwiching American cheese-like substance, Egg, and already seasoned with ketchup.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_AXEJsgJgAqOYMDMxhooWL7T9PyUcpfxbmLhvgOlTrrWqbQB0lcEdb-OkkH0toJnGMQ6Yj4MB19hKivSI0eiq3lGa3Pml9kbhRPBonoo2XyqiDKzDyR6uekHgJMRqPVjlf6uSg/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406843581504138018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_AXEJsgJgAqOYMDMxhooWL7T9PyUcpfxbmLhvgOlTrrWqbQB0lcEdb-OkkH0toJnGMQ6Yj4MB19hKivSI0eiq3lGa3Pml9kbhRPBonoo2XyqiDKzDyR6uekHgJMRqPVjlf6uSg/s200/2.jpg" /></a>Next to the hotel is a convenience store, where I picked up yogurt drink, stewed pork bun (角煮), and egg pudding for $405 yen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjv2dGONJz8LjRtwqvJEHTBNdIJ6sSTk1g47irWlacSG5rk4iV-PZOSNFwCZyVQMDI5HUSehfax0YKiV5gG7aAxHTbog3zaOwdYGi4dVxjoXL534HtqlU9V9Dl0Rc63wEQicjB_Q/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406843577077086130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjv2dGONJz8LjRtwqvJEHTBNdIJ6sSTk1g47irWlacSG5rk4iV-PZOSNFwCZyVQMDI5HUSehfax0YKiV5gG7aAxHTbog3zaOwdYGi4dVxjoXL534HtqlU9V9Dl0Rc63wEQicjB_Q/s200/3.jpg" /></a>The stewed pork bun was soooooo gooooood!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMfOomOz7oZcQpeXETFSWBmkFmxhMkN_Ql7lK9LgxIaVC8g-ehoFOkO7m4YEreRuhoUQRenYIWmsXgikcUOkszuBPG4JcpIICP24sj2JC1sAmHl_omHESeQLhfLaCYFMPpBGZyQ/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406843574453569490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMfOomOz7oZcQpeXETFSWBmkFmxhMkN_Ql7lK9LgxIaVC8g-ehoFOkO7m4YEreRuhoUQRenYIWmsXgikcUOkszuBPG4JcpIICP24sj2JC1sAmHl_omHESeQLhfLaCYFMPpBGZyQ/s200/4.jpg" /></a>After checking out, I was on my way to Shinagawa Station to catch the Shinkansen to Hiroshima via Shin-Osaka.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz_4yB_mSfrwEWzmKZa_ng3XRA0Z69mIhSxwP_2wOVd8vNwur9-3ngrD-qt2j-DukgNkL5zMGmpK4sxhuYB5J8qikabTAvQdD-GKZAp3JwqnbYST4rH_RGqJUh1lUQPqRJgf5CA/s1600/5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406843565741382562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz_4yB_mSfrwEWzmKZa_ng3XRA0Z69mIhSxwP_2wOVd8vNwur9-3ngrD-qt2j-DukgNkL5zMGmpK4sxhuYB5J8qikabTAvQdD-GKZAp3JwqnbYST4rH_RGqJUh1lUQPqRJgf5CA/s200/5.jpg" /></a>One of the joys of long-distance rail travel is what they call "eki-ben," shortened term for lunch boxes sold at rail stations. I chose matsutaké mushroom lunch, although the star of the show was the marinated abalone to the left... </div>KCinNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508212466967213000noreply@blogger.com0