tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59778417844732373112024-02-25T14:12:27.019+09:00Mel's Adventures in JapanRamblings on life in rural Japan from a former JET Programme ALT in Towada, Aomori turned permanent resident.Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.comBlogger371125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-35956994388377140842017-02-16T12:01:00.000+09:002017-02-16T12:01:08.841+09:00Valentine's Day Chocolate Yakisoba Taste TestRecently even instant noodle makers have been trying to get in on the Valentine's Day action.<br />
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Last year the Ippei-chan Yomise no Yakisoba line of instant yakisoba by maker Myojo had a "Choco Sauce" version that was pretty terrible.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe7kWGFKLDjRRA-i_dFDjD-Dfm3Ma1vYjE5o5mtQO-i3JOrtt5-mKNwVpemup-vhRZ3O0cd_DXuv5KJK4vs6WAx7hb80xZqqWUCg2LYX2DPRTMuhMg4JfGOZuOV94RiF4W9UR97HQZZI/s1600/IMG_9249.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Ippei-chan Yomise no Yakisoba Choco Sauce 2016 一平ちゃん夜店の焼きそばチョコソース" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe7kWGFKLDjRRA-i_dFDjD-Dfm3Ma1vYjE5o5mtQO-i3JOrtt5-mKNwVpemup-vhRZ3O0cd_DXuv5KJK4vs6WAx7hb80xZqqWUCg2LYX2DPRTMuhMg4JfGOZuOV94RiF4W9UR97HQZZI/s320/IMG_9249.JPG" title="Ippei-chan Yomise no Yakisoba Choco Sauce" width="320" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOXlpssn08dQsHDbzO952B5d6ecjOxHGSlkp55to_WKgWoTkRioCUHykTRhAlyd8zRCv3tcVN5VWuSJuk-sqq2pJKL6CokQWwgMEFJgiovPGzF1X4EJKUtGZgwz_yhBcyfelmYj9liJQ/s1600/IMG_9250.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Ippei-chan Yomise no Yakisoba Choco Sauce 2016 一平ちゃん夜店の焼きそばチョコソース" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOXlpssn08dQsHDbzO952B5d6ecjOxHGSlkp55to_WKgWoTkRioCUHykTRhAlyd8zRCv3tcVN5VWuSJuk-sqq2pJKL6CokQWwgMEFJgiovPGzF1X4EJKUtGZgwz_yhBcyfelmYj9liJQ/s320/IMG_9250.JPG" title="Ippei-chan Yomise no Yakisoba Choco Sauce 2016" width="320" /></a></div>
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The problem was that it simply added chocolate sauce to standard yakisoba sauce and toppings--not a good match. (See <a href="http://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/01/21/we-try-new-yakisoba-noodles-with-chocolate-sauce-spoiler-its-awful/" target="_blank">RocketNews</a> for another review.)<br />
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This year, a different maker, Peyoung, also decided to try their hand at chocolate yakisoba, just in time for Valentine's Day: Peyoung Chocolate Yakisoba Giri. (*<i>Giri</i> means obligatory, a reference to <i>giri chocolate</i> which is chocolate that females give to males on Valentine's Day out of a sense of obligation rather than actual feelings of love/affection--e.g. chocolate female co-workers give to male co-workers.*)<br />
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Since neither of us had tried this particular brand of instant yakisoba before, my husband and I decided to eat both the standard Peyoung Sauce Yakisoba (MSRP 170yen) and the Valentine's Day Peyoung Chocolate Yakisoba Giri (MSRP 185ye) for dinner on Valentine's Day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfZf45Z2HDk8Hd8Q4QsqiTwHb-goz-QcvMmz_zMuhWUdqRT63X3hOTYWLgHeGA8hn40KB0_1cXNOE2NfW4oEEllOtoVumBOAJpb-xQcn0kXKwTHoAYimlzQs83FdKA9VlrPcHULLje_I/s1600/IMG_4975.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Peyoung Sauce Yakisoba & Peyoung Chocolate Yakisoba Giri 2017 ぺヤングソースやきそば ぺヤングチョコレートやきそばギリ" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfZf45Z2HDk8Hd8Q4QsqiTwHb-goz-QcvMmz_zMuhWUdqRT63X3hOTYWLgHeGA8hn40KB0_1cXNOE2NfW4oEEllOtoVumBOAJpb-xQcn0kXKwTHoAYimlzQs83FdKA9VlrPcHULLje_I/s320/IMG_4975.JPG" title="Peyoung Sauce Yakisoba & Peyoung Chocolate Yakisoba Giri 2017" width="320" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LxDXhp_v17cAgh_WPhB20zUdYm2y2AxGNuu6gbyMgyU1OWpJxitmx2klMkIj94syLSMbCYXUl8jxEfnavkxd5dTR-hsMIM_a1C2O7oNJx1szzNeHb6si7skMT4XoDfhAM70aoeQdAAc/s1600/IMG_4981.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Peyoung Sauce Yakisoba & Peyoung Chocolate Yakisoba Giri 2017 ぺヤングソースやきそば ぺヤングチョコレートやきそばギリ" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LxDXhp_v17cAgh_WPhB20zUdYm2y2AxGNuu6gbyMgyU1OWpJxitmx2klMkIj94syLSMbCYXUl8jxEfnavkxd5dTR-hsMIM_a1C2O7oNJx1szzNeHb6si7skMT4XoDfhAM70aoeQdAAc/s320/IMG_4981.JPG" title="Peyoung Sauce Yakisoba & Peyoung Chocolate Yakisoba Giri 2017" width="320" /></a></div>
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Surprisingly, the chocolate yakisoba was pretty good once I got over the weirdness of eating sweet noodles. The freeze-dried strawberry pieces and "crouton" (more like rusk) toppings complemented the sauce pretty well, and the sauce itself wasn't excessively sweet. In fact, I probably liked it better than the regular yakisoba, which was too salty for my tastes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiF1iB-QtXTHERTjDPd7dfoAHnXHFs0Q5l-9CxFHx2yd8CFKTlgkuKL9jO1AvQiEcLWKbiC88RO9ZpmyIJgY0MEriYYMImqYD0gYwcl9Yc-9osdacVogBJpOOMo-4aYJPcUQ5n965R2LM/s1600/IMG_4983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Peyoung Chocolate Yakisoba Giri 2017 ぺヤングチョコレートやきそばギリ" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiF1iB-QtXTHERTjDPd7dfoAHnXHFs0Q5l-9CxFHx2yd8CFKTlgkuKL9jO1AvQiEcLWKbiC88RO9ZpmyIJgY0MEriYYMImqYD0gYwcl9Yc-9osdacVogBJpOOMo-4aYJPcUQ5n965R2LM/s320/IMG_4983.JPG" title="Peyoung Chocolate Yakisoba Giri 2017" width="240" /></a></div>
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The key difference betweeen the Peyoung chocolate yakisoba this year and last year's Ippei-chan chocolate yakisoba was that the Peyoung yakisoba was yakisoba in name only. Whereas the Ippei-chan version tried to combine regular yakisoba with chocolate sauce, Peyoung's approach was to make a tasty chocolate sauce that just happened to be on yakisoba noodles. As a result, it was surprisingly not bad, and I think it was worth trying.<br />
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But I probably wouldn't go out of my way to buy it again.Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-77065337674547568982016-10-02T22:39:00.001+09:002016-10-02T22:42:25.705+09:00McDonald's Japan Chocolate Fries<b>McDonald's Japan Chocolate Fries Part I: "McChoco Potato"</b><br />
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From late January to mid-February, McDonald's Japan offered a limited time Valentine's Day menu item of fries with regular and white "double" chocolate sauce. As soon as I read about it on <a href="http://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/01/26/mcchoco-potato-we-try-mcdonalds-japans-new-double-chocolate-fries%E3%80%90pics%E3%80%91/" target="_blank">RocketNews24</a>, I knew I had to try it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoRd7L2TQ4W2XSczZcnsYvVWP6Fla8-ePfDJlVVga1e3rZhLJ4npqqnZvinnOFbtpqLoxXM2UrYxcvSguWhJLGFfsnbApyjSfOuJkmZSvxcWZDuY66gy6wQ064u2sCgDx1xxz64eTPUQ/s1600/IMG_9346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Japan McChoco Potato double chocolate sauce fries " border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoRd7L2TQ4W2XSczZcnsYvVWP6Fla8-ePfDJlVVga1e3rZhLJ4npqqnZvinnOFbtpqLoxXM2UrYxcvSguWhJLGFfsnbApyjSfOuJkmZSvxcWZDuY66gy6wQ064u2sCgDx1xxz64eTPUQ/s320/IMG_9346.JPG" title="McDonald's Japan McChoco Potato" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyffrGVilzKB_Q7xl3vI2C8wwZdaUG8Svr1Lu0u06URGfuMd02POk3806CpPqYxzLklkVsrzXmsKPMF_Ws9vWnA6VF85bspAXJ1scirsE31JqBcHpWAFIZBFCIdIPjuCjfohYdy4KS_TA/s1600/IMG_9348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Japan McChoco Potato double chocolate sauce fries" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyffrGVilzKB_Q7xl3vI2C8wwZdaUG8Svr1Lu0u06URGfuMd02POk3806CpPqYxzLklkVsrzXmsKPMF_Ws9vWnA6VF85bspAXJ1scirsE31JqBcHpWAFIZBFCIdIPjuCjfohYdy4KS_TA/s320/IMG_9348.JPG" title="McDonald's Japan McChoco Potato" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXDBJsPM4H5s9gj2sv3IIbLkN1fhSmSzljQ6Zzb3I7hI9f4AvL6Cd3NUx1R9CqGs1WPYa0yqJ6g9wajbbz4T2Q3Sr-ur796OYFTjs4z1xuwslomIINE7GUjlR83aqgfdHfnISPiQm4BI/s1600/IMG_9350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Japan McChoco Potato double chocolate sauce fries" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXDBJsPM4H5s9gj2sv3IIbLkN1fhSmSzljQ6Zzb3I7hI9f4AvL6Cd3NUx1R9CqGs1WPYa0yqJ6g9wajbbz4T2Q3Sr-ur796OYFTjs4z1xuwslomIINE7GUjlR83aqgfdHfnISPiQm4BI/s320/IMG_9350.JPG" title="McDonald's Japan McChoco Potato" width="320" /></a></div>
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We made the mistake of getting them as takeout, and as a result, by the time we got home and had finished taking pictures, the fries were rather cold. Perhaps if the fries had been piping hot we would have enjoyed them more, but as it was, they were just OK.<br />
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After eating them, though, I realized that there wasn't any need to wait for McDonald's to offer it as a special menu item, when I could easily get a similar chocolate sauce from the grocery store!<br />
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A Japanese company called Verde has a whole line of dispenser pack spreads with dual flavour combinations such as strawberry & butter, oligo honey & butter, chocolate & peanut, &etc. (Source: <a href="http://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/02/04/turn-your-toast-green-with-new-matcha-green-tea-spread-from-japan/" target="_blank">RocketNews24</a>) Although they were designed for use with bread and/or pancakes, after trying McDonald's chocolate fries, I realized they could easily be used with fries as well!<br />
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So in February, my husband and I went out and bought a pack of each available flavour of spread, then got two large packs of McDonald's fries, and did a taste test!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8M0yuQgv-cppJif0L50iu8nJY2-Cp1RPdIMGrJJ3jZHY7RD9hRgmgPkY9nfXS0f6eqIXJLOD4dDJwx6pG0Eh8bZqHRvtE2_JQbkF9b2EDbRsnucSLri5okO4az7B7sGmGOj4FOBonSk/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Fries Verde Dispenser Pack Spreads Oligo Honey & Butter, Chocolate & Peanut, Blueberry & Butter, Strawberry & Butter, Black & White Chocolate, Matcha & Milk Cream" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8M0yuQgv-cppJif0L50iu8nJY2-Cp1RPdIMGrJJ3jZHY7RD9hRgmgPkY9nfXS0f6eqIXJLOD4dDJwx6pG0Eh8bZqHRvtE2_JQbkF9b2EDbRsnucSLri5okO4az7B7sGmGOj4FOBonSk/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" title="McDonald's Fries Verde Dispenser Pack Spreads" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzEbsqojjnCDws7oeXH53AnstbqWKyDhKnnoa1RiIlUsQKPodYS4oOHTS1hn2VypDb71oYLzkJSIoFdZrdBPtGYEGnyepWsZIVxrnJhp0dF9y72GYdYtjL3gw97_ooq23y6E3C-xYciQ/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Fries Verde Dispenser Pack Spreads Oligo Honey & Butter, Chocolate & Peanut, Blueberry & Butter, Strawberry & Butter, Black & White Chocolate, Matcha & Milk Cream" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzEbsqojjnCDws7oeXH53AnstbqWKyDhKnnoa1RiIlUsQKPodYS4oOHTS1hn2VypDb71oYLzkJSIoFdZrdBPtGYEGnyepWsZIVxrnJhp0dF9y72GYdYtjL3gw97_ooq23y6E3C-xYciQ/s320/IMG_0032.JPG" title="McDonald's Fries Verde Dispenser Pack Spreads" width="320" /></a></div>
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Flavours from left to right: Oligo Honey & Butter; Chocolate & Peanut; Blueberry & Butter; Strawberry & Butter; Black & White (Chocolate); Matcha & Milk Cream<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPf5gPePmCB6nnrQo6GKZPrj5EEpHF3mm1vYlvJ8GeCa-zazgV79cLVKsSIEW3jf7v-GYJUXYuxL3NRNJj66Mhov428syoDPM-EXr6eMUUvUAHHSRjgaei52wibt337TOhzjw2-GlfKM/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Oligo Honey & Butter" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPf5gPePmCB6nnrQo6GKZPrj5EEpHF3mm1vYlvJ8GeCa-zazgV79cLVKsSIEW3jf7v-GYJUXYuxL3NRNJj66Mhov428syoDPM-EXr6eMUUvUAHHSRjgaei52wibt337TOhzjw2-GlfKM/s320/IMG_0026.JPG" title="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Oligo Honey & Butter" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOzHwAjY9C9CHYADPR2mfjA3svUGWzIJCAmzqVih_nU4IhnLt8AdYg3UuWqmDIwYKibWqM9a13_aZB4kG5_9CTLypuUo-Q97sg5xZed9XVsy0lzMJ5XTvMniJ2Go3qV2Gp8PPw8zgkPo/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Oligo Honey & Butter" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOzHwAjY9C9CHYADPR2mfjA3svUGWzIJCAmzqVih_nU4IhnLt8AdYg3UuWqmDIwYKibWqM9a13_aZB4kG5_9CTLypuUo-Q97sg5xZed9XVsy0lzMJ5XTvMniJ2Go3qV2Gp8PPw8zgkPo/s320/IMG_0034.JPG" title="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Oligo Honey & Butter" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Oligo Honey & Butter</b><br />
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<b>Mel's Verdict & Ranking:</b> The honey lost to the taste of the fries and the butter flavour was too strong and distinctly fake tasting. Definitely my least favourite. Ranked last (#6) out of the six flavours.<br />
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<b>Husband's Ranking:</b> Completely opposite opinion! Ranked #1 of the six flavours.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6_W1ekkL_zy0X23EMxI6Vfb4_5H9nqd1BpEA8immKCVVDJE4no4Ugh2gaAw5q_SO_iRxawCO7Tku0Lu-bQRBdRkUO-evlYNtqg4DZiXD1yc6SMRhzdjErvsPKN-npb3_zEsmGvFnTO4/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Chocolate & Peanut" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6_W1ekkL_zy0X23EMxI6Vfb4_5H9nqd1BpEA8immKCVVDJE4no4Ugh2gaAw5q_SO_iRxawCO7Tku0Lu-bQRBdRkUO-evlYNtqg4DZiXD1yc6SMRhzdjErvsPKN-npb3_zEsmGvFnTO4/s320/IMG_0027.JPG" title="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Chocolate & Peanut" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FTon6_35N-YaC62QXXBYwt7QYqR-3n9ILs3smNonpUYWFBk173r3zw2APC9h7q7zovpf_EKSGDFAP3F1l275iiuQqpq3DqKaioMJYgzxntuEFHRFK95FVj7YLSX63ORNj3C1A-2XWYQ/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Chocolate & Peanut" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FTon6_35N-YaC62QXXBYwt7QYqR-3n9ILs3smNonpUYWFBk173r3zw2APC9h7q7zovpf_EKSGDFAP3F1l275iiuQqpq3DqKaioMJYgzxntuEFHRFK95FVj7YLSX63ORNj3C1A-2XWYQ/s320/IMG_0035.JPG" title="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Chocolate & Peanut" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Chocolate & Peanut</b><br />
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<b>Mel:</b> The chocolate and peanut flavours came through with a nice balance of sweetness and saltiness to match the fries. Ranked #1 of six.<br />
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<b>Husband: </b>#2 of six<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtMigWvC3URoIfTZspZ2dRSCJvyUJebUUkTeQQjQKm2yWH-Nsb1Dk8YxUaP9vmLLIADniOUuK6shGqUOUGcveBdNP08T3bJT1RLpu_oTww-INwK6a26yapgyEB6EHxenhUGrXAFSdW9I/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Blueberry & Butter" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtMigWvC3URoIfTZspZ2dRSCJvyUJebUUkTeQQjQKm2yWH-Nsb1Dk8YxUaP9vmLLIADniOUuK6shGqUOUGcveBdNP08T3bJT1RLpu_oTww-INwK6a26yapgyEB6EHxenhUGrXAFSdW9I/s320/IMG_0028.JPG" title="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Blueberry & Butter" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzFaQeKn7LwZZXG1nk1kLoJgqOitWJ4IFwQNOizsW1Cx5ZjHfQRHEeIqgCc5or2dAzzjhyNC7k92PVip9hfrU3q_9RnDEJi9kVpBWaPuoTBsR0vIGjO4objptWPhvEnJ8ndptNbv-Lpk/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Blueberry & Butter" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzFaQeKn7LwZZXG1nk1kLoJgqOitWJ4IFwQNOizsW1Cx5ZjHfQRHEeIqgCc5or2dAzzjhyNC7k92PVip9hfrU3q_9RnDEJi9kVpBWaPuoTBsR0vIGjO4objptWPhvEnJ8ndptNbv-Lpk/s320/IMG_0037.JPG" title="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Blueberry & Butter" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b> Blueberry & Butter</b><br />
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<b>Mel:</b> Blueberry flavour was rather overpowered by the butter. #5 of 6.<br />
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<b>Husband: </b>#4 of six<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuiAVfrhfTxpqTuFgLYEIFlBdVxM6AJ83tl31w1sAtjr4CGD1-laub1pk1MWyBmQDMTtjqBOit5fs_Lx3RDQn9mc6AP-nDJVVQKV7nHH4PuRAqzDMRJJV7jcF44h9poZPJ6fvQ7XPouc/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Strawberry & Butter" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuiAVfrhfTxpqTuFgLYEIFlBdVxM6AJ83tl31w1sAtjr4CGD1-laub1pk1MWyBmQDMTtjqBOit5fs_Lx3RDQn9mc6AP-nDJVVQKV7nHH4PuRAqzDMRJJV7jcF44h9poZPJ6fvQ7XPouc/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" title="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Strawberry & Butter" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuvLCfJO8dxGL5IpEzNM12lrFrmQZLtYtt7ow-PDYh-n7M-cuvTZWpWDPfJ_nyPF9Ldi6U_8A5lXf8lko89nhyDBod3dJ866YOvEm3X7XM_rKmLO7DcSVZBxXiUvoDvP9UgfTlKn7_Yg/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Strawberry & Butter" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuvLCfJO8dxGL5IpEzNM12lrFrmQZLtYtt7ow-PDYh-n7M-cuvTZWpWDPfJ_nyPF9Ldi6U_8A5lXf8lko89nhyDBod3dJ866YOvEm3X7XM_rKmLO7DcSVZBxXiUvoDvP9UgfTlKn7_Yg/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" title="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Strawberry & Butter" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Strawberry & Butter</b><br />
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<b>Mel:</b> The strawberry was strong enough to match the butter, making this the best of the butter flavoured spreads. #4 of six.<br />
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<b>Husband:</b> #3 of six.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyb1HPLGtqeqX-RX0jMY7pCbU5F6YzAP3yC0DE1wqXyFSEQLA4LBG_Q02VmesMG1lAG7ULZpkDSoDFoTIroBhv-sDfBpk5-L_Ov4PogZ9hlbuv75Zw1PKI3uC5OvnRJvJcGNT0a1V-dyg/s1600/IMG_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack White & Black Chocolate" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyb1HPLGtqeqX-RX0jMY7pCbU5F6YzAP3yC0DE1wqXyFSEQLA4LBG_Q02VmesMG1lAG7ULZpkDSoDFoTIroBhv-sDfBpk5-L_Ov4PogZ9hlbuv75Zw1PKI3uC5OvnRJvJcGNT0a1V-dyg/s320/IMG_0030.JPG" title="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack White & Black Chocolate" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOLDtPTOLErckP27lXqmr7UL4Ib2-0z-dUNjDAB5WUH658QpKWPf0cJ2DRGvOCbjAqjbqNw49tNRzTQtvjkiEbJrgr7VlX_vRonv2tMzaW1wLMNWwFqz-wFqt0m1Iy9REcxfFVAXrp0E/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack White & Black Chocolate" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOLDtPTOLErckP27lXqmr7UL4Ib2-0z-dUNjDAB5WUH658QpKWPf0cJ2DRGvOCbjAqjbqNw49tNRzTQtvjkiEbJrgr7VlX_vRonv2tMzaW1wLMNWwFqz-wFqt0m1Iy9REcxfFVAXrp0E/s320/IMG_0039.JPG" title="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack White & Black Chocolate" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Black & White</b> (Chocolate)<br />
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<b>Mel:</b> Made the mistake of not warming the sauce sufficiently (we were supposed to warm it up with our hands until it the chocolate was soft), so the chocolate was hard to squeeze out, making the distribution and ratio of sauce to fries uneven. As a result, this chocolate sauce tasted quite a bit sweeter than the McDonald's one. #3 of six.<br />
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<b>Husband:</b> Too sweet and a pain to squeeze it out of the dispenser pack. #5 of six.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nM-C7gr8Vp_bnW5HaWoryEoDLH-HX24BUyfWxlV2WYVjy07-wD-ja0G6jM4VFNTfcY4cQ0zx6YdEBm29321OGVGcOFvilYJU8leSJkJ_Icuk0oc2uGHn7n7mCi7cMKaIbQrsZjlT6yk/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Matcha & Milk Cream" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nM-C7gr8Vp_bnW5HaWoryEoDLH-HX24BUyfWxlV2WYVjy07-wD-ja0G6jM4VFNTfcY4cQ0zx6YdEBm29321OGVGcOFvilYJU8leSJkJ_Icuk0oc2uGHn7n7mCi7cMKaIbQrsZjlT6yk/s320/IMG_0031.JPG" title="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Matcha & Milk Cream" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZKjfL-KGLAOOcTldeCvumA3mNdwNtUCPRFHOVCvxMptb_RhJCq8FjV1JHgL-rBEYPPXPAJtXfgPWw8sGSaYuXbI6QoOwrjv9954h1zldC1iZcqhyx4WsL2_YVYQ0zbnpqtWqWHeR_Kw/s1600/IMG_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Matcha & Milk Cream" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZKjfL-KGLAOOcTldeCvumA3mNdwNtUCPRFHOVCvxMptb_RhJCq8FjV1JHgL-rBEYPPXPAJtXfgPWw8sGSaYuXbI6QoOwrjv9954h1zldC1iZcqhyx4WsL2_YVYQ0zbnpqtWqWHeR_Kw/s320/IMG_0040.JPG" title="McDonald's Fries and Verde Dispenser Pack Matcha & Milk Cream" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Matcha & Milk Cream</b><br />
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<b>Mel:</b> Same problem as the Black & White spread with not warming it up sufficiently before use. But the bitterness of the matcha helped balance out the sweetness of the milk cream, so it was pretty tasty. #2 of six.<br />
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<b>Husband:</b> Another completely opposite opinion! Liked this one the least, #6 of six.<br />
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<b>Overall Verdict:</b> Chocolate & Peanut was the hands-down winner of the taste test, with Mel ranking it #1 and her husband ranking it #2.<br />
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Apart from Chocolate & Peanut, we also both agreed that Strawberry & Butter was better than Blueberry & Butter and ranked both flavours around mid-range. But the rest of our opinions were totally different!<br />
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<b>McDonald's Japan Chocolate Fries Part II: "Halloween Choco Potato"</b><br />
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Just in time for Halloween, from the end of September, McDonald's Japan started offering a new version of their chocolate fries, this time with regular and pumpkin "double" chocolate sauce. <br />
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Although <a href="http://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/09/29/chocolate-fries-return-to-mcdonalds-in-japan-with-an-all-new-pumpkin-flavour-for-halloween/" target="_blank">RocketNews24</a> was highly complimentary about the pumpkin flavour, neither my husband nor I could taste anything but chocolate. But at least this time we learned from our first experience with the McChoco Potato and made sure to eat-in instead of getting it to go. It definitely tastes much better when the fries are piping hot and the chocolate melts easily onto them!<br />
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We still have some leftover Verde spreads, so we might just have to bring them with us the next time we decide to go to McDonald's!Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-29601179736809378742016-05-20T22:31:00.000+09:002016-05-26T13:15:25.959+09:00So you're moving to Aomori...Nine years ago I was waiting for a message/call from my parents to tell me when my JET Programme placement letter arrived and where I was being sent while touring Europe with two friends. We were in London when I got the call from my dad.<br />
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- "You're going to Towada City in Aomori Prefecture. It's got a university so it can't be too small/rural." <br />
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- "What kind of university?" I asked.<br />
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- "An agricultural* university," I believe he replied.<br />
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- "It's definitely a rural placement!" I thought.<br />
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(*Actually, it's a veterinary university.)<br />
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So if you opened your placement letter and freaked out a bit when you saw the words "Aomori Prefecture," don't worry, you're not alone.<br />
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As you will soon be tired of hearing, "every situation is different" (ESID), but from my personal experience as a five-year JET ALT turned lifer (I got married so the move to Towada became permanent), I can say that Aomori is a great place to live.<br />
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To be honest, all of Aomori Prefecture is basically by definition rural, but there are definitely benefits to rural placements. The main thing is that you will get to experience a side of Japan that few outsiders get to see. If you need to, you can always visit a big(ger) city and get a decent sense of city life/the city experience, but you can't really get the full small town experience just by visiting. I've been able to plant and harvest rice, pound rice into <i>mochi</i> (rice cakes) using a giant wooden mallet and mortar, dance <i>bon odori</i> (a kind of folk dance) in a <i>yukata</i> (light cotton summer kimono) in an outdoor art park, and do so much more that I probably wouldn't have had a chance to experience in a bigger urban placement.<br />
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And the food here is so much fresher and cheaper than Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, etc. Sure, if you want a specific type of international cuisine or ingredients from back home, Aomori can't compete with bigger urban cities, but if you're buying seasonal, local produce, Aomori beats Tokyo for quality and cost any day hands down. Every time I travel to a big city in Japan, I come back to Towada and am amazed at the deliciousness of simply seasoned (if at all) fresh, local vegetables, fish, &etc..<br />
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Heard about the crazy expensive giant tuna from the Tsukiji market fish auctions? Chances are that came from Aomori (Oma Town) and you can eat it freshly carved right before your eyes for a reasonable price at the Oma Super Tuna Festival in October.<br />
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If you're not yet convinced that life in a rural prefecture will be your thing, well, just try to keep an open mind. Hopefully you'll see when you get here what a great place it is.<br />
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(The local JET community is great too. Although I didn't hang out with many people from outside of my city/local area even when I was still a JET, I still keep in contact with the current JET community through Facebook, etc. Even though I haven't personally met most of them, from my online interactions with them, they seem like a pretty good bunch.)<br />
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Speaking of which, my number one tip if you are coming to Aomori on the JET Programme this summer is to <b><u><i>join the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/223541251004164/" target="_blank">Aomori JET Facebook Group</a></i></u></b> (assuming you use Facebook). You will be able to find your predecessor (or someone who knows them) and/or a re-contracting JET in your placement city/town/village or at the very least someone who lives nearby.<br />
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If you are planning on getting a car, you should also join the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jetlemonadestand/" target="blank">Jet Lemonade Stand (青森)</a> as leavers will probably start listing their cars there within the next couple of months. TIP: Even if you don't need to drive for work, if you have a license and can afford to get/maintain a car I would highly recommend considering getting one. Aomori is big and spread out and the population isn't big enough to support a highly developed public transportation system. Lots of interesting places are not easily accessible by public transport. Having a car will give you freedom to explore all the various places and events** Aomori has to offer. Also, having a car will make life in the winter (which lasts almost five months) a lot more bearable<br />
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(**Shameless plug: if you're interested in getting an idea as to the types of events we have in Aomori, check out my other blog <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/">Towada & Beyond</a> for a sampling. Although I haven't been able to post events from every single city/town/village in Aomori yet, I've got at least one event for most places. See the <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/p/event-listings.html">Aomori Events by Location</a> page for a list of annual events in your specific placement location.)<br />
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And while I am dispensing unsolicited advice, I would also recommend relying on your predecessor or other ALTs living in your placement city/town/village for specific advice as much as possible.<br />
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For example, when it comes to choosing a cell phone provider, even within the prefecture there is a lot of variation in terms of which companies get good reception in specific areas. For example, when my husband lived in Hirosaki City, he used AU and it was cheap and had good reception. But in Towada AU reception is not very good so he switched to Docomo after we got married. (After the big 2011 East Japan Earthquake & Tsunami, Docomo phones could still receive and make calls, but AU lost reception almost immediately and nothing came through until a couple of days later.) Softbank has better reception than AU (although still not as good as Docomo), but the Softbank store in Towada has rather poor customer service. So even though it is a little bit more expensive, we generally recommend that Towada ALTs stick with Docomo for its reliability (we have lots of schools far from the city center) and good service.<br />
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Other places are probably different, so it's best to get advice directly from the people who know your specific placement the best--current JETs and/or other people living there. <br />
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Oh, and for those anxious to hear from your contracting organization (CO), in Aomori, COs are officially allowed to contact new ALTs from Thursday May 26, 2016, so you might want to start checking your inbox (and junk mail folders, too!) to see if you have any messages. (Note: Some COs might not email you first, but mail you information directly instead.)<br />
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Anyway, I've rambled on quite a bit, so I'll end here. Feel free to get in touch via the comments section if you have any questions about my experience (past as a JET and/or ongoing as a permanent foreign resident).<br />
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(Note: All comments must be approved by me first, so don't worry if your comment doesn't show up immediately--I <b><i>will</i></b> see it! Also, if you don't want the comment to be published but instead would like me to email you a reply directly, just mention that and include your email address in the comment and I'll email you and delete the comment without posting it.)Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-45225525194748889322015-10-25T21:31:00.002+09:002015-10-25T21:31:54.905+09:00A Better CanadaI may no longer reside in Canada, but I am still a Canadian. Although the past nine years have made me less than proud to be a Canadian, my pride as a Canadian was restored this past Federal (National) Election. <br />
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<br />
The Harper Government's leadership of Canada has led to the
deterioration of Canada's international reputation as well the erosion
of democracy, science, environmental protections, care for veterans and
much more within Canada. (See a "brief" list of some of the damage wrought by
Stephen Harper as Prime Minister of Canada on <a href="http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/08/10/Harper-Abuses-of-Power-Final/" target="_blank" title="http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/08/10/Harper-Abuses-of-Power-Final/">The Tyee: Harper, Serial Abuser of Power: The Evidence Compiled</a>.) <br />
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Thankfully those disheartening years seem to be past. On October 19th, 2015, the Liberal Party of Canada, under leader Justin Trudeau, won 39.5% of the popular vote which translated into 184/338 seats in parliament to form a majority government. (Detailed election results available on <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/results-2015/" target="_blank" title="http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/results-2015/">CBC News: Canada Votes</a>.)<br />
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Justin Trudea hasn't even been sworn in as Prime Minister yet (so he won't officially become the Prime Minister until November 4th, 2015) but Canada is already better under his leadership.<br />
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He has invited all of the provincial premiers to join the
delegation--demonstrating a willingness to collaborate with the
provinces and to further cooperation between the Federal and Provincial
governments. This, of course is in stark contrast with Harper, who
couldn't be bothered to attend Council of Canadian Premiers meetings and
had a decidedly adversarial relationship with Ontario's Premier,
Kathleen Wynne. (<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/premiers-agree-to-attend-paris-climate-summit-with-trudeau/article26945307/" target="_blank" title="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/premiers-agree-to-attend-paris-climate-summit-with-trudeau/article26945307/">The Globe & Mail: Premiers agree to attend Paris climate summit with Trudeau</a>)<br />
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He is further working to make the Canadian Government collaborative instead of adversarial by also inviting opposition party members to attend the UN climate summit in Paris--unlike Harper, who shut opposition party members out of important international talks. Sixty percent of voters in the past election did <b><i>not</i></b> vote for the Liberal Party. By including other party leaders in the delegation he is giving all voters a voice and more truly representing Canada. (<a href="http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/trudeau-invites-may-other-leaders-to-join-un-climate-summit-delegation-1.2625763" target="_blank">CTV News: Trudeau invites May, other leaders to join UN climate summit delegation</a>)<br />
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And of course the fact that he is bringing such a large delegation to the Paris climate summit demonstrates a willingness to address the climate change issue in the first place--again, completely unlike Harper.<br />
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On a completely different note, he has also committed to electoral reform, doing away with the first-past-the-post system that gave his party a majority government in the first place. (Had the election been held using proportional representation, the Liberals would only have achieved a minority government.) By also examining online voting and mandatory voting, Trudeau has also demonstrated a desire to increase voter participation rather than trying to suppress it as Harper did through the (un-)"Fair Elections Act." (<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/federal-election/2015/10/21/electoral-reform-looms-for-canada-trudeau-promises.html" target="_blank" title="http://www.thestar.com/news/federal-election/2015/10/21/electoral-reform-looms-for-canada-trudeau-promises.html">The Toronto Star: Electoral reform looms for Canada, Justin Trudeau promises</a>)<br />
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Oh, and let's not forget that he specifically created an opportunity for members of the press to ask questions at the National Press Theatre shortly after winning the election--something Harper reportedly hadn't done in about seven years. (<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/10/21/trudeau-press-gallery-theatre-ottawa_n_8347366.html" target="_blank" title="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/10/21/trudeau-press-gallery-theatre-ottawa_n_8347366.html">The Huffington Post Canada: Trudeau Takes Questions At National Press Gallery Theatre In Departure From Harper</a>)<br />
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I'm sure that I will disagree with Trudeau's policy choices, etc. sometime (the TPP and pipelines being foreseeable issues), but in less than a week as Prime Minister-Elect, Justin Trudeau has already started restoring my respect for Canadian democracy and the government and given me hope for the future of the country.<br />
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So thank you, Justin Trudeau. And thank you, fellow Canadians for voting (even if you did vote for the Conservative Party). Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-77103346577896892162015-10-03T18:31:00.000+09:002015-10-03T18:31:15.214+09:00B-1 Grand Prix in Towada: Day 1The B-1 Grand Prix in Towada is a massive 2-day event featuring the local "soul food" of <b><i>sixty-two</i></b> different towns/cities across Japan from Hokkaido to Kyushu.(More information about the event at my <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/08/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada.html" title="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/08/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada.html">Towada & Beyond blog</a>.)<br /><br />
Wanting to avoid the predicted crazy hordes of people, my friends and I crafted out a "divide and conquer" strategy that had us split up to cover three different venues to get a total of about 10 different dishes. We started walking to the venue almost an hour before the event was due to start. Even stopping occasionally to take photos and to chat with (former) students, acquaintances, etc. we managed to get in line a good 15-20min before the start of food sales.<br /><br />
It was raining pretty heavily while we were in line, but thankfully it let up by the time things got started at 9:30am. Based on my experience during the <a href="http://melt-in-japan.blogspot.jp/2013/09/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada-guide.html">2013 Hokkaido/Tohoku B-1 Grand Prix in Towada</a> where I waited about 2 hours for <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/06/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada-guest-groups.html#kofu">Kofu Tori Motsuni</a>, I was expecting ridiculously long line-ups. Whether it was due to the rain, or the early hour, or just that I happened to have picked the less popular booths, I don't know what it was, but I was very pleasantly surprised by how short the waits were.<br /><br />
My longest wait (pictured below) was for <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/06/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada-chubu.html#komagane">Komagane Sauce Katsudon</a>. I was waiting in line for about 15-20 minutes until 9:30am, but I only waited about 3-5 minutes from when they started distributing the food.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tzl39Tb9Vy4FelpHM4PcO4x-RKx4uSMNfIzkTSJten7c41brfHO3_C43q6Hx6ZG5BDTqfMhrXpxTGV8S6r3JBUr4ggGYiia2D62_YBy63HR6nwMvh7bGjauWE-HaivnlLDBDEB3-BS8/s1600/01-Komagane-Sauce-Katsudon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" title="Komagane Sauce Katsudon Flyers" alt="Komagane Sauce Katsuodon Flyers 2015 B-1 Grand Prix in Towada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tzl39Tb9Vy4FelpHM4PcO4x-RKx4uSMNfIzkTSJten7c41brfHO3_C43q6Hx6ZG5BDTqfMhrXpxTGV8S6r3JBUr4ggGYiia2D62_YBy63HR6nwMvh7bGjauWE-HaivnlLDBDEB3-BS8/s320/01-Komagane-Sauce-Katsudon.jpg" /></a></div><br />After the katsudon, I headed to the <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/07/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada-chugoku-region.html#tottori">Tottori Tofu Chikuwa</a> booth. There were maybe 3 or 4 people ahead of me in line, and I probably waited for 1-2 minutes or less. The wait time was just long enough for me to notice the little work of sand art (Tottori is known for having vast sand dunes) seated off to the side.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWhLYi_x9ES9w14BdNfqQSALBHXnZ_Fr2coUXWToRzOBpTOuaFKjuZF9H4g-Mi5syPz5RbUI2FKtgWsqiT7IOD40iX-SVtOzb87zAxp6xVpRNpyuT_MSb7-4tp0uHEHg8rkUCCrkHLpg/s1600/02-Tottori-Tofu-Chikuwa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" title="Tottori Tofu Chikuwa Souken" alt="Tottori Tofu Chikuwa Souken 2015 B-1 Grand Prix in Towada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWhLYi_x9ES9w14BdNfqQSALBHXnZ_Fr2coUXWToRzOBpTOuaFKjuZF9H4g-Mi5syPz5RbUI2FKtgWsqiT7IOD40iX-SVtOzb87zAxp6xVpRNpyuT_MSb7-4tp0uHEHg8rkUCCrkHLpg/s320/02-Tottori-Tofu-Chikuwa.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe58xN9VHQ0LvG5JI2Ig9ETfF0SGC3wYVNcsGc6UdmmlmmwSuXnWT6kDcDv3yHxmOqL97X0Z1rJ4H_b9vAS8dy0Jy34D8eQYLnFh0YtSimW7Uzo_-N-0J1QGCcJ1tr5SLPgWeU5-cSfTU/s1600/03-Tottori-Sand-Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" title="Tottori Sand Art" alt="Tottori Tofu Chikuwa Souken Sand Art 2015 B-1 Grand Prix in Towada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe58xN9VHQ0LvG5JI2Ig9ETfF0SGC3wYVNcsGc6UdmmlmmwSuXnWT6kDcDv3yHxmOqL97X0Z1rJ4H_b9vAS8dy0Jy34D8eQYLnFh0YtSimW7Uzo_-N-0J1QGCcJ1tr5SLPgWeU5-cSfTU/s320/03-Tottori-Sand-Art.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzMnGmTmMSmcIb3RAqSd3FlrDd5DaoOk7r3GNWBDfnmw9aAwsnSHr1K8BmhrzDb9BbQNXsnSUCuaohPh3p668D5Lul3NARi9Vr7tZ96iAc53VhC4y2Ko2XPPQAzTd1fwIxTjhXo32Sx0/s1600/04-Tottori-Tofu-Chikuwa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" title="Tottori Tofu Chikuwa" alt="Tottori Tofu Chikuwa 2015 B-1 Grand Prix in Towada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzMnGmTmMSmcIb3RAqSd3FlrDd5DaoOk7r3GNWBDfnmw9aAwsnSHr1K8BmhrzDb9BbQNXsnSUCuaohPh3p668D5Lul3NARi9Vr7tZ96iAc53VhC4y2Ko2XPPQAzTd1fwIxTjhXo32Sx0/s320/04-Tottori-Tofu-Chikuwa.JPG" /></a></div> <br />
On my way to the next booth on my list, I stopped to get my picture taken with the <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/06/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada-hokkaido.html#kitami">Ohotsk Kitami Shio Yakisoba</a> mascot. I had tried the Shio Yakisoba during the previous B-1 event in Towada, so I didn't feel bad about taking a picture with the mascot or even for getting a "Ohotsk Kitami Shio Yakisoba Supporter" sticker stuck onto my t-shirt despite not actually getting any food from them this time around. I liked the mascot and the "personality" of the group so much, I even ended up voting for them (again, this despite not actually getting any shio yakisoba this time round)!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlZ27FAxL792S0eP8BuIJxS135yjzSimIvaQhjNtV7LDu2DXykkXI2Cqg7KMre2ajlismCi4Hco9jih7cjvUXlZOivIUhijQec0MGL1I488sAZdPICtXf4M0OUtkAku5RSNIWcD5nUcY/s1600/05-Ohotsk-Kitami-Shio-Yakisoba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" title="Ohotsk Kitami Shio Yakisoba Ouentai" alt="Ohotsk Kitami Shio Yakisoba Ouentai 2015 B-1 Grand Prix in Towada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlZ27FAxL792S0eP8BuIJxS135yjzSimIvaQhjNtV7LDu2DXykkXI2Cqg7KMre2ajlismCi4Hco9jih7cjvUXlZOivIUhijQec0MGL1I488sAZdPICtXf4M0OUtkAku5RSNIWcD5nUcY/s320/05-Ohotsk-Kitami-Shio-Yakisoba.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Next on my list was <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/06/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada-kanto.html#ota">Joushuu Ota Yakisoba</a>. The wait was so short I didn't even think to take out my camera for a photo of the booth!<br /><br />
Less than ten minutes after the start of the event and I was heading for my fourth booth, <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/06/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada-chubu.html#minamiuonuma">Minamiuonuma Kirizaidon</a>. They had people dressed up as samurai, so of course I couldn't resist getting my photo taken with them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qtSduFmEnzo1PhjiBu7sfhAa_UTtfKoJ4Nysuizws8dtiedk0RHqnZ-YhR0lFtelAPdiFxtJDuOsDDdrD0iO6oGG2HpnN1lTdqr3Y0bRxDoEA-soGBAzJKSFcSApv77xta6F9aOOx0k/s1600/06-Minami-Uonuma-Kirizaidon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" title="Minamiuonami Kirizaidon DE Aitai" alt="Minamiuonami Kirizaidon DE Aitai 2015 B-1 Grand Prix in Towada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qtSduFmEnzo1PhjiBu7sfhAa_UTtfKoJ4Nysuizws8dtiedk0RHqnZ-YhR0lFtelAPdiFxtJDuOsDDdrD0iO6oGG2HpnN1lTdqr3Y0bRxDoEA-soGBAzJKSFcSApv77xta6F9aOOx0k/s320/06-Minami-Uonuma-Kirizaidon.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzMObMWC1WRr5fU5JfTLbH8GyMWkYj25zAk_PWModSbckfAQmj3V1YaJjcr3ukHWNEYja2CgrTeAmM3UvpMjmCno1YtXlz7lrBlB6_0Jgpkucc-p2GTR112yLoyhIrL1n0iwDJySvjhw/s1600/07-Minami-Uonuma-Kirizaidon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" title="Minamiuonami Kirizaidon" alt="Minamiuonami Kirizaidon DE Aitai B-1 Grand Prix in Towada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzMObMWC1WRr5fU5JfTLbH8GyMWkYj25zAk_PWModSbckfAQmj3V1YaJjcr3ukHWNEYja2CgrTeAmM3UvpMjmCno1YtXlz7lrBlB6_0Jgpkucc-p2GTR112yLoyhIrL1n0iwDJySvjhw/s320/07-Minami-Uonuma-Kirizaidon.jpg" /></a></div><br />
My last stop was for <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/06/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada-tohoku.html#kuji">Kuji Mamebu Jiru</a>. Since I had tried a mouthful of someone else's bowl last time, plus I had purchased a package of instant (just heat the pack over the stove in a pot of water) mamebu jiru at the grocery store, I hadn't been planning on getting any, but since I had tickets leftover and plenty of time before the others were due to arrive to meet and divy up the food, I went for it. And it was a good thing I did because it ended up being both my favourite food and group! They had a mini sumo dohyo (just big enough for one person) and a guy dressed as a sumo offering "ohimesama dakko" (お姫様抱っこ "princess carry") which was pretty funny and cute! Plus, they had little stations set up within their line where you could try things like sifting through a sandbox for "treasure", etc. to keep you entertained while you waited. Unfortunately I didn't think to take a picture of the little activity booths because there was no line-up and I just went straight for the food. (Of course I voted for them as well!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9__s4bwJxRdDQqKjkc2YW6hOc71UtHhOtzKzZo0r3h_MkmnwzaCXs6sXVfJsZL2oXfF3MDPX_fOXSTZaPKM1a7irex9RswSCLSKn6Sg-ueSpIE7mC3ngqoc6mA89rZui0Im3fsIOtFX4/s1600/08-Kuji-Mamebu-Jiru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" title="Kuji Mamebu Heya" alt="Kuji Mamebu Heya 2015 B-1 Grand Prix in Towada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9__s4bwJxRdDQqKjkc2YW6hOc71UtHhOtzKzZo0r3h_MkmnwzaCXs6sXVfJsZL2oXfF3MDPX_fOXSTZaPKM1a7irex9RswSCLSKn6Sg-ueSpIE7mC3ngqoc6mA89rZui0Im3fsIOtFX4/s320/08-Kuji-Mamebu-Jiru.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-fPu53nFUShM95wcq1L5Zyxm4ADfNIlfarpWHkSNPb-gFWM042K0gUwKr-1TxidAOVcasQXZfNmgbGtpq-She_JAODR9Sf0nDGI9ScPTI7BLlItcsDN51Ypb8284ledzwrrLTW-rHnk/s1600/09-Kuji-Mamebu-Jiru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" title="Kuji Mamebu Heya" alt="Kuji Mamebu Heya 2015 B-1 Grand Prix in Towada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-fPu53nFUShM95wcq1L5Zyxm4ADfNIlfarpWHkSNPb-gFWM042K0gUwKr-1TxidAOVcasQXZfNmgbGtpq-She_JAODR9Sf0nDGI9ScPTI7BLlItcsDN51Ypb8284ledzwrrLTW-rHnk/s320/09-Kuji-Mamebu-Jiru.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCAlofhOT2EViuPJp-xPufUmvgiXL6_3mwb98d8b0G-kF4RZs2_dhXP2_bEB9EHeZWF76kENu5B9Y2zQz7-8kVcWKwXQOhJSkJozab2OQZ9e2pwZbLKkMkRqagU6m3t1dWXyi2D9UH1k/s1600/10-Kuji-Mamebu-Jiru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" title="Kuji Mamebu" alt="Kuji Mamebu 2015 B-1 Grand Prix in Towada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCAlofhOT2EViuPJp-xPufUmvgiXL6_3mwb98d8b0G-kF4RZs2_dhXP2_bEB9EHeZWF76kENu5B9Y2zQz7-8kVcWKwXQOhJSkJozab2OQZ9e2pwZbLKkMkRqagU6m3t1dWXyi2D9UH1k/s320/10-Kuji-Mamebu-Jiru.jpg" /></a></div><br />
A mere 15-20 minutes after the official start of the event, the two of us who were in charge of getting food at the Track & Field Venue had everything and were sitting in the bleachers waiting for the others to arrive.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinY0sMmvHgrQX_Gdy3EO4HFiqZ0_Z7QudfIVE0vsoWZX_BehK2vH_G0M6yURgEOTUvaAQkSwPgfBR07U4jZbzNLXjbeaxJoXQnImonKqVUmjLIW8cPVX8GPEALo61m7LlUBMJT-Nqef8/s1600/11-B-1Grand-Prix-in-Towada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" title="B-1 Grand Prix in Towada" alt="B-1 Grand Prix in Towada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinY0sMmvHgrQX_Gdy3EO4HFiqZ0_Z7QudfIVE0vsoWZX_BehK2vH_G0M6yURgEOTUvaAQkSwPgfBR07U4jZbzNLXjbeaxJoXQnImonKqVUmjLIW8cPVX8GPEALo61m7LlUBMJT-Nqef8/s320/11-B-1Grand-Prix-in-Towada.jpg" /></a></div><br />Out of all the food that we got, only half of it (Kirizaidon, Tofu Chikuwa, Mamebu Jiru) was for me; the rest was for the others in the group. (Clockwise from top left: <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/06/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada-chubu.html#minamiuonuma">Minamiuonuma Kirizaidon</a>, <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/06/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada-chubu.html#komagane">Komagane Sauce Katsudon</a>, <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/06/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada-kanto.html#ota">Joushuu Ota Yakisoba</a>, <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/07/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada-chugoku-region.html#tottori">Tottori Tofu Chikuwa</a>, <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/06/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada-tohoku.html#kuji">Kuji Mamebu Jiru</a>, <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/07/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada-shikoku.html#imabari">Imabari Yakibuta Tamago-meshi</a>.)<br /><br />
Apart from the three dishes I had picked up for myself, I also had <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/07/b-1-grand-prix-in-towada-kinki-region.html#tsu">Tsu Gyoza</a> that one of the others had picked up for me from the Baseball Diamond Venue.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV2-pyqJOvidHT-dPcS04MWcckGSa59E8STsVwoagidcpSiO5L14cErCP1fyojh8I2PQdTb6EO0Q-S_lxLFSE4gMIY224wn3gPSZJtagrrd8AsgqtSEsavQobIztnoNgDTW3Fs8yjFZ0/s1600/12-Tsu+Gyoza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" title="Tsu Gyoza" alt="Tsu Gyoza B-1 Grand Prix in Towada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV2-pyqJOvidHT-dPcS04MWcckGSa59E8STsVwoagidcpSiO5L14cErCP1fyojh8I2PQdTb6EO0Q-S_lxLFSE4gMIY224wn3gPSZJtagrrd8AsgqtSEsavQobIztnoNgDTW3Fs8yjFZ0/s320/12-Tsu+Gyoza.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOVVnKrFEXXOOdADIhkXfP-d1IIr0lFr7ZNCmBEd7sBGbf0EiROixe7QgdKYbBv5fkxN9fYi1iSZXnZrz6y2z-08cOCLlAn42Jea7Wea_ltjnYoesFI9Ol_xex5HrvlpvGYBwN6xnHGM/s1600/13-Tsu-Gyoza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" title="Tsu Gyoza" alt="Tsu Gyoza B-1 Grand Prix in Towada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOVVnKrFEXXOOdADIhkXfP-d1IIr0lFr7ZNCmBEd7sBGbf0EiROixe7QgdKYbBv5fkxN9fYi1iSZXnZrz6y2z-08cOCLlAn42Jea7Wea_ltjnYoesFI9Ol_xex5HrvlpvGYBwN6xnHGM/s320/13-Tsu-Gyoza.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I only actually ate the gyoza and mamebu there, though. The rest I transferred into Ziploc containers I had brought with me to take home. The others also packed up at least one or two dishes each to take home. Between four of us we had managed to get about 10 different dishes <i>and</i> finish eating all in about an hour!<br /><br />
After eating we voted for our favourite groups and then wandered around a bit before heading home. So we managed to eat a lot and enjoy the B-1 Grand Prix and still be home by around lunch time. It was great!<br /><br />Originally I had only planned to go the one day (today), but the experience was so fun and painless (much less crowded and far less waiting than I had expected) that I might actually go back again tomorrow just to people watch and to find out who was voted this year's Gold Grand Prix winner. Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-872617010276222872015-08-28T14:20:00.000+09:002015-08-28T15:08:12.479+09:002015 Japanese Population CensusThe Japanese national population census is taken once every five years in October. The previous one was done in <a href="http://melt-in-japan.blogspot.com/2010/09/filling-out-japanese-national-census.html">2010</a>, so this year, 2015, is another census year.<br />
<br />
There is a very helpful webpage made by the Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications that provides information in Japanese, English, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean: <a href="http://kokusei2015.stat.go.jp/">http://kokusei2015.stat.go.jp</a><br />
<br />
I recommend looking through the website on your own, but here are some quick, basic facts about the census:<br />
<br />
**<i><b>All</b></i> residents of Japan (as of October 1st, 2015, including non-Japanese residents) are <i>required by law</i> to fill out and submit a census form.**<br />
<br />
This year is the first time the population census can (and is in fact recommended to) be submitted <u><b>online</b></u>.<br />
<br />
<b>Census Timeline:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><b>September 10th-12th:</b> Census takers provide households with "A Guide to the Online Census" document and online user ID and password</li>
<li><b>September 10th-20th: </b>Period to fill out the census online (using a PC, smartphone, or tablet) using the provided user ID and password</li>
<li><b>September 26th-30th:</b> Distribution of paper census documents to households that did not complete the census online</li>
<li><b>October 1st-7th:</b> Deadline to submit census forms (either to census takers or by mail, depending on the municipality) </li>
<li><b>February 2016:</b> Preliminary census results scheduled to be released</li>
<li><b>October 2016:</b> Detailed census results scheduled to be released</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Beware of Fraudulent Census Takers!</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Census takers never ask you for money. They also never ask you for information such as your bank account or credit card numbers.</li>
<li>Watch out for suspicious persons visiting your home and
claiming to be census takers. Also beware of suspicious phone calls,
e-mails or other communications. If you encounter this sort of
suspicious person or communication, do not provide any information and
promptly contact your municipal government to report the incident.</li>
<li>Census takers wear official "Population Census Taker identification card" with them.<br />*In
some areas, census taking duties is assigned to building managers, and
they carry "Census Taking Authorization Certification" with them.</li>
</ul>
If you would like an idea as to the type of information required for the census, see my 2010 post about "<a href="http://melt-in-japan.blogspot.jp/2010/09/filling-out-japanese-national-census.html">Filling out the national census form (国勢調査調査票) </a>"<br />
<br />
And again, the 2015 Population Census official website address: <a href="http://kokusei2015.stat.go.jp/">http://kokusei2015.stat.go.jp</a>Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-9499196691175001512015-06-01T13:40:00.000+09:002015-06-01T13:40:04.912+09:00Kusa Mochi Azuki Monaka Ice Cream SandwichMonaka is a popular Japanese sweet (和菓子<i> wagashi</i>) traditionally "<span class="gen">made of azuki bean filling sandwiched between two thin crisp wafers made from sticky-rice." </span><br />
<span class="gen">(Source: TORAYA, "<a href="https://www.toraya-group.co.jp/english/wagashi/types.html" target="_blank">Types of Wagashi</a>")</span><br />
<span class="gen"></span><br />
<span class="gen">The azuki paste can also be replaced with ice cream for a delicious Japanese-style ice cream sandwich. Monaka are one of my favourite types of ice cream treats because they are relatively clean to eat and easy to split for sharing (important since my husband and I usually share food). </span><br />
<span class="gen"><br /></span>
<span class="gen">The standard ice cream monaka has a plain wafer and vanilla ice cream. </span><span class="gen"><span class="gen">There are many different brands, but my personal favourite is Lotte's "Monaou." The name combines the words <i><b>mona</b></i>ka (<u><b>モナ</b></u>カ) and <i><b>ou</b></i> (<b>王</b>=king) and means "Monaka King." </span> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcCWB31kgRcoQ2FGd9kGEItylNUqnJHH-cnd8qYONMVAVbKvCt0HvN-FFgvSPCG2t4Ja9qYya2NXlyd9MFu2bhJk2GXDkbi2SZjvCLEpDmHGkK-h98wDk4-hIsxm9kx2bxUPdgc-GdT0/s1600/IMG_4565_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Monaou Monaka Ice Cream モナ王" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcCWB31kgRcoQ2FGd9kGEItylNUqnJHH-cnd8qYONMVAVbKvCt0HvN-FFgvSPCG2t4Ja9qYya2NXlyd9MFu2bhJk2GXDkbi2SZjvCLEpDmHGkK-h98wDk4-hIsxm9kx2bxUPdgc-GdT0/s320/IMG_4565_sm.jpg" title="Monaou Monaka Ice Cream" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zkmh5pPlBtkVFQ_T2u28_y4p3dwF5HgAEhpz3bhQaN4pbKHvnwMtWIPZZEPXPbndhtukNUOmdzCBbQMPz0KY1CPdXSusJfNidiHw6SQoWtRspOoqDjpaHrVkD4AHy6hUzsuQr5xSzas/s1600/IMG_4567_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Monaou Monaka Ice Cream モナ王" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zkmh5pPlBtkVFQ_T2u28_y4p3dwF5HgAEhpz3bhQaN4pbKHvnwMtWIPZZEPXPbndhtukNUOmdzCBbQMPz0KY1CPdXSusJfNidiHw6SQoWtRspOoqDjpaHrVkD4AHy6hUzsuQr5xSzas/s320/IMG_4567_sm.jpg" title="Monaou Monaka Ice Cream" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8E2h2DtbDMlbO-CALNi11pNwnySG7bT7n1fmDTXjngjCO9fUbIBEn4zgSJyQsQb5J4o-1hoTG6oO7ApmEcsISL0Un1voQvTujXEX2-Y5nSdxVYHJeGfouYZ1-DljHS6X8tnKdGim0CA/s1600/IMG_4569_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Monaou Monaka Ice Cream モナ王" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8E2h2DtbDMlbO-CALNi11pNwnySG7bT7n1fmDTXjngjCO9fUbIBEn4zgSJyQsQb5J4o-1hoTG6oO7ApmEcsISL0Un1voQvTujXEX2-Y5nSdxVYHJeGfouYZ1-DljHS6X8tnKdGim0CA/s320/IMG_4569_sm.jpg" title="Monaou Monaka Ice Cream" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="gen">Recently, however, I discovered a Kusa Mochi Azuki Monaka--intriguing as it combined two traditional Japanese sweets (kusa mochi and monaka) with an ice cream twist. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiR8UQACBUBMGcCiIjltJJcteOSFJGv3IKBHUPkapUVh37v7I1p6SMxkYwtP0nnUyL_lWsANdaV9-CQQze7De5kXwNn-kAPOEgLcLohh9WHrn5iwg4YaZ6qJPCuvBG2k7hPqS2WUVOpw/s1600/IMG_3850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kusa Mochi Azuki Monaka Ice Cream 草もち風あずきモナカ" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiR8UQACBUBMGcCiIjltJJcteOSFJGv3IKBHUPkapUVh37v7I1p6SMxkYwtP0nnUyL_lWsANdaV9-CQQze7De5kXwNn-kAPOEgLcLohh9WHrn5iwg4YaZ6qJPCuvBG2k7hPqS2WUVOpw/s320/IMG_3850.JPG" title="Kusa Mochi Azuki Monaka Ice Cream" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="gen">(</span><span class="gen"><span class="gen">Mochi is a type of "rice cake" made by pounding sticky rice until it reaches a chewy, dough-like texture. </span>Kusa mochi (草もち literally: "grass/weed mochi") is mochi made with <i>yomogi</i> (Japanese mugwort) which gives the mochi a distinctive green colour and slightly grassy flavour.) </span><br />
Opening the package I was surprised to see the smooth texture of the wafers; it made it look much more like a traditional (non-ice-cream) monaka.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlrHl7zsPgsTGSbrOKFPMYu3MWhOHPbTaYApK8gv1oOmu6XVnyZ3VxYPFNo0y5nYEc9ZqI6LzkrmXUkwjX8bVfCEmSI0RIsuDIw3kcmfULtf8PiOWH8fO8kWBs7GDwgKdM5TLOLvFt3s/s1600/IMG_3851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kusa Mochi Azuki Monaka Ice Cream 草もち風あずきモナカ" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlrHl7zsPgsTGSbrOKFPMYu3MWhOHPbTaYApK8gv1oOmu6XVnyZ3VxYPFNo0y5nYEc9ZqI6LzkrmXUkwjX8bVfCEmSI0RIsuDIw3kcmfULtf8PiOWH8fO8kWBs7GDwgKdM5TLOLvFt3s/s320/IMG_3851.JPG" title="Kusa Mochi Azuki Monaka Ice Cream" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kusa Mochi Azuki Monaka Ice Cream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRtrM-9_S_-uChmROCQDHW4NdPcnN6wmV1gEwKpWM3Mt6h8Qc71GUc7qsOsx-F1ldvYFiNXmWgtD4K-7PHlfEMTrCmNbdmrOcuYvBYiJDpcxBwbqhI8C_rPE6HOgcA0YNUPM1BVgDbik/s1600/monaka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRtrM-9_S_-uChmROCQDHW4NdPcnN6wmV1gEwKpWM3Mt6h8Qc71GUc7qsOsx-F1ldvYFiNXmWgtD4K-7PHlfEMTrCmNbdmrOcuYvBYiJDpcxBwbqhI8C_rPE6HOgcA0YNUPM1BVgDbik/s320/monaka.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">regular (non-ice-cream) monaka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Biting into the monaka, rather than the slightly grass-like taste of kusa mochi, I was surprised by a faint taste of cinnamon. The exact taste is hard to describe, but I really liked it and would definitely recommend it--in fact I went out and bought another two bars shortly after first trying it.Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-43519537394359156302015-05-17T17:53:00.000+09:002015-05-19T13:06:34.138+09:00Nameko's Adventures in ShichinoheAfter enjoying cherry blossom viewing in <a href="http://melt-in-japan.blogspot.com/2015/04/namekos-hanami-adventures-part-1.html">Hirosaki</a> and <a href="http://melt-in-japan.blogspot.com/2015/05/namekos-hanami-adventures-part-2-towada.html">Towada</a>, Nameko decided to check out the Tennou Azalea Festival (天王つつじまつり) at the Tennou Jinja (Shrine) in Shichinohe on May 3rd. <br />
<br />
Of course no trip to Shichinohe would be complete without a visit to Namiki Gelato, so Nameko started off his adventures in Shichinohe with a black sesame and houji-cha double cone!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0n9DHxjdoRGgWtaR4p_ZZEI5xBsAKFive73TJIRZqM4t2NtCRfOY5Ha3C3C9kbmJpNR_wOl6wYdGjpvJveAGuIxGlsF5wfOlrzeA3gimzK8xdCQC9Ievj7hD0ZEGbVl_HlSnDUyh03A/s1600/IMG_4017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Namiki Gelato Shichinohe ナミキ・ジェラート 七戸町" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0n9DHxjdoRGgWtaR4p_ZZEI5xBsAKFive73TJIRZqM4t2NtCRfOY5Ha3C3C9kbmJpNR_wOl6wYdGjpvJveAGuIxGlsF5wfOlrzeA3gimzK8xdCQC9Ievj7hD0ZEGbVl_HlSnDUyh03A/s320/IMG_4017.JPG" title="Namiki Gelato Shichinohe" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0REMstaT6r4rTdZ-R9Kb2nwH_Nt7CwnIkQxRA8nSR81T7wVKQuzHr7lkSKg1Qq8T-GyI9KZND3UQUWGn6OeVIsElh6ZmPlUJJN15k0yEXpFq0LZIQFzpmo1EgME3xz4eelxI-LWHMxUY/s1600/IMG_4013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Namiki Gelato Black Sesame & Houji-cha Double Cone Shichinohe ナミキ・ジェラート 黒ごま ほうじ茶 ダブルコーン 七戸町" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0REMstaT6r4rTdZ-R9Kb2nwH_Nt7CwnIkQxRA8nSR81T7wVKQuzHr7lkSKg1Qq8T-GyI9KZND3UQUWGn6OeVIsElh6ZmPlUJJN15k0yEXpFq0LZIQFzpmo1EgME3xz4eelxI-LWHMxUY/s320/IMG_4013.JPG" title="Namiki Gelato Black Sesame & Houji-cha Double Cone " width="240" /></a></div>
Since it was a nice day, Nameko went outside to enjoy his gelato. After finishing his cone, he admired some of the many cow statues and tractors on display outside, as well as the lovely field of canola flowers. Some people were even taking (free) tractor rides through the fields. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GVpupd-3mTocyEgJ_CeDZdqBLBoIt-YETraVYbxzvcJEvFxYkm2TlxOmvU6n8dBKAwDmSzDHD44jvkW8KQdDcG3mBKiic_h-BusnQkMXPS4MrCbwuV3wj_dyfvE2uLzbB4lDHdDe2SU/s1600/IMG_4019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Namiki Gelato Cow Statue Shichinohe ナミキジェラート 牛の像 七戸町" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GVpupd-3mTocyEgJ_CeDZdqBLBoIt-YETraVYbxzvcJEvFxYkm2TlxOmvU6n8dBKAwDmSzDHD44jvkW8KQdDcG3mBKiic_h-BusnQkMXPS4MrCbwuV3wj_dyfvE2uLzbB4lDHdDe2SU/s320/IMG_4019.JPG" title="Namiki Gelato Cow Statue" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xbJAoEojrU53XNJtDOe0CKKPjwtSC8zHmSZ2vdh-ioOogEatQg9y3R066HqDnhY-_DC8V0N981HVU-Qpoe5Q0B9LFGNFHy3Fu_4yF4Tewb_BamjFYvwf-c1zCT_QoMlYwTkeZHbui7M/s1600/IMG_4021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Namiki Gelato Tractor Shichinohe ナミキジェラート トラクター 七戸町" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xbJAoEojrU53XNJtDOe0CKKPjwtSC8zHmSZ2vdh-ioOogEatQg9y3R066HqDnhY-_DC8V0N981HVU-Qpoe5Q0B9LFGNFHy3Fu_4yF4Tewb_BamjFYvwf-c1zCT_QoMlYwTkeZHbui7M/s320/IMG_4021.JPG" title="Namiki Gelato Tractor" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbh1hWHafkNyCvEe22BJ2xbETShM0mL5M1gO7SyoWWNLRgN-nfX3hl4TEaCZBI2Fj4bxpeiQMiB7a4VYMcEPfAuw1wOsJKjDYEFzhIg9FtsK4z38KoM-rwYn8zLNDVR1gtBWSCak5H9c/s1600/IMG_4016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Namiki Gelato Tractor Ride Shichinohe ナミキジェラート トラクター乗車体験 七戸町" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbh1hWHafkNyCvEe22BJ2xbETShM0mL5M1gO7SyoWWNLRgN-nfX3hl4TEaCZBI2Fj4bxpeiQMiB7a4VYMcEPfAuw1wOsJKjDYEFzhIg9FtsK4z38KoM-rwYn8zLNDVR1gtBWSCak5H9c/s320/IMG_4016.JPG" title="Namiki Gelato Tractor Ride" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAGnwQ4Y0Chu5sxYV98RDkJFU4L_bYR-LafbOzRK1WKVMB-efZjIm0UmTbJ0HagTZ8LLOs24je9BtAoIVN01OW3TW8l1Fxa1rI0e0k4CGxTaqwsL_knRqx7H6HhuTfvs0sZXDS3QLnIc/s1600/IMG_4026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Namiki Gelato Canola Flower Field ナミキジェラート 菜の花畑" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAGnwQ4Y0Chu5sxYV98RDkJFU4L_bYR-LafbOzRK1WKVMB-efZjIm0UmTbJ0HagTZ8LLOs24je9BtAoIVN01OW3TW8l1Fxa1rI0e0k4CGxTaqwsL_knRqx7H6HhuTfvs0sZXDS3QLnIc/s320/IMG_4026.JPG" title="Namiki Gelato Canola Flower Field" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuYhPZC4RzsZhq8hwysmgsygXkPF6uYU7arWsSazWW7-yJUgG3JYjyoSsWw8epXXh8qTAlRTS2zGA9QExC2XQrczBnbepB_yUuQYM0oYK5lctr-7FEh49-zYo9RyWB-FkBOyAVPmeAM8/s1600/IMG_4024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Namiki Gelato Canola Flower Field ナミキジェラート 菜の花畑" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuYhPZC4RzsZhq8hwysmgsygXkPF6uYU7arWsSazWW7-yJUgG3JYjyoSsWw8epXXh8qTAlRTS2zGA9QExC2XQrczBnbepB_yUuQYM0oYK5lctr-7FEh49-zYo9RyWB-FkBOyAVPmeAM8/s320/IMG_4024.JPG" title="Namiki Gelato Canola Flower Field" width="320" /></a></div>
After Namiki, it was onto the main event, the Tennou Azalea Festival!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTirlvWp1Ji9ZgV12zCcBUiTOI9xUVdKzG7vHnS2nfdBz4q6eu-znSV_yq4_xVGBRwehMmK6kWqF7pBfxdN16jrpxxSYRojyKJUehbIpd6Rl3J8MWOKUYlgh_199fy8IjZbnqbKgv540/s1600/IMG_4031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shichinohe Tennou Jinja (Shrine) Azalea Festival 七戸町天王神社つつじまつり" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTirlvWp1Ji9ZgV12zCcBUiTOI9xUVdKzG7vHnS2nfdBz4q6eu-znSV_yq4_xVGBRwehMmK6kWqF7pBfxdN16jrpxxSYRojyKJUehbIpd6Rl3J8MWOKUYlgh_199fy8IjZbnqbKgv540/s320/IMG_4031.JPG" title="Shichinohe Tennou Jinja (Shrine) Azalea Festival" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nameko thoroughly enjoyed his day out in Shichinohe!<br />
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Links:<br />
Namiki Gelato (Japanese): <a href="http://www.namiki-gelato.com/">http://www.namiki-gelato.com</a>Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-63788434572650481942015-05-15T14:34:00.000+09:002015-05-15T16:40:02.768+09:00NOT Cool JapanThis is an article that caught my eye when I happened to look over my husband's shoulder as he was reading the local newspaper, TooNippo (東奥日報) on May 5th, 2015.<br />
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It's about American Republican Party Presidential candidates, Dr. Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina.
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What caught my eye, though, was not the content of the article, but the title, which basically starts with (reading from right to left): "WOMAN Ms. Fiorino, BLACK PERSON Mr. Carson"<br />
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Seriously?!<br />
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I am by no means a zealot for political correctness, but I feel like the presentation of the article essentially reduced Ms. Fiorino and Mr. Carson to just the most basic of their physical characteristics.<br />
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NOT cool, Japan, not cool.Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-82767128983123458922015-05-03T21:22:00.000+09:002015-05-03T22:55:58.787+09:00Nameko's Gudetama x Dohtonbori Cooking Adventures On Tuesday, April 28, 2015 Nameko went to Dohtonbori, an okonomiyaki* chain restaurant because he heard that it currently has a special Gudetama collaboration campaign going on that allows you to make a dish with a "real" Gudetama. (As mentioned in an <a href="http://melt-in-japan.blogspot.com/2015/04/lawson-gudetama-sweets.html">earlier post</a>, Gudetama is one of Sanrio's newer characters, a lazy egg!)<br />
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<br />
But before diving into Nameko's adventures, some information about the Gudetama x Dohtonbori Collaboration Campaign!<br />
<br />
There are 4 different sets to choose from:<br />
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A) Gudetama Tororo Pack Okonomiyaki<br />
ぐでたまのとろろパックお好み焼き, Gudetama grated nagaimo pack okonomiyaki<br />
<br />
B)Gudetama no Scramble Egg Ofuton-nose Monjayaki<br />
ぐでたまのスクランブルエッグお布団のせもんじゃ焼き, Gudetama scrambled egg monjayaki with a blanket (bacon!) on top<br />
<br />
C) Gudetama no Shigarami ga Ooi Kamatama-fuu Yaki-Udon<br />
ぐでたまのしがらみが多い釜玉風焼きうどん, Gudetama All-Tangled Up Kamatama**-Style Grilled Udon<br />
<br />
D) Gudetama no Gyuu-Suji Gohan<br />
ぐでたまの牛スジごはん, Gudetama Beef Tendon Rice<br />
<br />
(Food Terminology <br />
*okonomiyaki = a kind of Japanese pancake/pizza made with a special
batter, cabbage, egg, and a variety of different toppings; you often
grill it yourself on a hot plate, although some places may make it for
you; the name literally means "grilled as you like"<br />
**kamatama = kamatama udon is a type of udon where a raw egg is added to the hot, cooked udon) <br />
<br />
Each set is 1200yen (1296yen with tax) and comes with a free Gudetama mini towel (3 different designs; selection is blind and random) and choice of one of: soft drink drink bar; medium-sized stein of beer; or vanilla ice cream. Purchase 2 sets to get a free original Dohtonbori x Gudetama tote bag! <br />
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The campaign is on from April 14-June 14, 2015. More details can be found at the Dohtonbori campaign website (Japanese only) here: <a href="http://www.dohtonbori.co.jp/gudetama/">http://www.dohtonbori.co.jp/gudetama/</a> <br />
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And now onto Nameko's adventures!<br />
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Since Nameko <i>had</i> to get the tote bag (he's a sucker for advertising and campaigns like this), he ordered two sets, Set A (okonomiyaki) and C (Udon). <br />
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He was a little disappointed that both towels turned out to have the same design, but he was consoled by the fact that he got two of his favourite of the three designs. (Always looking on the bright side, is Nameko!)<br />
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The okonomiyaki came soon after the towels and tote bag. <br />
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First he greased up the cooking surface and started cooking the mochi.<br />
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With the mochi cooking on the grill, he mixed up all of the ingredients in the big white bowl well and then poured it on top of the mochi, making it into a roughly plate-sized circle.<br />
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He then let it cook for five minutes before flipping (the store conveniently even provides a timer).<br />
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After another five minutes, he flipped it again and let it cook for a final five minutes (15min total cooking time). Once it was done cooking, he transferred it to a plate and applied a generous amount of sauce to one side. (If left on the grill, the okonomiyaki would be too hot and the egg might cook, or the sticker used for Gudetama's face might melt.)<br />
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After the sauce, he poured the tororo (nagaimo yam paste) onto the okonomiyaki, leaving/making a space for the egg to be added on.<br />
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He sprinkled on some nori seaweed flakes.<br />
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Using the provided spoon, he scooped just the egg yolk from the bowl and gently placed it in the center of the tororo.<br />
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Finally, he placed the Gudetama face edible sticker onto the egg yolk to complete the dish!<br />
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(Word of caution! Make sure to keep the sticker well away from the grill as it is very delicate and weak against heat. There is a white tab that you are supposed to use to remove the sticker from the backing, but it tore off (probably because the sticker was left a bit too close to the grill) and it was quite difficult to peel the sticker off of the backing without it!)<br />
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While the okonomiyaki was cooking, the udon also came, so instead of eating the okonomiyaki right away, Nameko decided to wait and cook the udon first.<br />
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The udon was simpler and quicker to cook than the okonomiyaki. First he cooked the mentaiko (spicy cod roe) on the grill, using the spatulas to cut/break it up into small pieces.<br />
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Once the mentaiko was heated through, he dumped the remaining contents of the big black bowl on top, add the water (in the silver kettle) and mentsuyu noodle sauce (in the little black pitcher), mixed it all up and let cook, stirring occasionally. (Nameko decided to add the water little by little, and added the mentsuyu last.)<br />
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(Here Nameko was wondering how long it would be until he could eat...)<br />
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Once the udon was cooked, he transferred it all back into the big black bowl.<br />
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Before adding the egg, he had to wait for the noodles to cool (so the egg wouldn't get cooked by the hot noodles), so he decided to dig into the okonomiyaki--and it was farewell Gudetama!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQjb_0nwElLZ3SOJwne0cBsvRYx8U6YT9vPZYZ_Nk1o-NU2zI-OKsSnNHRASdJge5cUv1t09mUoph7yjwjlDET6XxMtXxoMubdhtQ0TDVNOTaUKcicNqhWwxGhxtVBa-5wLjgSUpIjwc/s1600/IMG_3924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gudetama x Dohtonbori Collaboration Campaign Okonomiyaki 十和田市 ぐでたまx道頓堀コラブキャンペインお好み焼き" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQjb_0nwElLZ3SOJwne0cBsvRYx8U6YT9vPZYZ_Nk1o-NU2zI-OKsSnNHRASdJge5cUv1t09mUoph7yjwjlDET6XxMtXxoMubdhtQ0TDVNOTaUKcicNqhWwxGhxtVBa-5wLjgSUpIjwc/s1600/IMG_3924.JPG" height="240" title="Gudetama x Dohtonbori Collaboration Campaign Okonomiyaki " width="320" /></a></div>
It looked kind of messy, but was really delicious!<br />
<br />
After eating the okonomiyaki, the noodles had cooled to add the yolk to the noodles. And of course Gudetama's face was added at the end.<br />
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Sadly this Gudetama, unlike the okonomiyaki, lived a very short life and was mixed into the noodles pretty much right after the above photo was taken.<br />
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Since it seemed like a waste to just throw the egg whites out, Nameko threw the egg whites onto the grill to make a fried egg white to add to the udon. Delicious!<br />
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And that was the end of Gudetama...<br />
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But not the end of Nameko's cooking adventures! Amazingly enough, he was still hungry after the okonomiyaki and udon, so he decided to order another seasonal okonomiyaki: Midori no Gyuu-Suji Kabuki Dama (緑の牛スジ歌舞伎玉, literally, green beef tendon kabuki egg?!). (Cost: 950yen, 1026yen with tax.) <br />
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It wasn't just the basil sauce that was green, either; the batter itself was green! The staff member who <br />
brought the okonomiyaki kindly explained that the batter was green because it had matcha in it. Anyway, Nameko had it all mixed up and cooking on the grill in no time.<br />
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As with the Gudetama okonomiyaki, he let it cook for 5 minutes before flipping it.<br />
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Let it cook for 5 minutes and then flipped it again.<br />
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Then let it cook for a final five minutes before he added the sauce.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDEtX_A2HL6vhxqVofCGF5rH7yKC-s1e7k7mwDXVP5bC_O9Wa0B-V7XYhX9rmu1V_9Pp1PisnroVjR3qlnFGsKgOmBtXT11RXq6AgyXxYqMwI2AKMK1RKkFlcy4X8nWFUdWrZDpOmREw/s1600/IMG_3956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dohtonbori Spring Kabuki Series Green Beef Tendon Egg Okonomiyaki 道頓堀十和田店 緑の牛スジ歌舞伎玉" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDEtX_A2HL6vhxqVofCGF5rH7yKC-s1e7k7mwDXVP5bC_O9Wa0B-V7XYhX9rmu1V_9Pp1PisnroVjR3qlnFGsKgOmBtXT11RXq6AgyXxYqMwI2AKMK1RKkFlcy4X8nWFUdWrZDpOmREw/s1600/IMG_3956.JPG" height="320" title="Dohtonbori Spring Kabuki Series Green Beef Tendon Egg Okonomiyaki " width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsprR49Ion0hUE9Wxqpi4TaK_OfO1U04CeJ4GHszG_w1nneImXuwday49d3xtsV950oli3npOjxYxIN-7E9t_gK2W7UT4aLn8sRmcUjqAvVVmHr8fMpArnx695pABb8OowxExGKeO-XGM/s1600/IMG_3958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dohtonbori Spring Kabuki Series Green Beef Tendon Egg Okonomiyaki 道頓堀十和田店 緑の牛スジ歌舞伎玉" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsprR49Ion0hUE9Wxqpi4TaK_OfO1U04CeJ4GHszG_w1nneImXuwday49d3xtsV950oli3npOjxYxIN-7E9t_gK2W7UT4aLn8sRmcUjqAvVVmHr8fMpArnx695pABb8OowxExGKeO-XGM/s1600/IMG_3958.JPG" height="240" title="Dohtonbori Spring Kabuki Series Green Beef Tendon Egg Okonomiyaki" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqG0Zi1D7rOlKr35UTLGQB1kqUkrB4KpoYHx5i_r-W3-c54H2ioOV0SS2q1sungTttv3ZVAdJO_7P9h1U7s1t7JHk1VCaduUO8Oz7qtgh4i7afMCGB97coUcKJ8oOo6fng1zsLPf-lX38/s1600/IMG_3959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dohtonbori Spring Kabuki Series Green Beef Tendon Egg Okonomiyaki 道頓堀十和田店 緑の牛スジ歌舞伎玉" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqG0Zi1D7rOlKr35UTLGQB1kqUkrB4KpoYHx5i_r-W3-c54H2ioOV0SS2q1sungTttv3ZVAdJO_7P9h1U7s1t7JHk1VCaduUO8Oz7qtgh4i7afMCGB97coUcKJ8oOo6fng1zsLPf-lX38/s1600/IMG_3959.JPG" height="240" title="Dohtonbori Spring Kabuki Series Green Beef Tendon Egg Okonomiyaki " width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshLKstrlP4nBm9g8upA6xJQhRK8w4PkRxa5yzd9MN7N6a5vUmXmLWqGZcGkm_vQdsjiMTqOjo4PNheB7sHrxj9VnMrlrYvVWeCQ6SAmVpspCt-8LsnkaVfBwTkNM5g_imT7KDv0EqQrE/s1600/IMG_3961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dohtonbori Spring Kabuki Series Green Beef Tendon Egg Okonomiyaki 道頓堀十和田店 緑の牛スジ歌舞伎玉" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshLKstrlP4nBm9g8upA6xJQhRK8w4PkRxa5yzd9MN7N6a5vUmXmLWqGZcGkm_vQdsjiMTqOjo4PNheB7sHrxj9VnMrlrYvVWeCQ6SAmVpspCt-8LsnkaVfBwTkNM5g_imT7KDv0EqQrE/s1600/IMG_3961.JPG" height="240" title="Dohtonbori Spring Kabuki Series Green Beef Tendon Egg Okonomiyaki" width="320" /></a></div>
It was a bit overly salty, but otherwise delicious--both with and without mayonnaise (as recommended by a staff member).<br />
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But that wasn't the end of Nameko's gluttony! Since Nameko's owner had celebrated her birthday less than a week before, upon showing proof of her birth date, she was able to receive a free birthday dessert!<br />
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All in all a great cooking adventure for Nameko!Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-35869863507328795142015-05-03T15:46:00.001+09:002015-05-03T15:46:18.452+09:00Nameko's Hanami Adventures, Part 2 - TowadaAfter a fun but tiring Saturday at Hirosaki (see <a href="http://melt-in-japan.blogspot.com/2015/04/namekos-hanami-adventures-part-1.html">Nameko's Hanami Adventures, Part 1 - Hirosaki</a>), Nameko's hanami adventures continued on Sunday, April 27 at the <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/04/2015-towada-spring-festival.html">Towada Spring Festival</a> (春まつり <i>haru matsuri</i>). (The day out in Towada was in fact more about the various festival events than actual flower viewing.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZT7HFnUOq7jTsy3W-l0XwPBYy-uujjwhCzFFWGMC_U_i7dhcoraqK8IgM-bCd45a1gf5Cl0CvnosiClSub-Ww5da3p8zMUKn_QhZQl6qqrVUWlGly-svJWzuETVWWyH_IoJFx3Bh9zlo/s1600/IMG_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Towada Spring Festival Lantern 十和田市春まつり2015" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZT7HFnUOq7jTsy3W-l0XwPBYy-uujjwhCzFFWGMC_U_i7dhcoraqK8IgM-bCd45a1gf5Cl0CvnosiClSub-Ww5da3p8zMUKn_QhZQl6qqrVUWlGly-svJWzuETVWWyH_IoJFx3Bh9zlo/s1600/IMG_01.JPG" height="213" title="Towada Spring Festival Lantern" width="320" /></a></div>
Around noon Nameko head out to watch horseback archery (流鏑馬 <i>yabusame</i>) in Towada Central Park. It was an especially lovely sight with the cherry blossom petals raining down upon the archers and their horses.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQMpXvqSy3Zld75INeGeiH9XVuly2aH9xF8S29HssuncqdOY6P7ojnmziybOVP5vI168gHkXzLPOr0k3zMDRuHBTbaOlAVZTBDwyuuh76bXLg1zMJeUmxc4mGCwnNEnWfByo4Jq6FqaE/s1600/IMG_03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Towada Horseback Archery Sakura Yabusame 十和田市 2015桜流鏑馬" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQMpXvqSy3Zld75INeGeiH9XVuly2aH9xF8S29HssuncqdOY6P7ojnmziybOVP5vI168gHkXzLPOr0k3zMDRuHBTbaOlAVZTBDwyuuh76bXLg1zMJeUmxc4mGCwnNEnWfByo4Jq6FqaE/s1600/IMG_03.JPG" height="320" title="Towada Horseback Archery Sakura Yabusame" width="213" /></a></div>
After watching a few rounds of the yabusame competition, Nameko headed to the food stalls! He got pig's foot, mini meat buns, and fried pig's ears among other things. And since it was a hot day, he ended off the meal with "<i>hanabi ice</i>," different coloured sherbets/sorbets layered on the cone to look like <i>hanabi</i>, fireworks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4wJPQxzMptW_71Hsijo-8yUrYk2uJ2YNQ7UGW4_OQ-a_N77_-F1DiQlgufImvTqhZjG_KvOG3Z54FurEag4ZvZVHUvWjxh4IsTZ4ZDgRVprK0oWkqsjxdb19fO7RumlTh8oVn9Sbd00/s1600/IMG_05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Towada Spring Festival Hanabi Ice 十和田市春まつり 花火アイス" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4wJPQxzMptW_71Hsijo-8yUrYk2uJ2YNQ7UGW4_OQ-a_N77_-F1DiQlgufImvTqhZjG_KvOG3Z54FurEag4ZvZVHUvWjxh4IsTZ4ZDgRVprK0oWkqsjxdb19fO7RumlTh8oVn9Sbd00/s1600/IMG_05.JPG" height="320" title="Towada Spring Festival Hanabi Ice" width="240" /></a></div>
Then it was across the street to the Sakura Hiroba to watch the Yosakoi Genki Matsuri. There were a lot of people so it was a bit hard to see, but the dancers' energy and excitement was nonetheless contagious.<br />
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Once the yosakoi was finished, Nameko was feeling a little tired and
overheated so he headed to a nearby bakery and cafe, Shiroi Mori, for a
break. Along the way to the cafe, he noticed that some of the trees along Kanchogai Dori already had leaves coming out.<br />
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At Shiroi Mori, he enjoyed a cake and mini chocolate parfait set with iced tea to end off
the weekend of flower viewing and festival fun. <br />
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Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-75439921791179307162015-04-30T12:52:00.001+09:002015-05-19T13:06:34.147+09:00Nameko's Hanami Adventures, Part 1 - HirosakiIn Japan, the start of spring is marked by cherry blossom trees in full bloom. People young and old gather to picnic, drink and frolic under the cherry blossoms. Such cherry blossom viewing parties are known as <i>hanami</i> (花見 literally "flower viewing").<br />
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The blooming period for cherry blossoms is very short (just a little over one week from when the flowers are almost in full bloom until they start falling off the trees) so it can be difficult to hit the sweet spot of a weekend with good weather and nice looking cherry blossoms, but this year the timing was perfect.<br />
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So Nameko decided to spend the weekend of April 25-26 enjoying <i>hanami</i> ! <br />
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One of Japan's top cherry blossom viewing spots is in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture: Hirosaki Castle Park. There are over 2500 trees in the park, including a "Sakura Tunnel" that is particular impressive at night when illuminated by large free-standing lanterns during the Cherry Blossom Festival (さくらまつり <i>sakura matsuri</i>). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhWa295jp5j4NMPnykHrm2QVqeIh-ZbR9NKhXTzQ8hZxuTYt2cSssgLXxuRhI1KSuzZmr3tIuk6kNAx3km6LHFXX-62NH1V5LaGRuRppVqqZEqh-LHSE7qsx-Puwy2MsgYgOxuv4TbiM/s1600/IMG_3802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hirosaki Castle Park Sakura Tunnel by Day 弘前公園 日中の桜トンネル" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhWa295jp5j4NMPnykHrm2QVqeIh-ZbR9NKhXTzQ8hZxuTYt2cSssgLXxuRhI1KSuzZmr3tIuk6kNAx3km6LHFXX-62NH1V5LaGRuRppVqqZEqh-LHSE7qsx-Puwy2MsgYgOxuv4TbiM/s1600/IMG_3802.JPG" height="240" title="Hirosaki Castle Park Sakura Tunnel by Day" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hirosaki Castle Park Sakura Tunnel by Day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHh18vL92ISW4kGpVOjbs5kWFJMul-C53v9bDJ3Iitv8bFp84sasjeePG_33R8ptHh_fcQfKjh3tfBFCi66Sx3zxctQbEw4Rm2BUudpliZ-_QC23ulH_w4bouGRx_Zz44EP61lieWIOM/s1600/IMG_1332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hirosaki Castle Park Cherry Blossom Festival Sakura Tunnel by Night 弘前公園 さくらまつり 夜の桜トンネル" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHh18vL92ISW4kGpVOjbs5kWFJMul-C53v9bDJ3Iitv8bFp84sasjeePG_33R8ptHh_fcQfKjh3tfBFCi66Sx3zxctQbEw4Rm2BUudpliZ-_QC23ulH_w4bouGRx_Zz44EP61lieWIOM/s1600/IMG_1332.JPG" height="320" title="Hirosaki Castle Park Sakura Tunnel by Night" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hirosaki Castle Park Sakura Tunnel by Night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hirosaki Castle (a 3-storey castle tower reconstructed in 1810 after the
original 5-storey was struck by lightning burnt down in 1627). The stone walls under/around the castle building are undergoing repairs so this year is the last year where the castle will be visible from the red bridge. The moat surrounding the castle was drained and prepared for construction starting in Autumn 2014, so this year's Cherry Blossom Festival was the first time the moat area was open to the public to walk around in! <br />
<br />
Not wanting to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime chance to walk around the moat (and the last chance for about 10 years to see the castle in its original position), Nameko spent the first day of the weekend, Saturday, April 25 in Hirosaki Castle Park.<br />
<br />
He entered the park from the northwest, crossing a lovely green bridge, Ichoubashi. The outer moat was filled with sakura petals and simply gorgeous.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Cza1gklVs16JMKj4lUK2Zb4kddwzaA3H6QV_ylKm5rpdKISFgALdQOyyh_pTLb_E04E46pXZWt47nBjnkV0gq_AmhQeIYfZnzOTRL44qW9GcqgUd2hrMs4XkUwCakyivg6ifNKJIEBg/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hirosaki Castle Park Ichoubashi (Bridge) 弘前公園 一陽橋" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Cza1gklVs16JMKj4lUK2Zb4kddwzaA3H6QV_ylKm5rpdKISFgALdQOyyh_pTLb_E04E46pXZWt47nBjnkV0gq_AmhQeIYfZnzOTRL44qW9GcqgUd2hrMs4XkUwCakyivg6ifNKJIEBg/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" height="213" title="Hirosaki Castle Park Ichoubashi (Bridge)" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hirosaki Castle Park Ichoubashi </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kFr2PRYFAxs7kTl4pY5PbRr870Ch_czRwFagj13S7MibOsu8zEKvDASbj1EBos-0X5owWhO2nUPEOCA8gxzCE9L1v2YoKe8_aEfI8e1Our2AnsaYT9FR9d7kgw5ZjMSK9pm4e6ttIKQ/s1600/IMG_3747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hirosaki Castle Park Ichoubashi (Bridge) 弘前公園 一陽橋" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kFr2PRYFAxs7kTl4pY5PbRr870Ch_czRwFagj13S7MibOsu8zEKvDASbj1EBos-0X5owWhO2nUPEOCA8gxzCE9L1v2YoKe8_aEfI8e1Our2AnsaYT9FR9d7kgw5ZjMSK9pm4e6ttIKQ/s1600/IMG_3747.JPG" height="320" title="Hirosaki Castle Park Ichoubashi (Bridge)" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hirosaki Castle Park Ichoubashi </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once inside the park, Nameko made his way through the crowds and past many delicious looking food stands until he eventually was able to enter the inner moat for a previously impossible view of the castle.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1s2MkTe2TPvKKxDAPnIrhpGGdNrkVbSmnSSnXoBc0xMabuI5suBCFLnY5QhST52si6528HHkJ3GSycLVgYZif_HbWlDwZmbdI9bW-muKSAb3zjJoL5F-qBWWCtJFYPZCeKBsMT1U1kh8/s1600/IMG_3749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival Food Stalls 弘前さくらまつり 屋台" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1s2MkTe2TPvKKxDAPnIrhpGGdNrkVbSmnSSnXoBc0xMabuI5suBCFLnY5QhST52si6528HHkJ3GSycLVgYZif_HbWlDwZmbdI9bW-muKSAb3zjJoL5F-qBWWCtJFYPZCeKBsMT1U1kh8/s1600/IMG_3749.JPG" height="240" title="Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival Food Stalls" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival Food Stalls and Crowds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJ3_zq6YTVrORwf6KbYXOHZZNmNbRGO-hAeblMk1uhOZObZOgUhVlFTfXI9eYSGyGdjrIUDABT_4_uOrw6WVI1VWmxJh7ejl_6PtoCD7MRoK53rRp9EXhJrAO56bbthTAE2MAa2aqU6U/s1600/IMG_3755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="View of Hirosaki Castle from the Inner Moat 弘前公園 内濠から見る弘前城" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJ3_zq6YTVrORwf6KbYXOHZZNmNbRGO-hAeblMk1uhOZObZOgUhVlFTfXI9eYSGyGdjrIUDABT_4_uOrw6WVI1VWmxJh7ejl_6PtoCD7MRoK53rRp9EXhJrAO56bbthTAE2MAa2aqU6U/s1600/IMG_3755.JPG" height="240" title="View of Hirosaki Castle from the Inner Moat" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Hirosaki Castle from the Inner Moat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjPYOkg3SgeJokyP3ex7iixDJX4gN849tjAJqupLsDFBMdpv0nAT4bfqGG6Xeli78GdtIospniGNz9_dH-8Rmm2JCd-p5b4uhdj5AC5zzetit6FIilHu86jmOcDXSFHq28gEtsoZScn4/s1600/IMG_3764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="View of Hirosaki Castle from the Inner Moat 弘前公園 内濠から見る弘前城" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjPYOkg3SgeJokyP3ex7iixDJX4gN849tjAJqupLsDFBMdpv0nAT4bfqGG6Xeli78GdtIospniGNz9_dH-8Rmm2JCd-p5b4uhdj5AC5zzetit6FIilHu86jmOcDXSFHq28gEtsoZScn4/s1600/IMG_3764.JPG" height="240" title="View of Hirosaki Castle from the Inner Moat" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Hirosaki Castle from the Inner Moat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the inner moat, Nameko made his way to Honmaru (paid area of the park) for more cherry blossom trees and a great view of Mount Iwaki. It was a hot day so he stopped to get some 100% apple juice from a vending machine along the way.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviXND-ZE0xJkUTwodS4IxF6zAO4n21cL76JGM3SZ9wqf2T3QEJiKEdP-l5UOHXpdTnGE2Pn5zG8EDu-Rwihl2giu7jyLx-sfdHT_2dlVNtmF9Bsr_3P2z2SE05KvKx5Mu9XA8uYap5Tk/s1600/IMG_3773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hirosaki Castle Park Honmaru (paid area) 弘前公園 本丸 有料区域" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviXND-ZE0xJkUTwodS4IxF6zAO4n21cL76JGM3SZ9wqf2T3QEJiKEdP-l5UOHXpdTnGE2Pn5zG8EDu-Rwihl2giu7jyLx-sfdHT_2dlVNtmF9Bsr_3P2z2SE05KvKx5Mu9XA8uYap5Tk/s1600/IMG_3773.JPG" height="320" title="Hirosaki Castle Park Honmaru (paid area)" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hirosaki Castle Park Honmaru (paid area)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTY-dkD5u6y5dQFGk8gh57IdFrDqGN_3cOwno2dPytc9OhIO_ZgiKH6aQffJvvaiMvSfGS_iKaDiUYFdaVQO8lUjNGu17hUU05b_ethmsJefQkSxB4tro3tbBmub3CYvszgdp0a9JaT4/s1600/IMG_3772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hirosaki Castle Park Honmaru (paid area) 弘前公園 本丸 有料区域" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTY-dkD5u6y5dQFGk8gh57IdFrDqGN_3cOwno2dPytc9OhIO_ZgiKH6aQffJvvaiMvSfGS_iKaDiUYFdaVQO8lUjNGu17hUU05b_ethmsJefQkSxB4tro3tbBmub3CYvszgdp0a9JaT4/s1600/IMG_3772.JPG" height="240" title="Hirosaki Castle Park Honmaru (paid area)" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hirosaki Castle Park Honmaru (paid area)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlJ43kbidXKAmJ1YgddZKMUg-1sJnfLMK0S-I2NmwzirZW9sNRLAZtMODgj46GJltg9EdokL-sg6QsCI9h51V0dvjhH-DjB6y7GVyrvJN1CtPOi9-OXEkMWp4ugdgtDKKbOSFkNkU8G4/s1600/IMG_3780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Apple Juice from Vending Machine in Hirosaki Castle Park Honmaru (paid area) 自動販売機のりんごジュース 弘前公園 本丸 有料区域" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlJ43kbidXKAmJ1YgddZKMUg-1sJnfLMK0S-I2NmwzirZW9sNRLAZtMODgj46GJltg9EdokL-sg6QsCI9h51V0dvjhH-DjB6y7GVyrvJN1CtPOi9-OXEkMWp4ugdgtDKKbOSFkNkU8G4/s1600/IMG_3780.JPG" height="240" title="Apple Juice from Vending Machine in Hirosaki Castle Park Honmaru (paid area) " width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple Juice from Vending Machine in Hirosaki Castle Park Honmaru (paid area) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJsf5rtPxwfjpVaTy9z98fNk_31gQQlhv4htc-q0npuh_Qjmz0L0J_wKXbSYS5fTOsH9q24BEGIdEHazQsSPnMAowfLjWznhWxf6kELVJF17I_IwF-PFdp7asNBpr8ZnKPla2ee60BYc/s1600/IMG_3782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="View of Mount Iwaki from Hirosaki Castle Park Honmaru (paid area) 岩木山 弘前公園 本丸 有料区域" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJsf5rtPxwfjpVaTy9z98fNk_31gQQlhv4htc-q0npuh_Qjmz0L0J_wKXbSYS5fTOsH9q24BEGIdEHazQsSPnMAowfLjWznhWxf6kELVJF17I_IwF-PFdp7asNBpr8ZnKPla2ee60BYc/s1600/IMG_3782.JPG" height="240" title="View of Mount Iwaki from Hirosaki Castle Park Honmaru (paid area)" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Mount Iwaki from Hirosaki Castle Park Honmaru (paid area)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before leaving the paid area, Nameko ran into Takamaru-Kun, Hirosaki City's cool but also cute falcon/hawk mascot character! After that he went for a walk through the Sakura Tunnel, stopping to take pictures of the many people taking rental row boats out on the West Moat. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHTLWjnfaRZ6wCFnp4E6gzWo8I1fdb27-8ghUm0E5aPy1aLI9FgwNTVGRI7oPXBar8K7q7am_3CfpDbEnEETg1N5ZV1qRrtTgRuEuaBxvkbEjRwROn_sJA_03lNBSsVgg5udUk0NaBPQ/s1600/IMG_1279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hirosaki Mascot Takamaru-Kun 弘前市のマスコット たか丸くん" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHTLWjnfaRZ6wCFnp4E6gzWo8I1fdb27-8ghUm0E5aPy1aLI9FgwNTVGRI7oPXBar8K7q7am_3CfpDbEnEETg1N5ZV1qRrtTgRuEuaBxvkbEjRwROn_sJA_03lNBSsVgg5udUk0NaBPQ/s1600/IMG_1279.JPG" height="320" title="Hirosaki Mascot Takamaru-Kun" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hirosaki Mascot Takamaru-Kun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzh5H7PhMADpH68wvASwT7-4mjjVYm3rJ1HkPucYnefutN4ZIfnJbE10BMsc6MbeSKax8H9ivdzyryI0TgWsptf73aK0lp9QNiNw10QPLAtcRprysaj4STFdl3CH13EwJ5S03S3oDJ4M/s1600/IMG_3792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hirosaki Castle Park West Moat 弘前公園 西濠" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzh5H7PhMADpH68wvASwT7-4mjjVYm3rJ1HkPucYnefutN4ZIfnJbE10BMsc6MbeSKax8H9ivdzyryI0TgWsptf73aK0lp9QNiNw10QPLAtcRprysaj4STFdl3CH13EwJ5S03S3oDJ4M/s1600/IMG_3792.JPG" height="320" title="Hirosaki Castle Park West Moat" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hirosaki Castle Park West Moat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9oylVOwovUaY6GRBp5U7H6nub7GYQa8ycX4brDr_xAmoCggFfA8qsqfRJqZioLuqaQ49l1TkKHqC8ufjhF69MKWTT9sxXzoPvxMism2lbG1dq-PTnMsyOV-tQl0_M3ZV1m3tkHclqe8/s1600/IMG_3799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hirosaki Castle Park West Moat 弘前公園 西濠" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9oylVOwovUaY6GRBp5U7H6nub7GYQa8ycX4brDr_xAmoCggFfA8qsqfRJqZioLuqaQ49l1TkKHqC8ufjhF69MKWTT9sxXzoPvxMism2lbG1dq-PTnMsyOV-tQl0_M3ZV1m3tkHclqe8/s1600/IMG_3799.JPG" height="240" title="Hirosaki Castle Park West Moat" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hirosaki Castle Park West Moat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After all the walking, Nameko needed a break. So he headed to some food stalls for a steamed bun filled with sakura-flavoured bean paste, and Hirosaki Park's famous "Jumbo Konnyaku".
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAghGN3zsIYWzRraBVti9Ou8xLrYPVF98TKQ4AukuYs3GZu9i0aWOjN6oVhqvh-x3wZcukfN8z9NP1D4opdUmgXP-vPjT_8Xko8A4xIpV_2iA3P29Ntpqdn0Ehl8iRJ3Upr2UBpc84wEU/s1600/IMG_3804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sakura Man Steamed Bun 弘前さくらまつり 桜マン" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAghGN3zsIYWzRraBVti9Ou8xLrYPVF98TKQ4AukuYs3GZu9i0aWOjN6oVhqvh-x3wZcukfN8z9NP1D4opdUmgXP-vPjT_8Xko8A4xIpV_2iA3P29Ntpqdn0Ehl8iRJ3Upr2UBpc84wEU/s1600/IMG_3804.JPG" height="320" title="Sakura Man Steamed Bun" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sakura Man Steamed Bun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYoyfDi8SuaevYuOGnRzFxnQuddIxa8vpEWG-BfbWmArtmu7GEomUCsGxd4O_cyQPsxqWGHhwXqitXrBlUqrbaNrSk8nsgNBeCQkPhzTHabH2gUSSY2ZpN8ITChJ50j0I2oDsbTaHI1I/s1600/IMG_3807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sakura Man Steamed Bun 弘前さくらまつり 桜マン" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYoyfDi8SuaevYuOGnRzFxnQuddIxa8vpEWG-BfbWmArtmu7GEomUCsGxd4O_cyQPsxqWGHhwXqitXrBlUqrbaNrSk8nsgNBeCQkPhzTHabH2gUSSY2ZpN8ITChJ50j0I2oDsbTaHI1I/s1600/IMG_3807.JPG" height="240" title="Sakura Man Steamed Bun" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sakura Man Steamed Bun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpGc7FRwwM_ClPmU0xbLrm_ksgaC7TEMK14ncm6ptzz1EWAH83vwJLS4Jt_lNxMfa_Shfm0TaVntfyQFt3PSQJV7tkJuHU6t0FhYri4mupTkiDoAdavC1MkVDI-OOjXzVWPjkeTUz3Xw/s1600/IMG_3809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jumbo Konnyaku 弘前名物 ジャンボこんにゃく" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpGc7FRwwM_ClPmU0xbLrm_ksgaC7TEMK14ncm6ptzz1EWAH83vwJLS4Jt_lNxMfa_Shfm0TaVntfyQFt3PSQJV7tkJuHU6t0FhYri4mupTkiDoAdavC1MkVDI-OOjXzVWPjkeTUz3Xw/s1600/IMG_3809.JPG" height="320" title="Jumbo Konnyaku" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumbo Konnyaku</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6iMYDfDqt0479ChIM2kUFtYiZPp4DfP60cqaeLxguV_x5SE0szLD672vEh5pJgBMIAbN97ZBB1ytM0F4Lf1dld7aGgaM-ruy9Eha-9-9mKGHt47ApNL6If5Zx0wprWud9oOJJYMEKTk/s1600/IMG_3812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jumbo Konnyaku 弘前名物 ジャンボこんにゃく" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6iMYDfDqt0479ChIM2kUFtYiZPp4DfP60cqaeLxguV_x5SE0szLD672vEh5pJgBMIAbN97ZBB1ytM0F4Lf1dld7aGgaM-ruy9Eha-9-9mKGHt47ApNL6If5Zx0wprWud9oOJJYMEKTk/s1600/IMG_3812.JPG" height="240" title="Jumbo Konnyaku" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumbo Konnyaku</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Later in the afternoon it got rather chilly, so Nameko headed into town (stopping for more pictures of the outer moat) for a break at a cafe, <a href="http://www.motherleaf.jp/index.html" target="_window">Mother Leaf Tea & Waffle</a> located along the central Hirosaki shopping arcade, Dotemachi.
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTUGV_3nQ03_lsNxnnmULuuMKTgDPpjwsgsQF9AQZfTK1GWPNVX7B8Lea5aZ3a5A658MBx0ZLBvtyf-GYwh7iX2xjXQIkGVdbzljaPLp63zRClO1gzwhkFUxpXdbDHQBNcmB2msusbK4/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hirosaki Castle Park Outer Moat 弘前公園 外濠" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTUGV_3nQ03_lsNxnnmULuuMKTgDPpjwsgsQF9AQZfTK1GWPNVX7B8Lea5aZ3a5A658MBx0ZLBvtyf-GYwh7iX2xjXQIkGVdbzljaPLp63zRClO1gzwhkFUxpXdbDHQBNcmB2msusbK4/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" height="320" style="cursor: move;" title="Hirosaki Castle Park Outer Moat" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hirosaki Castle Park Outer Moat<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ-gnCEcbjUMvui49p5sF_99jWQBFMMX0-v6TS1DCo86e59Gt9Rmoy7chYiXH6YQJJvWllXZAFydYA_fQDpTOTkt9a8-J-f5muloTk8wWVZrSE921DfLMVxDoJTCDGzwYSDgSxXJPdss/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hirosaki Castle Park Outer Moat 弘前公園 外濠" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ-gnCEcbjUMvui49p5sF_99jWQBFMMX0-v6TS1DCo86e59Gt9Rmoy7chYiXH6YQJJvWllXZAFydYA_fQDpTOTkt9a8-J-f5muloTk8wWVZrSE921DfLMVxDoJTCDGzwYSDgSxXJPdss/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" height="320" title="Hirosaki Castle Park Outer Moat" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hirosaki Castle Park Outer Moat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WfLwXS1tGVpslE9Ffw-jwtI-7tZM2eQmHsumk_X2H5cdFDN8pBv_piiW6r69vtQOL9qc4-0JRgxFUKKEYyStLdjscb4ba0dMj9zisFLWdp6vdTpKskec69okwtdGxWilUTE88FVTS8k/s1600/IMG_3816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Waffle with Vanilla Ice Cream Topping and Lychee & Grapefruit Tea at Mother Leaf マザーリーフ弘前店 ワッフルとバニラアイス ライチ&グレープフルーツティー" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WfLwXS1tGVpslE9Ffw-jwtI-7tZM2eQmHsumk_X2H5cdFDN8pBv_piiW6r69vtQOL9qc4-0JRgxFUKKEYyStLdjscb4ba0dMj9zisFLWdp6vdTpKskec69okwtdGxWilUTE88FVTS8k/s1600/IMG_3816.JPG" height="320" title="Waffle with Vanilla Ice Cream Topping and Lychee & Grapefruit Tea at Mother Leaf " width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waffle with Vanilla Ice Cream Topping and Lychee & Grapefruit Tea at Mother Leaf </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the short break, it was back to the park to enjoy the <i>yozakura</i> (夜桜 cherry blossoms at night)!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aW9PRaTu52lsgmc2wSqZc3iwzhYhRrrbknQSWznR44AMHLz85lJoGS3ChTo71X2zm3CMMR0LUqkKFSK3wO7fkWrUuZfri9aERZT4376vtpzQqDOCM-PEGOeUwked6ENu6sKXihnzo48/s1600/IMG_3817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lantern 弘前さくらまつり 提灯" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aW9PRaTu52lsgmc2wSqZc3iwzhYhRrrbknQSWznR44AMHLz85lJoGS3ChTo71X2zm3CMMR0LUqkKFSK3wO7fkWrUuZfri9aERZT4376vtpzQqDOCM-PEGOeUwked6ENu6sKXihnzo48/s1600/IMG_3817.JPG" height="320" title="Lantern" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sakura Matsuri Lantern</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYf1sWWEQc-da-l1HrEKPovrnOfARW7nlmiBT88GMwd5f-D3eFLKggzWPBGu6se_3vO4LUn2ReAvI5z6EWR5FCDd046KeZGE0HMR5jZ1m-g1NK0MPwtWRZtQAAAYdh24XE_NOS0Py4Vs/s1600/IMG_3819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hirosaki Castle Park West Moat at Night 弘前公園 夜の西濠" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYf1sWWEQc-da-l1HrEKPovrnOfARW7nlmiBT88GMwd5f-D3eFLKggzWPBGu6se_3vO4LUn2ReAvI5z6EWR5FCDd046KeZGE0HMR5jZ1m-g1NK0MPwtWRZtQAAAYdh24XE_NOS0Py4Vs/s1600/IMG_3819.JPG" height="240" title="Hirosaki Castle Park West Moat at Night" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hirosaki Castle Park West Moat at Night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Although still rather full from the waffle, Nameko <i>had</i> to have some Dakekimi Corn Tempura right before leaving for a delicious end to the day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoxTPpO8Lu-lfPsUIAJTzRKQ6P3bMUWaYHHifTDLyIi6ZTUNnNhyphenhyphen-Qd_Se0XD00yIcTFUOPJchGM6tqO4YEnAoqZ7hgefYxTGcJ_oDX_a3cj6Jns46XR7qCx4TwNXhWIHvHyzmkSRph8/s1600/IMG_3823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoxTPpO8Lu-lfPsUIAJTzRKQ6P3bMUWaYHHifTDLyIi6ZTUNnNhyphenhyphen-Qd_Se0XD00yIcTFUOPJchGM6tqO4YEnAoqZ7hgefYxTGcJ_oDX_a3cj6Jns46XR7qCx4TwNXhWIHvHyzmkSRph8/s1600/IMG_3823.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b>More Information:</b><br />
Towada and Beyond, "2015 Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival": <br />
<a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/04/2015-hirosaki-cherry-blossom-festival.html" target="_blank">http://towada-city.blogspot.com/2015/04/2015-hirosaki-cherry-blossom-festival.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>Sources:</b><br />
Japan-Guide.com, "Hirosaki Castle": <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3700.html" target="_blank">http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3700.html</a><br />
Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Bureau, "Hirosaki Castle, reconstruction of stonewalls schedule": <a href="http://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/en/edit.html?id=edit12" target="_blank">http://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/en/edit.html?id=edit12</a> Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-11337726680487645752015-04-15T11:17:00.001+09:002015-05-03T21:22:40.007+09:00Lawson Gudetama SweetsGudetama is a Sanrio character created in 2013. He is a lazy, lethargic egg.<br />
<br />
At first I thought it was a really strange idea for a character, but after seeing the character in action (in short animations, comics, and Twitter pictures), his unique personality came to grow on me--probably because I'm pretty lazy myself.<br />
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Lawson started selling Gudetama-themed foods starting in late March. They are limited in quantity, so best not to wait if you see them and want to try them!<br />
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Here are some of the sweets I have managed to try so far:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOvZLQJJ0XW-F9EQe3oJIn8jqt5hSrgTXPo7BdWQL0wWMjlf0Qdc0VJrTmB3VA5dDNOJxMdO3o9IatqTIWucUg0nOU9Ri1S21-igtyjXF4e-IOVddC55eH1Txs-C4xIuig-QdKw4t-vM/s1600/IMG_3402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lawson Gudetama Mango Almond Jello & Egg Bread ローソン ぐでたま マンゴ杏仁豆腐 たまごぱん" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOvZLQJJ0XW-F9EQe3oJIn8jqt5hSrgTXPo7BdWQL0wWMjlf0Qdc0VJrTmB3VA5dDNOJxMdO3o9IatqTIWucUg0nOU9Ri1S21-igtyjXF4e-IOVddC55eH1Txs-C4xIuig-QdKw4t-vM/s1600/IMG_3402.JPG" height="240" title="Lawson Gudetama Mango Almond Jello & Egg Bread" width="320" /></a></div>
Gudetama Mango Almond Jello ぐでたま マンゴ杏仁豆腐 (<i>gudetama mango annin dofu</i>) 195yen *probably sold out*<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0E55Pvf0WIofXcfWPRr9W75cKdjurIAeXVmqAs89xY3HZg5iPIcILr2lsR6sU1KsRE_PGKbJTPm5v_jbYPNR0s8mgWWzlg3z7TMXyjfhy7XLgPQnIj4kJWh4l77ubmCXWuLxqNoxYqj4/s1600/IMG_3418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lawson Gudetama Mango Almond Jello ローソン ぐでたま マンゴ杏仁豆腐" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0E55Pvf0WIofXcfWPRr9W75cKdjurIAeXVmqAs89xY3HZg5iPIcILr2lsR6sU1KsRE_PGKbJTPm5v_jbYPNR0s8mgWWzlg3z7TMXyjfhy7XLgPQnIj4kJWh4l77ubmCXWuLxqNoxYqj4/s1600/IMG_3418.JPG" height="240" title="Lawson Gudetama Mango Almond Jello" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_C1FnqSi-Ea3e-LEbGLr8AsJAmLb0TngiHBKReclf5-zfefC96m59mMNHc9noumolFcenlinMJTyv3GE6JWJrtksZLwYDwuR6L_eZuNeLeBNFUcxX90ThiA54fD_nf9nQNLXyzmbqLs/s1600/IMG_3420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lawson Gudetama Mango Almond Jello ローソン ぐでたま マンゴ杏仁豆腐" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_C1FnqSi-Ea3e-LEbGLr8AsJAmLb0TngiHBKReclf5-zfefC96m59mMNHc9noumolFcenlinMJTyv3GE6JWJrtksZLwYDwuR6L_eZuNeLeBNFUcxX90ThiA54fD_nf9nQNLXyzmbqLs/s1600/IMG_3420.JPG" height="240" title="Lawson Gudetama Mango Almond Jello" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4DAQLZAadiHWxdK_ymTl6AhBC-62djN1nzhNVOaCdfQZTRKr2qR71Io8_2WQy3k9YqAxtq8XK1_NM1DiVupGui0fANjvp5pB6_Zje_W5eeItuRFOTFuIpsWIsXHOvg13v_7OwltGIRE/s1600/IMG_3421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lawson Gudetama Mango Almond Jello ローソン ぐでたま マンゴ杏仁豆腐" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4DAQLZAadiHWxdK_ymTl6AhBC-62djN1nzhNVOaCdfQZTRKr2qR71Io8_2WQy3k9YqAxtq8XK1_NM1DiVupGui0fANjvp5pB6_Zje_W5eeItuRFOTFuIpsWIsXHOvg13v_7OwltGIRE/s1600/IMG_3421.JPG" height="240" title="Lawson Gudetama Mango Almond Jello " width="320" /></a></div>
As you can see, the Gudetama face is just printed on the plastic covering the pudding. Taste-wise, a standard/straight forward mango pudding and almond jello. Tasty but a bit pricey for what you get.<br />
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Egg Bread くでたま たまごぱん (<i>gudetama tamagopan</i>) 130yen *may still be available*<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuSIPF5qwoC95-dap6XzOscZWAKpVR1homBFPD3ln8rPHrsYJabXXLKOO2oN2I3HVwqFkpZaEaj3iDXCRCdPd5IqCfZ_0Wl1YhMe44WHgR-2l7x1POwwW8MRR4Z19N6-4o9ETFjQdu5s/s1600/IMG_3407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lawson Gudetama Egg Bread ローソン ぐでたま たまごぱん" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuSIPF5qwoC95-dap6XzOscZWAKpVR1homBFPD3ln8rPHrsYJabXXLKOO2oN2I3HVwqFkpZaEaj3iDXCRCdPd5IqCfZ_0Wl1YhMe44WHgR-2l7x1POwwW8MRR4Z19N6-4o9ETFjQdu5s/s1600/IMG_3407.JPG" height="320" title="Lawson Gudetama Egg Bread" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6ep3BCgAK4Qz-a2yuWhCKLTQjAnxHVeGLl_FoBwquaOeeqr0SCrVPeYhlzzEiGOgptMeTnaobvDh2e1K2jz_xomToz75y1w2f_U69xHWt4KyUaOFPqT8-g-1j5YbAOzRaO6EZN0MdcI/s1600/IMG_3409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lawson Gudetama Egg Bread ローソン ぐでたま たまごぱん" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6ep3BCgAK4Qz-a2yuWhCKLTQjAnxHVeGLl_FoBwquaOeeqr0SCrVPeYhlzzEiGOgptMeTnaobvDh2e1K2jz_xomToz75y1w2f_U69xHWt4KyUaOFPqT8-g-1j5YbAOzRaO6EZN0MdcI/s1600/IMG_3409.JPG" height="320" title="Lawson Gudetama Egg Bread" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeUG1LN3tp1nMWenWC-p6BFuWE1Hm66Y8ivzeY9-YtUAC3inLbtd0QTu5jwEIiHit3AfQFb97N2rp70e0ADuQrNu7AYAA0VTduK3OS7smGwO79Fa3ee-DqheILV2nRHj2dsICBAjHaYI/s1600/IMG_3410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lawson Gudetama Egg Bread ローソン ぐでたま たまごぱん" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeUG1LN3tp1nMWenWC-p6BFuWE1Hm66Y8ivzeY9-YtUAC3inLbtd0QTu5jwEIiHit3AfQFb97N2rp70e0ADuQrNu7AYAA0VTduK3OS7smGwO79Fa3ee-DqheILV2nRHj2dsICBAjHaYI/s1600/IMG_3410.JPG" height="240" title="Lawson Gudetama Egg Bread " width="320" /></a></div>
Castella sponge cake-like filling wrapped in a cookie/biscuit dough--like melon pan. Loved how the shape and yellow inside really made it look like an egg! Good value for the price, too, since it was quite filling. I would buy it again. <br />
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Gudetama Pudding くでたま プリン 240yen *should still be available* <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGz5OAJV3DmqVJfUEU0ugnRp0YMAxj6TSxDEfIMgSY7LvXbsmNQMm8xPQ_Xb1WSThhoPWfj4rwhwE7SFr1d486TjbkxhZOmOhqs1pP9Zvc9vUkszpK1gXoiswBoysJqz_1gPLxL3a2SFo/s1600/IMG_3491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lawson Gudetama Pudding ローソン ぐでたま プリン" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGz5OAJV3DmqVJfUEU0ugnRp0YMAxj6TSxDEfIMgSY7LvXbsmNQMm8xPQ_Xb1WSThhoPWfj4rwhwE7SFr1d486TjbkxhZOmOhqs1pP9Zvc9vUkszpK1gXoiswBoysJqz_1gPLxL3a2SFo/s1600/IMG_3491.JPG" height="320" title="Lawson Gudetama Pudding" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrh1aCMbmvx8sxos5qeANAbL8H0HxalCwfUAu9InYbl1uq19sc6C47RdhRl6OYHsOKuuVT58QZOG5XvOXNoXQjYlX-LgKd6HCeBV6BvkPkNVfw8fckMQu8v40xzcJZ3y5phBwb6WRypqc/s1600/IMG_3492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lawson Gudetama Pudding ローソン ぐでたま プリン" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrh1aCMbmvx8sxos5qeANAbL8H0HxalCwfUAu9InYbl1uq19sc6C47RdhRl6OYHsOKuuVT58QZOG5XvOXNoXQjYlX-LgKd6HCeBV6BvkPkNVfw8fckMQu8v40xzcJZ3y5phBwb6WRypqc/s1600/IMG_3492.JPG" height="320" title="Lawson Gudetama Pudding" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbSoU6EWFvhfXbs08sVTvHhkkxOw633HN6th9WqixLLWtXkKgRaAaIBzeiHCtwrWtjQU3wDrfV5KygFBCdJzDPiT8FhlWpgKkbpJac_lqtN5cH9-E4H_1HpV6qjukZ5k-lTgl-X20GLU/s1600/IMG_3494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lawson Gudetama Pudding ローソン ぐでたま プリン" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbSoU6EWFvhfXbs08sVTvHhkkxOw633HN6th9WqixLLWtXkKgRaAaIBzeiHCtwrWtjQU3wDrfV5KygFBCdJzDPiT8FhlWpgKkbpJac_lqtN5cH9-E4H_1HpV6qjukZ5k-lTgl-X20GLU/s1600/IMG_3494.JPG" height="320" title="Lawson Gudetama Pudding" width="240" /></a></div>
Like the Gudetama Mango Almond Pudding, the face is simply printed on the plastic around the pudding. Didn't really like the thin sponge-cake-type layer at the bottom of the pudding. Also, to keep the pudding from losing its shape, it was firmer than the typical Japanese pudding which I didn't really like. It was worth trying once, but I would rather get a bigger, tastier, and cheaper "normal" pudding rather than paying a premium for the cute packaging.<br />
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More Gudetama Information: <br />
Gudetama Sanrio Character Page (Japanese): <a href="http://www.sanrio.co.jp/character/gudetama/">http://www.sanrio.co.jp/character/gudetama/</a> <br />
Gudetama Short Animation Playlist (Japanese): <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFNUyl__hoIg1iIxNsf28sPori9P6CZoT" target="_blank">YouTube</a><br />
RocketNews24: "<a href="http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/05/11/meet-the-most-unmotivated-sanrio-character-ever-gudetama-the-lazy-egg/" target="_blank">Meet the most unmotivated Sanrio character ever -- Gudetama, the lazy egg!</a>" Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-17113862080559356712015-03-08T16:32:00.000+09:002015-04-13T11:33:30.579+09:00Manga-Inspired GluttonyI love food manga. Last year I started reading a manga series called "It will be breakfast at Tiffany someday" (いつかティファニーで朝食を <i>Itsuka Tiffany de Choushoku wo</i>) by Maki Hirochi, published by Bunch Comics, Shinchosha. (Only five books in the picture, but there are currently 6 volumes of the manga out.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZS_VgdyhKnRF1DzkwKDRQrl6t3B2aErtTK3pxh7Mmr6EVJQxX3si3CDgTFfcaFY5qHXalUwtLzOOhNnQKiBMaxGYA91PGTuR6m3ge08Vh3DeuYJaAInigFK7GAyDJCWWCOS5KRq5APY/s1600/IMG_3079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="It will be breakfast at Tiffany someday いつかティファニーで朝食を マキヒロチ" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZS_VgdyhKnRF1DzkwKDRQrl6t3B2aErtTK3pxh7Mmr6EVJQxX3si3CDgTFfcaFY5qHXalUwtLzOOhNnQKiBMaxGYA91PGTuR6m3ge08Vh3DeuYJaAInigFK7GAyDJCWWCOS5KRq5APY/s1600/IMG_3079.JPG" height="240" title="It will be breakfast at Tiffany someday Maki Hirochi" width="320" /></a></div>
The protagonist, Mariko, grew up enjoying eating breakfast with her family as a child, but as a working adult living with a boyfriend working late hours, she finds that they sleep in late and can't be bothered to eat a proper meal together in the morning. After going out for breakfast with a group of girl friends, she realizes that she is losing her sense of self in her efforts to accommodate her boyfriend's schedule/routine and that his lack of understanding of her desire to enjoy breakfast together is a sign of bigger problems with their relationship. She decides to move out of their apartment and break up with her boyfriend in order to start a new life of enjoying breakfasts.<br />
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Apart from enjoying the story, what I like about this manga is that it features a lot of different real cafes and restaurants where you can eat breakfast in Japan--mostly in Tokyo, although she does go on business trips to Nagoya, etc., so there are other places as well.<br />
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A spin-off manga series starring the boyfriend she broke up with also started recently; "Sotaro's lonely lunch of business trip" (創太郎の出張ぼっちめし <i>Soutarou no Bocchi Meshi</i>).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GPP1kUDbkMsRAzwo6YMwikXPhs87wa-M2re6jXlPsefmnEY1xEn2thiz3xoFgL55vCa5wmTFEwQpcN5dW8b8rU28FRvgpMUaGvNyR4PnlEAxGfFTj9b7b-DtXSEZ3fbyw5Yiybd5Sn8/s1600/IMG_3080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sotaro's lonely lunch of business trip Maki Hirochi 創太郎の出張ぼっちめし マキヒロチ" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GPP1kUDbkMsRAzwo6YMwikXPhs87wa-M2re6jXlPsefmnEY1xEn2thiz3xoFgL55vCa5wmTFEwQpcN5dW8b8rU28FRvgpMUaGvNyR4PnlEAxGfFTj9b7b-DtXSEZ3fbyw5Yiybd5Sn8/s1600/IMG_3080.JPG" height="320" title="Sotaro's lonely lunch of business trip Maki Hirochi" width="240" /></a></div>
Sotaro is not a gourmand by any means of the imagination. When he goes on business trips, he usually eats at chain restaurants because it's easy and he knows that the food/quality is generally the same wherever he goes. When a co-worker nags him into going out of his comfort zone and checking out a local restaurant (alone) on the last day of a business trip, he discovers the joy of trying out new places to eat. From there on, he decides to make the most of his business trips by trying out local restaurants instead of going to chain restaurants.<br />
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In the first (and so far only) volume of this manga, Sotaro actually goes on a business trip to Aomori City and goes to a cafe that neither my husband (who worked in Aomori City for a couple of years before moving to Towada) nor I had ever been to before. Obviously, I was very interested in checking the cafe out! <br />
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My husband had a meeting in Aomori City from 10am-12pm this past Saturday morning, so I went with him to Aomori and spent most of the time while he was in the meeting at the cafe, Kissa Marron 喫茶マロン (also known as Marron Coffee/Coffee Marron マロン珈琲店). <br />
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It has a great retro look and feel, and the atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly. It clearly appeals to a wide range of people, since in the slightly over two hours I was there, I saw single diners (male and female), couples, groups of friends, and families (mother and daughter, and mother and son) all come in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFe8ucocgt6szCJXU2gspXKp87rhoYvn8cOO0u-7VCG7T7ftLUsZG5hMRbi1ttb3PH6B0on8df9lafmH-PjH7xLM6BRm4WhvQmPgskIdg8vz0TQWHykyZjG0Jvlqw2smn1a1wcIcha1o/s1600/IMG_3023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kissa Marron 喫茶マロンMarron Coffee Coffee Marron マロン珈琲店" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFe8ucocgt6szCJXU2gspXKp87rhoYvn8cOO0u-7VCG7T7ftLUsZG5hMRbi1ttb3PH6B0on8df9lafmH-PjH7xLM6BRm4WhvQmPgskIdg8vz0TQWHykyZjG0Jvlqw2smn1a1wcIcha1o/s1600/IMG_3023.JPG" height="320" title="Kissa Marron " width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahywTiO4nbPXyQcBiBEYeydR8EiAoTfgniht8vfNvbotxU1-h-lwCFigXgibmWZGEoeKBtc_TFCa9hCoAEFZH9djvyNYLyBmX9AOfe1o7dOwVB9AmTzQyWfB5tWa7pDKYI7i7y9c3efY/s1600/IMG_3024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kissa Marron 喫茶マロンMarron Coffee Coffee Marron マロン珈琲店" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahywTiO4nbPXyQcBiBEYeydR8EiAoTfgniht8vfNvbotxU1-h-lwCFigXgibmWZGEoeKBtc_TFCa9hCoAEFZH9djvyNYLyBmX9AOfe1o7dOwVB9AmTzQyWfB5tWa7pDKYI7i7y9c3efY/s1600/IMG_3024.JPG" height="320" title="Kissa Marron" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDmfwymYvYrCEGszuLJBBuAofEQwp-FjA2URw-xmWw-ddGvb0agKxV1jDNIhDExQHjjRszgTznvJOxSJex3cSx2dcSgRGcP71QNk-1rZUlFX_KA1bqnHqLsxzC3cmb5FpXYBd9_e4QRE/s1600/IMG_3025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kissa Marron 喫茶マロンMarron Coffee Coffee Marron マロン珈琲店" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDmfwymYvYrCEGszuLJBBuAofEQwp-FjA2URw-xmWw-ddGvb0agKxV1jDNIhDExQHjjRszgTznvJOxSJex3cSx2dcSgRGcP71QNk-1rZUlFX_KA1bqnHqLsxzC3cmb5FpXYBd9_e4QRE/s1600/IMG_3025.JPG" height="320" title="Kissa Marron" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMoSJPsqe5H9sYqkNOUtJMJo-i-ML60ljVCdPfsCF6qsEURyeVyNN08ngjjNLtJHiFfIDQan1eTbx1ekpm56bPRxvvqYyDikNrL9Bb0yqe55ObfRJ8nvb0D9rR5o4EvfHiO0zqkhq1TU/s1600/IMG_3033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kissa Marron 喫茶マロンMarron Coffee Coffee Marron マロン珈琲店" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMoSJPsqe5H9sYqkNOUtJMJo-i-ML60ljVCdPfsCF6qsEURyeVyNN08ngjjNLtJHiFfIDQan1eTbx1ekpm56bPRxvvqYyDikNrL9Bb0yqe55ObfRJ8nvb0D9rR5o4EvfHiO0zqkhq1TU/s1600/IMG_3033.JPG" height="320" title="Kissa Marron" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa4Lo2A0YTHEHdwo_PO3zV97sYsE__hxpVeJshxBOBLUytBOPQXjsUYtjtfv5SBX3nufUC_BWmHE-lcGBVzb_h5wCn7Xg-hK7h9WZzIbI59r8j-cxiBqOldSa05y2yXcn_sjIm_fhayY/s1600/IMG_3034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kissa Marron 喫茶マロンMarron Coffee Coffee Marron マロン珈琲店" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa4Lo2A0YTHEHdwo_PO3zV97sYsE__hxpVeJshxBOBLUytBOPQXjsUYtjtfv5SBX3nufUC_BWmHE-lcGBVzb_h5wCn7Xg-hK7h9WZzIbI59r8j-cxiBqOldSa05y2yXcn_sjIm_fhayY/s1600/IMG_3034.JPG" height="320" title="Kissa Marron" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIukdNwnXyO03fMTnRILAdPkcys07r9ahu_-Vvd2yTXcXPxe7FZ3n18RCqNkgU3KyUi4ePDHMLRNTnR2YqrxpFPFpZhE75UuIRbRmQMLWFcF6GexgV-aey9W4rZfC5-yTWE3pMe_a9qA/s1600/IMG_3037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kissa Marron 喫茶マロンMarron Coffee Coffee Marron マロン珈琲店" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIukdNwnXyO03fMTnRILAdPkcys07r9ahu_-Vvd2yTXcXPxe7FZ3n18RCqNkgU3KyUi4ePDHMLRNTnR2YqrxpFPFpZhE75UuIRbRmQMLWFcF6GexgV-aey9W4rZfC5-yTWE3pMe_a9qA/s1600/IMG_3037.JPG" height="240" title="Kissa Marron" width="320" /></a></div>
Since we had skipped breakfast, I took advantage of their "morning service" (7am-11am)--you get free thick-cut toast and a boiled egg for free with the purchase of a drink. You can also pay a little extra to get add-ons like jam on the toast, or ham and cheese, etc. etc., but this time I stuck with the standard set. The hot chocolate ('cocoa") I ordered was dark and rich, and not overly sweet--definitely a good choice!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aHWosa1l3_gIJDggGX5mshlwlvAFQskTlgLZHBn6XMXzBmruQVHjwMIGUtGBVneuTB6-jM5s-7WjUA_jKR1Wr6YfBpnb7bXr5jvpmVfCzVmcAUtHYRpq9Fkfe2kOD5o7AjJ-nEQsuu4/s1600/IMG_3039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Morning Service with Cocoa ココアのモーニングサービス Kissa Marron 喫茶マロンMarron Coffee Coffee Marron マロン珈琲店" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aHWosa1l3_gIJDggGX5mshlwlvAFQskTlgLZHBn6XMXzBmruQVHjwMIGUtGBVneuTB6-jM5s-7WjUA_jKR1Wr6YfBpnb7bXr5jvpmVfCzVmcAUtHYRpq9Fkfe2kOD5o7AjJ-nEQsuu4/s1600/IMG_3039.JPG" height="320" title="Morning Service with Cocoa Kissa Marron" width="240" /></a></div>
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While I was enjoying my "morning service," I heard a number of people ordering the <i>kabocha purin</i> (pumpkin pudding). Once I found out that it is a seasonal item, only available from fall to spring, of course, I naturally had to try it as well. I expected it to be like something you could get in a grocery store--an orange coloured pudding served in a dish--so was quite surprised when it came out looking more like a rare cheese cake!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhP9tk3GazrhhMVVxw3XthBvWRKQyT2qHFawBIkF81SifYYIsMCWDykfyY2xuf0GMmdmuPP2hwJXKLBeEo25knG6RKAKH2zS03jYb4bNlOr3lxnmZCTswDcf8LVNOQVz2Zf91ru1b_W4/s1600/IMG_3044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pumpkin Pudding かぼちゃプリン Kissa Marron 喫茶マロン Marron Coffee Coffee Marron マロン珈琲店" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhP9tk3GazrhhMVVxw3XthBvWRKQyT2qHFawBIkF81SifYYIsMCWDykfyY2xuf0GMmdmuPP2hwJXKLBeEo25knG6RKAKH2zS03jYb4bNlOr3lxnmZCTswDcf8LVNOQVz2Zf91ru1b_W4/s1600/IMG_3044.JPG" height="240" title="Pumpkin Pudding Kissa Marron" width="320" /></a></div>
Although the pumpkin taste wasn't very strong--it only hit as a very subtle when I was mostly done eating it--and the pudding was not at all what I had expected, it was nonetheless very tasty.<br />
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I had the "morning service" around 10:00am and the pumpkin pudding around 10:30am. Since the manga had featured "Jamaican curry" (ジャマイカンカレー), I couldn't very well leave without trying that, so around 11:00am (the start of "lunch service"--a drink comes with the lunch), I ordered the Jamaican curry (comes with a "stick salad").<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqQDqHGmKN0SCSpxnkSDvq3KGHbg_tueeweEFwn0yViDUFQWDaaVnCj49p0tKSO4_sBhj2YCbG6ToZHrD3Axyl_fpXwJfYWBMd3SCKiR0sk7M8LCOfoIE2sMl_W1MD4jC2CUui7fCXHI/s1600/IMG_3048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jamaican Curry ジャマイカンカレー Kissa Marron 喫茶マロン Marron Coffee Coffee Marron マロン珈琲店" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqQDqHGmKN0SCSpxnkSDvq3KGHbg_tueeweEFwn0yViDUFQWDaaVnCj49p0tKSO4_sBhj2YCbG6ToZHrD3Axyl_fpXwJfYWBMd3SCKiR0sk7M8LCOfoIE2sMl_W1MD4jC2CUui7fCXHI/s1600/IMG_3048.JPG" height="240" title="Jamaican Curry Kissa Marron" width="320" /></a></div>
It was really delicious, but it was a loooooot of food. I somehow managed to finish everything, but that was probably the first time I have ever eaten so much that my stomach actually hurt. I didn't linger after finishing eating but left so I could stand up and walk around--I felt like I would explode if I stayed seated. (Plus the cafe was pretty much full and I wanted to open up a table for more customers.)<br />
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My husband scolded me for being too greedy when I told him how much I had eaten, but I rather thought that it was his fault for not being there to share with me so I could try more food! :P (jokes) I did feel sheepish, though, when I remembered that I had heard people ordering take-out, so I probably could have just asked them to box up whatever I couldn't finish rather than forcing myself to eat everything! Since not all restaurants/cafes in Japan allow people to take doggy bags, I've gotten used to assuming that everything is strictly eat-in only.<br />
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Oh well, next time I plan to go <i>with</i> my husband so I can try out more of the menu: the "tuna curry toast" (comes with a side of fruit) sounded really tempting and there's also still the "Marron parfait" featured in the manga that I wasn't able to try since it is only served after 2:00pm.<br />
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(I probably won't have to wait long for my chance, since apparently my husband has a meeting in Aomori next Sunday afternoon...!)<br />
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<b>Kissa Marron 喫茶マロン</b><br />
(a.k.a. Marron Coffee/Coffee Marron マロン珈琲店)<br />
<b>Hours:</b> 7:00-21:00 Daily (closed 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month)<br />
"Morning Service" 7:00-11:00; "Lunch Service" 11:00-14:00 <br />
<b>Phone:</b> 017-722-4575 <br />
<b>Parking:</b> N/A (pay parking across the street)<br />
*Take-Out Available*<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d3019.0383637738582!2d140.74150699999998!3d40.827121000000005!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x5f9b9f1df14364cf%3A0x79645d256fae8c27!2z44Oe44Ot44Oz54-I55Cy5bqX!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1425798840549" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-9205641307853132812015-02-25T22:32:00.002+09:002015-02-25T22:32:42.726+09:00Afternoon Tea x PockyKirin bottled tea brand "<i>Gogo no Koucha</i>" (午後の紅茶 meaning "Afternoon Tea") and Glico's "Pocky Midi" currently have a collaboration product campaign going on.<br />
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If you buy a bottle of Gogo no Koucha's "<i>Honnori Cinnamon no Apple Tea</i>" (ほんのりシナモンのアップルティー meaning "<b><i>faintly</i></b> cinnamon apple tea") and a box of "Butter Hanayagu Potteri Custard" (バター華やぐ ぽってりカスタード loosely meaning "Buttery Rich Custard") Pocky Midi, you can combine the packages to make a charming fairytale scene.<br />
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<a href="http://www-origin.pocky.jp/products/midi_gogo/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_window"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkv2tJxNVaT66Ou5QH_P-H9CVvg1G6StA6d3e-U_xTiKKApHgJbPMk-iFJ66UuFtjsUtPnvzvCMxnbeA1x-Kq718bifbSLlTotdgnjrUskw4em0KtunBEi19iIm36yXrIDNrhVzdVne8I/s1600/10363238_10155155972415562_3487041285695992770_n.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
Being a sucker for advertising--although I also do happen to like both Gogo no Koucha and Pocky quite a lot--of course I had to go out and buy both products shortly after seeing the ad. (At Lawson's, it was 151yen for the Gogo no Koucha, and 193 yen for the Pocky Midi.) <br />
<br />
On the package, it recommends drinking some tea eating some Pocky, and then drinking tea again for the best taste experience. Apparently the tea is supposed to taste different after eating the Pocky, but I honestly couldn't tell the difference.<br />
<br />
The tea is tasty; although if you are hoping for a good balance of cinnamon and apple, you'll probably be disappointed since--true to the flavour name--it really is nothing more than a "faint" after taste of cinnamon at best. But--as I find to be the case with most white-chocolate based treats--the Pocky is rather over sweet. Surprisingly it does actually have a bit of a buttery taste, though, so it's not just a standard custard flavour. <br />
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What I liked most about the products, though, is the variety of arrangements possible due to the fact that there are two different Pocky box designs and the label on the tea also has two different designs.<br />
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Based on the advertising, it's likely the makers intended them to be aligned in this manner:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-KKBvRJxexU3la6CBDdAs0t-pAkX03RBZAVp25c2JT6GYiqlDgLCP4pUfx6GJHw5Qt7sgKhc8SUrbWsQ_0-nD5LXtk-kMOngOJOVq9xMM7mtfsK-OnVij9YmOtEMNYi4ckuoQVMfelM/s1600/IMG_2688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gogo no Koucha x Pocky Midi Princess x Prince Design" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-KKBvRJxexU3la6CBDdAs0t-pAkX03RBZAVp25c2JT6GYiqlDgLCP4pUfx6GJHw5Qt7sgKhc8SUrbWsQ_0-nD5LXtk-kMOngOJOVq9xMM7mtfsK-OnVij9YmOtEMNYi4ckuoQVMfelM/s1600/IMG_2688.JPG" height="320" title="Gogo no Koucha Princess Design x Pocky Midi Prince Design" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexr6wm3BdX-7vtLTAladLbUw1sKJ2QtVsWgBTt0BMh7IE-GlJwy6F_r1yOizDp4JiBxWtk7gnA6t5ZMzx4i748Fz0aYBOoVvKbyYvuMqtpo-R1KV7XRKDmx_pPTTw7L92yvvNBheHQRg/s1600/IMG_2729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gogo no Koucha x Pocky Midi Prince x Princess Design" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexr6wm3BdX-7vtLTAladLbUw1sKJ2QtVsWgBTt0BMh7IE-GlJwy6F_r1yOizDp4JiBxWtk7gnA6t5ZMzx4i748Fz0aYBOoVvKbyYvuMqtpo-R1KV7XRKDmx_pPTTw7L92yvvNBheHQRg/s1600/IMG_2729.JPG" height="320" title="Gogo no Koucha Prince Design x Pocky Midi Princess Design" width="240" /></a></div>
But the products can also be aligned in this manner if you so desire:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmlQ8Esnah33YWju1hpm5Xl0L-eTjyvvcobDcuqOEShsWTrs8eZFvLvGFw7c196agerJ9Y4wJngM15wZLXud5LJiAEuftGxmhCis6vjUFJ6qhJe6BTy66FRtdVDoYQXbn6O9mf9rOoDk/s1600/IMG_2689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gogo no Koucha x Pocky Midi Prince x Prince Design" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmlQ8Esnah33YWju1hpm5Xl0L-eTjyvvcobDcuqOEShsWTrs8eZFvLvGFw7c196agerJ9Y4wJngM15wZLXud5LJiAEuftGxmhCis6vjUFJ6qhJe6BTy66FRtdVDoYQXbn6O9mf9rOoDk/s1600/IMG_2689.JPG" height="320" title="Gogo no Koucha Prince Design x Pocky Midi Prince Design" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGb2dG8okQMSHnVpfwTBuEyRdg3m8fSAFbzvoi7Xg02YsR3BWnQlLdjynrVJtqlIJOXQ91MAab4I0K8Wres2ouVOCwxqIunE3AZ9xE1Ce11IXic2QQbj39mIfBujvwGVGL3bESJl1_6Y/s1600/IMG_2731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gogo no Koucha x Pocky Midi Princess x Princess Design" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGb2dG8okQMSHnVpfwTBuEyRdg3m8fSAFbzvoi7Xg02YsR3BWnQlLdjynrVJtqlIJOXQ91MAab4I0K8Wres2ouVOCwxqIunE3AZ9xE1Ce11IXic2QQbj39mIfBujvwGVGL3bESJl1_6Y/s1600/IMG_2731.JPG" height="320" title="Gogo no Koucha Princess Design x Pocky Midi Princess Design" width="240" /></a></div>
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Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I'd like to think this could be considered a small win for equality?Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-76837088520157382272015-02-25T21:41:00.000+09:002015-02-25T21:41:38.535+09:00Apology Burger(Note: This is a follow-up to my previous post about "<a href="http://melt-in-japan.blogspot.com/2015/02/mcdonalds-japans-unbelievable.html">McDonald's Japan's Unbelievable Customer Service</a>.")<br />
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So the call from the McDonald's manager came on Sunday around 11:20am--a good 25 minutes earlier than I was expecting. He asked if I would mind if he left/came over a little bit earlier, which was fine by me since I was up anyway and had not yet eaten anything.<br />
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As promised, he came bearing not only my 690yen refund for the Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger (Set) that wasn't, but also with a freshly made replacement set. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2HqnDuZ84JPd6TMj9Xc3IJOjXZlHcHzmV6XcF1crgHVbV_0QS5u6bl_oGMQDVA4jIOC7dbdmGJ9CB4biYuFiSDvCON20MgDhHZsCe8CaRMfLyZRTXRlkzWPVDv1jRAw9ItI-tccGDQs/s1600/IMG_2763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger Set マクドナルド ハワイアンバーベキューポークバーガーセット" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2HqnDuZ84JPd6TMj9Xc3IJOjXZlHcHzmV6XcF1crgHVbV_0QS5u6bl_oGMQDVA4jIOC7dbdmGJ9CB4biYuFiSDvCON20MgDhHZsCe8CaRMfLyZRTXRlkzWPVDv1jRAw9ItI-tccGDQs/s1600/IMG_2763.JPG" height="320" title="McDonald's Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger Set" width="240" /></a></div>
The conversation was about as awkward as you would expect it to be--with
him apologizing again in excruciatingly polite Japanese and ending with
a 90-degree bow. Thankfully it was a very short conversation--quite a bit shorter than the phone conversation. Not an experience I would want to repeat, but some did good come out of it.<br />
<br />
Having had some time to think about what I would say, I was glad that I was at least able to somewhat apologize for having inadvertently made it into such a big deal with comments along the lines of: "I"m sorry, if only I had noticed it while I was in the store..." and "Thank you and sorry for making you come all the way out to deliver this to me."<br />
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Also, I was glad that he did in fact come over to our apartment instead of me going over to the McDonald's (as my husband suggested I should call back and say that I would do). If I had gone into the store to pick up the refund, all of the staff would know my face and I doubt that I would feel comfortable eating there again anytime in the near future. But this way, only the manager can connect my face to the complaint. And since I had never seen him before I opened the door, I think it's fairly safe to assume that the manager isn't usually out front, seeing customers.<br />
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As for the "proper" Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger itself, well, it probably wasn't worth all of the fuss. There wasn't even all that much pulled pork on the burger anyway--I had to look twice after taking off the top bun to confirm that I hadn't somehow managed to get a pork-less burger a second time. The pork definitely did make the burger tastier the second time round but it didn't improve the taste enough that I would bother going back to eat it a third time.<br />
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So yeah, if you're going to make a complaint at McDonald's, I would highly recommend doing it in person while you are at the restaurant, rather than escalating things by filing a complaint through the McDonald's Japan's online comment/inquiy form (which I forgot to mention in the previous post was a bit of a pain to find anyway). My husband said that the apology wouldn't have been so over the top if I hadn't gone higher up the command chain with the complaint, and I tend to agree with him. <br />
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The idea of the personal apology and hand-delivered replacement meal sounds impressive and makes you feel like the company values its customers in theory, but in real life it is just a really awkward and embarrassing situation all around. And if--as my husband suggested (I hadn't even considered the possibility
until he pointed it out)--it was indeed only by command of the McDonald's
headquarters that made the manager apologize in the way that he did,
and it wasn't something that the manager genuinely felt that he should do, then that definitely changes my perspective/feelings on the matter. It would suck to work at a company that makes you apologize so abjectly over such a small issue. Valuing customers is important, but it is more important to value your employees and to treat them with respect! <br />
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I would like to think the best of the manager and McDonald's, though. Even though I would never ask or expect someone to go so far in apology--especially over such a minor matter--I would like to take the gesture at face value as a sign of the amount of respect the Towada Aeon McDonald's has for its customers. <br />
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And to end the post on a lighter note, have fun playing a game of "Spot the (Pulled) Pork"! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUevSqcQ5aTQt_w5mvocvqE7mIOBsdh57vhI9QymH6m3iJQT-II80EdMxBNyqc0w1QEbUtRNERNJzKu0jsjcUMZfRvHSCCmZro4B4HRaDR7VdH1amDrCh6BGtKAUEXhc8armn9v3DdgU/s1600/IMG_2764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger マクドナルド ハワイアンバーベキューポークバーガー" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUevSqcQ5aTQt_w5mvocvqE7mIOBsdh57vhI9QymH6m3iJQT-II80EdMxBNyqc0w1QEbUtRNERNJzKu0jsjcUMZfRvHSCCmZro4B4HRaDR7VdH1amDrCh6BGtKAUEXhc8armn9v3DdgU/s1600/IMG_2764.JPG" height="240" title="McDonald's Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtoBe7H6x1fZuL8-u5L7xxScudwJnQ-qlyfbRY0254bJk7DcvViYjiq1OP7pcgCElBdiANB68El989fe6GLDV_qZzFPvms9oQjtK0GPQix4ZNHfJqXd3qQsuuYQtNkJkDOVJvtW9FzVQ/s1600/IMG_2765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger マクドナルド ハワイアンバーベキューポークバーガー" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtoBe7H6x1fZuL8-u5L7xxScudwJnQ-qlyfbRY0254bJk7DcvViYjiq1OP7pcgCElBdiANB68El989fe6GLDV_qZzFPvms9oQjtK0GPQix4ZNHfJqXd3qQsuuYQtNkJkDOVJvtW9FzVQ/s1600/IMG_2765.JPG" height="320" title="McDonald's Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUK5wj2ym6W1mZaN7s6RmGdpItm22G3Qpri2KDb1mcMmSNmGdd2u_yY3q8yq0WslKKGXwV01SwMuEWLdZH1wZu7T0gCzeiTvIUAqXRjfOJ4J_N8Q2VKSYw7G6T6H5H8Y9nTSnoxxZLJXo/s1600/IMG_2766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger マクドナルド ハワイアンバーベキューポークバーガー" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUK5wj2ym6W1mZaN7s6RmGdpItm22G3Qpri2KDb1mcMmSNmGdd2u_yY3q8yq0WslKKGXwV01SwMuEWLdZH1wZu7T0gCzeiTvIUAqXRjfOJ4J_N8Q2VKSYw7G6T6H5H8Y9nTSnoxxZLJXo/s1600/IMG_2766.JPG" height="240" title="McDonald's Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-f9hpw1knCiM1tus8Mn-OZFTZ6UDZffklsYuHAyxODvBPQQN_A0Uk2pDNhBW2G9iFRiW5U9iW7GyU9N981RSucTmUJw4Jb344czYsmAgVKXPbARM-x1VskTsxZ3tBFWw8BYGgeaVEYtI/s1600/IMG_2768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger マクドナルド ハワイアンバーベキューポークバーガー" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-f9hpw1knCiM1tus8Mn-OZFTZ6UDZffklsYuHAyxODvBPQQN_A0Uk2pDNhBW2G9iFRiW5U9iW7GyU9N981RSucTmUJw4Jb344czYsmAgVKXPbARM-x1VskTsxZ3tBFWw8BYGgeaVEYtI/s1600/IMG_2768.JPG" height="240" title="McDonald's Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjFWz41H29BcNSZJTImPtOhnfZHMsP-p5ujCTIkUBf-S14WHPbetVIRqzoIlW-IVqiayTj69iiAT_DRHpU5TCRxcSYYHXRGf3oOEK1HgXWHOZfBBQCQ6bFHAwQLblS3aLhb9zZ8-t5Zo/s1600/IMG_2772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="McDonald's Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger マクドナルド ハワイアンバーベキューポークバーガー" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjFWz41H29BcNSZJTImPtOhnfZHMsP-p5ujCTIkUBf-S14WHPbetVIRqzoIlW-IVqiayTj69iiAT_DRHpU5TCRxcSYYHXRGf3oOEK1HgXWHOZfBBQCQ6bFHAwQLblS3aLhb9zZ8-t5Zo/s1600/IMG_2772.JPG" height="240" title="McDonald's Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-49547070083494457952015-02-19T22:35:00.000+09:002015-02-19T23:01:26.669+09:00McDonald's Japan's Unbelievable Customer ServiceThe high quality of Japanese customer service is well known around the world and a point of pride within Japan as well. I admit that after living here for nearly eight years, excellent customer service is something I have come to take for granted.<br />
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But McDonald's customer service has just blown my mind.<br />
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<b>The background:</b><br />
McDonald's currently has a limited time Hawaii-themed menu. I've been interested in trying out the "Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger" since I first read about it on <a href="http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/02/05/hawaiian-inspired-loco-moco-and-kalua-pork-burgers-coming-to-mcdonalds-japan/" target="_blank">RocketNews24</a>. A friend of mine tried it out last week and he recommended it, so I decided to try it for myself while I was at the local Towada Aeon Shopping Center last night.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouL7oZSdPC7PRm93djewvsybLgDZbSU1NNL5i0uJJvMSXwGuWkMQjOa2c8UAe4ylqi73hsCiEm7A-52bGZNz-lxQ3yHncNPE8d3MIL9imu5eYUwOWvASCoHKU4VFSYUSEOK7Z2ZTZMH8/s1600/IMG_2678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger McDonald's Japan ハワイアンバーベキューポークバーガーマクドナルド" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouL7oZSdPC7PRm93djewvsybLgDZbSU1NNL5i0uJJvMSXwGuWkMQjOa2c8UAe4ylqi73hsCiEm7A-52bGZNz-lxQ3yHncNPE8d3MIL9imu5eYUwOWvASCoHKU4VFSYUSEOK7Z2ZTZMH8/s1600/IMG_2678.JPG" height="320" title="Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger McDonald's Japan" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrysJtsvgw_yoJ7FPfsM3u1va8pmo8rQxp9w_xzDDd9tuhNhLHZ8PLA0peI3En07Fgme9jwHHve837oSGnIk8pR2cCa4XgBRe1BJFPIRhtwMC4Rb0BA19Y1v1TQHc_NDWLhOHd2pMFFTU/s1600/IMG_2679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger McDonald's Japan ハワイアンバーベキューポークバーガーマクドナルド" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrysJtsvgw_yoJ7FPfsM3u1va8pmo8rQxp9w_xzDDd9tuhNhLHZ8PLA0peI3En07Fgme9jwHHve837oSGnIk8pR2cCa4XgBRe1BJFPIRhtwMC4Rb0BA19Y1v1TQHc_NDWLhOHd2pMFFTU/s1600/IMG_2679.JPG" height="240" title="Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger McDonald's Japan" width="320" /></a></div>
That pulled pork on the wrapper looks delicious, right? Well, I opened up the wrapper and was disappointed with how small and plain the burger was.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscjVxkwjjAn3A2WXF_gxTtAWq3W7rWqklRmpNgZ27-E_Vw-Nn83ia11yqGWnNBjwGGbRDjNHSn_2dhlSan-c9fCt3J3lZ5DlDkPVjAGeP-bem9a2CVgdyl70esGekRI7rDk_sFCeS16M/s1600/IMG_2680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger McDonald's Japan ハワイアンバーベキューポークバーガーマクドナルド" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscjVxkwjjAn3A2WXF_gxTtAWq3W7rWqklRmpNgZ27-E_Vw-Nn83ia11yqGWnNBjwGGbRDjNHSn_2dhlSan-c9fCt3J3lZ5DlDkPVjAGeP-bem9a2CVgdyl70esGekRI7rDk_sFCeS16M/s1600/IMG_2680.JPG" height="240" title="Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger McDonald's Japan" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNW_McmWvxfZaKday0LwpAMZIbFnHit2EH5p0M1fLUSO_pvTmam_dF0l9ICEtMsygIByLOTSarPE6U6h-FQ45X2QIub_vUHWYNTTjV3WjgocNlKGz7Ud13hfkDcGyqzGOFDAVKGaYpXNo/s1600/IMG_2683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger McDonald's Japan ハワイアンバーベキューポークバーガーマクドナルド" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNW_McmWvxfZaKday0LwpAMZIbFnHit2EH5p0M1fLUSO_pvTmam_dF0l9ICEtMsygIByLOTSarPE6U6h-FQ45X2QIub_vUHWYNTTjV3WjgocNlKGz7Ud13hfkDcGyqzGOFDAVKGaYpXNo/s1600/IMG_2683.JPG" height="320" title="Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger McDonald's Japan" width="240" /></a></div>
No pulled pork in sight! I thought that was kind of odd, but I figured the picture was just supposed to be an image of what the patty was supposed to taste like. That was not the case, though, as it tasted like a plain old pork burger with some BBQ sauce. I was quite disappointed (and doubting the tastes of the friend who had recommended it to me).<br />
<br />
I had some ice cream at Baskin Robbins to salve my disappointment before going to do my grocery shopping. But as I walked past the McDonald's on the way to the Aeon (grocery and everything store--the Japanese equivalent of Wal-Mart), I had a look at the big poster of the Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger and hey! there was the pulled pork! (It had been a couple of weeks since I first read the article, so I had forgotten what it was supposed to look like.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0ZJA9fJXQi3e-kt-l37UANzAp4_R-xZkncOEfvhz-kcAsTfZqIgMB3CKSgbDMXLBa4oA7Dx3ilCzZI-5boonJfG6dhkIQIQJ55l4P21HlNLLYnYGcJBf1S9AE2EfHxk3bnZ915KUfI0/s1600/img_commodity01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger McDonald's Japan ハワイアンバーベキューポークバーガーマクドナルド" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0ZJA9fJXQi3e-kt-l37UANzAp4_R-xZkncOEfvhz-kcAsTfZqIgMB3CKSgbDMXLBa4oA7Dx3ilCzZI-5boonJfG6dhkIQIQJ55l4P21HlNLLYnYGcJBf1S9AE2EfHxk3bnZ915KUfI0/s1600/img_commodity01.jpg" height="174" title="Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger McDonald's Japan" width="320" /></a></div>
Well! At this point I started to think that I had gotten ripped off. After grocery shopping, I went home and checked out the McDonald's Japan <a href="http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/campaign/hawaii/index.html" target="_blank">website</a> and read the description of the burger, and sure enough, it mentioned "horo horo pork" (ほろほろポーク) as well as the pork patty! I hadn't gotten a <i>Hawaiian</i> BBQ Pork Burger at all--just a pork burger with BBQ sauce!<br />
<br />
After a bit of searching, I managed to find a form to get in touch with McDonald's regarding any comments, questions, etc. I wrote a very polite but blunt message (in Japanese, of course) along the lines of:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I ordered a Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger Set for the first time today and was very disappointed because even though the picture of the burger showed delicious-looking pulled pork, all I got was a pork patty. I should have said something to the staff at the time, but I thought that was just the way it was supposed to be. It wasn't until I got home and checked the McDonald's webpage that I realized that there <i>was</i> supposed to be pulled pork on the burger. Since I didn't actually get the Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger that I ordered, would it be possible to get a refund or something? (If necessary, I have photos of the burger that clearly show there was nothing but a patty.)</blockquote>
<br />
I filled in the date, time, and location of the McDonald's I had been at, as well as my home address, email address, and home phone number and submitted the form.<br />
<br />
From my limited experience with making complaints to stores (I once found a bug baked into the corner of a Chinese bun I had already bitten into, and all I did was pull out the part around the bug and finished eating the bun), I figured I would get an email back saying that they would send me a voucher for a free burger or meal or something.<br />
<br />
<b>The customer service: </b><br />
Instead, when I checked my email this morning, I had a message from McDonald's saying that someone from the Towada Aeon McDonald's would be calling the number I had put down in the form. Unfortunately that was my home number, so I missed the first call, but thankfully I have an answering machine so I got the message that the store manager would call me back.<br />
<br />
I was expecting that he might ask me to come into the store and bring the receipt for the meal and the picture of the offending burger so that he could process a refund for me. Oh boy, was I wrong. <br />
<br />
Around 8:30pm, I got the call. The manager was very apologetic and asked if I would allow him to <b><i><u>come to my house</u> to <u>personally deliver</u> the refund</i></b>. All this and no question whatsoever about proving that the burger had
indeed been made missing the pulled pork, or that I had truly purchased
a set (and not just the burger).<br />
<br />
But here's the real kicker: since I had been disappointed with my first Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger experience, he wanted to make it up to me by also <i><b>delivering me a freshly and <u>properly</u> made Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger Set</b></i> together with the refund. <br />
<br />
?!?!?!?!<br />
<br />
Being completely surprised and having no experience with this kind of conversation in Japanese, I couldn't figure out a polite way to refuse the offer. Ironically, <i>I</i> ended up feeling extremely apologetic about the fact that he was being so apologetic about the whole thing.<br />
<br />
So yeah. This Sunday afternoon, I will get a refund <u><i><b>and</b></i></u> a freshly made Hawaiian BBQ Pork Burger Set hand delivered to me by the manager of the McDonald's. Oh, and even though we confirmed the date and time for him to come, he will also call me before coming over on the day of, just in case my plans change or something.<br />
<br />
Never again will I think that people are exaggerating about how over the top Japanese customer service can be.<br />
<br />
@_@<br />
<br />
Looks like I won't be giving up the (bad) habit of always wanting to try out McDonald's new special menu item anytime soon. I'm still not a fan of the company overall, but I do have respect for McDonald's Japan now. Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-76339784254917980232015-02-01T22:24:00.000+09:002015-02-01T22:34:58.354+09:00Conversations with my Japanese husbandMy husband and I have some amusing conversations. It probably has less to do with cultural differences (he's Japanese; I'm Canadian), and more to do with the fact that we are both slightly odd.<br />
<br />
<b>"My Wife"</b><br />
<br />
We're sitting on the couch. It's time to brush our teeth and
go to bed. My husband gets up and lies on the floor because it's cool (it's summer--late August). So I
put my foot against his posterior and give a couple of little pushes to silently tell him: "C'mon, let's get moving." <br />
<br />
He says (in English): "My wife kicks my @$5."<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>"Mushi" </b><br />
<br />
We got some boiled chestnuts from my husband's
uncle. Knowing my fear of biting into one to crack it open only to
discover a bug inside, he kindly shelled a bunch for me. Since it was a
lot of work, I gave/fed him one of the last peeled chestnuts, and...<br />
<br />
Him: Mmmmm...むし (<i>Mushi </i>= Bug)<br />
Me: だからあげた(<i>Dakara ageta = </i>That's why I gave it to you)<br />
Him:ダカラ⁈ (<i>DAKARA?!</i> = THAT'S why?!)<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> Me: It's protein.<br /> Him: My wife こわい (<i>Kowai</i> = scary><br /> <br />
(Of course there wasn't *actually* a bug inside the chestnut. I split
them all apart to make sure they were clean before I started eating
them. :P)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>"What did you just call me?"</b><br />
<br />
After a dinner time conversation about the difference in pronunciation between "full" and "fool":<br />
<br />
Me: I'm full.<br />
Him: I'm fool.<br />
Me: It should be "I'm <u><b><i>a</i></b></u> fool."<br />
Him: I'm a full fool.<br />
Me: That's right!!<br />
...<br />
Me: ちょっと待って、そういうことを賛成しっちゃってダメじゃない! (<i>Chotto matte, sou iu koto wo sansei shicchatte dame jyanai! = </i>Wait, I shouldn't be agreeing with that, should I?) <br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span class="text_exposed_show">"A 'Normal' Conversation"</span></b><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">This is what passes as a 'normal' conversation between me and my husband recently.</span><br />
<br />
Him: <i>Nya nya nya.</i> (Shall I make the rice?)<br />
Me: <i>Nya〜!</i> (Please, and thank you!)<br />
Him: <i>Nya.</i> わかりました (<i>Wakarimashita</i> = Got it./Understood.) <br />
<br />
("Nya" is the sound cats make in Japanese.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>"Terms of Endearment"</b><br />
My husband is making popping noises with his lips to create a random/unidentifiable tune as he drives.<br />
<br />
Me: My strange husband.<br />
Him: My scary wife.<br />
<br />
We smile at each other. :) Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-14731366696747242702015-02-01T21:34:00.001+09:002015-02-02T10:52:39.175+09:00Fun in HachinoheMy husband and I tend to lounge around the apartment on weekends, but we wanted to see the Hachinohe City Museum of Art's Special Exhibit, "<a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.jp/2015/01/hachinohe-city-museum-of-art-special.html" target="_blank">Neko</a>" (ねこ, Japanese for "cat") before it ended so we headed out to Hachinohe this weekend.<br />
<br />
We started off with lunch at Nagisa Cafe (ナギサカフェ). The aim of the restaurant is to serve food that is good for people's health, so the meals are very wholesome and include a lot of veggies. The restaurant is in an old Japanese house, so the atmosphere is very peaceful and relaxing. The main room with tables was full when we arrived, so we sat in the side room, with the low tables and floor cushions. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_2XzHW_rTeSSbFlsZxvVTB3mfj3RzDjqUA8NrUX05mdZJt28dF_eyfsnPPb1cjoAFTYVdDicIdDQLFYQtbfnSAptQgTiVynWVfPNZGB1pL_flyclwjIuQPHYDwNuM-cc75x5EZ0p8Do/s1600/IMG_2464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nagisa Cafe Hachinohe City ナギサカフェ 八戸市" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_2XzHW_rTeSSbFlsZxvVTB3mfj3RzDjqUA8NrUX05mdZJt28dF_eyfsnPPb1cjoAFTYVdDicIdDQLFYQtbfnSAptQgTiVynWVfPNZGB1pL_flyclwjIuQPHYDwNuM-cc75x5EZ0p8Do/s1600/IMG_2464.JPG" height="240" title="Nagisa Cafe Hachinohe City" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8viqwcDzgxhjfFMNThXREK84DlEcOam3P2Mg2-fifTF0UjJVIdOZ72lvFIRoBAHl3hcmDrMIDITWMyYDYG4HGui3opB5az5w605igoneo-erioUiekXvVfuV5uJLSW45SFZcSs5YQy4/s1600/IMG_2463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nagisa Cafe Hachinohe City ナギサカフェ 八戸市" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8viqwcDzgxhjfFMNThXREK84DlEcOam3P2Mg2-fifTF0UjJVIdOZ72lvFIRoBAHl3hcmDrMIDITWMyYDYG4HGui3opB5az5w605igoneo-erioUiekXvVfuV5uJLSW45SFZcSs5YQy4/s1600/IMG_2463.JPG" height="240" title="Nagisa Cafe Hachinohe City" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTBwIU97zTCeThl4P8fP4T2jqQmn3yOR1HWyDuNR1-5RIL856TFcYgictGXL1UbGf6X6jo4gLRnD_w9BMyJoya-RdauLXloTTW2vQAv2Lhn4Yho1D9fWgz66lJcZ_je0Y8H-FMDL2cMY/s1600/IMG_2454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nagisa Cafe Hachinohe City ナギサカフェ 八戸市" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTBwIU97zTCeThl4P8fP4T2jqQmn3yOR1HWyDuNR1-5RIL856TFcYgictGXL1UbGf6X6jo4gLRnD_w9BMyJoya-RdauLXloTTW2vQAv2Lhn4Yho1D9fWgz66lJcZ_je0Y8H-FMDL2cMY/s1600/IMG_2454.JPG" height="320" title="Nagisa Cafe Hachinohe City" width="240" /></a></div>
We had the "Nagisa Gohan" (なぎさごはん 1100yen: salad, soup, 3 small side dishes, rice, and choice of main dish--we went for the chicken katsu (cutlet) with white sauce) and "Nagisa Curry" (なぎさカレー 1100yen: green curry and rice, soup, salad, and 2 small side dishes). And of course I needed something sweet, so I added a "Sweets Set" (choice of one of the daily desserts, 300yen with a meal instead of the regular price of 500yen) and went for the "Gobou Gateau Chocolat" (ごぼうのガトーショコラ). Everything was delicious and we are definitely planning on going back again the next time we are in Hachinohe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZQDoVUc-yaklpoQ8IBjqH8OxuAq6AE9QBoLuYEVxB_0W27Wl2gAhCSxjErR7wS7yFkbfYjmXwr_-EmrBORMyk_3-ct3YwP01_HkG1aetvl-JxU7-9GjIegkI3l-o1ab8FRFf3bJ0P0w/s1600/IMG_2457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nagisa Gohan Nagisa Cafe Hachinohe City なぎさごはん ナギサカフェ 八戸市" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZQDoVUc-yaklpoQ8IBjqH8OxuAq6AE9QBoLuYEVxB_0W27Wl2gAhCSxjErR7wS7yFkbfYjmXwr_-EmrBORMyk_3-ct3YwP01_HkG1aetvl-JxU7-9GjIegkI3l-o1ab8FRFf3bJ0P0w/s1600/IMG_2457.JPG" height="240" title="Nagisa Gohan" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKx2nojEghWWs-Mfg3nBl4aNwLDe0lSNXUy9uy1SokPwUwAEJFYv4Ih8laZXepVkQl2Ldq_1t_WlCH41wdAjiZOjHhd3YomYAw-dwbBJGa0nHepx2k7gQe3UoSSiwsgb2uXaJ-oEUFKU/s1600/IMG_2456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nagisa Curry Nagisa Cafe Hachinohe City なぎさカレー ナギサカフェ 八戸市" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKx2nojEghWWs-Mfg3nBl4aNwLDe0lSNXUy9uy1SokPwUwAEJFYv4Ih8laZXepVkQl2Ldq_1t_WlCH41wdAjiZOjHhd3YomYAw-dwbBJGa0nHepx2k7gQe3UoSSiwsgb2uXaJ-oEUFKU/s1600/IMG_2456.JPG" height="240" title="Nagisa Curry" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgaD3EPSqhJDXzL2_vn2HFmqYxiCZKNPVXpbExYlTsvKGNCuGzqlfjP2BESDeSURS84Gh0wsunaCL7X61dBOC-uSEizp9trXCN67LEIfV8y8wl__7A0mevBni16QtNIYj2LGZAAPsJZY/s1600/IMG_2461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sweets Set Gobou Gateau Chocolat Nagisa Cafe Hachinohe City スイーツセット ごぼうのガトーショコラ ナギサカフェ 八戸市" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgaD3EPSqhJDXzL2_vn2HFmqYxiCZKNPVXpbExYlTsvKGNCuGzqlfjP2BESDeSURS84Gh0wsunaCL7X61dBOC-uSEizp9trXCN67LEIfV8y8wl__7A0mevBni16QtNIYj2LGZAAPsJZY/s1600/IMG_2461.JPG" height="240" title="Sweets Set Gobou Gateau Chocolat" width="320" /></a></div>
After lunch we went to the Hachinohe City Museum of Art. The parking lot was full, so we parked a couple of blocks away at the Sakurano Department Store. The exhibit was just as amazing as we had expected it to be and we ended up buying two photo books: one from the exhibit "ねこ" ("Neko," or "Cats" in English) and another book of cats, "ねこ歩き" ("Neko Aruki," or "Go with cats" in English).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyki0pD1PlaAWrI_3KRayJLB9rti50y4TxCLUdVUhciaF1Brdb0TOcmuGv3BNFGYlUMSFRmhOsRCo7zamiLzzXO1aeVZhXf5iI4iU8Xd-4xnGuZdmRve2gI-9EPFqLhOf9zi-kFGc_Wk/s1600/IMG_2467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hachinohe City Musem of Art Special Exhibit Neko by Iwago Mitsuaki 八戸市美術館 特別展「ねこ 岩合光昭写真展」" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyki0pD1PlaAWrI_3KRayJLB9rti50y4TxCLUdVUhciaF1Brdb0TOcmuGv3BNFGYlUMSFRmhOsRCo7zamiLzzXO1aeVZhXf5iI4iU8Xd-4xnGuZdmRve2gI-9EPFqLhOf9zi-kFGc_Wk/s1600/IMG_2467.JPG" height="240" title="Hachinohe City Musem of Art Special Exhibit Neko by Iwago Mitsuaki" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7W5aufm4DzscqVGwKuSMCdwasgAPnzj7gvLVjN-xxltHbq9cWdXYw1I-74QNZwOfmdWG2nTx7cYx5YhbqIhI6BtIUw_8wD43Zips5dA8S5CNi4hOHJed4gUD81NQnVgY1lruVl0gmTc/s1600/IMG_2470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hachinohe City Musem of Art Special Exhibit Neko by Iwago Mitsuaki 八戸市美術館 特別展「ねこ 岩合光昭写真展」" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7W5aufm4DzscqVGwKuSMCdwasgAPnzj7gvLVjN-xxltHbq9cWdXYw1I-74QNZwOfmdWG2nTx7cYx5YhbqIhI6BtIUw_8wD43Zips5dA8S5CNi4hOHJed4gUD81NQnVgY1lruVl0gmTc/s1600/IMG_2470.JPG" height="240" title="Hachinohe City Musem of Art Special Exhibit Neko by Iwago Mitsuaki 八戸市美術館 特別展「ねこ 岩合光昭写真展」" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8gmPuqobtdOAmp8JqAzdVY2ZTHKBleiAddjcqLyEtZPz_xzsDoxaYt86-sbbsfGzaysx_ZfyN2zSXOkWu8r9-81N4fWzJMC7hRspSOc5rc6gBhH9Mrv8RU1274KId_mT-b_Q0pb39sI/s1600/IMG_2519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo Books Neko and Neko Aruki (Go with cats) by Iwago Mitsuaki 岩合光昭写真集 ねこ ねこ歩き" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8gmPuqobtdOAmp8JqAzdVY2ZTHKBleiAddjcqLyEtZPz_xzsDoxaYt86-sbbsfGzaysx_ZfyN2zSXOkWu8r9-81N4fWzJMC7hRspSOc5rc6gBhH9Mrv8RU1274KId_mT-b_Q0pb39sI/s1600/IMG_2519.JPG" height="240" title="Photo Books by Iwago Mitsuaki" width="320" /></a></div>
After the exhibit, we went shopping at the Kaneiri book store (カネイリ) and the Sakurano Department Store (さくら野百貨店八戸店). It just so happened that there was a Valentine's Day chocolate fair, "Marche du Chocolat!" going on at Sakurano, so naturally I had to check it out. And it was a good thing we went because I found the chocolates with a box design by Aya Kato that I had wanted but couldn't find online.<br />
<br />
In fact, I found out that there were multiple box and chocolate designs, so I ended up buying three different boxes--which ended up costing over 7000yen ($75 CAD). @_@ Expensive, but the tins (I opted for the metal tins instead of the regular paper boxes, hence the cost) are gorgeous, and even the paper bag was lovely, so totally worth the price! (I haven't opened the boxes yet so I only have pictures of the boxes, but you can see pictures of the chocolates at the <a href="http://www.ayakato.net/hanamahoro2015_e.html" target="_blank">AYAKATO website</a>.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjv0NwLUgthc0fLuN4gvgRAH8mscVeR9zwwBo-N_JRmIanklEoSBkPYO1ISw00heeSdWZeZgY3A-D4ewxjJS2savWwD-YQtOImXPglZqwpP-GXuAv-js2ZdiZa3r62yF9z7XA-U-ien0Q/s1600/IMG_2503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hanamahoro Saganoaya 2015 Bag Design 花まほろ 嵯峨乃彩 紙袋" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjv0NwLUgthc0fLuN4gvgRAH8mscVeR9zwwBo-N_JRmIanklEoSBkPYO1ISw00heeSdWZeZgY3A-D4ewxjJS2savWwD-YQtOImXPglZqwpP-GXuAv-js2ZdiZa3r62yF9z7XA-U-ien0Q/s1600/IMG_2503.JPG" height="320" title="Hanamahoro Saganoaya 2015 Bag Design" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrUKYV8qHK2WO2mmnapWsryI-XCiKbgagR8chyphenhyphenKdglgYqKSiUIDDMn4SjJnyyG-c2EPd_zY0ABJcoXWr7w9cJnYXrVZSRKO-HpnwG6BoYdWcGNo-43iboqBd6nhiYvRvaxg9xwd02W84/s1600/IMG_2506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hanamahoro Saganoaya 2015 花まほろ 嵯峨乃彩" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrUKYV8qHK2WO2mmnapWsryI-XCiKbgagR8chyphenhyphenKdglgYqKSiUIDDMn4SjJnyyG-c2EPd_zY0ABJcoXWr7w9cJnYXrVZSRKO-HpnwG6BoYdWcGNo-43iboqBd6nhiYvRvaxg9xwd02W84/s1600/IMG_2506.JPG" height="240" title="Hanamahoro Saganoaya 2015" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBGhb743j6jr0Ybs1kwvHGGIcY0j5UfDIyqRawfw_lb1REnwHkqz-o1f31bEk7U_6uhLFpSzHBMwxeFmqxX6HdVUVuCxiPF6-ohrRGrRgcmy9WRtWcEALVk-DQ2gNR4eAzKX93sVlUoc/s1600/IMG_2507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hanamahoro Saganoaya 2015 花まほろ 嵯峨乃彩" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBGhb743j6jr0Ybs1kwvHGGIcY0j5UfDIyqRawfw_lb1REnwHkqz-o1f31bEk7U_6uhLFpSzHBMwxeFmqxX6HdVUVuCxiPF6-ohrRGrRgcmy9WRtWcEALVk-DQ2gNR4eAzKX93sVlUoc/s1600/IMG_2507.JPG" height="240" title="Hanamahoro Saganoaya 2015" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNflMlRccVG2rAO_Ewc-PLRlUy212_v5pQDwgX4-a7vt6_9YMc7QzE_WNhwOcxbq9a3-A7knWN8U_9lrZ0A5fy7NweE3yXtmFORU6928ZM_wYTuI_9UVVfCrUGlx_FyoG9d8ACQAar6E/s1600/IMG_2508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hanamahoro Saganoaya 2015 花まほろ 嵯峨乃彩" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNflMlRccVG2rAO_Ewc-PLRlUy212_v5pQDwgX4-a7vt6_9YMc7QzE_WNhwOcxbq9a3-A7knWN8U_9lrZ0A5fy7NweE3yXtmFORU6928ZM_wYTuI_9UVVfCrUGlx_FyoG9d8ACQAar6E/s1600/IMG_2508.JPG" height="240" title="Hanamahoro Saganoaya 2015" width="320" /></a></div>
Since we spent so much on books and chocolate, we probably had about 5hours worth of free parking, so we decided to walk a bit more around Hachinohe. We stopped by the Hachinohe tourism center, Hachinohe Portal Museum "hacchi" and checked out the free photo exhibit "Gyojin" about Hachinohe fishermen (fishers? fisher people?) by Tatsuki, Masaru on the first floor (田附勝写真展「魚人(ぎょじん)」). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhgodr9FfrJIVVZX4gw1j-EVoVxqQI_3iOIM9jmo1vktR8Rkz7ybPu58pFlDHk2X54FaFKl9mGVYIuk6I698cNCBeLexClSqevA0n6rYLimsPLo__lbEnFcciEgvHoarRWTR0WFCpdVg/s1600/IMG_2476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hachinohe Portal Museum Hacchi 八戸ポータルミュージアムはっち" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhgodr9FfrJIVVZX4gw1j-EVoVxqQI_3iOIM9jmo1vktR8Rkz7ybPu58pFlDHk2X54FaFKl9mGVYIuk6I698cNCBeLexClSqevA0n6rYLimsPLo__lbEnFcciEgvHoarRWTR0WFCpdVg/s1600/IMG_2476.JPG" height="240" title="Hachinohe Portal Museum Hacchi " width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBAqTHo790TeBWuxYVxFSTaWiYMHLVTFh58CAsjPfQJtoUKc5xJRthKaV5DRQTTM8XPpkqpLGceD4jBBC5CXCPIiwbLgOTqWvIONF24mtce04bDLi0ftPpBz2oc2aGwe0f9qpr4QrVxA/s1600/IMG_2472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tatsuki Masaru Gyojin Photography Exhibit Hachinohe Portal Museum Hacchi 田附 勝写真展 魚人(ぎょじん) 八戸ポータルミュージアムはっち" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBAqTHo790TeBWuxYVxFSTaWiYMHLVTFh58CAsjPfQJtoUKc5xJRthKaV5DRQTTM8XPpkqpLGceD4jBBC5CXCPIiwbLgOTqWvIONF24mtce04bDLi0ftPpBz2oc2aGwe0f9qpr4QrVxA/s1600/IMG_2472.JPG" height="240" title="Tatsuki Masaru Gyojin Photography Exhibit" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAVOUpsh5d2FShUxFrFBs6B3bbkdzyiHyO-Vx8lSUd9bhfQ3Oem7FJdn7DbOCoIjdCiCRlOi7d9AemLOTPvGuyVgBDxHgydEvlEuqo4JCdZeCXxrynX_OQgeWERa5Eg5yIFJT9Wa4TfI/s1600/IMG_2473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tatsuki Masaru Gyojin Photography Exhibit Hachinohe Portal Museum Hacchi 田附 勝写真展 魚人(ぎょじん) 八戸ポータルミュージアムはっち" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAVOUpsh5d2FShUxFrFBs6B3bbkdzyiHyO-Vx8lSUd9bhfQ3Oem7FJdn7DbOCoIjdCiCRlOi7d9AemLOTPvGuyVgBDxHgydEvlEuqo4JCdZeCXxrynX_OQgeWERa5Eg5yIFJT9Wa4TfI/s1600/IMG_2473.JPG" height="240" title="Tatsuki Masaru Gyojin Photography Exhibit" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-G6oIRDd-LbPn_BfZuANcIM3_cWuWNgHteCyemNrDPvuawTrHo6Jhnh5pFgjHmbF0EYB-3TN6-NO6auu1AcxtVHQ5Zco8zUE7eVpqgCl6cGmZwO6OzEv0ppmqf9taLYl_rJrsLG1ryeg/s1600/IMG_2475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tatsuki Masaru Gyojin Photography Exhibit Hachinohe Portal Museum Hacchi 田附 勝写真展 魚人(ぎょじん) 八戸ポータルミュージアムはっち" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-G6oIRDd-LbPn_BfZuANcIM3_cWuWNgHteCyemNrDPvuawTrHo6Jhnh5pFgjHmbF0EYB-3TN6-NO6auu1AcxtVHQ5Zco8zUE7eVpqgCl6cGmZwO6OzEv0ppmqf9taLYl_rJrsLG1ryeg/s1600/IMG_2475.JPG" height="240" title="Tatsuki Masaru Gyojin Photography Exhibit" width="320" /></a></div>
After all the walking and shopping, we were rather thirsty, so we stopped at a coffee shop called (Kousai) Coffee Minami (香彩珈琲 みな実 三日町中央店) . My husband ordered the "Handmade Waffle Set" (手作りワッフルセット 540yen: waffle and choice of coffee or tea, hot/iced) while I went for the "Cocoa Float" (ココアフロート 680yen: ice cocoa with ice cream and a waffle on top!). Yummy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWGdv5PEvGaP8A2HKy20eqktTC0LOgYh8di3n145A7rSYbrjP-dpZHOgZ73mUTiU0zN4ot_d_XiBprTAHd1I-PvnnIX9JQJoT1NA7baVyU6BnAVF721AhX9KiJt7QY8uYMyj_f_ZSlB8/s1600/IMG_2483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Minami Coffee Shop Cafe Hachinohe 香彩珈琲 みな実 三日町中央店" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWGdv5PEvGaP8A2HKy20eqktTC0LOgYh8di3n145A7rSYbrjP-dpZHOgZ73mUTiU0zN4ot_d_XiBprTAHd1I-PvnnIX9JQJoT1NA7baVyU6BnAVF721AhX9KiJt7QY8uYMyj_f_ZSlB8/s1600/IMG_2483.JPG" height="240" title="Minami Coffee Shop Cafe Hachinohe" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94V9znWC3qYPNemM4QNAHiwle0-pdxUGjveCWZy0NpUW1EAKRuS807CTfMuTe5FINy-fhC9C-l8HNGidXSnc90vD1m2rU4hFAUgWEOnAdw4XAelI0YHHQydwMyAhaVWkSNJFo3brC30M/s1600/IMG_2486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Handmade Waffle Set Minami Coffee Shop Cafe Hachinohe 手作りワッフルセット 香彩珈琲 みな実 三日町中央店" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94V9znWC3qYPNemM4QNAHiwle0-pdxUGjveCWZy0NpUW1EAKRuS807CTfMuTe5FINy-fhC9C-l8HNGidXSnc90vD1m2rU4hFAUgWEOnAdw4XAelI0YHHQydwMyAhaVWkSNJFo3brC30M/s1600/IMG_2486.JPG" height="240" title="Handmade Waffle Set Minami Coffee Shop Cafe Hachinohe" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAy63UgfGCTTNYTAqd4C49qbptaOolQj04KsP6sb7E-JX2RdenjLiu09mCIDwcCKWQvyPPtH6PS-FZMEjGnfwTuCXyEtdplsiVmGshVEs1ovncnpnv8VaItSMNnJCL6AGa1O6EUAhGqbc/s1600/IMG_2491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cocoa Float Minami Coffee Shop Cafe Hachinohe ココアフロート 香彩珈琲 みな実 三日町中央店" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAy63UgfGCTTNYTAqd4C49qbptaOolQj04KsP6sb7E-JX2RdenjLiu09mCIDwcCKWQvyPPtH6PS-FZMEjGnfwTuCXyEtdplsiVmGshVEs1ovncnpnv8VaItSMNnJCL6AGa1O6EUAhGqbc/s1600/IMG_2491.JPG" height="320" title="Cocoa Float Minami Coffee Shop Cafe Hachinohe" width="240" /></a></div>
That was the end of our time in Hachinohe, but not the end of our date! On the way back to Towada from Hachinohe, we stopped by a big shopping mall, Shimoda Jusco (Aeon Mall Shimoda). After walking around for a bit, we managed to clear enough space in our stomachs for dinner, so we had pasta at a chain Italian restaurant, Cappricciosa. (Pappardelle with mushrooms and ground meat in a red wine spicy tomato sauce パッパルデッレ キノコと挽き肉、赤ワインのスパイシートマトソース 1220yen, and seafood spaghetti pescatore 漁師風スパゲティ ペスカトーレ 990yen) <br />
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When we got home, we also tried out some sakura (cherry blossom) wine (咲くらのわいん "Sakura no Wine") that we had picked up from Kaldi, an import store in Shimoda Jusco. Usually when I try to drink wine, just a single sip overwhelms me with the taste of "alcohol!" But the alcohol content in this was actually just 5% (the same as beer) so I was able to have about three sips. Obviously I don't know anything about what makes a good wine, but since I was able to drink more of the sakura wine than I have of almost any other wine, I must say I thought it was pretty good. Plus the packaging/design is really lovely. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ulEJ-msuWShmkPLp6F-s1GG3X2gb5ZD6RO7A9KnsM73NO6e447K_L4tanMLV0yJhbemfo2BzC5JKvis2FljBR5vasoTZLLQUvo_hcVEmTcm5cDtK9q2aKe6ZWzwPJTW9OyGOpRScb1c/s1600/IMG_2511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sakura no Wine cherry blossom wine 咲くらのわいん" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ulEJ-msuWShmkPLp6F-s1GG3X2gb5ZD6RO7A9KnsM73NO6e447K_L4tanMLV0yJhbemfo2BzC5JKvis2FljBR5vasoTZLLQUvo_hcVEmTcm5cDtK9q2aKe6ZWzwPJTW9OyGOpRScb1c/s1600/IMG_2511.JPG" height="320" title="Sakura no Wine cherry blossom wine" width="240" /></a></div>
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All in all, a lovely day out! <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Links:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Nagisa Cafe (Japanese) <a href="http://food-communication.jp/nagisacafe/">http://food-communication.jp/nagisacafe/</a></li>
<li>Hachinohe City Museum of Art Special Exhibit Neko (English) <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.jp/2015/01/hachinohe-city-museum-of-art-special.html">http://towada-city.blogspot.jp/2015/01/hachinohe-city-museum-of-art-special.html</a></li>
<li>Kaneiri (Bancho Branch) (Japanese) <a href="http://www.kaneiri.co.jp/store/bancho.html" target="_blank">http://www.kaneiri.co.jp/store/bancho.html </a></li>
<li> Sakurano Marche du Chocolat PDF Flyer (Japanese) <a href="http://sakurano-dept.jp/dayori/sakurano-ha20150123.pdf">http://sakurano-dept.jp/dayori/sakurano-ha20150123.pdf</a> </li>
<li>AYAKATO Hanamahoro Saganoaya 2015 Chocolate (English) <a href="http://www.ayakato.net/hanamahoro2015_e.html">http://www.ayakato.net/hanamahoro2015_e.html</a></li>
<li>Hachinohe Portal Museum "hacchi"(English) <a href="http://hacchi.jp/en/">http://hacchi.jp/en/</a></li>
<li>Tatsuki Masaru Photography Exhibit "Gyojin" (Japanese) <a href="http://hacchi.jp/programs2/gyolabo/2014/12/002516.html">http://hacchi.jp/programs2/gyolabo/2014/12/002516.html</a></li>
<li>(Kousai) Coffee Minami (Japanese) <a href="http://tabelog.com/aomori/A0203/A020301/2006894/">http://tabelog.com/aomori/A0203/A020301/2006894/</a></li>
<li>Shimoda Jusco (Aeon Mall Shimoda) (Japanese) <a href="http://shimoda-aeonmall.com/">http://shimoda-aeonmall.com/</a> </li>
<li>Cappricciosa (Japanese) <a href="http://www.capricciosa.com/">http://www.capricciosa.com/</a></li>
<li>Kaldi: Sakura no Wine (Japanese) <a href="http://kaldi.co.jp/kaldinews/newitem/drink/sakura_wine.php" target="_blank">http://kaldi.co.jp/kaldinews/newitem/drink/sakura_wine.php </a></li>
</ul>
<br />Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-20436012787663396482015-01-16T12:20:00.000+09:002015-06-05T14:58:12.183+09:00New Blog!For a while I wasn't using this blog for much other than posting information about Towada events. Since such posts are not exactly "adventures in Japan," I decided to start a new blog to provide information about events, restaurants, sightseeing, etc. in Towada, Aomori Prefecture, and Japan.<br />
<br />
The new blog is excitingly titled "<strike>Towada City, Aomori, Japan</strike> Towada and Beyond" <a href="http://towada-city.blogspot.com/">http://towada-city.blogspot.com/</a>. If anyone has suggestions for a more interesting title, let me know!<br />
<br />
For now I only have basic info about Towada/its history, Towada mascot characters, and some upcoming events, but I hope to be able to put up some posts about sightseeing spots, restaurants, etc. in the near future.<br />
<br />
I will continue to update this blog (hopefully more frequently) with posts about travels, taste tests, and other adventures in Japan. Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-45165807994231050952014-12-27T19:12:00.000+09:002015-01-06T12:23:10.736+09:00Nameko's Adventures in Hokkaido, Part 3: Otaru & SapporoOn the final day of Nameko's adventure in Hokkaido, Nameko enjoyed a delicious breakfast (choice of Japanese style or Western style, but Nameko had both!) at the restaurant in the hotel. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtwIrN4-EL05nkvov7iNZQ3MG_4TjQH-ZPq3l_vjkgMY6QTP0cf5iF85Di6ahTT8LLClYm4G5DS42zsSRQupl-A2yl7y2huPmXtPb31-EUVKa6kTISntSt-3Yj0ttxhDcepTcjJuetWU/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Japanese Style Breakfast Hotel Neuschloss Otaru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtwIrN4-EL05nkvov7iNZQ3MG_4TjQH-ZPq3l_vjkgMY6QTP0cf5iF85Di6ahTT8LLClYm4G5DS42zsSRQupl-A2yl7y2huPmXtPb31-EUVKa6kTISntSt-3Yj0ttxhDcepTcjJuetWU/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG" height="240" title="Japanese Style Breakfast" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDG3Q5Wjm9qBiOwH628OULHgnV-j1oPWAJiCJNdCvDfUcK51UWh47AD9rMP_2CBJ31WcDR4KKnN5aO0Tem-PYh5WpmEhusLUA3vJN4A9k-spms3cksE8uVlbNGc7ZSD8dqqWKQtgbdDM/s1600/IMG_1039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Western Style Breakfast Hotel Neuschloss Otaru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDG3Q5Wjm9qBiOwH628OULHgnV-j1oPWAJiCJNdCvDfUcK51UWh47AD9rMP_2CBJ31WcDR4KKnN5aO0Tem-PYh5WpmEhusLUA3vJN4A9k-spms3cksE8uVlbNGc7ZSD8dqqWKQtgbdDM/s1600/IMG_1039.JPG" height="240" title="Western Style Breakfast" width="320" /></a></div>
There was also a small selection of fruits, salad, and breads available, so Nameko helped himself to a croissant and some fruits, too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6s8wsr8_6QEvvm4RGq2Y04ztb0CaefwprlGzn2W0iaP6p9Pkq07gSUL7RGOfPkSrZ-2JoL1myeJeMAnwNrg2FEJX5FwBw3HlyhlwmNWf178kmGcGnm6ZP16HumkxoYSliDH5SUTREyuk/s1600/IMG_1057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fruit & Bread Hotel Neuschloss Otaru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6s8wsr8_6QEvvm4RGq2Y04ztb0CaefwprlGzn2W0iaP6p9Pkq07gSUL7RGOfPkSrZ-2JoL1myeJeMAnwNrg2FEJX5FwBw3HlyhlwmNWf178kmGcGnm6ZP16HumkxoYSliDH5SUTREyuk/s1600/IMG_1057.JPG" height="240" title="Fruit & Bread" width="320" /></a></div>
After brushing his teeth and packing up his bags, it was time for Nameko to say farewell to Hotel Neuschloss Otaru.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xhJIIKvyNGSYCVpztnbBc0hrlSHIwzlD9r60FvG_mHvZJySuxyv2Yhd98BfCDGkLkrdy9LHu9O5yvTpCU9suOosgbBCrjuWuhudj_vQ4VLsxE6D-Fek30VzJhnlUkGuQya2WRoeq0ls/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xhJIIKvyNGSYCVpztnbBc0hrlSHIwzlD9r60FvG_mHvZJySuxyv2Yhd98BfCDGkLkrdy9LHu9O5yvTpCU9suOosgbBCrjuWuhudj_vQ4VLsxE6D-Fek30VzJhnlUkGuQya2WRoeq0ls/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" height="240" title="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru" width="320" /></a></div>
The complimentary shuttle service took him straight back to Otaru Station. Despite having eaten a sizeable breakfast, Nameko decided to return to the <a href="http://kimi-tourguide.blogspot.jp/2011/06/sankaku-fish-market-in-otaru.html" target="_blank">Sankaku Fish Market</a> to try <i>hakkaku</i> sashimi and crab miso soup. (The fish looks octagonal, hence the name "hakkaku" 八角 (a.k.a. sailfin poacher), which means "8-sided".) <br />
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After a quick train ride back from Otaru Station to Sapporo Station, Nameko headed to a Kinokuniya bookstore to buy...a Nameko book! (Nameko Bungaku Zenshuu The World (なめこ文學全集ザ・ワルード, Nameko Literature Collection) retells 6 world literature classic stories in comic form with various Nameko as the characters. A fun way to study Japanese and literature at the same time!)<br />
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Then it was back to Sapporo Station for a quick lunch of octopus curry and assorted seasonal seafood on rice at Maruumiya Paseo.<br />
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With a fair bit of time left before catching the train, Nameko decided to go to Mister Donut to get the new Christmas cupcakes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4xBnZIVE7jH9dUA_jqUaESxcHl6_3evhXMA8pIidXBexhEAFZAzrO23fKDF56pBz3Xfp-OdZTTB61GBR2RYpAwgctMe18tCLOkJqCLIylDf2-4dGVtBo-PSM05j5WKyum4Zz04buCpA/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mister Donut Sapporo Station" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4xBnZIVE7jH9dUA_jqUaESxcHl6_3evhXMA8pIidXBexhEAFZAzrO23fKDF56pBz3Xfp-OdZTTB61GBR2RYpAwgctMe18tCLOkJqCLIylDf2-4dGVtBo-PSM05j5WKyum4Zz04buCpA/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG" height="240" title="Mister Donut" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOlqJ7KQOccrkWb2MdHYmx3J-_xoX3pwOTaQnYHbVR_CfFT2WROtZPQ2Hfj6I4EPBCojI3-WVIKywKM6b8lRbQBnAO3R7nlEDFWO8lGYxiHQWDGD0QDkIGwMVHO6qxdjuO9ITCtXgJZI/s1600/IMG_1114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mister Donut Christmas Cupcake Sapporo Station" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOlqJ7KQOccrkWb2MdHYmx3J-_xoX3pwOTaQnYHbVR_CfFT2WROtZPQ2Hfj6I4EPBCojI3-WVIKywKM6b8lRbQBnAO3R7nlEDFWO8lGYxiHQWDGD0QDkIGwMVHO6qxdjuO9ITCtXgJZI/s1600/IMG_1114.JPG" height="240" title="Mister Donut Christmas Cupcake" width="320" /></a></div>
Finally it was time to board the train to go home. It was a long train ride, so Nameko had <i>buta-don</i> (pork on rice) and a type of pressed sushi for dinner, washed down with Soft Katsugen, a Hokkaido-only yogurt-flavoured drink.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Lqi0IFK9NXbh9cJP67YrRToCmWUhKeXnKK1nwUURqUfvO7yxWGP4bMTNOHdOzryoPlMBkl7cbEWpAo42KETkatkpCgh-1VprwYzi-3hAzpgw9FfkPawslK_XGAYvNC1EWzw-qlvEEWs/s1600/IMG_1127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hokkaido Buta-Don Pork Rice Sapporo Station" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Lqi0IFK9NXbh9cJP67YrRToCmWUhKeXnKK1nwUURqUfvO7yxWGP4bMTNOHdOzryoPlMBkl7cbEWpAo42KETkatkpCgh-1VprwYzi-3hAzpgw9FfkPawslK_XGAYvNC1EWzw-qlvEEWs/s1600/IMG_1127.JPG" height="240" title="Hokkaido Buta-Don Pork Rice" width="320" /></a></div>
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Links:<br />
Hotel Neuschloss Otaru: <a href="http://www.neuschloss.com/english/index.html">http://www.neuschloss.com/english/index.html</a><br />
Sankaku Fish Market: <a href="http://kimi-tourguide.blogspot.jp/2011/06/sankaku-fish-market-in-otaru.html">http://kimi-tourguide.blogspot.jp/2011/06/sankaku-fish-market-in-otaru.html</a> <br />
Kinokuniya: <a href="http://www.kinokuniya.com/">http://www.kinokuniya.com/</a> <br />
Nameko Bungaku Zenshuu Series (Japanese only): <a href="http://namepara.com/info/nnfvideo/3509.html">http://namepara.com/info/nnfvideo/3509.html</a><br />
Maruumiya Paseo: <a href="http://seesapporo.com/place/maruumiya-paseo/">http://seesapporo.com/place/maruumiya-paseo/</a><br />
Mister Donut (Japanese only): <a href="http://www.misterdonut.jp/">http://www.misterdonut.jp/</a>Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-64271801166049361052014-11-26T21:55:00.002+09:002015-05-19T13:06:34.143+09:00Nameko's Adventures in Hokkaido, Part 2: OtaruNameko left Sapporo early to head to Otaru (about 45min west by train). His first stop was the Sankaku Ichiba (三角市場) fish market located just west of the station (to the left and up some stairs).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXh_GxPtfor342IpH03i7t7b4jrT0HiHtvPL7AtJw9oDS1qbbndyxZhBAzAO3UpDIHNWVhk06Ln6OLROkLz3lHF31-pRoLLxHEde0pbkWRdF7h57qOPm5gIq2_wfF6zr5aSJeVQOjbNg0/s1600/IMG_0855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img alt="Otaru Sankaku Ichibi Fish Market" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXh_GxPtfor342IpH03i7t7b4jrT0HiHtvPL7AtJw9oDS1qbbndyxZhBAzAO3UpDIHNWVhk06Ln6OLROkLz3lHF31-pRoLLxHEde0pbkWRdF7h57qOPm5gIq2_wfF6zr5aSJeVQOjbNg0/s1600/IMG_0855.JPG" height="320" title="Otaru Sankaku Ichiba" width="240" /></a></div>
It's a fairly small/narrow market, but luckily a nice man at one of the first shops (Kawashima Sengyo-Ten <a href="http://www2.odn.ne.jp/kawashima-sen/" target="_blank">川嶋鮮魚店</a>) greeted Nameko and asked if he was looking for anything in particular. Nameko wanted to send some seasonal seafood back home to Aomori, and the man was very helpful in helping Nameko pick out various things. The shop also has a restaurant, Sea Food Restarant Kawashima (鮮魚食堂かわしま), attached to it, so Nameko decided to go for <i>hirame</i> (flounder) sashimi, and <i>ano</i><i>don </i>(あの丼)--a bowl of rice topped with seasonal seafood as selected by the chef. <br />
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The <i>anodon</i> had (starting from the center and going clockwise from the upper right):<br />
<i>- shako</i> (mantis shrimp--tastes more like lobster than shrimp)<br />
<i>- uni</i> (sea urchin); <i>kani</i> (center right: crab)<br />
<i>- ikura </i>(salmon roe)<br />
- <i>shirako </i>(cod milt, a.k.a. cod sperm sac)<br />
- <i>kujira</i> (whale)*<br />
- <i>sake</i> (salmon)<br />
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(*Yes, I know people have lots of issues with eating whale meat, but personally, while I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it, neither would I refuse to eat it if served to me. Japanese whaling is a complex issue that I don't really want to get into here.) <br />
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After the delicious meal, Nameko headed to the Marchen Intersection (マルヘン交差点). <br />
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In order to walk off some of his breakfast, Nameko did some window shopping at the Otaru Orgel Doh (小樽オルゴール堂 <a href="http://www.otaru-orgel.co.jp/english/e_main.html" target="_blank">Music Box Museum</a>) and Yume no Oto "Character House" (夢の音 a shop selling goods featuring various goods related to various popular characters, e.g. Rilakkuma, Totoro, etc.).<br />
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Then he headed across the street to the head store of <a href="https://www.letao.jp/global/en/stores.html" target="_blank">LeTao</a>. (Incidentally, the name LeTao in Japanese is actually ルタオ RU-TA-O, which is O-TA-RU backwards!) In the second floor cafe, he enjoyed a piece of Double Fromage cake and a special chocolate cake set (available only at the head store cafe) with the monthly special blend tea. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-sLzbNOYdRQcVh9Z2N5gtl7jbNgmt944u6BoDmShLxdUUDK7OBw6oR95KQraKP_eQwtBwnB1EBg0YpnVH2dAyQOrJx1NtwfuVWOqbxSj9nmb7kUG9KZM4RbIE7ZygFFY7Pin4BLc4_s/s1600/IMG_0881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="LeTao Honten head store" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-sLzbNOYdRQcVh9Z2N5gtl7jbNgmt944u6BoDmShLxdUUDK7OBw6oR95KQraKP_eQwtBwnB1EBg0YpnVH2dAyQOrJx1NtwfuVWOqbxSj9nmb7kUG9KZM4RbIE7ZygFFY7Pin4BLc4_s/s1600/IMG_0881.JPG" height="320" title="LeTao head store" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveWTOT_r7CcTuazNa2cR5dQ_T-sNJ3NfduHcBf0o-03o_2tBYd-tujsUDYpPXDGiPYUwM-zHBKzW3Y6wY4wiKDp03VGq_89aI8v_fcL7sPXEGR3m5BW9tffVIDsHTfAZVC3UnU5wM8gY/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="LeTao Honten head store cafe" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveWTOT_r7CcTuazNa2cR5dQ_T-sNJ3NfduHcBf0o-03o_2tBYd-tujsUDYpPXDGiPYUwM-zHBKzW3Y6wY4wiKDp03VGq_89aI8v_fcL7sPXEGR3m5BW9tffVIDsHTfAZVC3UnU5wM8gY/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" height="240" title="LeTao head store cafe" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaF7NglDYYJf8wMiOpcK2kJzKDUXkrLc3Px-hQdYKZd3PQXfxe8-Ai3rVoVRegpl0XpKJPsUfHKhpptT_WNnyzIz0DJ-xWwTAdtACObBHn_LK5AYZuA3JIcUkbfOmGH27f6ckUcW2kvw/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="LeTao Honten head store cafe" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaF7NglDYYJf8wMiOpcK2kJzKDUXkrLc3Px-hQdYKZd3PQXfxe8-Ai3rVoVRegpl0XpKJPsUfHKhpptT_WNnyzIz0DJ-xWwTAdtACObBHn_LK5AYZuA3JIcUkbfOmGH27f6ckUcW2kvw/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" height="240" title="LeTao head store cafe" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eqBBXs9Hw_S8daikhn2NfNtpJxFIsqBZ80x896c5O9P36ajeDCnFMMgAmKuo1-0El1haWNGcyxbwrq1Ett8FqjlQ-5CQOjynmVG9eqofcOThL0Z7OrV089xbYTsIOtwom2NZSSAJRLA/s1600/IMG_0889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="LeTao Honten head store cafe cake set double fromage" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eqBBXs9Hw_S8daikhn2NfNtpJxFIsqBZ80x896c5O9P36ajeDCnFMMgAmKuo1-0El1haWNGcyxbwrq1Ett8FqjlQ-5CQOjynmVG9eqofcOThL0Z7OrV089xbYTsIOtwom2NZSSAJRLA/s1600/IMG_0889.JPG" height="240" title="LeTao head store cafe cake set double fromage" width="320" /></a></div>
After LeTao, Nameko headed west along <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6704.html" target="_blank">Sakaimachi Street</a> (堺町通り), exploring various shops like <a href="http://ikataro.tv/e/index.html" target="_blank">Ika Taro Honpo</a> (いか太郎本舗), a shop that sells freshly roasted and shredded squid. (Nameko bought a pack to enjoy as a snack later in the evening...)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMA67GOC185IeMrDHOlO7F5-JCeF8_Ft7HIn6TrPZpWQLuOTgwX4NC19hAAyV_-885q-fdIgnimvgC-D5lzNn9IFQvNXuKzuBjvpU68nJuz0LZTU8oNhDOGonzj3ILBpo56TvaHqFXhI/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ika Taro Honpo roasted shredded squid" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMA67GOC185IeMrDHOlO7F5-JCeF8_Ft7HIn6TrPZpWQLuOTgwX4NC19hAAyV_-885q-fdIgnimvgC-D5lzNn9IFQvNXuKzuBjvpU68nJuz0LZTU8oNhDOGonzj3ILBpo56TvaHqFXhI/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" height="240" title="Ika Taro Honpo " width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9-QvttsdWu8a9QY3lVx9W77wnX2BHsmHBhrfGvPwSw1q83fsGppOjXctNSRNp3iZ78kZ5BTs1Sk4Uxaa9XJttCt_2N1ExjNX0QbND5E_xJHViXsIR9T-rQCgKV_1QAAXaYPsi37YbFw/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ika Taro Honpo roasted shredded squid" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9-QvttsdWu8a9QY3lVx9W77wnX2BHsmHBhrfGvPwSw1q83fsGppOjXctNSRNp3iZ78kZ5BTs1Sk4Uxaa9XJttCt_2N1ExjNX0QbND5E_xJHViXsIR9T-rQCgKV_1QAAXaYPsi37YbFw/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" height="213" title="Ika Taro Honpo" width="320" /></a></div>
Eventually Nameko swung north from Sakaimachi Street to head to the <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6701.html" target="_blank">Otaru Canal</a> (小樽運河).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctaJUDalGLiOaIxYBhbiyu9M8BCnsU0rTpWfnkBCTWnErEcbSWqiIP1UMpaYLTxnCxo2GcXRzdCN9dMoHLacwJXqaZUPTDGi6yJMXjZ4RPkoGYuc8GYWfw7hSAd_RjhC9nwxjcT9H1bo/s1600/IMG_0906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Otaru Canal Unga" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctaJUDalGLiOaIxYBhbiyu9M8BCnsU0rTpWfnkBCTWnErEcbSWqiIP1UMpaYLTxnCxo2GcXRzdCN9dMoHLacwJXqaZUPTDGi6yJMXjZ4RPkoGYuc8GYWfw7hSAd_RjhC9nwxjcT9H1bo/s1600/IMG_0906.JPG" height="240" title="Otaru Canal" width="320" /></a></div>
From there he headed slightly further west to the Otaru-Shi Sougou Hakubutsukan Ungakan (小樽市総合博物館運河館 <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6702.html" target="_blank">Otaru Museum Canal Building</a>). Unfortunately the exterior was completely covered in blue sheets as the building is currently undergoing renovations, but at least the museum was still open! Nameko even made some "friends" there...!?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D1FundWiSodKrClrHDICQc5VX1U99qBYRNiTaOSWnZHWEbDgnNi0CQHKjDRI2QC1OvIxlCMmtRR53Pa_fIyuCynnvFJ_bNcTdPtB_-YDbJR4aji2fVB17DVpIDHQnC5Z6IDvd2KMfwE/s1600/IMG_0917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Otaru Museum Canal Building" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D1FundWiSodKrClrHDICQc5VX1U99qBYRNiTaOSWnZHWEbDgnNi0CQHKjDRI2QC1OvIxlCMmtRR53Pa_fIyuCynnvFJ_bNcTdPtB_-YDbJR4aji2fVB17DVpIDHQnC5Z6IDvd2KMfwE/s1600/IMG_0917.JPG" height="320" title="Otaru Museum Canal Building" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp2O_JkqojiwJ3LIMWX0hELOTBBIABsRs-z9UyFGBYFDMISbY4s3ihcYzJONgUNpw7DvbiYtNndVBnMawi2C8iKQBT1cFW53gCbUxHanBJ4QRWVzVy3T39P5B8QiT8OiHSV0eCBe-kns/s1600/IMG_0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Otaru Museum Canal Buildling" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp2O_JkqojiwJ3LIMWX0hELOTBBIABsRs-z9UyFGBYFDMISbY4s3ihcYzJONgUNpw7DvbiYtNndVBnMawi2C8iKQBT1cFW53gCbUxHanBJ4QRWVzVy3T39P5B8QiT8OiHSV0eCBe-kns/s1600/IMG_0909.JPG" height="320" title="Otaru Museum Canal Building" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqvPcq55l7trXGtaEFSnjUPpx4Xvg_B5a2NrdxltAJAaZEOUcubFv7DIgKBV4224AE58YlcPfE-K1f0jVDz8CX0QNgJiRqhSL1X_GfyxV2CHR8IDhG0q-bqnpzenfI8BO5MwvzNonu6M/s1600/IMG_0912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Otaru Museum Canal Building" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqvPcq55l7trXGtaEFSnjUPpx4Xvg_B5a2NrdxltAJAaZEOUcubFv7DIgKBV4224AE58YlcPfE-K1f0jVDz8CX0QNgJiRqhSL1X_GfyxV2CHR8IDhG0q-bqnpzenfI8BO5MwvzNonu6M/s1600/IMG_0912.JPG" height="240" title="Otaru Museum Canal Building" width="320" /></a></div>
Next it was back across the Canal for a light lunch at the <a href="http://www.shift.jp.org/guide/sapporo/bar-restaurant/otaru-soko-no1.html" target="_blank">Otaru Beer Otaru Souko No.1</a> (<a href="http://otarubeer.com/jp/%E5%B0%8F%E6%A8%BD%E5%80%89%E5%BA%ABno-1-2" target="_blank">小樽ビール小樽倉庫No.1</a>) where he tried the Weiss and Dunkel beers, apple cider (cold and carbonated), pork pate, pretzel, and homemade pickles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSmGmve0ith3U45Y0GTLxj_fSAxY9tYSu35U01KqT82FuanZCK38ZDStgvogu2Tfk_Fa2SVpPQgKf0hF1yQXkcK5nL9sSKhcdniYTX0LmMEi17yBV7AH-qExKpUqTrJY4aQ8_1kO1fEQ/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Otaru Beer Otaru Souko No.1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSmGmve0ith3U45Y0GTLxj_fSAxY9tYSu35U01KqT82FuanZCK38ZDStgvogu2Tfk_Fa2SVpPQgKf0hF1yQXkcK5nL9sSKhcdniYTX0LmMEi17yBV7AH-qExKpUqTrJY4aQ8_1kO1fEQ/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG" height="240" title="Otaru Beer Otaru Souko No.1" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOpf5L9_fYmoHfWGslKhAtz2_ohIe_gmOovpNB7Oiu5ukufofpZDJW4qIQm2PVoond7KeOixLBey7btCCnrdzbWKjftZW8h-5CAvw_U6UpisazWU8mCVYBeke4NnFfLesSG8Hl0uC_k4/s1600/IMG_0922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Otaru Beer Otaru Souko No.1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOpf5L9_fYmoHfWGslKhAtz2_ohIe_gmOovpNB7Oiu5ukufofpZDJW4qIQm2PVoond7KeOixLBey7btCCnrdzbWKjftZW8h-5CAvw_U6UpisazWU8mCVYBeke4NnFfLesSG8Hl0uC_k4/s1600/IMG_0922.JPG" height="240" title="Otaru Beer Otaru Souko No.1" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fMxlEv7JTALvNCUT6JKDwccNwYCLRjMe-NlsOqlLjYerMFqzS2dMEgOftCETjphGXoCOuWFSOqc6jyDnPHpw2LCmH83aSLPammVrap_FT2b23hHToWaNICoNi5LuU-W_IeuXgDKAleA/s1600/IMG_0924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Otaru Beer Otaru Souko No.1 Weiss Apple Cider" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fMxlEv7JTALvNCUT6JKDwccNwYCLRjMe-NlsOqlLjYerMFqzS2dMEgOftCETjphGXoCOuWFSOqc6jyDnPHpw2LCmH83aSLPammVrap_FT2b23hHToWaNICoNi5LuU-W_IeuXgDKAleA/s1600/IMG_0924.JPG" height="320" title="Otaru Beer Weiss and Apple Cider" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-PTCynplSxTaw8FTLhKhZVd3y6jCMcIwtEdHuRJUh60MTd1abzYlaEYlkM0qhHmZT9JPpyhuGYhyphenhyphenKOUbyNk_BIXOReDxrjufM07wdigl7QOoKKbaej08Noz-GN7_gLRZ2ldSPQ12ZO4/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Otaru Beer Otaru Souko No.1 Weiss" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-PTCynplSxTaw8FTLhKhZVd3y6jCMcIwtEdHuRJUh60MTd1abzYlaEYlkM0qhHmZT9JPpyhuGYhyphenhyphenKOUbyNk_BIXOReDxrjufM07wdigl7QOoKKbaej08Noz-GN7_gLRZ2ldSPQ12ZO4/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" height="320" title="Otaru Beer Weiss" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBqDFdFSjfKlv9NfU4qjTMbpWiRPBrJpAB54ipcius2DfNaOl-fLswmWpZa95RlOi4UDG0j8stNGnb0cbpc6ZMrmrE-uD8ODgOGQZJHs55P6Uipz4RYdzoUdiY9B9ubTzQf4zwk_FYAk/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Otaru Beer Otaru Souko No.1 Dunkel" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBqDFdFSjfKlv9NfU4qjTMbpWiRPBrJpAB54ipcius2DfNaOl-fLswmWpZa95RlOi4UDG0j8stNGnb0cbpc6ZMrmrE-uD8ODgOGQZJHs55P6Uipz4RYdzoUdiY9B9ubTzQf4zwk_FYAk/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" height="320" title="Otaru Beer Dunkel" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuc8w-TOtj_8hZ4wQywqbHhxSx5gFpwGLCNpZzJyGcZFEwNx4F-BWsaDDFoihoByW-s_Jc2trohsHljKLOJmC03ZDHsKgd-8Grgw-XvmPdGbQQjpi_RBbC5AXpqRi3m-dmOSmq4NXeNY/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuc8w-TOtj_8hZ4wQywqbHhxSx5gFpwGLCNpZzJyGcZFEwNx4F-BWsaDDFoihoByW-s_Jc2trohsHljKLOJmC03ZDHsKgd-8Grgw-XvmPdGbQQjpi_RBbC5AXpqRi3m-dmOSmq4NXeNY/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjailElrzLXV0yOnaO3Ry0z5rqa4PQ4hjA_9_ZuteTHm2vm6YQWzQWJDzex4Le7a1b-He07OcaYGLCNshjW0LM0TaFM61ZjRVM_R4wOD5nS6HMv2VAZjCqITgd0MTRse_DMR9z45yohsM/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Otaru Beer Otaru Souko No.1 Pretzel Pork Pate" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjailElrzLXV0yOnaO3Ry0z5rqa4PQ4hjA_9_ZuteTHm2vm6YQWzQWJDzex4Le7a1b-He07OcaYGLCNshjW0LM0TaFM61ZjRVM_R4wOD5nS6HMv2VAZjCqITgd0MTRse_DMR9z45yohsM/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG" height="240" title="Pretzel and Pork Pate" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQdj05m31xoVjhv8NkhbDYO4nsN4NOxGjKiSFSq1rAynnWnztLQCn6icnzxAfr9SS9hvMCcXWjmdsUFleKbSIiRyRadw_LHH-MTYNlVVTyztmc-Iip6d4vl7qjD3bpUWt8PLhxNS0AW0/s1600/IMG_0934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Otaru Beer Otaru Souko No.1 Pork Pate" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQdj05m31xoVjhv8NkhbDYO4nsN4NOxGjKiSFSq1rAynnWnztLQCn6icnzxAfr9SS9hvMCcXWjmdsUFleKbSIiRyRadw_LHH-MTYNlVVTyztmc-Iip6d4vl7qjD3bpUWt8PLhxNS0AW0/s1600/IMG_0934.JPG" height="240" title="Pork Pate" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoQ2l1hMMkqEfEPjV9rWffdqinLUiWSGc8UWDYhBWQ_9mTx5VTMEbdccpMytQiNTPHsXfxyYcbvn1iGF99vw0caG7NyL40y3p8O35u7nvt5ob7Sl2yuFcvoS5-da3EqvLD-YQ0HlAogQ/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Otaru Beer Otaru Souko No.1 Pork Pate" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoQ2l1hMMkqEfEPjV9rWffdqinLUiWSGc8UWDYhBWQ_9mTx5VTMEbdccpMytQiNTPHsXfxyYcbvn1iGF99vw0caG7NyL40y3p8O35u7nvt5ob7Sl2yuFcvoS5-da3EqvLD-YQ0HlAogQ/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" height="320" title="Pork Pate" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TTnsB_vMah5iprxZhcWb-c-LXnyIWglt4UFzbXgT0J4BAYWg7u7-lyX5DXuGdP9tZ9xi7DbWM_BF3rLNOputaHmoAEjLaFYKBnbNnSZAiWFdBfEOApZFkeX8BjToQyOIe1m9KnOdrec/s1600/IMG_0939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Otaru Beer Otaru Souko No.1 Pretzel" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TTnsB_vMah5iprxZhcWb-c-LXnyIWglt4UFzbXgT0J4BAYWg7u7-lyX5DXuGdP9tZ9xi7DbWM_BF3rLNOputaHmoAEjLaFYKBnbNnSZAiWFdBfEOApZFkeX8BjToQyOIe1m9KnOdrec/s1600/IMG_0939.JPG" height="240" title="Pretzel" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbshrXjuE-ZyCr5nxScxkrYxi86TgEq5qg7lnOmpgr73f7mi-NOxGUGWcLIYANYkZD3GLcLf7-z8xmR96lcQ_18nnTINybg6Cn9ZFa4ByePJo-PB5ogBIP04D-fXpq57st8ZoFhg0xHQ/s1600/IMG_0948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Otaru Beer Otaru Souko No.1 Homemade Pickles Jikasei Tsukemono" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbshrXjuE-ZyCr5nxScxkrYxi86TgEq5qg7lnOmpgr73f7mi-NOxGUGWcLIYANYkZD3GLcLf7-z8xmR96lcQ_18nnTINybg6Cn9ZFa4ByePJo-PB5ogBIP04D-fXpq57st8ZoFhg0xHQ/s1600/IMG_0948.JPG" height="320" title="Homemade Pickles" width="240" /></a></div>
Feeling rather tired after so much walking (starting from the <a href="http://melt-in-japan.blogspot.jp/2014/11/namekos-adventures-in-hokkaido-part-1.html" target="_blank">previous day</a>!), Nameko headed back to Otaru Station where he did some shopping at a LeTao branch store and Kinokuniya Bookstore and relaxed with some tea at a cafe inside the station until the courtesy shuttle bus from the hotel, <a href="http://www.neuschloss.com/english/index.html" target="_blank">Hotel Neuschloss Otaru</a> (ホテルノイシュロス小樽), came to pick him up.<br />
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After checking in at the hotel, Nameko had just enough time to check out the luxurious room and attached "open air"* bath before heading down for dinner. (*There was a window, of course, but unexpectedly there was also a screen in front of the window--probably for privacy and to prevent people from sticking body parts out of the window--so it wasn't exactly "open air.")<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbW0DeXlIaqHaoHSPPCoGO9zHm01-Kl86-ZF0hJ-sxN2PTBE1SJANoWHtnXjTvCcgKPkBqYgE2abGzqdtYgZTip5GNLPuD68vKPsMIGXS1Q1TLACIs2Xkp1di8lQ91MMEf2smKAUX1YPc/s1600/IMG_1019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbW0DeXlIaqHaoHSPPCoGO9zHm01-Kl86-ZF0hJ-sxN2PTBE1SJANoWHtnXjTvCcgKPkBqYgE2abGzqdtYgZTip5GNLPuD68vKPsMIGXS1Q1TLACIs2Xkp1di8lQ91MMEf2smKAUX1YPc/s1600/IMG_1019.JPG" height="240" title="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulzyEPHOE8YhdniblcD73yCYJ8oSzPfqZTyTFjyDWkZevykcSwLc2KEGWBO2o1TqtPm-ntIENzCQPtIk-gTpHRwWGO33rYx98BqCUiVArVqtKklapqxXE5m_oyiiAblT_tn5__VC-pH0/s1600/IMG_1023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru Lobby" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulzyEPHOE8YhdniblcD73yCYJ8oSzPfqZTyTFjyDWkZevykcSwLc2KEGWBO2o1TqtPm-ntIENzCQPtIk-gTpHRwWGO33rYx98BqCUiVArVqtKklapqxXE5m_oyiiAblT_tn5__VC-pH0/s1600/IMG_1023.JPG" height="320" title="Lobby" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqKGaNUQ18KlCVvsrl4yPEpkUzzI0bqqroHOEX1qsZrwUT4hcNXPKM5e-lVuQf8dXwNoANWF8178GKxlsUV4ZPCWe7y4BH2k991n49y2GpC6BAxSbVswhPtG3rCSYMCyLmVXPyMTk79U/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru Bedroom Double Bed" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqKGaNUQ18KlCVvsrl4yPEpkUzzI0bqqroHOEX1qsZrwUT4hcNXPKM5e-lVuQf8dXwNoANWF8178GKxlsUV4ZPCWe7y4BH2k991n49y2GpC6BAxSbVswhPtG3rCSYMCyLmVXPyMTk79U/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" height="320" title="Double Bed" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOR25jWm7AHtRlQ7KUfwSxn3OUA6x5TqJxTisD7T057QyzKk0jjxATATNAlC6M_3RbgazSBGK-a3Ia5pBvA_JAKVuP0d_ygbos-yQjxKnlskmajfCeM5HCcL5ZXkmVYLP8PAcWO3mPOEc/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru Bedroom Sitting Area" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOR25jWm7AHtRlQ7KUfwSxn3OUA6x5TqJxTisD7T057QyzKk0jjxATATNAlC6M_3RbgazSBGK-a3Ia5pBvA_JAKVuP0d_ygbos-yQjxKnlskmajfCeM5HCcL5ZXkmVYLP8PAcWO3mPOEc/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG" height="320" title="Sitting Area" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstHFCvRkkqns9Z6q77JMBGYFHZ79LKNDkHeIKCLXX8pJm_wh8iWqFs4TM6uGKfFZN3u-NYaTYCOcC9Q8VuvCQicTLSHl3CwqcE2r5X0NiJRWwkZTf2e0lyXBkBVI36WwEq-Tz3AsyL4M/s1600/IMG_0957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru Bedroom Amenities" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstHFCvRkkqns9Z6q77JMBGYFHZ79LKNDkHeIKCLXX8pJm_wh8iWqFs4TM6uGKfFZN3u-NYaTYCOcC9Q8VuvCQicTLSHl3CwqcE2r5X0NiJRWwkZTf2e0lyXBkBVI36WwEq-Tz3AsyL4M/s1600/IMG_0957.JPG" height="320" title="Amenities" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihXnR5Ig877gF7Ui9-st0DMdkAQrQJyCqbW1B38nFkZPWy0ASupoHjFK3C-xrCgqGGIJB8-9aHyhqvLKo7NR0N3yGqJ7NOiFtsV7jBSaQByvAM8YnbZytSAATQeFlysmC70J3fkqr1-I/s1600/IMG_0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihXnR5Ig877gF7Ui9-st0DMdkAQrQJyCqbW1B38nFkZPWy0ASupoHjFK3C-xrCgqGGIJB8-9aHyhqvLKo7NR0N3yGqJ7NOiFtsV7jBSaQByvAM8YnbZytSAATQeFlysmC70J3fkqr1-I/s1600/IMG_0958.JPG" height="240" title="Complimentary Cookies" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7otuY7D6zg2gPavhrzQSfqU9kTrKnqIR5Z9pl318tiPWIlWoc0UTOkzdlNAIV5ZCv_GGJtFVqpyOUwfs6yDZ0Ui9VzRKY2guKu4d06tMVj-nYBEn995rmPiyg3jyq9U2qF83rmpEsEU/s1600/IMG_0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru bath" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7otuY7D6zg2gPavhrzQSfqU9kTrKnqIR5Z9pl318tiPWIlWoc0UTOkzdlNAIV5ZCv_GGJtFVqpyOUwfs6yDZ0Ui9VzRKY2guKu4d06tMVj-nYBEn995rmPiyg3jyq9U2qF83rmpEsEU/s1600/IMG_0960.JPG" height="320" title="Bath" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZopbkRLhddoM8MCI7l7evAWyNk77VbaCI3nT6J8e2k71HRCahAX05J_33lY2G0Myvxur9d0RrvUtjGN6hn7qDTCHy9ZnMSONqV1m6Vo2HIUZtJUUft-jE8ex9Z9AkO6kA16VODlXbGE/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZopbkRLhddoM8MCI7l7evAWyNk77VbaCI3nT6J8e2k71HRCahAX05J_33lY2G0Myvxur9d0RrvUtjGN6hn7qDTCHy9ZnMSONqV1m6Vo2HIUZtJUUft-jE8ex9Z9AkO6kA16VODlXbGE/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" height="320" title="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPargNeYBCTs9txg9Ak6rz0lhP3L9rSQVndRwldZMBqc2uVUG6D-hU22OwORSMKq5u5GlTvUGC2MCIOjGFjFx-LvIBY6yQ-3d3xlbXDOMKRxUML8MUgMx4Y0Ph7viqw9q2buLgTzNADPM/s1600/IMG_0963.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru Private Bath Rotemburo" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPargNeYBCTs9txg9Ak6rz0lhP3L9rSQVndRwldZMBqc2uVUG6D-hU22OwORSMKq5u5GlTvUGC2MCIOjGFjFx-LvIBY6yQ-3d3xlbXDOMKRxUML8MUgMx4Y0Ph7viqw9q2buLgTzNADPM/s1600/IMG_0963.JPG" height="240" title="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru" width="320" /></a></div>
Dinner was a lovely five-course meal at the restaurant, Blau Kuste (ブラウキュステ):<br />
- foie gras and semi-dried tomato mousse<br />
- <i>buri</i> (Japanese amberjack, yellowtail) carpaccio with eggplant sauce, and a snowcrab crabcake<br />
- turbot (a type of flatfish) gratin and carrot soup<br />
- duck confit with vinegar and red wine sauce/Wagyu filet steak (120g)<br />
- mont blanc, coffee ice cream, and fruits<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hfzs3aN1bu985znIfaGkgA0BhyphenhypheneU66MLd2aWjEU-x7HNznebdXzxH6Ye6Ip4tPRLWr7J8x5i6YMFdMl0bsRoHDAf25mCvGeeaZOkUEki5pqGEorsHccpGTkQYYrQVFFW6QOz8-ApFko/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru Blau Kuste foie gras and semi-dried tomato mousse" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hfzs3aN1bu985znIfaGkgA0BhyphenhypheneU66MLd2aWjEU-x7HNznebdXzxH6Ye6Ip4tPRLWr7J8x5i6YMFdMl0bsRoHDAf25mCvGeeaZOkUEki5pqGEorsHccpGTkQYYrQVFFW6QOz8-ApFko/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" height="320" title="foie gras and semi-dried tomato mousse" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSOJczi_U3KaUxqGo0ZgkXxqgnbefHdPvv-FGiYiB4ozzMjqsFOlEz66RpaTyaMbGyX4C7u9YbK1EyBzKOHDHTrIstdiJQpPpy6Bz-EiHgAG86zCEdmpe9VWa-22M-G1JBHv7NoIqj60/s1600/IMG_0984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru Blau Kuste buri (Japanese amberjack, yellowtail) carpaccio with eggplant sauce, and a snowcrab crabcake" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSOJczi_U3KaUxqGo0ZgkXxqgnbefHdPvv-FGiYiB4ozzMjqsFOlEz66RpaTyaMbGyX4C7u9YbK1EyBzKOHDHTrIstdiJQpPpy6Bz-EiHgAG86zCEdmpe9VWa-22M-G1JBHv7NoIqj60/s1600/IMG_0984.JPG" height="320" title="buri (Japanese amberjack, yellowtail) carpaccio with eggplant sauce, and a snowcrab crabcake" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUMSv4rhXP4dqYpSdCNl2UHkU5k5xCJlWd7jHnk-nxAkJMUs0KRuHPcCBTNITp5D40qS-9iCt3Nl___WbksF0yiIazIJRRUrrIf18tY-BENRr7Lft1IuACuM3CeIJM8nZ3p6sn_RKY3E/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru Blau Kuste turbot (a type of flatfish) gratin and carrot soup" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUMSv4rhXP4dqYpSdCNl2UHkU5k5xCJlWd7jHnk-nxAkJMUs0KRuHPcCBTNITp5D40qS-9iCt3Nl___WbksF0yiIazIJRRUrrIf18tY-BENRr7Lft1IuACuM3CeIJM8nZ3p6sn_RKY3E/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" height="240" title="turbot (a type of flatfish) gratin and carrot soup" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimRrzGgZERy5KuGwHwWpaP_0XDEGiaiJYDfSB6f_gF1misthOxuV-DUb6nLl2j2AlolUzPZ0bTZ5GQmNChBzy4l-sg-0uDzrsQHbZt6M6L-8qVZPh7ir2Fr25ULhGM-bF8AN7g1UDY88/s1600/IMG_1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru Blau Kuste duck confit with vinegar and red wine sauce Wagyu filet steak (120g)" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimRrzGgZERy5KuGwHwWpaP_0XDEGiaiJYDfSB6f_gF1misthOxuV-DUb6nLl2j2AlolUzPZ0bTZ5GQmNChBzy4l-sg-0uDzrsQHbZt6M6L-8qVZPh7ir2Fr25ULhGM-bF8AN7g1UDY88/s1600/IMG_1005.JPG" height="240" title="duck confit with vinegar and red wine sauce/Wagyu filet steak (120g)" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF41TSxbas6qm3vJ3IR4GxE4tAePqrjMncBy4x1qSA5lumZAA3UQGJFAbCUAxWbdYiN3v2vaJySBUv8f57r3yHdJnf2HTjPskLvYYo93owhKcJBK7zjSSeFg3ShAS7OirTSnuyLzylhs/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel Neuschloss Otaru Blau Kuste mont blanc, coffee ice cream, and fruits" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF41TSxbas6qm3vJ3IR4GxE4tAePqrjMncBy4x1qSA5lumZAA3UQGJFAbCUAxWbdYiN3v2vaJySBUv8f57r3yHdJnf2HTjPskLvYYo93owhKcJBK7zjSSeFg3ShAS7OirTSnuyLzylhs/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG" height="240" title="mont blanc, coffee ice cream, and fruits" width="320" /></a></div>
After dinner and a good long soak in the bath, Nameko ended the night with a can of Classic Sapporo Beer, a can of guarana soda (sweet, cough syrup taste!), chocolate cake from LeTao, and roasted shredded squid from Ika Taro!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7d0DCKS7wH8qwgvOYZiTY-k1seSiVVVYDTGXb98Dfly19F5IdSQdb-X4V6uka8bm8ES63LGI2oJ381lMYmpF7G7FvUKrSiEePdz6tG53HATPpjxzXN_Y3VajFkycFcKgk3BoxuC0Tt54/s1600/IMG_1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Classic Sapporo Beer and Kirin Guarana soda" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7d0DCKS7wH8qwgvOYZiTY-k1seSiVVVYDTGXb98Dfly19F5IdSQdb-X4V6uka8bm8ES63LGI2oJ381lMYmpF7G7FvUKrSiEePdz6tG53HATPpjxzXN_Y3VajFkycFcKgk3BoxuC0Tt54/s1600/IMG_1027.JPG" height="240" title="Classic Sapporo Beer and Kirin Guarana soda" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwB6WuOV-LzmZWhnn9rb4lxx2Z5R_PtbD9bwlH-_P7Kq54Iyuws5JSVgkGi4DsCTUaJOA8M8_WbiSU_r2zxEVCBxP3dLFRgpTL3HCV4tM_rscu8OaOC35gquBk5cIdFUdPsMIyrpieyg/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="LeTao chocolate cake" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwB6WuOV-LzmZWhnn9rb4lxx2Z5R_PtbD9bwlH-_P7Kq54Iyuws5JSVgkGi4DsCTUaJOA8M8_WbiSU_r2zxEVCBxP3dLFRgpTL3HCV4tM_rscu8OaOC35gquBk5cIdFUdPsMIyrpieyg/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" height="240" title="LeTao chocolate cake" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMHt_c7917GTOq5M0Bk2flIa9HrERaKTgnMtGmZMxQ-4h-J6olse_pMrD2MUXLqBZh_iDid4kiZZ7Lx4C3O8cGDG9ZkMsdaFlplJbHO5ggSReglWNm8lKPu3Uhh-JMv0rYKg-JIyeqCI/s1600/IMG_1031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ika Taro roasted shredded squid" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMHt_c7917GTOq5M0Bk2flIa9HrERaKTgnMtGmZMxQ-4h-J6olse_pMrD2MUXLqBZh_iDid4kiZZ7Lx4C3O8cGDG9ZkMsdaFlplJbHO5ggSReglWNm8lKPu3Uhh-JMv0rYKg-JIyeqCI/s1600/IMG_1031.JPG" height="320" title="Ika Taro roasted shredded squid" width="240" /></a></div>
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Links:<br />
Sankaku Fish Market: <a href="http://kimi-tourguide.blogspot.jp/2011/06/sankaku-fish-market-in-otaru.html">http://kimi-tourguide.blogspot.jp/2011/06/sankaku-fish-market-in-otaru.html</a> <br />
Otaru Orgel Doh: <a href="http://www.otaru-orgel.co.jp/english/e_main.html" target="_blank">http://www.otaru-orgel.co.jp/english/e_main.html </a><br />
LeTao: <a href="https://www.letao.jp/global/en/index.html" target="_blank">https://www.letao.jp/global/en/index.html</a><br />
Sakaimachi Street: <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6704.html" target="_blank">http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6704.html</a><br />
Ika Taro Honpo: <a href="http://ikataro.tv/e/index.html" target="_blank">http://ikataro.tv/e/index.html</a> <br />
Otaru Canal: <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6701.html" target="_blank">http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6701.html</a><br />
Otaru Beer: <a href="http://www.shift.jp.org/guide/sapporo/bar-restaurant/otaru-soko-no1.html" target="_blank">http://www.shift.jp.org/guide/sapporo/bar-restaurant/otaru-soko-no1.html</a><br />
Hotel Neuschloss Otaru: <a href="http://www.neuschloss.com/english/index.html">http://www.neuschloss.com/english/index.html</a><br />
<br />Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-79272945267288329322014-11-25T23:54:00.001+09:002015-05-19T13:06:34.151+09:00Nameko's Adventures in Hokkaido, Part 1: SapporoAfter taking the night train from Aomori to Sapporo and arriving bright and early (around 6am), Nameko started off his trip at the Sapporo-Shi Chuo Oroshi Urishijou Jougai Shijou (札幌市中央卸売市場場外市場 a.k.a. the <a href="http://www.sapporo-tourguides.com/news/sapporo-fish-market.html" target="_blank">Sapporo Fish Jyogai Market</a>).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6tBor3QO4doMFx_pWH_Hjn8sTtWgZmudju_b86oA8cREXO1YkrewXycz9FPzKDEijgZ1YEakV6cJYGtzqqZye79gdPQ7fKxFigV6SBzeZ_jwFHvrp2_CjkOH8s4QpwhAsj05bGS48Vw/s1600/IMG_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sapporo Fish Market" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6tBor3QO4doMFx_pWH_Hjn8sTtWgZmudju_b86oA8cREXO1YkrewXycz9FPzKDEijgZ1YEakV6cJYGtzqqZye79gdPQ7fKxFigV6SBzeZ_jwFHvrp2_CjkOH8s4QpwhAsj05bGS48Vw/s1600/IMG_0661.JPG" height="240" title="Sapporo Fish Jyogai Market" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIHsiCBT8joJiimh3JT73t3zvIROR9taGLAxh49J12Z61fXP-rIyrF359xgjf47G78uG9Gy9aBfIHI5Jsuyi_evi-_AU0Nb1jxRpXyu2IwFft9x4vIiNU9CPVNcQtnDr2E-tcs2z8obw/s1600/IMG_0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sapporo Fish Market Kaisen Don" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIHsiCBT8joJiimh3JT73t3zvIROR9taGLAxh49J12Z61fXP-rIyrF359xgjf47G78uG9Gy9aBfIHI5Jsuyi_evi-_AU0Nb1jxRpXyu2IwFft9x4vIiNU9CPVNcQtnDr2E-tcs2z8obw/s1600/IMG_0655.JPG" height="320" title="Sapporo Fish Jyogai Market Kaisen Don" width="240" /></a></div>
He enjoyed <i>kaisen-don</i> (a bowl of rice topped with seafood--usually raw) and crab miso soup. While wandering around the market, he narrowly avoided becoming breakfast himself!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uUvNklo6ZHSQ7fCO5LBmiCFZvJmIFp_A7gDhixuXNpRgGoFrQSpF6rnIPHTlAuzA4zf3WS_G9FgYOZGwXeMm7T3DDWkHryWdhH1XEioAPQ637hBaoCvvqfFkTnncqcyIhrcCW6eb_TI/s1600/IMG_9810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sapporo Fish Market" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uUvNklo6ZHSQ7fCO5LBmiCFZvJmIFp_A7gDhixuXNpRgGoFrQSpF6rnIPHTlAuzA4zf3WS_G9FgYOZGwXeMm7T3DDWkHryWdhH1XEioAPQ637hBaoCvvqfFkTnncqcyIhrcCW6eb_TI/s1600/IMG_9810.JPG" height="320" title="Sapporo Fish Jyogai Market" width="213" /></a></div>
After that narrow miss, he decided to go somewhere safer and headed to <a href="http://www.hokkaidojingu.or.jp/eng/" target="_blank">Hokkaido Jingu</a> (北海道神宮 Hokkaido Shrine) in Maruyama Koen (円山公園 Maruyama Park).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPdk81it9JX5LZ7RgIECW1IRqQSd7RiKguRymzgRrm4SxG5XvW5QW-Way6t6qgiax4zLb3QXicqZKIqf881mzszwru4KWqOhkAp_v4WFqmZFEEessHSoXXPKY40qYEFT-1QlQ26UMv4c/s1600/IMG_0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hokkaido Jinju Shrine" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPdk81it9JX5LZ7RgIECW1IRqQSd7RiKguRymzgRrm4SxG5XvW5QW-Way6t6qgiax4zLb3QXicqZKIqf881mzszwru4KWqOhkAp_v4WFqmZFEEessHSoXXPKY40qYEFT-1QlQ26UMv4c/s1600/IMG_0676.JPG" height="240" title="Hokkaido Jingu" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTQIrqSmG7jJB-5peu8B6jIOibvNy9geuc_FeXRqu_zukE4fr_dKtYJ0fdBQOOj4DKudlg-sMcJ2ubxvTdn2nECRL9j9nyNJRNlYfPCHtzjVwyo-7MqlmIEiy937yz6BlOosE5KmqgsY/s1600/IMG_0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hokkaido Jingu Shrine" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTQIrqSmG7jJB-5peu8B6jIOibvNy9geuc_FeXRqu_zukE4fr_dKtYJ0fdBQOOj4DKudlg-sMcJ2ubxvTdn2nECRL9j9nyNJRNlYfPCHtzjVwyo-7MqlmIEiy937yz6BlOosE5KmqgsY/s1600/IMG_0679.JPG" height="320" title="Hokkaido Jingu" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKDZXAulmBbV17zFgQ4dZdQtenwSU9gKeDlaGIm1kD_R9tv1JcfOFDfCL5z3DrlLbH3dv8txlt2WVer23U16lq3NN_PPleejTIXELbeKN3XETaIgWY5r1u8wOyOTbCoAwUFEu9jKia9I/s1600/IMG_9839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hokkaido Jingu Shrine" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKDZXAulmBbV17zFgQ4dZdQtenwSU9gKeDlaGIm1kD_R9tv1JcfOFDfCL5z3DrlLbH3dv8txlt2WVer23U16lq3NN_PPleejTIXELbeKN3XETaIgWY5r1u8wOyOTbCoAwUFEu9jKia9I/s1600/IMG_9839.JPG" height="320" title="Hokkaido Jingu" width="213" /></a></div>
Next he headed to the <a href="http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/find/art/museum_of_modern_art/?lang=en" target="_blank">Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art</a> (北海道立近代美術館). (Unfortunately he forgot to take a selfie there...)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aoCrtOZyiLpajWA1xNVcauaTyJOriy9bGRuoOgbFUDaBs90Z693vz5dqPM9eGTnOIOVAmMI1SJHPe-PmaUt3yctRdbqDLvzgxGgxknQOefI733dNUCsI2bPdbZCt5-_pUTTod3vQX4w/s1600/IMG_0703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aoCrtOZyiLpajWA1xNVcauaTyJOriy9bGRuoOgbFUDaBs90Z693vz5dqPM9eGTnOIOVAmMI1SJHPe-PmaUt3yctRdbqDLvzgxGgxknQOefI733dNUCsI2bPdbZCt5-_pUTTod3vQX4w/s1600/IMG_0703.JPG" height="240" title="Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art" width="320" /></a></div>
When he finally finished admiring the artwork, it was lunch time, so he headed over to the <a href="http://www.sapporo-bier-garten.jp/foreign/english.php" target="_blank">Sapporo Beer Garden</a> (サッポロガーデンパーク).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xO1_3QOR2o-5Z22xouIIZf7MqhfDSYEqZ-V9ZDQ8UrQpOEmOcB6aNOE1bWQZxvl6KjujykUwfLw0nblKfr9K6Oattwi7TgmzJbYLWwq-xWV8uB9jd7jkfVZRl4ziHqr9R_sqmDJE3uc/s1600/IMG_0782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sapporo Beer Garden" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xO1_3QOR2o-5Z22xouIIZf7MqhfDSYEqZ-V9ZDQ8UrQpOEmOcB6aNOE1bWQZxvl6KjujykUwfLw0nblKfr9K6Oattwi7TgmzJbYLWwq-xWV8uB9jd7jkfVZRl4ziHqr9R_sqmDJE3uc/s1600/IMG_0782.JPG" height="240" title="Sapporo Beer Garden" width="320" /></a></div>
At the Garden Grill Sapporo restaurant, he enjoyed:<br />
- Sapporo Beer<br />
<i>- Genghis Khan</i> (barbequed mutton) lunch set (with soup and appetizer)<br />
- <i>Ezo Shika</i>
(a type of Japanese deer, i.e. venison) sauteed with ginger (蝦夷鹿ショルダーのジンジャーソテー)<br />
- baked potato with butter (じゃがバター)<br />
<i>- Dorobuta </i>(a local Hokkaido brand of free range pork) chorizo sausages (どろ豚チョリソー) <br />
- and a crema catalana (Spanish
burnt cream custard) with homemade ice cream and haskap (edible
blue honeysuckle) sauce (道産ハスカップカタラーナ自家製牛乳アイス添え ).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgSB2grb4YnhVdkeh8DBHuvWH7PzBp2Yxph98E_FN-4QWAm13AuU3yfJNIoLm3pdmbQ7n2FPH4frpY9rrZGOWP_whm6foc-8CgGhG9AfuN5H-FT1xT4GX6Mpr5jW3UJelQLGsv4-J0c0/s1600/IMG_0745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Garden Grill Sapporo" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgSB2grb4YnhVdkeh8DBHuvWH7PzBp2Yxph98E_FN-4QWAm13AuU3yfJNIoLm3pdmbQ7n2FPH4frpY9rrZGOWP_whm6foc-8CgGhG9AfuN5H-FT1xT4GX6Mpr5jW3UJelQLGsv4-J0c0/s1600/IMG_0745.JPG" height="240" title="Garden Grill Sapporo" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LXANQhV1QYy1NwAufE3fi-DQRadfUOF027QNH_PpwwsUy5AHcmg2dTqDNnsQ9_AJmgvSm7y0__4qR7qqCtU20diY3rRXu3P9LpR0xAO1rr7D-sZxThItKyhXFqv4tIgZjBwa39nFH68/s1600/IMG_0711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Garden Grill Sapporo" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LXANQhV1QYy1NwAufE3fi-DQRadfUOF027QNH_PpwwsUy5AHcmg2dTqDNnsQ9_AJmgvSm7y0__4qR7qqCtU20diY3rRXu3P9LpR0xAO1rr7D-sZxThItKyhXFqv4tIgZjBwa39nFH68/s1600/IMG_0711.JPG" height="320" title="Garden Grill Sapporo" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3bB7QaTEwcJ2e3fXRUyjk4J9U_Lbkq9gor6O7kxnkNoYAkdf6vXIVcSszsTv0K0a0_b-PkU-tr4r9xcTRgTpP0AXwuf_qwCfqAzaTlWTANUlHodIVBwWwO6QZ0kGVm8O-cKTMpwl0J0/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sapporo Beer" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3bB7QaTEwcJ2e3fXRUyjk4J9U_Lbkq9gor6O7kxnkNoYAkdf6vXIVcSszsTv0K0a0_b-PkU-tr4r9xcTRgTpP0AXwuf_qwCfqAzaTlWTANUlHodIVBwWwO6QZ0kGVm8O-cKTMpwl0J0/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" height="320" title="Sapporo Beer" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_9O9nhS5MBJFcVD8nmLsNNwW5PJXEHFm9lV_g_BCovf8D4SkcdEqi1wNH2OfKZeEdxk1v0Ks4Pcg-M_Dl_5iYzff4XCHiiaFsYJYzqfSY-otL_RONfiRKe7Tj5P1Mh4RQelHL7Xrag0/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Genghis Khan barbequed mutton" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_9O9nhS5MBJFcVD8nmLsNNwW5PJXEHFm9lV_g_BCovf8D4SkcdEqi1wNH2OfKZeEdxk1v0Ks4Pcg-M_Dl_5iYzff4XCHiiaFsYJYzqfSY-otL_RONfiRKe7Tj5P1Mh4RQelHL7Xrag0/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" height="240" title="Genghis Khan" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4I43wBqoupm1uIqICjsXgdIB_hdP0jruUMEm9nIR72NXBxeYq84UIXZuY0rxJ0s48K_ppcmGR0xVtIBKA0gseMahnllZa0L2l9nlwEn-6NOMSuIR5bFqoV8A0zvgW12GwPPphNwrZi4/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Genghis Khan barbequed mutton lunch set soup and appetizer" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4I43wBqoupm1uIqICjsXgdIB_hdP0jruUMEm9nIR72NXBxeYq84UIXZuY0rxJ0s48K_ppcmGR0xVtIBKA0gseMahnllZa0L2l9nlwEn-6NOMSuIR5bFqoV8A0zvgW12GwPPphNwrZi4/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG" height="320" title="soup and appetizer" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMicZwtnMgKVH2l8z-1piGEW682aj8VusxB2m68zK96tbee7LqqwLbt93yo9af6xYmGStsOtENTGnlv7OjzO-xqmS5dTT8Bd-HCBMM8SAZFcsK7tFLs6ilw_U8FtDjc1JdfcMmWgF9SBM/s1600/IMG_0738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Grilled Ezo Shika Japanese deer venison" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMicZwtnMgKVH2l8z-1piGEW682aj8VusxB2m68zK96tbee7LqqwLbt93yo9af6xYmGStsOtENTGnlv7OjzO-xqmS5dTT8Bd-HCBMM8SAZFcsK7tFLs6ilw_U8FtDjc1JdfcMmWgF9SBM/s1600/IMG_0738.JPG" height="240" title="Grilled Ezo Shika" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0kcsFOcMpos0v0ype-s0LZ-LT2AHEUKZfbzELJWMGBGw4YrbzH_wFhu-DJNMdidHZknLW_S3RJCOLocOdC1OhgNuu590eOzQ7T6fgDO9C1usfnhvRNLaQm_uOZI_rSOJTSEiC3ljZ14/s1600/IMG_0726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="jagabutter baked potato with butter" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0kcsFOcMpos0v0ype-s0LZ-LT2AHEUKZfbzELJWMGBGw4YrbzH_wFhu-DJNMdidHZknLW_S3RJCOLocOdC1OhgNuu590eOzQ7T6fgDO9C1usfnhvRNLaQm_uOZI_rSOJTSEiC3ljZ14/s1600/IMG_0726.JPG" height="240" title="baked potato with butter" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPdpjlXVSc3_Hx-vinzK3xmtwmZXoEjpp5Qb2Qh0CR4VUCICyFScr9WyNJam_y1OfdBqDCpmNT6btrlyuZKytEJweGBNw56v2dG1nXH-TA6da5Nf0UkBjY2kCfrYp9xlEKfMAS01sasI/s1600/IMG_0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dorobuta Hokkaido free range pork chorizo sausage" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPdpjlXVSc3_Hx-vinzK3xmtwmZXoEjpp5Qb2Qh0CR4VUCICyFScr9WyNJam_y1OfdBqDCpmNT6btrlyuZKytEJweGBNw56v2dG1nXH-TA6da5Nf0UkBjY2kCfrYp9xlEKfMAS01sasI/s1600/IMG_0733.JPG" height="240" title="Dorobuta chorizo sausage" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_82kQxI3ZTzhJAep0zOnBEBd0saiguMOTuER9TWxbX34ED8PzGP-XNwCv8xNAjlVi2puk-0ZJ4WPXuuUxxMuIpSF39Kablu_4FY1HrEFy2ICLltxd1b4QBGRQjVzV1nh5owYMuvyDKL4/s1600/IMG_0732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Garden Grill Sapporo food" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_82kQxI3ZTzhJAep0zOnBEBd0saiguMOTuER9TWxbX34ED8PzGP-XNwCv8xNAjlVi2puk-0ZJ4WPXuuUxxMuIpSF39Kablu_4FY1HrEFy2ICLltxd1b4QBGRQjVzV1nh5owYMuvyDKL4/s1600/IMG_0732.JPG" height="240" title="Garden Grill Sapporo food" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41lHu3a3_-eyCWR_5-xVB5DhyphenhyphenG6x9G8jy-vJmZF4RfJZjyCVR9OrkKM2aVyNfAxJMRlICpJE814Iwd4bNyEUnqygMw5FMHyRgA_sKeD03QxU9BUeggcWP3OCB-c7NpVn1c7NQ5zuR5_k/s1600/IMG_0742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="crema catalana homemade ice cream and haskap sauce" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41lHu3a3_-eyCWR_5-xVB5DhyphenhyphenG6x9G8jy-vJmZF4RfJZjyCVR9OrkKM2aVyNfAxJMRlICpJE814Iwd4bNyEUnqygMw5FMHyRgA_sKeD03QxU9BUeggcWP3OCB-c7NpVn1c7NQ5zuR5_k/s1600/IMG_0742.JPG" height="320" title="crema catalana homemade ice cream and haskap sauce" width="240" /></a></div>
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After lunch, Nameko headed to the Sapporo Beer Museum (サッポロビール博物館).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjVSp0wOkJMELcVdYpBg6XIBzb-d_4Iwun4HKklGM1BOSGSD-kbXWbOjg0RmMt7jnYgkwqQVP9_vQ-15QeFu0PKz9Q4KO4ceDRrY30O-DRpNeuq_DzaTDuSfQB2sl8J0bmlFA22SVlOA/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sapporo Beer Museum" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjVSp0wOkJMELcVdYpBg6XIBzb-d_4Iwun4HKklGM1BOSGSD-kbXWbOjg0RmMt7jnYgkwqQVP9_vQ-15QeFu0PKz9Q4KO4ceDRrY30O-DRpNeuq_DzaTDuSfQB2sl8J0bmlFA22SVlOA/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG" height="240" title="Sapporo Beer Museum" width="320" /></a></div>
At the end of his time at the museum, he had a 3-beer sampler set with Black Label, Classic*, and Kaitakushi* (only 500yen and comes with choice of snack--cheese or crackers) and Ribbon Napolin* soda (100yen and choice of snack--white chocolate or crackers). (*Only available in Hokkaido.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZz9r-_NW0QaNEwI8RTY5I4o81_oE2nOkKglArccKT1FS1jAPoI2xAx3f71bgXE8fOJAqOCiA4xXOhx3_yUzFDE0mPez3U9SYBfdyf7rtVC77WjSfsBrwzPkt1bHUfLTb2P0Cd7w2xz6Q/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sapporo Beer Museum Ribbon Napolin and Beer Sampler" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZz9r-_NW0QaNEwI8RTY5I4o81_oE2nOkKglArccKT1FS1jAPoI2xAx3f71bgXE8fOJAqOCiA4xXOhx3_yUzFDE0mPez3U9SYBfdyf7rtVC77WjSfsBrwzPkt1bHUfLTb2P0Cd7w2xz6Q/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG" height="240" title="Sapporo Beer Museum Ribon Napolin and Beer Sampler" width="320" /></a></div>
After the Sapporo Beer Garden, Nameko headed down to Odori Park to check out the <a href="http://white-illumination.jp/en-us/" target="_blank">Sapporo White Illumination</a> that had fortuitously just started that weekend! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWSGiT4UGUY4MTF0QZWbilef2Hu0TT68Z52PhRHYdtkavT52MimMjUtQWDtkh6YInZKF4wfkLHB1ir-Ksw_6GyJX5F3PtEFmhAEeKIrJMMvD1p8s2XKr1ax5mPM18c5HSyPhdom7Xf0E/s1600/IMG_0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sapporo White Illumination 2014" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWSGiT4UGUY4MTF0QZWbilef2Hu0TT68Z52PhRHYdtkavT52MimMjUtQWDtkh6YInZKF4wfkLHB1ir-Ksw_6GyJX5F3PtEFmhAEeKIrJMMvD1p8s2XKr1ax5mPM18c5HSyPhdom7Xf0E/s1600/IMG_0793.JPG" height="240" title="Sapporo White Illumination 2014" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwduhZR6Q-6Q8SrDLxz66dcfpK0bRYw6RsOmWKaDCsak2SuiWUXWCj0XIf6KnrHVa57JNYyV5lVLr48hCsEMKyqtwM36rxKnsHBRJtKrZS2LB7jpGkbBs809I4CbBkWd7a2HlMgPJ9vc/s1600/IMG_0806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sapporo White Illumination 2014" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwduhZR6Q-6Q8SrDLxz66dcfpK0bRYw6RsOmWKaDCsak2SuiWUXWCj0XIf6KnrHVa57JNYyV5lVLr48hCsEMKyqtwM36rxKnsHBRJtKrZS2LB7jpGkbBs809I4CbBkWd7a2HlMgPJ9vc/s1600/IMG_0806.JPG" height="240" title="Sapporo White Illumination 2014" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSmV8eLB1Ao4o9u5IjKonxY9hYH-AmKH5DW_XHOhB9wpNo6ky_BhkBm5KzB_iA5Pg824SkzeednPqadxg9klXx02V0Ixx2c1I1io2VSWERJwP0rb-X5nzyRTpDLhQjiv9m9-i0YSKKfs/s1600/IMG_0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sapporo White Illumination 2014" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSmV8eLB1Ao4o9u5IjKonxY9hYH-AmKH5DW_XHOhB9wpNo6ky_BhkBm5KzB_iA5Pg824SkzeednPqadxg9klXx02V0Ixx2c1I1io2VSWERJwP0rb-X5nzyRTpDLhQjiv9m9-i0YSKKfs/s1600/IMG_0812.JPG" height="240" title="Sapporo White Illumination 2014" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3g3SlPb0dVyxW03_jeocdNJkMlrgIHPFbx3H2CiSHRDxhDTrupydLbnfZkCmWDhDWHyiBeLprGAeglmSendRi9bkStyj9H6UNMaMDKXcIPz9dDTDWc-sCxgITLKUJoNwKh-kMRI5H_M/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sapporo White Illumination 2014" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3g3SlPb0dVyxW03_jeocdNJkMlrgIHPFbx3H2CiSHRDxhDTrupydLbnfZkCmWDhDWHyiBeLprGAeglmSendRi9bkStyj9H6UNMaMDKXcIPz9dDTDWc-sCxgITLKUJoNwKh-kMRI5H_M/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" height="320" title="Sapporo White Illumination 2014" width="240" /></a></div>
Next Nameko headed to Tanuki Kouji (狸小路 <a href="http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/find/shops/tanukikoji_shopping_arcade/?lang=en" target="_blank">Tanuki Shopping Arcade</a>).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhhumbUIapOaRx3aEtFe4FFivy-yYsqthXJfzNeYQbuBC8Aj4VtrYiRREKuG99VUrfvm4dEC54NZm6m8ujbr2J6a4du8GE4R0MFvL5rqhVTtbVprk8ztDbtgNc8l1E9UGRpXDJv_lqLQ/s1600/IMG_0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sapporo Tanuki Kouji Shopping Arcade" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhhumbUIapOaRx3aEtFe4FFivy-yYsqthXJfzNeYQbuBC8Aj4VtrYiRREKuG99VUrfvm4dEC54NZm6m8ujbr2J6a4du8GE4R0MFvL5rqhVTtbVprk8ztDbtgNc8l1E9UGRpXDJv_lqLQ/s1600/IMG_0818.JPG" height="320" title="Tanuki Kouji" width="240" /></a></div>
It was late so a lot of the shops and restaurants were closed, but he managed to find a soup curry restaurant called World Kitchen A-Style (ワールドキッチンA-Style(アジアンスタイル)). He tried chicken soup curry and bacon soup curry. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVh8V1F2FnumLJ_XuLM_nvbYYN6J5apItxPwqcYuMItdTIAMIp4DfBhk0nN0zF4Kxx3pYjB8kKJW7cnw71BufBetC5OXK5vC1eItmlwD6I3pYL1nS_F0pPddVMfzmHNAfOXfCsOg0iRc/s1600/IMG_9988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="World Kitchen A-Style soup curry restaurant" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVh8V1F2FnumLJ_XuLM_nvbYYN6J5apItxPwqcYuMItdTIAMIp4DfBhk0nN0zF4Kxx3pYjB8kKJW7cnw71BufBetC5OXK5vC1eItmlwD6I3pYL1nS_F0pPddVMfzmHNAfOXfCsOg0iRc/s1600/IMG_9988.JPG" height="320" title="World Kitchen A-Style restaurant" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz9NHTC1fKctknBH7owODGFyXfAu4zVxotAMrnLa0Z2wbM6HNu2waJEzPdeKTjVVYMSwgnOHSV4Ms6By0aKXIuQVUh1MaqvhdHlHh7OufowEPX-4iMxtu2dTIYPSyaM0-qk867q-8On0/s1600/IMG_0834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="chicken soup curry" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz9NHTC1fKctknBH7owODGFyXfAu4zVxotAMrnLa0Z2wbM6HNu2waJEzPdeKTjVVYMSwgnOHSV4Ms6By0aKXIuQVUh1MaqvhdHlHh7OufowEPX-4iMxtu2dTIYPSyaM0-qk867q-8On0/s1600/IMG_0834.JPG" height="240" title="chicken soup curry" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYDh6vwT1P3ovK4JMVGMUG4KMO1t-Tx5y7vKh76Xs8yqf0xnG6gYovLQGAEWZEOQRKZHj1CtODTDhcI-aCQSfVL-OM2eMFVacAf-nih0QXMQlMKnLOVCeLu6C5PZ4tXEWhO93u81hwpM/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bacon soup curry" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYDh6vwT1P3ovK4JMVGMUG4KMO1t-Tx5y7vKh76Xs8yqf0xnG6gYovLQGAEWZEOQRKZHj1CtODTDhcI-aCQSfVL-OM2eMFVacAf-nih0QXMQlMKnLOVCeLu6C5PZ4tXEWhO93u81hwpM/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" height="240" title="bacon soup curry" width="320" /></a></div>
Having walked over 20,000 steps over the course of the day, Nameko was exhausted and headed back to the hotel for the night. But he did make sure to stop at a 7-Eleven on the way back to pick up some Haagen-Dazs Japonais Ichigo Azuki (strawberry red bean) ice cream to eat at the hotel! (The Japonais line of Haagen-Dazs is only available at 7-Elevens, but there aren't any stores in Aomori!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Uj1ZpjYmSueqMRDeHCZLZdNQYWwGq_BKShOm1VYJBQxtE97ebtXtW12fRaWRxEwRRSnYZwZccHHop4MyQ0_xqltWsxWRki6J1YKpLJU9Rw8dNkvHqifb_ypGBfhdXvp2LH7um4QiTZ8/s1600/IMG_0841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Haagen Dazs Japonais Ichigo Azuki strawberry red bean 7-Eleven limited" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Uj1ZpjYmSueqMRDeHCZLZdNQYWwGq_BKShOm1VYJBQxtE97ebtXtW12fRaWRxEwRRSnYZwZccHHop4MyQ0_xqltWsxWRki6J1YKpLJU9Rw8dNkvHqifb_ypGBfhdXvp2LH7um4QiTZ8/s1600/IMG_0841.JPG" height="320" title="Haagen Dazs Japonais Ichigo Azuki" width="240" /></a></div>
And that was the end of Nameko's first day of adventures in Hokkaido (Sapporo)!<br />
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Links:<br />
Sapporo Fish Jyogai Market: <a href="http://www.sapporo-tourguides.com/news/sapporo-fish-market.html">http://www.sapporo-tourguides.com/news/sapporo-fish-market.html</a> <br />
Maruyama Park: <a href="http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/find/nature-and-parks/maruyama_park/?lang=en">http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/find/nature-and-parks/maruyama_park/?lang=en</a><br />
Hokkaido Jingu: <a href="http://www.hokkaidojingu.or.jp/eng/">http://www.hokkaidojingu.or.jp/eng/</a><br />
Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art: <a href="http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/find/art/museum_of_modern_art/?lang=en">http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/find/art/museum_of_modern_art/?lang=en</a><br />
Sapporo Beer Garden: <a href="http://www.sapporo-bier-garten.jp/foreign/english.php">http://www.sapporo-bier-garten.jp/foreign/english.php</a><br />
Sapporo White Illumination: <a href="http://white-illumination.jp/en-us/">http://white-illumination.jp/en-us/</a><br />
Tanuki Kouji: <a href="http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/find/shops/tanukikoji_shopping_arcade/?lang=en">http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/find/shops/tanukikoji_shopping_arcade/?lang=en</a> <br />
World Kitchen A-Style: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%83%89%E3%82%AD%E3%83%83%E3%83%81%E3%83%B3A-style/841069339277140" target="_blank">Japanese Facebook Page</a>Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-83555740875479359922014-11-14T11:53:00.002+09:002014-11-14T11:53:27.207+09:00Pokka Coffee Potato Chips Taste TestI don't even like coffee, but nonetheless I couldn't resist when I found Pokka Coffee* Potato Chips (149yen)at the local Mini Stop. (Incidentally, I couldn't find the chips at grocery stores or other convenience stores--only Mini Stop.)<br />
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*Pokka Coffee is a Japanese brand of (sweetened) canned coffee that was first produced in 1972.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQFm7l2TpmrhQBsQMZV7_B4uOpKeRUhsfgmW-JHPWbWluN5-nE3FWbdZ1PmVx9atsLNdLDWoX238dvyh-TJyrm_GVSrHAGij03xi_AxYD0BpTksP8_BVuhfwcCLtNPy0TKDFaKksevpQ/s1600/IMG_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pokka Coffee Potato Chips" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQFm7l2TpmrhQBsQMZV7_B4uOpKeRUhsfgmW-JHPWbWluN5-nE3FWbdZ1PmVx9atsLNdLDWoX238dvyh-TJyrm_GVSrHAGij03xi_AxYD0BpTksP8_BVuhfwcCLtNPy0TKDFaKksevpQ/s320/IMG_0444.JPG" title="Pokka Coffe Potato Chips" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlV1wIBNwy8IIl7SC6bJUcInYausB7oON-Ihd897AYs-9nE1bAh4p1m4A0P4Ye26isYM2ZwZiQVKYZzVVB9Njtmnw6LW8p6cccUJmGVSrZlddP4YzN4_C0W78MN8Oh70wjcGcsYnr4D28/s1600/IMG_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pokka Coffee Potato Chips" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlV1wIBNwy8IIl7SC6bJUcInYausB7oON-Ihd897AYs-9nE1bAh4p1m4A0P4Ye26isYM2ZwZiQVKYZzVVB9Njtmnw6LW8p6cccUJmGVSrZlddP4YzN4_C0W78MN8Oh70wjcGcsYnr4D28/s320/IMG_0445.JPG" title="Pokka Coffee Potato Chips" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qT14v6TAG2pqkYTVlMTVxAIPZla8GL24wrs1vKz6kLK62GFZGeiV_VAHMEBAh5vtou4RngnjVGrNiFhd3xihh3Rl9qQdUQVX3CmtENBXELRXGIYhKGyJW1Nt-W90PNl2XDBnmTbgiLQ/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pokka Coffee Potato Chips" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qT14v6TAG2pqkYTVlMTVxAIPZla8GL24wrs1vKz6kLK62GFZGeiV_VAHMEBAh5vtou4RngnjVGrNiFhd3xihh3Rl9qQdUQVX3CmtENBXELRXGIYhKGyJW1Nt-W90PNl2XDBnmTbgiLQ/s320/IMG_0462.JPG" title="Pokka Coffee Potato Chips" width="320" /></a></div>
There was distinct coffee smell upon opening the bag, but thankfully it didn't actually taste like coffee. It was more like a slightly bitter caramel taste. I thought the slight saltiness of the chips worked well to balance out the sweetness. It felt a bit strange to be eating sweet potato chips, but at the time they were actually strangely addictive. My husband and I polished off the bag in short order.<br />
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I probably wouldn't go out of my way to buy the chips again, but if I had them in front of me I would definitely eat them--and probably polish off the entire bag, too! Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977841784473237311.post-45026246937408908292014-11-06T13:40:00.002+09:002014-11-06T13:40:57.497+09:00Instant tonjiru udon taste test<i>Tonjiru</i> (豚汁) is a hearty type of miso soup made with pork and vegetables that is considered a staple of Japanese home cooking. Ingredients vary from household to household and person to person, but (along with the pork) most recipes include carrots, <i>gobou</i> (burdock root), and <i>konnyaku</i> (konjac or devil's tongue) among other ingredients.<br />
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I love tonjiru and usually make mine with pork, carrots, potatoes, onions, <i>gobou</i>, <i>konnyaku</i>, and shiitake. Throw in some udon and tonjiru is also an awesome meal on its own! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpPhobRSufcvnxCNl8pCMQiexWGvhFmyql6tcfbxLmCDLKkXuAiVNbgCcVJdf7nx0qOFokqNwN7pBx2_FX7d9Hg3bX4w6gCk59onoIpOB1LYRAqQQTZpiXJMgvyZKYEL8qs1Ip5tHeJU/s1600/IMG_4444-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="homemade tonjiru udon" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpPhobRSufcvnxCNl8pCMQiexWGvhFmyql6tcfbxLmCDLKkXuAiVNbgCcVJdf7nx0qOFokqNwN7pBx2_FX7d9Hg3bX4w6gCk59onoIpOB1LYRAqQQTZpiXJMgvyZKYEL8qs1Ip5tHeJU/s1600/IMG_4444-001.JPG" height="240" title="homemade tonjiru udon" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">homemade tonjiru udon</td></tr>
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So when I saw instant tonjiru udon available at the grocery store, I knew I had to try it! There were two brands available, so I bought both and did a taste test.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBWh_sMKJwZi0xcHleHmb3HpzU1moxLByYhQAmO3RqbOy8omrd2gsU5UL_9cauDifu0i1Br-ept9w02A6pexzl4b6mbVzm31GyXzdVAq4pFIy-dGd0pay5CHbLEVuX07Co70qazKF3YM/s1600/IMG_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="maruchan nissin instant tonjiru udon" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBWh_sMKJwZi0xcHleHmb3HpzU1moxLByYhQAmO3RqbOy8omrd2gsU5UL_9cauDifu0i1Br-ept9w02A6pexzl4b6mbVzm31GyXzdVAq4pFIy-dGd0pay5CHbLEVuX07Co70qazKF3YM/s1600/IMG_0377.JPG" height="300" title="instant tonjiru udon" width="400" /></a></div>
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Left: Maruchan "Atsu Atsu Tonjiru Udon"<br />
Price: 108yen<br />
Net Wt.: ~109g<br />
Toppings: pork, aburaage, gobou, potatoes, carrots, leeks <br />
425kcal; 6.1g sodium<br />
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Right: Nissin "Donbei Tonjiru Udon"<br />
Price: 138yen<br />
Net Wt.: ~99g<br />
Toppings: pork, aburaage, gobou, carrots, leeks <br />
416kcal; 5.1g sodium <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy18Y4TbPzMTOMVj0OdYehdNfIjij7-9RU9ebqN4oloXIKye2GmI36P2Y5Fo35dZwWVvQBe1WyOCziG77ZNwzv32MUuvWzYjjs-wT74_JMj-pXKfd6PV8FjG5gtQ8RP1wpxFTChdnWu_k/s1600/IMG_0390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Maruchan Atsu Atsu Tonjiru Udon" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy18Y4TbPzMTOMVj0OdYehdNfIjij7-9RU9ebqN4oloXIKye2GmI36P2Y5Fo35dZwWVvQBe1WyOCziG77ZNwzv32MUuvWzYjjs-wT74_JMj-pXKfd6PV8FjG5gtQ8RP1wpxFTChdnWu_k/s1600/IMG_0390.JPG" height="200" title="Maruchan Tonjiru Udon" width="150" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXGu04iiimyOZYFyaBlxsPubcbhwLJm8q2DEMXlroZGt9MCoZFiZI98QcIQAMYOXc03pBNnhU3Hfw304ThavA1LstU0C2zjzYQx_F3z3b_szDkV-rjkeY2o8y5EvH0_hkwYfCjo1zk98/s1600/IMG_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nissin Donbei Tonjiru Udon" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXGu04iiimyOZYFyaBlxsPubcbhwLJm8q2DEMXlroZGt9MCoZFiZI98QcIQAMYOXc03pBNnhU3Hfw304ThavA1LstU0C2zjzYQx_F3z3b_szDkV-rjkeY2o8y5EvH0_hkwYfCjo1zk98/s1600/IMG_0389.JPG" height="200" title="Nissin Tonjiru Udon" width="150" /></a></div>
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Inside both packages, there were pieces of <i>aburaage</i> (a type of fried tofu), a package of toppings (<i>kayaku</i> かやく) and soup (<i>ekitai soup</i> 液体スープ), but the Nissin one also had a package of <i>shichimi</i> spices (七味).<br />
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The preparation instructions were also pretty much the same for both:<br />
1. open up the lid halfway and remove the topping/soup/spice packages<br />
2. add the toppings to the noodles<br />
3. fill with hot water up to the line inside the bowl (~350mL for Maruchan, and ~370mL for Nissin)<br />
4. close the lid, place the soup package on top of the lid (to warm up the soup), and let sit for 5min<br />
5. remove the lid, add the soup (and spices for Nissin), mix and enjoy!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdjKY7YRHMydDRxDUARowtIBfOcWRUQRDOAsnnxl0SaQgjguidR6WwcqJnrLdFfEzxUiDvxRUWwoBmY7XkwPUq5ys5d7XeKxJKcAbxGI7zSGZ5zlc1URUyEZYdGP_0UWMvvNguG95hKg/s1600/IMG_0392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="instant tonjiru udon prepared just add water" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdjKY7YRHMydDRxDUARowtIBfOcWRUQRDOAsnnxl0SaQgjguidR6WwcqJnrLdFfEzxUiDvxRUWwoBmY7XkwPUq5ys5d7XeKxJKcAbxGI7zSGZ5zlc1URUyEZYdGP_0UWMvvNguG95hKg/s1600/IMG_0392.JPG" height="240" title="instant tonjiru udon - just add water" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just add water!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf650rl20g01eCuzeulPya-1OrT-h6-JFh9CQ76fU8D_0mBCLk_5oTM9OfwS9KEA5n7bFLX9eTTGXzDzJFMZWZq_nQYPWRiKOF8EGzYsYhdtL1iO9rlc_-TXV8jHyUdfbeOoTgME8__58/s1600/IMG_0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Maruchan Atsu Atsu Tonjiru Udon" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf650rl20g01eCuzeulPya-1OrT-h6-JFh9CQ76fU8D_0mBCLk_5oTM9OfwS9KEA5n7bFLX9eTTGXzDzJFMZWZq_nQYPWRiKOF8EGzYsYhdtL1iO9rlc_-TXV8jHyUdfbeOoTgME8__58/s1600/IMG_0394.JPG" height="240" title="Maruchan Tonjiru Udon" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maruchan Atsu Atsu Tonjiru Udon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RsGfE50fsdy8DN-l1LSJy-JbaBhU-c_A5vl0NLSM0ClLeIWYyx2bSWYYonz6PyBCOAszIyVtaokTvpnbwGC_gl2v3l3QfcPOGOzUxlG8_yqF4Bv4kCiFjNIQNW2dBGKIYKkq68lRFzI/s1600/IMG_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Nissin Donbei Tonjiru Udon" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RsGfE50fsdy8DN-l1LSJy-JbaBhU-c_A5vl0NLSM0ClLeIWYyx2bSWYYonz6PyBCOAszIyVtaokTvpnbwGC_gl2v3l3QfcPOGOzUxlG8_yqF4Bv4kCiFjNIQNW2dBGKIYKkq68lRFzI/s1600/IMG_0396.JPG" height="240" title="Nissin Tonjiru Udon" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nissin Donbei Tonjiru Udon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Both were pretty tasty, but the Maruchan soup had a stronger miso taste, and the toppings were in bigger pieces and had a bit more variety than the Nissin version, so the taste of the toppings was more obvious.<br />
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The Nissin soup was a bit lighter so you could appreciate the addition of the <i>shichimi</i> spices. Since I tend to use a lighter hand with the miso when making my own tonjiru, the Nissin soup was closer to the taste of my tonjiru than the Maruchan soup. I also preferred the Nissin noodles since the texture was a bit...softer? They tasted/felt closer to regular udon than the Maruchan noodles, which were more rubbery/firm and obviously instant noodles.<br />
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So, here are my picks for the better brand based on various criteria:<br />
Price/Value: Maruchan<br />
Health: Nissin<br />
Toppings: Maruchan<br />
Noodles: Nissin<br />
Soup: Tie (really a matter of preference, both were equally good)<br />
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As you can see, each is good in its own way, but if I had to pick, I would choose the Maruchan Atsu Atsu Tonjiru Udon for the value and the very clear "tonjiru!" taste from the stronger miso taste and size and variety of the toppings. Preseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375588940765390895noreply@blogger.com0