Wednesday, April 10, 2013
FIND of the day: Hello Kitty
FIND of the day: HelloKitty is HUGE in Japan! With @YamsNews10 in Kyoto. #suzryanjapan http://t.co/MjND8awNYh
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Sakura and Cherry Blossoms>> video
April 9-- Tuesday
WORD of the day: Sakura. "Cherry blossom" -- they are all blooming right now in Japan. It's the reason so many people visit the country this time of year.
Here's a closer look.
https://vimeo.com/63652258
-Suzanne
WORD of the day: Sakura. "Cherry blossom" -- they are all blooming right now in Japan. It's the reason so many people visit the country this time of year.
Here's a closer look.
https://vimeo.com/63652258
-Suzanne
PHOTO of the day: breakfast
PHOTO of the day: what's for breakfast? Tofu. Salmon. Miso soup. Rice porridge. Pickled veggies. #suzryanjapan http://t.co/n9DVwllelS
Monday, April 8, 2013
So many choices: Vending machines...
Here's a quick video clip: http://youtu.be/HsDJoPvzO2c
OOPS! of the Day: That's not for your face...
I wanted (powdered) oil blotting sheets FOR MY FACE since we've been doing a lot of walking and it's been a bit warm.
I don't read or speak Japanese. I picked up a package and asked the woman (who doesn't speak English) if it was something I could use to freshen up.
On the train, I pulled out the package and proceeded to open it up. I took a second look and spotted a picture of a girl on the package winking. She's holding a sheet paper...up to her ARMPIT.
I don't read or speak Japanese. I picked up a package and asked the woman (who doesn't speak English) if it was something I could use to freshen up.
On the train, I pulled out the package and proceeded to open it up. I took a second look and spotted a picture of a girl on the package winking. She's holding a sheet paper...up to her ARMPIT.
The Lunch Box
Monday, April 8
What's in the box--the one with a mighty chicken on it? Lunch, of course.
At the train station, you can pick up all sorts of boxes--lunch boxes. Ours was about $10 U.S. We picked one up at the train station in Nagoya....between train rides.
What's in the box--the one with a mighty chicken on it? Lunch, of course.
At the train station, you can pick up all sorts of boxes--lunch boxes. Ours was about $10 U.S. We picked one up at the train station in Nagoya....between train rides.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Kituh Kattuh: Kit Kat by another name
The Japanese love their Kit Kat.... or perhaps its the tourists that love looking for them. The different flavors of Kit Kat are fun to find. It's like a scavenger hunt. Sometimes they're at train station stores. Sometimes at the airport. Sometimes, they're at convenience stores.
I looked up Green Tea Kit Kat wondering how easy it is to get outside of Japan.
On Amazon, I was shocked to see how many different flavors there were!
http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Kit-Kat-Maccha-Green/dp/B007OVX77G
There's pumpkin pudding Kit Kat, sweet purple potato Kit Kat... and the list goes on.
According to Wikipedia, Kit Kat used to come in soy sauce and ginger ale flavors.
Apparently, the Japanese love for Kit Kat is partly because of the word "Kitto Katsu" which means..."surely win."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitkat
Go figure.
On Amazon, I was shocked to see how many different flavors there were!
http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Kit-Kat-Maccha-Green/dp/B007OVX77G
There's pumpkin pudding Kit Kat, sweet purple potato Kit Kat... and the list goes on.
According to Wikipedia, Kit Kat used to come in soy sauce and ginger ale flavors.
Apparently, the Japanese love for Kit Kat is partly because of the word "Kitto Katsu" which means..."surely win."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitkat
Go figure.
 |
| The quintessential flavor: Green Tea Kit Kat |
 |
| Cinnamon Kit Kat |
 |
| It's not peanut butter flavor Kit Kat. Try: Mung Bean Kit Kat |
SNACK of the day: Owagara Tamaten
SNACK of the day: Owagara Tamaten. Marshmallowlike treat in Tamakaya: eggwhites, sugar, agave,sake #suzryanjapan http://t.co/heWS24nSRw
PHOTO of the day: Ryan and Japanese Boy Scouts
PHOTO of the day: @YamsNews10 with Boy Scouts in Takayama, Japan. #suzryanjapan http://t.co/DZ37GcOGP2
-S
-S
Saturday, April 6, 2013
A great bowl of ramen...
A great bowl of ramen...Hyda Ramen in Kanazawa.
It starts with thinly sliced Hyda beef, freshly made and boiled ramen noodles, and an awesome dashi (or broth). And, it's all made to order.
Delish. ;)
It starts with thinly sliced Hyda beef, freshly made and boiled ramen noodles, and an awesome dashi (or broth). And, it's all made to order.
Delish. ;)
WORD of the day: kawaii >> slideshow of all things kawaii
WORD of the day: kawaii. "Cute"
A quick video of all things kawaii or cute in Japan: https://vimeo.com/64134133
A quick video of all things kawaii or cute in Japan: https://vimeo.com/64134133
SNACK of the day: mitarashi dango
SNACK of the day: mitarashi dango. Grilled rice dumplings brushed with soy sauce. #suzryanjapan http://t.co/gCf5fttrEr
-S
-S
Friday, April 5, 2013
Watching the Giants...the Yomiuri Giants in Tokyo >>video
http://youtu.be/WVQxxjByASs
The above link is to a video about:
Ryan's take on catching a Yomiuri Giants game in Tokyo, the Tokyo Dome, and the surprise Sacramento connection...player John Bowker.
@SuzannePhan: FIND of the day: Yomiuri Giants tickets in Tokyo. #suzryanjapan #fb http://t.co/U2fyF6RaSC
-Suzanne
The above link is to a video about:
Ryan's take on catching a Yomiuri Giants game in Tokyo, the Tokyo Dome, and the surprise Sacramento connection...player John Bowker.
@SuzannePhan: FIND of the day: Yomiuri Giants tickets in Tokyo. #suzryanjapan #fb http://t.co/U2fyF6RaSC
-Suzanne
Tsujiki Fish Market/ Tuna Auction >> video
Video clip from our Japan trip: WHY Ryan and I got in line at 3am in #tokyo & ate #sushi at 6am #suzryanjapan
http://youtu.be/SBlKW3WeYVw
-Suzanne
PHOTOS:
http://youtu.be/SBlKW3WeYVw
-Suzanne
PHOTOS:
 |
| buyers and bidders... |
 |
| the early start paid off... |
 |
| sushi at 6am right beside the fish market |
Thursday, April 4, 2013
FIND of the day: Kit Kat...wasabi flavor Kit Kat
FIND of the day: Kit Kat...wasabi flavor Kit Kat
Yep. If you've had chipotle chocolate from CostPlus (or any gourmet chocolate that incorporates spiciness--Ginger Elizabeth has one)....it's kind of like that, except this is KitKat's version.
I must say, I like it.
-S
(4/27/13 --we were never able to find that flavor of Kit Kat again. Too bad we didn't actually buy some. A friend gave us a small piece to sample)
Yep. If you've had chipotle chocolate from CostPlus (or any gourmet chocolate that incorporates spiciness--Ginger Elizabeth has one)....it's kind of like that, except this is KitKat's version.
I must say, I like it.
-S
(4/27/13 --we were never able to find that flavor of Kit Kat again. Too bad we didn't actually buy some. A friend gave us a small piece to sample)
SNACK of the day: takoyaki
4/4/13
SNACK of the day: takoyaki
We first sampled this snack at a rest stop on the way back to Toykyo from Mt. Fuji. Got off the bus, walked through the food court and there it was...tako yako.
Here's how wikipedia defines it:
Takoyaki (たこ焼き or 蛸焼) is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special takoyaki pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus, tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, and green onion.[1][2] Takoyaki are brushed with takoyaki sauce, a sauce similar to Worcestershire sauce, and mayonnaise. The takoyaki is then sprinkled with green laver (aonori) and shavings of dried bonito (katsuobushi).
SNACK of the day: takoyaki
We first sampled this snack at a rest stop on the way back to Toykyo from Mt. Fuji. Got off the bus, walked through the food court and there it was...tako yako.
Here's how wikipedia defines it:
Takoyaki (たこ焼き or 蛸焼) is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special takoyaki pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus, tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, and green onion.[1][2] Takoyaki are brushed with takoyaki sauce, a sauce similar to Worcestershire sauce, and mayonnaise. The takoyaki is then sprinkled with green laver (aonori) and shavings of dried bonito (katsuobushi).
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Japan vs. Mother Nature
We couldn't have had two polar opposite days to begin our trip to Japan.
On day one... Tokyo was hit by a pretty nasty storm. Heavy rain, and even heavier winds. Lets just say Suz and I lost two umbrellas that snapped in the gusts while attempting to walk in the Imperial Gardens.
What made life worse the majority of the day was supposed to be spent outdoors. Our guide Cho-San tried to lead but nearly faced a mutiny from the the cold and wet soaked group. In a very Japanese way she blamed the weather on herself.
Highlight of the day: the family breaking away from the tour and visiting the graves of the 47 Samurai and learning it was a pilgrimage of my Grandfather every time to he came home to Japan.
Day two began with the sun shining, and we loaded up on the bus and headed for Mt. Fuji. Much like the Japanese as Cho-San said the mountain could be very shy, and especially this time of year it usually hides in a cover of clouds. But as we made our way down the highway, we could see the freshly snow capped mountain (a gift from the storm the day before). I wished Cho-San took the credit for weather as much as she took the blame for the storm, just to jab some of those who gave her a hard time.
Highlight of the day: finding wasabi flavored Kit Kats.
Quote of the day: "I think I'm going to try that butt squirter tonight," fellow tourist on bus when talking about the bidets at our hotel.
-Ryan
On day one... Tokyo was hit by a pretty nasty storm. Heavy rain, and even heavier winds. Lets just say Suz and I lost two umbrellas that snapped in the gusts while attempting to walk in the Imperial Gardens.
What made life worse the majority of the day was supposed to be spent outdoors. Our guide Cho-San tried to lead but nearly faced a mutiny from the the cold and wet soaked group. In a very Japanese way she blamed the weather on herself.
Highlight of the day: the family breaking away from the tour and visiting the graves of the 47 Samurai and learning it was a pilgrimage of my Grandfather every time to he came home to Japan.
Day two began with the sun shining, and we loaded up on the bus and headed for Mt. Fuji. Much like the Japanese as Cho-San said the mountain could be very shy, and especially this time of year it usually hides in a cover of clouds. But as we made our way down the highway, we could see the freshly snow capped mountain (a gift from the storm the day before). I wished Cho-San took the credit for weather as much as she took the blame for the storm, just to jab some of those who gave her a hard time.
Highlight of the day: finding wasabi flavored Kit Kats.
Quote of the day: "I think I'm going to try that butt squirter tonight," fellow tourist on bus when talking about the bidets at our hotel.
-Ryan
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Wheels Down Tokyo
Wheels Down Tokyo. Finally I've made it to Japan. After years of avoiding my homeland, because I didn't feel worthy I'm glad I'm finally here. Sounds stupid to say, but being of Japanese descent and not knowing the culture or language I had always avoided visiting Japan (opting to visit China, Vietnam, Cambodia etc....) And now that I'm here I am truly excited (much more to come).
--- Ryan
A lot of firsts for us with this trip. 1) first time in Japan. 2) first time traveling abroad with our parents 3) first time traveling with a tour group as opposed to backpacking or using a Lonely Planet guidebook to figure it out.
-Suz
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