Japanese food のアーカイブ

Tokyo station is one of the largest and oldest stations in Japan, and is also the starting poing of Shinkansen rails.  There are many chances to use Tokyo station in both moving inside central Tokyo and traveling to distant areas.

Tokyo station is not a place only for transport.  There is a shopping street in the underground of the station.

First Avenue Tokyo Station (東京駅一番街) is a shopping and gourmet area in the underground floor of Tokyo station, right outside Yaesu gate (八重洲口).  There are about 100 stores, such as restaurants, cafes, and shops where you can purchase souvenirs of Tokyo.

In the south end of First Avenue are many popular Ramen restaurants.  This corner is called ‘Tokyo Ramen Street’.

In the north end is an area called ‘Tokyo Character Street’.  There are shops of various characters, such as Ultraman and Hello Kitty.  There are also a shop of Shonen Jump, the comic magazine of Naruto and One Piece.

If you have time in your hand at Tokyo station, why not look around First Avenue Tokyo Station for some souvenirs for your friends and yourself?

 

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Monjayaki (もんじゃ焼き), or Monja, is a Japanese fast food.  Monja is a fried batter with various ingredients.  It is similar to Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き), another Japanese fast food, but Monja is made with a more watery dough.
The ingredients are finely chopped and mixed into the batter before frying.  After heated up, it is eaten directly off the grill using a small metal spatula.  The appearance is not so nice (it can be said that it looks like slop), the taste is delicious

Many Monja restaurants can be found in Tsukishima (月島), where Monja is said to have originated.  On a shopping street which is called ‘Monja street’, there are about 75 Monja restaurants.  Most also serve regular Okonomiyaki.
Monja was at first simple snacks for children in Tsukishima, a district that started as a downtown with many row houses.  Today, the range of ingredients are very wide, including vegetable, meat, cheese, and sea food.  There are even sweet Monja with fruits in it!

 

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Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
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On March 3rd, a festival called Hinamatsuri (雛祭り) is held.  Hinamatsuri is a festival for girls, and is celebrated by displaying a set of dolls, Hinaningyo (雛人形)

The custom of displaying dolls began during the Heian period.  People believed the dolls possessed the power to trap bad spirits into itself. 
Hinamatsuri originates in an ancient Japanese custom called Hina-nagashi (雛流し), literally ‘doll flowing’, in which straw or paper Hinaningyo, believed to take away bad spirits with them, are set afloat on a boat and sent down a river to the sea.

Today, in most homes, the dolls are not flowed, but just displayed.  The dolls are representing the Emperor, Empress, and their merry men, dressed in Kimono of the Heian Period (794-1185).

The arrangement of the doll differ by area, but the popular way of setting the dolls are to place them on a stair-shaped stage.
On the top stair is placed the Emperor and Empress.  On the next is the three court ladies. 
With the dolls, many instruments used in the palace life, such as drawers and oxcarts, are usually displayed.  

Families generally start to display the dolls around mid-February and take down the platforms immediately after the festival. Superstition says that leaving the dolls out past March 4 will result in a late marriage for the daughter!

There is a customary drink for the festival called Shirozake (白酒), a sake made from fermented rice.  There are also customary foods, Hinaarare (雛あられ), a colored , bite-sized rice crackers flavored with sugar or soy sauce, and Hishimochi (菱餅), a diamond-shaped colored rice cake.  Chirashizushi (ちらし寿司), Sushi rice flavored with sugar, vinegar, topped with eggs, shrimp, and a variety of ingredients, is often eaten.  A salt-based soup called Ushiojiru (うしお汁) containing clams still in the shell is also served.  Clam shells in food are a symbol of a united and peaceful couple, because a pair of clam shells fits perfectly, and no pair but the original pair can do so.

Chirashizushi and Ushiojiru are usually made in each family, but are purchasable at supermarkets.  Hinaarare and Hichimochi are in supermarkets as well.  Hinaningyo are quite expensive, but paper dalls or fabric dolls are available at reasonable price.  If you have a girl, why not celebrate Hinamatsuri starting this year

 

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Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Kappabashi is a street between Ueno and Asakusa, populated with shops supplying the restaurant trade.  At the entrance of Kappabashi street by Asakusa street is a giant cook mascot.
The shops sell everything from tableware, restaurant furniture, decorations, and stoves, most of them mass-produced.

The street’s name is believed to come from either the Kappa (合羽, raincoats) of nearby residents which were hang out to dry on the bridge, or from a merchant named Kihachi Kappaya (合羽屋喜八) who funded the project to build Shinhorikawa River (新堀川, doesn’t exist today) for water management. 
However, due to the homophone with the popular mythical creature, Kappa (河童), the group of shops along the street officially adopted the creature Kappa as its mascot.  Images of the Kappa shown on the left appear on shops along the street and web pages.

 

 

 

One of the most popular and entertaining shops is Sample Shop Maizuru.  This is a shop of plastic display food (sample foods), found outside Japanese restaurants.  There are many real size sample foods, such as Sushi and cakes, and also miniature samples made into cell phone straps and magnets.  There are also unique interior goods like Sushi clocks! 

 

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Though many explanations are made in foreign languages, it is difficult to actually experience Japanese culture.  However, there is a NPO which helps you do so.  This NPO, Institute for Japanese Cultural Exchange and Experience, holds various programs for foreigners, where you can expereince the traditon of Japan, with a multilingual Japanese instructor.  There are guides in several languages, such as English, Chinese, and French.

One popular program is Kimono dressing.
In this program, you can actually wear Kimono.  If weather permits, participants may walk in a nearby park to fully experience life wearing a Kimono.
Before wearing Kimono, participants would explore many aspects of the Kimono, for example, the traditional skills of  Japanese dyeing and weaving. Participants will also understand the versatility and specific features of the Kimono. Even if one’s shape changes (or a Kimono is given to another person), the same Kimono can be worn with just some minor adjustments.

Another program is making Sushi.
In this program, participants will learn to make various types of Sushi: Maki Sushi (rolled Sushi), Gunkan Maki (rice wrapped with a strip of seaweed and topped with ingredients), and Nigiri Sushi (rice topped with a slice of raw fish).  This program will be held at the participant’s home, as Sushi is a typical diet often made in Japanese homes.

There are more unique programs, such as experiencing tea ceremony, calligraphy, Origami (paper folding), and a tour watching the morning training of Sumo wrestlers.
For more information, visit the website below!

 

Institute for Japanese Cultural Exchange and Experience
http://www.ijcee.com/e.html (Eng)

 

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Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Looking for a quick meal in Tokyo?  Of course there are McDonald’s, Subway, and other burger shops, but there is a wide range of other choices.

One healthy choice is having Soba noodle.  There are luxurious Soba restaurants in certain areas, but in the busy districts are often cheaper Soba restaurants.
Most of these are standing-up-eating restaurants.  Choose a Soba with your preferred topping, buy a ticket at the vending machine, hand it to a clerk, and your Soba will be served in about a minute.  You will see many busy businessmen here in weekday noon.

 

Not much healthy, but another fast noodle is Ramen.  Not many Ramen restaurants are standing-up-eating, though the customers are in a rush as well.  Usually Ramen costs about 700 yen, but these fast restaurants serve Ramen around 400 yen (if you want to pursue taste, you will have to use your time and money, of course).

Gyudon (牛丼, Japanese beef bowl) is also a famous Japanese fast food.  You may have seen the signs of Yoshinoya (吉野家), Sukiya (すき屋), or Nakau (なか卯), the most popular Gyudon restaurants.  Not only beef bowls but pork bowls and chicken bowls are available at these restaurants, and there are also set meals with Miso soup and salad.  It is possible to take away your meal, which is impossible for Soba and Ramen.

People are usually rushing in these restaurants, so you may feel timid to enter them.  If it’s your first time, avoid the rush in lunch time, and try them in non-busy hours.  This will allow you to take plenty of time to choose your menu and to ask the clerk about the system of the shops.

 

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Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Ginza has been the leader of culture since the late 19th century.  Mainly in fashion, and also in food culture.  Many Western foods were first introduced in Ginza, and some Western-Japanese fusion foods were born.

You may have seen the store in the photo above, near Mitsukoshi and Matsuya.  This is the flagship store of Kimuraya (木村家, the sign in the photo reads 家村木, for Japanese was read from right to left in the past), a famous bread company.
Kimuraya, first named Buneido (文英堂), was founded in 1871.  The famous Anpan was invented here, as the harmony of Japanese and Western food culture.  Anpan is bread with sweet bean paste inside, and a salted cherry blossom on top.

What occured afterwards in Ginza?
In 1895, the first Western-food resraurant, Rengatei (煉瓦亭) opened.
In 1897, Ginza Sembikiya (銀座千疋屋) opened as a fruit store selling imported fruits, and also started the first soda fountain in Japan.
In 1902, Shiseido, the now famous cosmetic brand, opened a soda fountain (currently named Shiseido Parlor) in its shop, and started selling soda and ice cream.
In 1911, Cafe Printemps, a cafe mocking a cafe in Paris opened, and became the watering hole for cultural figures.
After WW2, many luxurious restaurants from all over the world opened in Ginza.  With Lecrin and Maxim’s de Paris, and many exclusive clubs, Ginza came to be concerned as the area of luxury.

Soda fountain machine, displayed in Ginza Shiseido Building.

Though the appearance has changed a lot, there are many old stores and restaurants still open in Ginza.  While walking around Ginza, look for the trace of history, and you sure will find a lot!

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Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
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Hanazono Shinto Shrine (花園神社) is a Shinto Shrine in Shinjuku, which was founded more than 500 years ago.  It is located in the center of Shinjuku, and is enshrined as the guardian god of Shinjuku since the Edo period.  It is called Hanazono (花園, flower garden) because the site was formerly a flower garden.

Many festivals are held in Hanazono Shinto Shrine, almost every month.  Even when no festival is on, the site is full of people, offering prayers, taking a rest, and meeting someone.  It is a very popular place among the people in Shinjuku.

Another thing famous about Hanazono Shinto Shrine is Hanazono Manju (花園饅頭).  It is a Japanese sweets shop founded in 1834, and moved to Tokyo in 1920.  This shop advocates its own Manju (饅頭, Japanese sweet buns) ‘the most expensive, and the most delicious in Japan’. 
The shop and cafe is right next to Hanazono Shinto Shrine.  One small Manju costs 367 yen, but it surely is delicious!

 

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Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
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TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Merry Christmas!
…and the next thing to think about is the coming year

In Japanese, New Year’s Eve is called Ohmisoka (大晦日).
Misoka (晦日) means ‘last day of the month’, and New Year’ Eve is the most important month-end, so it is called Oh(大, big)-misoka.

People tend to be very busy on Ohmisoka, because they have much to do to prepare for the new year, and New Year’s Day in particular.
Through cleaning is usually done in spring in the West, as there is a term ’spring cleaning’, but in Japan, it is often done on the last few days of the year.  In Japanese style houses, this cleaning involves changing the paper on Shoji (障子) doors and setting Tatami (畳) mats out to air in the sun.  The purpose doing this in the cold winter is to get ready to welcome in the new year with everything—including people’s minds and bodies—in a fresh, clean state.

After cleaning and all, it is time for supper.
Around 23:00 on Ohmisoka, people often gather at home to have a bowl of Soba.  This Soba eaten in Ohmisoka is called Toshikoshi Soba (年越しそば, year-crossing noodles).  This tradition has the meaning of a wish to be able to live a very long (like Soba) life.

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Higherground Co.,Ltd.
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It may be strange to think about new years day when it’s not even Christmas yet.  But not if you are making reservation for Osechi (お節).

Osechi is a traditional Japanese New Year feast. The tradition started in the Heian Period (平安時代, 794-1185).
Osechi is usually put into special boxes called Jubako (重箱), which resemble bento boxes, only more flamboyant. Like bento boxes, jubako are often kept stacked before and after use.

The dishes that make up Osechi each have a special meaning celebrating the New Year.
Some examples are:

Kazunoko (数の子)
Herring roe.  Kazu (数) means “number” and ko (子) means “child”.  It symbolizes a wish to be gifted with numerous children in the coming year.

Kuro-mame (黒豆)
Black soybeans.  Mame (豆, beans) also means “health”, symbolizing a wish for health.

Tazukuri (田作り)
Dried sardines cooked in soy sauce.  The literal meaning of the kanji in tazukuri is “rice field maker”, as the fish were used historically to fertilize rice fields. The symbolism is of an abundant harvest.

The above three are called Iwai-zakana Sanshu (祝い肴三種, three celebrational dishes).  Without these three, the new years feast would not be complete.
Iwai-zakana Sanshu differs by regions.  The above are the Kanto (including Tokyo) style.

Traditionally, Osechi is made in each house, but it can be purchased at department stores, and even on the internet.
At the department stores, for example Mitsukoshi or Takashimaya, you can buy Osechi from famous Ryotei (exclusive restaurants).
The deadline of reservation is around Christmas, or some times the 20th of December.  Some are in a limited quantity so it finishes even earlier!  If you are interested, an early reservation is recommended.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/